ISSUE: #31

MEM

Message

We recognize the book of Proverbs as a book of wisdom. In chapter 3 and verse 6 we read: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Looking up the Strong’s number (03045) for acknowledge we find:

• to know – be acquainted with – skilful in – to have knowledge – be wise – to make known – declare – teach…

When I looked up acknowledge on the Word Web I was pleasantly surprised how it could help us understand how we might, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

Acknowledge:
- Declaring to be true or admitting the existence or reality or truth of
- Reporting the receipt of
- Expressing recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with
- Expressing obligation, thanks, or gratitude for
- Accepting as legally binding and valid
- Accepting to be what is claimed or accepting his power and authority.
(Go back and put YHVH in each of these definitions.)

Oh the wisdom of Proverbs 3:6! My prayer is you will "In all your ways acknowledge Him, (and His promise is) … He will direct your paths."

Proverb

Proverbs 1:2 To know <03045> wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,

Proverbs 1:23 "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make <03045> my words known <03045> to you.

Proverbs 22:19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught <03045> you today, even you.

Saying

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.

We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insolvable problems.

Vision is the art of seeing the invisible. Jonathan Swift

Bible Quiz

1. What did Yeshua do to heal the man born blind? (John 9)
2. What classification is given to the last seven letters of the New Testament?
3. Where did the third angel in Revelation 16:4 pour out his bowl?
4. In what position is Messiah described as both merciful and faithful?
5. What did Jacob see in a dream on his way to Haran?
6. Who suggested that another apostle be chosen to replace Judas?
7. Who said, "As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved"?

Humility

"Humility is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." Thomas Jefferson

To acknowledge Yeshua as the Creator and our Savior, we need to see ourselves as an obstacle to His performing His perfect work in us. Our challenge is to empty ourselves of self (the natural man) and be filled with His presence - letting Him be all.

Article(s) Spotlight

Tie Humility - Acknowledging YHVH - and the issues of life together in the new WEB article - "The Need for Wisdom".

Did you know:

Question: What color is polar bear fur?

Despite what our eyes tell us, a polar bear’s fur is not white. Each hair shaft is pigment free and transparent with a hollow core. Polar bears look white because the hollow core scatters and reflects visible light, much like ice and snow do. When photographed with film sensitive to ultraviolet light, polar bears appear black. In 1979, three polar bears at the San Diego Zoo turned green. Scientists discovered that colonies of algae were growing in the bears’ hollow hair shafts.

Lighter Side

A potential customer called the airlines information desk and asked, "How long does it take to fly from Minneapolis to Detroit?" The busy clerk said, "Just a minute." "Well if it goes that fast I think I will take a bus."

The restaurant manager preparing a new waiter, "Do you know the difference between a canoe and some of our customers?" The new waiter being cautious replied, "What is your point?" Manager, "A canoe will sometimes tip."

"Would you mind standing in front of my car and tell me if my turn signal is working?" Reply, "Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes…..

A gentleman at the counter of a local newspaper noted an elderly lady as she approached him. "May I help you?" Lady: "I would like to place a notice in the paper of my husband’s death." Clerk: "What would you like to say?" Lady: "Ben, died." Clerk: "OK go on." Lady: "That’s it." The clerk looked her over closely and answered, "If it is money you are worried about the first five words are free." "Alright," she replied, "Ben died, boat for sale."

Two young fellows from a back-water town were taking their first train ride. Not knowing what to expect they took along a lunch. After riding for a time, enjoying the scenery going by, the older took a banana out, took a bite as the train approached a long dark tunnel. "Have you eaten your banana yet?" he asked his friend. "No not yet." "Then don’t, I just took one bite and went blind."

Children’s Story

It had been a very long day for Pierre and his mother. They slept very soundly. Pierre woke early. Not wanting to disturb his mother he slipped out of the house and went to the stream. There he washed, then turned to one of his favorite places to pray. He again prayed for all his friends and loved ones, as was his custom. This time his voice had a special urgency because of all the events of the previous day. The main topic of prayer was the ship. As Pierre prayed, he tried to put the events in perspective. Asking for wisdom and a course of action, Pierre began to perceive that the ship may be in need of help and not a dangerous threat to others.

Pierre leaped to his feet and ran back to the house. His mother by this time had prepared a meal of dried fruits and grains. Anxious to explore the possibility of the ship being at the Hatah village, Pierre asked his mother for permission to leave for the other side of the island. He explained his reasons for not fearing the outcome. Leona began to understand the insight Pierre had about the situation. She granted him the permission to go, as she put together some food for his pouch and a container for fresh water. This time they were careful to map out the route and when Pierre was to return. She had given him permission to stay for one day and night at the Hatah village, if he could render any assistance.

This time Pierre headed to the cove and down the eastern side of the island. He was looking for any evidence that the ship was not a slave ship but one in deep trouble. He had learned how to run in spurts then trot to cover long distances quickly.

About an hour had passed when Leona heard a familiar voice calling her name from the direction of the cove. She ran as fast as she could down the path toward the cove. On the way she met Jacques and they embraced for some time before she asked him why he was back so soon; it was only the third day of the week.

First Jacques had to know about Pierre. Leona related the ship story and how Pierre was going to the Hatah village as the possible site of the ship. Jacques then conveyed all he knew and heard about the ship.

When he arrived at the Island of Mirada, where he was working on the building of the large dock for ocean going ships, he only worked half a day on the first day. About noon the second day a large ship anchored off shore. When the men of the ship came ashore stories began to fill the air. Jacques usually did not bother with the stories of the sea brought ashore by most sailors. Often they were fabricated or added to so as to impress local natives. But soon the local government officials of the port came out to the work site to relay information to the dock workers.

It seems a smaller merchant vessel, the "Fair Seas," had anchored off the shore of a small island four days ago. The crew was ashore taking on fresh water and looking for timbers to repair their damaged mast. While the crew was on the island, an unexpected tropical storm struck the ship. The high winds and waves caught the ship just right, tearing the anchor from the ship, setting it afloat. On board the ship were several passengers. They were headed for Mirada to start trading outlets for their corporate offices in expectations of the trade brought by the new dock facility.

The passengers were completely at the mercy of the sea as they had no experience manning a ship. After the storm, the ship’s crew set a fire to attract any passing ships. These were the normal shipping lanes from the Orient to the Americas. They were picked up by the ship now anchored off shore. The request was for as many as possible to set out in search of the foundering ship. The local officials would give extra gasoline to Jacques for his boat engine if he would volunteer to island hop checking for traces of the Fair Seas.

Greatly relieved Leona requested they take time to ask God for the safety of the ship’s passengers. Then they would set out for the Hatah village. It is always good to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, for He will direct our path. (Proverbs 3:6)

Quiz Answers

1. He put mud on the Man’s eyes and told him to go and wash it off. John 9:1-7
2. General epistles
3. On the rivers and on springs of water Revelation 16:4
4. High Priest Hebrews 2:17
5. A stair-way reaching to heaven Genesis 28:10-12
6. Peter Acts 1:15-22
7. Jacob Genesis 43:14