Confession - Do it!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 28 v. 13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

O - Observation
Confession. Probably the single most hardest thing to do. But confession, although painful can be liberating. The first person we must confess to is God. Hebrews 4 v. 16, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need." Confessing our sins to God, since he is loving, he will give us grace and forgiveness. Then we need to find a friend, someone we can trust, to confess our sins to. This will be healing as well. James 5 v. 16, "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects."  Confession = Mercy = Forsake = Freedom.

A - Application
Am I a confessing my sins to God and to a friend?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Forgive me of my sins. Help me to find strong Christians to confess my sins to.  Love Will.

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Be a person of Understanding

S - Scripture
Proverbs 28 v. 11 A rich man is wise in how own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. 

O - Observation
Understanding. This is a key word in this Proverb. Webster defines the word understand two ways: 1) having knowledge, 2) sympathetic to other people's problems. Both of them are a contrast to a person who thinks they know it all. Proverbs 15 v. 22 points out the fallacy of knowing it all. "Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisors they succeed." Knowing you don't know it all and thus seeking council is wisdom. Also, having empathy, being able to "feel" another person's position is a key to developing true treasure, which is relationships. Ephesians 4 v. 32, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving on another, as God in Christ forgave you."

A - Application
Am I a man of Understanding?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Give me understanding both ways, in knowledge and sympathy.  Love Will.

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Base your foundation on Jesus

S - Scripture
Proverbs 28 v. 1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

O - Observation
Foundation. This Proverb speaks to the foundation of your life. What is your foundation? Jesus tells us what we should use for our foundation in Matthew 7 v. 24-25, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the Rock!" Basing your life on God's word is a strong foundation. It will make you bold during life's struggles since God is on your side. Trusting or building your life on anything else is like putting your house on sand.

A - Application
What is my foundation? What do I place my trust in?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to live my life in confidence.  Love Will.

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Consider your passions

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is judged by his praise.

O - Observation
What are you worshiping? What is your passion? Those are the things that define you. People will know what your about, since passion bleeds outside of your body and flows into everything you do. King David summed up the source of his passion, his worship in Psalm 63 v. 3, "Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee." God’s love for us passes all our understanding. How can we not be compelled to praise him for this? This is the time to reflect and see what your are passionate about. Put your passions through the crucible and furnace. See if there is any impurities, see if the deflect God or not meant for God.

A - Application
What am I worshiping? What are my passions?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let my heart, mind and soul be a source of praise to you.  Love Will.

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Waiting for God

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture:

Psalm 62:1-2 - For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

O - Observation:

For the last month I've been studying Psalms. I've read them several times before but never took the time to try to digest them, to try to think about them as the author must have been thinking when he wrote them.  David is listed as the author of this Psalm, although all were inspired by God as is every word of scripture.  This is one of my new found favorites because it is such a concise statement of absolute faith in God.  The Psalmist is willing to wait for He knows God alone is his salvation and fortress, come what may, he will not be greatly shaken.  These are perfect verses to remember in these uncertain times.

A - Application:

While I'm fortunate right now not to be under any great duress, I have been on several occasions during my life.  How hard it is sometimes to wait for God, and yet wait we must.  He holds us all in His perfect timing, including the length of our days, Psalm 139:16.  In Isaiah 40:31 "But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Waiting on the Lord is kind of like Psalm 60:10.  Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted in the earth.  God will have His way in His time and according to His perfect will.  We should not worry nor fret, He is our rock and our salvation!

P - Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are the God of our salvation, the author of our salvation through Jesus, You know our needs better than we do, Lord You are our Rock in the tempests of life.  For as the Psalmist says, "You are my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken."  We place our trust in You alone, and Wait patiently for your timing in all things.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Keep your eye on the prize

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 18  He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.

O - Observation
Perseverance. Doing the right thing even when there is no obvious immediate results.  Its the long term commitment that yields great rewards. This is especially applicable in our walk with Jesus. 2 Timothy 4 v. 7-8a, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness." Therein lies why we should be motivated for perseverance, the end results. Eating of the fruit, honor from the master. 1 Corinthians 9 v. 24b - 25, "So run that you may obtain it (the prize). Every athlete exercise control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

A - Application
Am I keeping my eye on what the end results will be? Does that keep me motivated to persevere?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to stay the course in my walk with you. Love Will.

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Seek council

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 13  A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

O - Observation
The value of vision, the value of looking ahead and doing something about it. This Proverb points out the importance of not only looking ahead, but then to make a plan and execute it. The worse decision to make is not to make a decision when situations present themselves. So, how do we become prudent? We seek his council. Psalm 16 v. 7-8, "I bless the Lord who gives me council; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not  be moved." Because of his council, we recognize true danger, danger to the soul, and run to his safety. Psalm 34 v. 8, "Taste and see that the Lord is Good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him."

A - Application
Am I Prudent man? Am I seeking God's counsel?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for giving me a safe place to be. Love Will.

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