Dr H Reflections

Exceptional people ∙

Exceptional people ∙

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. – 1 Timothy 1:15

1 Timothy 1:12-16

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,

13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.

14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.

16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then, others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

David Halberstam’s well-known and well-used phrase, “The Best and The Brightest,” originated from the title of his 1972 book, The Best and The Brightest. It thoroughly examines the key figures within the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. The book effectively captures the mindsets and tendencies of these individuals, shedding light on the series of decisions that plunged the United States into the Vietnam War.

Halberstam delves into the perspectives and backgrounds of these American policymakers, exploring the factors that contributed to the United States’s involvement in Vietnam. He unravels their histories and backstories. What did they have in common? What drove them?

Halberstam describes them as “men that never failed.” They moved from major success to major success. Their achievements shaped their mindset and outlook. Because of their success, they could not recognize that their Vietnam policies were not working. Their string of accomplishments distanced them from the everyday American. They felt no need to keep the American public in the loop. Their overconfidence and hubris led to government secrecy and failed policies that have since become synonymous with the Vietnam War.

The “Dream Team” brought together by Kennedy and described by Halberstam was one of the best groups of high-level advisers that an American president has had. Nevertheless, they utterly failed to manage a war against a third-world state (genzconservative.com).

Regarding a similar group of individuals with remarkable ability and aptitude, John F. Kennedy once quipped at a dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

On planet Earth, there are many times and places where the “best and brightest” rise to prominence and become successful. It is a natural pattern in the world. But in the Father’s kingdom, this is not so. The Father often selects very difficult, rebellious, defiant, and self-willed people to serve Him. He uses ordinary, flawed raw material to create delightful, devoted souls who desire nothing more than to serve Him faithfully.

Consider John the Apostle. In the Gospels, he and his brother James are called the “Sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). By nature, they were passionate, quick-tempered, and prone to acts of retaliation. They were fiery and demanding. When it came to love and compassion, they were more than a few bricks short of a full load. Their solution to a problem was markedly harsh, violent, and blunt.

Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and burn them up?”

But after a lifetime of walking with the Lord, John the Apostle came to be called the Apostle of Love. This was a remarkable transformation for an exceptional person, exceptionally irate, that is.

Paul the Apostle was also unique. He referred to himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:12 – KJV). He was exceptional when it came to being a blasphemer, persecutor, and outrageously offensive, ruthless opponent. Before his conversion, he ravaged the church, entered house after house, dragged off men and women, and imprisoned them (Acts 8:3).

Unlike John, Paul’s transformation was remarkably abrupt. He had a very close encounter of the third kind with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, which was nothing short of transformative. Paul was irreversibly altered, never the same again.

The Father uses exceptional people. Many are exceptionally bad people with challenging temperaments, attitudes, and pasts. Others are exceptionally ordinary people.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28

27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

REFLECT & PRAY

Whom does the Father select? He often chooses those who are strikingly ordinary or even notably flawed. The Father demonstrates His boundless compassion, love, mercy, and grace through these choices. He truly is wondrous and awe-inspiring.

Father as I ponder my life and recognize my inner, hidden life and insecure, ugly, vengeful thoughts, I can hardly imagine how You could possibly choose me to serve You. I stand in awe. Thank You for Your perfect patience.

INSIGHT

John was transformed from an angry son of thunder to the gentle, kind “Apostle of Love.” This occurred because of a lifetime of getting to know and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The grace of God turned the persecutor into a preacher and the murderer into a minister and a missionary! So dramatic was the change in Paul’s life that the Jerusalem church suspected that it was a trick, and they had a hard time accepting him (Acts 9:26-31)” (Wiersbe).

“No one persecuted the early Christian church more zealously than did Saul, and no one preached forgiveness more than Paul” (Stanley).

When we consider John and Paul, it is blatantly apparent that their salvation and selection for the Father’s service are totally undeserved and unmerited. The Father demonstrates remarkable grace, mercy, and kindness. He does so for every child of the King.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.

Regrettably, many children of the King become so discouraged that they feel they are the worst sinner ever. Not! However, in comparison, they cannot hold a candle to the apostle Paul.

Do you have a lamentable past? Rejoice; the Father is at work to transform you into an exceptional, devoted child of the King.

Philippians 2:13 God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

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Heuristic wisdom ∙

Heuristic wisdom ∙

Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding – Proverbs 14:33

Proverbs 2:2-11

2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.

11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

How do we find our way through life? How do we make good choices? How do we discover and practice wisdom? One widely accepted approach in modern disciplines is heuristic analysis.

This technique is an approach to discovery that involves utilizing rules, educated guesses, or estimations to discover, learn, and solve problems. Solutions are not always perfect, but they are often entirely satisfactory for meeting needs. People rely on their instincts, testing ideas through trial and error, making intuitive jumps, or sometimes taking a leap of faith.

The English word heuristic derives from the Greek word heurisko,which means to find or discover. Such decision-making combines experience, knowledge, and blind luck with a touch of serendipity. Is there a superior method presented in the Scriptures? The answer is a resounding “Yes.” It all begins by acknowledging the Father and seeking guidance from Him.

Matthew 7:7-14

7 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell and is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

14 But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

How often have we experienced regret, remorse, humiliation, and embarrassment because of our folly? All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without the Father (Oswald Chambers).

How might we refine our decision-making by relying on the Father? The Father’s answer is simple: seek, acquire, and master wisdom.

There is a magnificent transformational truth, a blueprint for personal renewal and development, that the Father reveals to us. The quest and reception of wisdom lead to learning about and knowing the Father. As we get to know Him, we are able to enter into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. We cultivate a deep reverence for Him. This remarkable internal transformation of our hearts, mind, and spirit allows us to understand and internalize the Truth He has provided in the Word of God.

It is as though the activity of sincere seeking and finding unlocks the door of understanding that we never even knew existed. It’s as if this door was forever sealed. Except for a vague and gnawing feeling that there must be something more, there was no indication that the door was even there.

Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

The hearts and minds of children of the King may be wonderfully and delightfully shaped and fashioned and ultimately ruled by the wisdom that our Father graciously imparts (Proverbs 14:29-30, 33).

REFLECT & PRAY

So often, we make bad decisions that cost us deeply. We experience the unintended consequences of unrest and upheaval in our lives.

Father I seek You for wisdom and direction. Teach me to seek Your face each day. I need to make better decisions, experience less regret, and grow in wisdom.

INSIGHT

We often speak of wisdom, but what is it?

The Hebrew word translated as wisdom is chokma. Chokma originally referred to skilled craftsmen or workers. In time, chokma came to mean technical skill, experience, or shrewdness. Chokma is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. Wisdom is basically “skill for living.”

Wisdom is the ability to make sagacious use of knowledge in everyday life situations. Wisdom embodies the remarkable capacity to understand, discern, and make intuitively excellent decisions. Wisdom can be acquired by applying the mind to learning, comprehending, and applying the Word of God.

“A growing number of people in our world fail to seek God for His wisdom. Instead, they strive to satisfy their passions and desires without regard to their future or the consequences of their decisions.”

Seek the Father and ask Him. Take time to pray – but in your times of prayer, don’t do all the talking. Listen for the Father’s still, small voice.
Meditate on God’s Word – You will gain insight into the Father’s mind and heart.
Obey the principles of Scripture – Set your heart on obeying the Father, and He will teach you how to apply His truth in your life.
Remember the Father’s faithfulness – The Father has never failed to keep a single promise He has made.
Seek godly counsel – share your needs and fears with those who love the Father and you.
Associate with wise people – Choose your friends wisely and include the Father in every relationship. (Stanley)

Wisdom is more than knowledge. Knowledge is readily available from various sources. Not so wisdom. “If any man lacks wisdom, that is an entirely different matter. For it, he must go to the eternal Fountain of wisdom, and if he goes there, he will not be disappointed. God gives liberally, with an open hand . . .” (Alexander Ross).

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God.

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The inner joy of the Lord ∙

The inner joy of the Lord ∙

The joy of the Lord is your strength – Nehemiah 8:10

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Many of the challenges and demands of 21st-century life are beyond what previous generations could have imagined. How often do we hear the phrase, “It’s complicated?” Our schedules are full of activities and responsibilities. Consider those who are affectionately called “soccer moms.” In the “old days,” kids on local high school teams typically boarded a bus and drove 10 to 40 miles to a game. Nowadays, these dedicated mothers drive hundreds of miles to ensure their children can engage in sports. Remarkably, these committed mothers adeptly manage their schedules to make it all work. They have learned the art of time and life management.

It seems like everywhere we turn, we find an Overwhelmed Opal, Gloomy Gus, Anxious Ashley, or Doubting Dave. For them, life is more like watching an autopsy than being at a joyful celebration filled with happiness and hope.

Paul tells us how to be successful in both simple and complicated situations. Rather than telling us to try harder, Paul tells us to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him the center of our attention. How is this accomplished? We have to change our way of thinking. Rather than concentrating on our obligations and duties with concern, Paul offers an alternative to struggling. He provides three straightforward directives: be joyful, pray continuously, and give thanks always.

Instead of permitting life to overwhelm us, we accept each day as the Father’s will for us. We decide in advance to have a positive attitude characterized by faith and dependence upon Him. Then, we simply follow through. Over time, it may well become our standard practice and routine.

Pause for a moment and reflect. Can you imagine the Lord Jesus Christ being rushed or experiencing disappointment or sorrow because He failed to accomplish something?

Neither can I.

REFLECT & PRAY

When we look at everything around us, we can easily become overwhelmed. The tasks at hand can appear unmanageable, and time is too short. Increasing the amount of time we have available is not possible, but better time management is.

Father encourage me to focus on You, practicing joy and gratitude regardless of the circumstances, knowing that all things come through Your hands. It is all part of your well-thought-out, intelligent design for my life.

INSIGHT

Nehemiah 8:10 Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!

No matter how far we have fallen or what we have done, the Father always remains our strength and protection. The Father has provided something for each child of the King to sustain, undergird, and uplift them. It is like a supernatural, miraculous elixir. It is described in one simple word: joy. But it is not just any joy; it is “the joy of the Lord.” More precisely, it is the joy in the Lord. That is the joy that children of the King experience when they rejoice and delight in the Father’s presence.

Some have merely heard of this joy, a few have caught a fleeting glimpse, but others have quenched their thirst in the exquisite presence of the living Father God. How sweet it is.

The Hebrew word translated as strength is maoz. Maoz literallyreferred to a mountain stronghold or fortress. The word is most frequently translated as strength in the Old Testament. It “denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger” (Barnes). “It means ‘bulwark’ or ‘protection.’ NJB translates the whole clause as ‘the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.’ FRCL renders this: ‘The joy that comes from the Lord will give you strength.’ CEV restructures it to say, ‘he will make you happy and strong.’ [The Hebrew] proclaims ‘the joy of the LORD is the strength of you.’ . . . ‘the joy of the LORD is your rock of protection’” (UBS).

Along with Psalm 46, this thought inspired Martin Luther’s hymn, “A mighty Fortress is our God.”

We can rejoice when we realize and understand that our omnipotent, omniscient Father orchestrates the events of our lives. The Father, using His boundless wisdom, has thought everything through. He exercises His power and authority to accomplish His purpose. He not only arranges our circumstances; He is with us in them. He is always with us and never leaves us.

Matthew 28:20 Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Paul is clear in the steps of action we are to take.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Prayer is spiritual breathing. Just as breathing is predominantly automatic and unconscious, regulated by the autonomic nervous system, prayer can be continuous and unceasing. It takes place without conscious effort. In the same way, we breathe air without ceasing; we can pray without ceasing. This type of prayer becomes an attitude of dependence and continual conversation.

Over time, some children of the King have mastered the art of spiritual breathing through determination and practice. They unconsciously pray without ceasing, turning to the Father for direction, guidance, and inner peace. This practice has become a joyful habit and an integral part of their lifestyle. They’ve learned to express gratitude not solely during favorable moments but also during challenging and demanding ones. They instinctively seek to glean the lessons the Father imparts in every circumstance they encounter.

Developing a spirit of gratitude should be the goal of every child of the King. We should develop a life practice of gratefulness. Instead of reacting to life’s fluctuations with questions, objections, or challenges, our initial response should be gratitude.

Sadly, we have all experienced the opposite. We know what it is like to complain, be discouraged, and feel irritated, frustrated, angry, and resentful. How often have we rehearsed and acted out the sad, melancholy script of lamenting and mourning how things are?

Instead, every child of the King should practice, practice, practice gratefulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

The choice is always before us.

Philippians 3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

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Bread from heaven ∙

Bread from heaven ∙

In the morning you shall be filled with bread, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God. – Exodus 16:12

Exodus 16:13-15

13 So it came about . . . In the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.

15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”

“The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys” (Malcolm S. Forbes).

So often, people are not satisfied with what they have. It seems that they always want something else, something more. When does this begin? It seems to set in at a very young age. Commonly, a child is not satisfied with their toys for very long. They often want something different, particularly what somebody else has. The point is that whatever we have is never enough.

So it was with the children of Israel in the wilderness. They had just witnessed ten of the greatest miracles of the Old Testament. That was soon followed by the amazing miracle of the opening of the Red Sea, allowing them to escape Pharaoh’s army while destroying it simultaneously. They had been set free and given liberty from their taskmasters. They were no longer slaves to the Egyptians. Were they grateful? Did they give thanks and praise to the Father? No! They complained and were not satisfied with what they had.

Exodus 16:2-3

2 The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.

3 “If only the LORD had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

Whatever gratitude they had did not last long. Rather than being thankful for what they had, they focused on what they did not have. It seems incredulous. Until we do a little introspection, examine our own hearts, and recognize we do the same thing.

The Father graciously gave them what they asked for.

Exodus 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day.”

Exodus 16:14-15

14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.

15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.

The Father has a sense of humor that bubbles to the surface now and then. He is delightfully playful numerous times. As HE observes the people walking about questioning, wondering what they see, they keep asking, “What is this, please?” That is, “Ma-na, ma-na, Ma-na”? He simply says that is what you will call it – Manna.

Manna was the bread of heaven. It was a supernatural provision that lasted for 40 years. But it was much more. It was a prophecy, a picture that one day, the Father would provide a far more wonderful and satisfying bread of heaven.

Deuteronomy 8:3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

How can we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord?

REFLECT & PRAY

“When Jesus called Himself ‘The Living Bread,’ He was not claiming to be exactly like the manna. He was claiming to be even greater!” (Wiersbe)!

Father thank You for providing the True Bread of Heaven, your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for drawing each child of the King to the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

In John 6, an exchange ensues between the Jewish religious leaders and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ claims to be sent by the Father as the true bread which comes out of heaven.

He tells the crowd that the Father wants them to believe in the One He sent. The crowd responds. They challenge Him. Since He made such extraordinary claims, they ask to show us a sign that we would believe in You.

Speaking of bread, it brings to mind when the Father provided the heavenly bread, manna, through Moses.

John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

They began to murmur. Unified consensus eluded. They could not fully agree because they knew He was Joseph and Mary’s son. How can he say He came from heaven? How can he make such a claim?

Reacting to these doubts, the Lord Jesus Christ makes even bolder statements. Some have thought there is a suggestion of cannibalism.

But the mystery of this passage is found within it. When understood, it explains itself, and the secret is resolved.

John 6:53-58

53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.”

54 “But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.”

55 “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”

58 “I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did even though they ate the manna but will live forever.”

This discussion revolves around understanding and embracing the true bread of heaven. There’s no physical bread here, only the presence of Lord Jesus Christ. He does not intend for them to eat Him or drink His blood.

John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

To cease to be hungry, to eat is to come to Him. To cease to be thirsty, to drink is to believe in Him.

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Don’t get sidetracked ∙∙

Don’t get sidetracked ∙∙

Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. – Proverbs 4:27

Jeremiah 15:19 If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

Getting sidetracked is a universal occurrence that can affect anyone. Our attention diverts from the primary task or objective, often toward matters of lesser significance. Consequently, our intended accomplishments are left incomplete.

Our original intentions and aspirations tend to fall by the wayside. We lose focus. We get off the main highway and begin to follow bunny trails. Frequently, we remain oblivious to this process as it unfolds. Recognizing the shift that has occurred takes time, leaving us slightly bewildered. This state of confusion can easily give rise to feelings of frustration and annoyance.

As we progress in age, these instances of diversion seem to become more commonplace. For example, we might enter a room only to forget momentarily why we did. But be of good cheer; forgetting a few things is not a sign of early-onset dementia. But if it’s ever happened to you, it sometimes feels like it.

Like the United States Marines, the Father is looking for a few good men and women. During Old Testament times, there was a special subset among the children of the King: His servants, the prophets. The Father’s prophets were His representatives, His emissaries. They were often sent to deliver a message. They could not be easily deferred. They did not back down or get sidetracked. They remained resolute in steadfast.

The Father explained this to Jeremiah simply and succinctly as a part of his prophetic commission.

Jeremiah 15:19 “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

The book of Proverbs is full of Solomon’s great wisdom. It was parsimoniously summarized in Proverbs 4.

Proverbs 4:23-27

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

25 Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.

27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father uses distractions to urge us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Father it is so easy to be sidetracked and get off course. Help me to respond better to the vicissitudes of everyday life. Help me not to be discouraged by the frustrations and disappointments I encounter.

INSIGHT

To avoid being sidetracked, developing the skill of focused concentration is essential. It should be a top priority. Staying on task requires discipline and practice. Learning to focus and stay focused is a science and art that can be learned. How can we diminish getting sidetracked? By learning to deal with distractions effectively. This often leads to improved focus and increased effectiveness. Here are a few suggestions:

Avoid panic

Confusion and the feeling of losing control can lead to panic. There is often a lot of blaming and self-condemnation. Negative emotions only make matters worse. On the contrary, positive feelings and thoughts yield contrasting outcomes.

What can be done? How do we avoid a downward negative spiral? For children of the King, reading and meditating on the Scriptures can be quite calming to the spirit and soothing to the soul. Revisiting the Father’s promises in the face of our irritations can break the power of our errant propensities. As we turn irritations, frustrations, and burdens over to the Father, He assumes responsibility for our well-being.

Psalms 27:13 Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living?

Slow down

Distractions are always crouching at the door: conflicting thoughts, uncontrollable emotions, bothersome sounds, offenses, slights, or minor interruptions.

What can we do? So, how can we combat these distractions? To safeguard our focus from being snatched away, it’s essential to take control. We’re presented with two primary choices: disregard the distraction or set a mental placeholder and deal with the distraction. Once the distraction is handled, we can then seamlessly realign our focus.

Psalms 66:9 Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Take a break

There are moments when we just run out of gas mentally, and our focus and concentration diminish, causing our focus and concentration to wane. During these periods, we can shift our attention to a temporary new activity, granting our mind a much-needed break. Engaging in physical activity frequently facilitates a reset. A fascinating phenomenon occurs when we intentionally redirect our focus to another task – our brain continues its problem-solving efforts on an unconscious level. As a result, we often find ourselves inundated with novel ideas and potential solutions upon returning to the original challenge.

Psalms 119:67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word.

God uses discipline, not as a whip to force us in line, but as a messenger to urge us back into a safe place. Correction is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God (Stanley).

Jeremiah 15:19 If you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman.

The prophets had a special responsibility to live a life without compromise. This commitment extended to their thoughts and expressions. What really mattered? The precious! They needed to develop the skill of learning to extract the precious from the worthless. To accurately represent the Father and be His spokesman, literally His mouth, they had to live by a higher standard. They could not entertain worthless ideas and speak meaningless words.

The same is true for any child of the King. How well are you doing at extracting the precious from the worthless?

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