ISSUE: #30

MEM

Message

One of the sections in the MEM is ‘Proverbs’. We try to find a proverb or two that fits the topic of this message. Most of the proverbs were attributed to Solomon, we read about his request for wisdom in - 1 Kings 3: 5 That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!" 6 Solomon replied, … 9 Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s reply and was glad that he had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied,…12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding mind such as no one else has ever had or ever will have! (Emphasis added)

Here and other places we read that wisdom does come from YHVH and that we have to ask for it:

Luke 21:15 (Yeshua says) for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply!

Acts 6:10 None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke.

Ephesians 1:17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Colossians 2:3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:5 If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.

2 Peter 3:15 ... This is just as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—

It is my prayer that you will humble yourself before the Eternal One and ask Him for His wisdom. That we might know what He wants us to do, that we might know what is right.

Proverb

Proverbs 1:2 The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.

Proverbs 8:12 "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

Proverbs 4:7 Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment.

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Saying

I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not our circumstances. Martha Washington

Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have – so spend it wisely. Kay Lyons

Our values give consistency and integrity to our choices. When we set goals without considering our values, we may do things for short-range results and damage our long-range interest, or we may act falsely or disloyally, which weakens ourselves and our relationships. Acting from a strong sense of values, from a clear sense of purpose or mission, helps us avoid these pitfalls. Stephen R. Covey

Bible Quiz

1. What happened in nature when Yeshua was crucified?
2. Which is the middle book of the New Testament?
3. Where did God send the angels when they sinned?
4. Whom did Paul encourage to show that they can be fully trusted and subject to everything?
5. What did Esau plan to do after his father died?
6. Which king married a daughter of Pharaoh?
7. Who said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Humility

Yeshua took on the form of a servant. We are to follow His example, His teaching.

"He was teaching us the truth that there is nothing so divine as being the servant and helper of all." Andrew Murray (AM).

It is quite evident that the distinguishing mark of Yeshua’s humility is rare in present day leadership of the body of Messiah. It is also rarely taught as the core virtue of discipleship. As Andrew Murray says; "… to prove that meekness and lowliness of heart are the chief marks by which they who follow the Lamb of God are to be known."

Humility: the glory of the creature.

"Humility is the proper estimate of oneself." Charles Spurgeon

In John’s vision as he looked into heaven he beheld living creatures and elders humbly giving praise and worshiping the Creator:

Revelation 4: 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Recognizing and acknowledging that we (man) are a creature of divine will of the Ever-loving One, is the start on the road to humility.

ANGELS

We are promised protection by the angels. Psalms 91:11 For He will give his angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. There is a stipulation though, in verse 2 …My God, in whom I trust. We need to be trusting in our heavenly Father.

Angels can appear as humans. Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

The Angels obey the Almighty. Psalms 103:20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!

Some of the angels rebelled and sinned against the Almighty. II Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment.

The angels will separate the wicked from the righteous. Matthew 13:49 So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous.

The angels will gather the elect. Mark 13:27 And then He will send for the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

The angels rejoice when a sinner repents. Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

The angels worship God in heaven. Revelation 7:11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

The angels will be in the new Jerusalem. Revelation 21: 10-12 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God…It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.

Did you know:

A piece of paper cannot be folded in half more than seven times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty years old or older.

Lighter Side

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

- Patrick, age 10

Never tell your mom her diet's not working.

- Michael, 14

Stay away from prunes.

- Randy, 9

Never allow your three-year old brother in the same room as your school assignment.

- Traci, 14

Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a tic-tac.

- Andrew, 9

Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.

- Kyoyo, 9

You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

- Armir, 9

If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.

-Naomi, 15

Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.

- Lauren, 9

Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat.

- Joel, 10

Never try to baptize a cat.

- Eileen, 8

When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him.

- Michael, 14

Children’s Story

Leona (Pierre’s mother), lit the oil lamp with a match. Matches were a rationed item as they were expensive. She would often use a match to light a candle or lamp, then use that flame to light kindle sticks, then light a larger fire.

It was past their time for bed but she needed to prepare something to eat as they were hungry. Removing some hard tack (a bread made without leavening) from a metal container, some dried fish from another she placed them on their small table. Pierre used the knife from his belt to cut thru the eyes of a coconut, then he poured its milk into two cups. Together they thanked the Father for their food.

As they were eating Leona explained why she had gone to look for Pierre. Earlier in the day missionary Bill had unexpectedly stopped by to ask if she had seen an unusually old wooden ship with tattered sails. Many of those on Missionary Bill’s circuit had told him about it. They described it as aimlessly floating about, listing heavily to one side, strange noises, like groaning, coming from the hold. The sails were torn and tattered to the point where they seemed useless to power the ship. Missionary Bill was concerned about the welfare of any possible survivors on the ship.

Pierre’s mother went on - about late afternoon, she thought there were strange noises coming from the cove area, maybe it was her imagination. Taking the single telescope she headed for the ocean. What was that? Was that a glimpse of that old ship disappearing around the eastern side of the island. Looking about her heart almost stopped and then began to beat faster. There in a sandy area she saw where the prow of a small boat had been pulled up on the beach. Several shoe tracks were seen headed in the direction toward the Hatah village. Following them she determined they must have returned to their boat and back to sea.

Leona went on to explain how she was concerned it may have been a slave or pirate ship, that they may have seen Pierre on the shore and possibly had taken him captive. She explained how she first prayed about the circumstances. She thanked God because the men did not find the trail leading to the house. Asking for protection for herself, Pierre, and others. She set out to find Pierre.

By now Pierre’s eyes were wide open. "Mother, I am so thankful you are safe. This must be what the whole Hatah village had gone down to the ocean to see." As Pierre explained to his mother about his visit to the deserted village. He now desired to ask God for special protection for themselves, the Hatah village, Missionary Bill, for his father, and others that might be in the path of this possible danger. Leona and Pierre opened the Bible and in the flickering lamp light read;

Psalms 91: 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" 3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; 6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. 7 A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. 8 You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked. 9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. 10 No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.

Then they asked God to grant safety to those they loved and cared about according to this promise in His Word.

Washing in clean water they hugged again and retired for the night knowing the Almighty One would send His angels to care for and watch over them all. Blessed be He.

Quiz Answers

1) Darkness came over all the land for three hours, the earth shook, and the rocks split. - Matthew 27: 45, 51

2) Second Thessalonians

3) Tartaroo (Hell), pits of darkness - 2 Peter 2:4

4) Slaves - Titus 2:9-10

5) He planned to kill Jacob - Genesis 27:41

6) Solomon - 1 Kings 3:1

7) Yeshua (Jesus) - Mark 15:34