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    • Where do you turn for wisdom?

      Posted at 9:00 am by sneuhofer, on August 9, 2018

      1 Corinthians 2: 6 – 9 (MSG) “We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you.”

      Godly wisdom is so much different from the wisdom of this world. At the beginning of our walk with Christ, we approach Him all battered and bruised by consequences of the sin that has entangled us for years. We learn about Christ and His Word and begin building a solid foundation on which to stand. As we continue to grow in our walk, God begins to chip off pieces of us that are not like Him because He wants us to be more like Him and less like the world around us.

      As we grow in Christ, we begin to turn more to the Word than the world for answers to tough questions. Have you ever noticed that God’s wisdom is not the most popular and often completely ignored by the world around us? Have you ever scratching your head and wondered why current circumstances have to be like they are? Worldly wisdom says: “Why God? Don’t you care about what I’m going through or how I feel? You don’t really want me to live like this do you?”

      The answer is YES – God does care about us more than we even realize. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives and He will bring good out of the bad circumstances if we let him. (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11)

      God’s word is clear. Sometimes we are placed in situations that make us downright uncomfortable. Instead of pulling away from Him, we need to draw closer and rely on His guidance. When we live obediently to His word, our lives bring Him glory. I can’t help but think of the lyrics to the Casting Crowns song The Voice of Truth.

      “But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
      the Voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
      and the Voice of truth says “this is for My glory”
      Out of all the voices calling out to me
      I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth”
      When God calls us to something, we don’t have to be afraid or question why. We just have to listen closely and believe His voice. Current circumstances could be God’s way of revealing His glory.
      How do I hear His voice in the middle of all the chaos? One way is to be in consistent communication with Him. Set aside time daily to pray and read His word. Jot down what you believe He is saying to you and then pray and ask for His guiding hand. Speaking of guiding hands, another Casting Crowns song comes to mind:
      “Can’t live by what I feel
      But by the Truth your work reveals,
      I’m not holding on to you
      But you’re holding on to me,
      You’re holding on to me.”
      We can’t live by what we feel is the best direction for us – that is worldly wisdom and will surely lead us down the wrong path. As Christians we are called to live according to the standard of His Word. Remember, He is holding on to you and will not let go no matter what.

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      Posted in God cares for us, wisdom | 0 Comments
    • Accountability…no one likes it but everyone needs it

      Posted at 7:55 am by sneuhofer, on August 7, 2018

      Every year our pastor encourages the entire congregation to join him in reading through the Bible in a year. On day 5, I was in Genesis reading about Noah, his obedience, and how God blessed him and his family because of it. One thing that really jumped out at me in the reading that day was Genesis 9:5.

      “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.” [emphasis mine]

      This verse clearly tells us that God will hold the human race accountable. Not just for murder, as referenced in this verse, but for everything we do – everyaction, thought, deed, and word. How do I know this? In the book of Romans, Paul writes:

      You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. [emphasis mine] Romans 14:10-12 (NIV)

      It is important that we know our heart is right toward God. Is there anything you are hiding from God? Any motive? Any hidden sin? Any unforgiveness? Reveal it all to Him. He knows everything about you anyway. According to Hebrews 4:13, there is nothing we can hide from him.

      Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived. [emphasis mine] Hebrews 4:13 (NCV)

      I challenge you today to turn the search light on yourself. If there is anything you are holding back, bring it out of the shadows and into His glorious light. He will help you deal with whatever it is if you take the first step in exposing it.

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      Posted in accountability, Genesis 9, Noah | 0 Comments
    • What do you do when your day gets chaotic?

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on August 6, 2018

      When I was working outside of the home for a living, I can remember a few crazy busy days. I worked a job that was deadline driven. The stress level was extremely high…all the time. I remember this one day when it seemed the craziness seemed to go on for hours and I was caught right in the middle. Every time I tried to slow down and take a breath there was someone else who needed something “10 minutes” ago. I was anxious and I could feel my heart rate going up, up, up.

      Have you ever been there?

      Perhaps you’ve felt this way in your home, at school, or at work. Nothing seems to slow you down or cut through the chaos.

      What helped me during these times of complete chaos was the read through the Psalms. What incredible strength and peace I have found in the words written all those years ago. During crazy times, I am drawn to the word refuge. This word appears in the book of Psalms at least 40 times that I have noticed.
      According to Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, the word refuge is defined as follows:
      That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a strong hold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.
      When I think about the word refuge, I think about a hiding place. The mental picture I get is of a castle or fortress from long ago. I bet there are many places to hide in a huge castle. Having had the opportunity to travel in Europe and other places around the globe, I can remember visiting castles in Puerto Rico, England, Austria, Ireland, France and Budapest. They were magnificent structures and to me they had an appearance of safety and security. A place inaccessible to an enemy.

      When the chaos of another day begins to bubble up, I realize that sometimes I look in all the wrong places for peace and solitude. When I see crazy… I feel chaotic, stressed and tired. When I look to Christ, I am reminded of his refuge and strength.

      Here are a few verses I have memorized and cling to when things seem to get hectic.

      Psalm 2:12 (NIV) Blessed are all who take refugein him.
      Psalm 5:11 (NIV) But let all who take refugein you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protectionover them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
      Psalm 7:1 (NIV) I take refuge in you; saveand deliver me from all who pursue me.
      Psalm 9:9 (NIV) The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
      Psalm 18:2 (NIV) The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

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      Posted in God my refuge | 1 Comment
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