"Stupid King"

Ecclesiastes 4:13

To listen to instruction is knowledge but to use knowledge is wisdom. I think from time I was born I never liked being told what to do or how to do it. Even if I made mistakes and created issues from myself I did not want anyone helping me. I would rather do it my way and my way alone. Because I did not want to admit that I had flaws or made an error. I would rather suffer than get advice from anyone. I look back now and say "What an idiot I was back then!" 

Listen we cannot walk through life without taking advice or seeking help. At some point in your life you will need help. To walk around thinking you have all the answers is the greatest mistake you will ever make. The Bible tells us that it is better to a poor and wise youth than an old foolish king who does not take advice (Ecclesiastes 4:13:. In other words it is better be an inexperienced person (youth) who seeks advice and uses it (wise) than an experienced person (king) who purposely neglected any form of aid (foolish).

In other words if you think just because you know what you are doing or have a grasp on the subject you don't need help, you are acting foolish. No matter how many years of experience you have, how many times you have done it, what your degree is in (ouch!), or who you think you are if you fail to take advice, you are acting as a fool. When we shrug of the advice of others we isolate ourselves from them. We indirectly tell them that their way is inferior to our way and it can make people feel belittled by you and worthless. But over time we will gain a reputation as an "old foolish king" even if we are successful we will find ourselves ruling a kingdom that is not known for its wealth but its lack of Christian Character. And eventually you will find yourself alone and even though Facebook says you have 495 friends you will really only have 2... you and yourself.

Look we need each other, we need to take advice from each other, but more importantly we need to talk to each other. A problem is easier to solve and the reward is even better if we work together (Ecclesiastes 4:9). When we go through rocky moments in life and they shake us to the core we sometimes falter and give in to the pressure. But when we have a friend, confidant, and a Christians there to help us get back on our feet how blessed or we but when we think that no one can help us and we are all alone how sad is that (Ecclesiastes 4:10). When need to hear that voice of comfort, that speech of wisdom, or that ray of hope shines in our darkest hour how blessed are we to have a friend that is there for us, but if we constantly push people off we will the feel cold wind of self-isolation (Ecclesiastes 4:11). And when we battle the struggles of this life...struggles of sin, pressure, hurt, pain, etc. it is a blessing to have a friend fight the battle with us to overcome it, but when we push others away we fight alone and we often lose (Ecclesiastes 4:11-12).

So we as Christians need turn to one another from time to time and seek help. We need to look to each other for Godly advice. We are not alone in the plight of life. But open up your mouth and get some help. I have met Christians who force their daughters to have abortions because they don't know how to ask and fear of this sin will ruin their reputation. I have met men who struggle with pornography and homosexuality but they won't seek help because they think they can defeat it on their own. There our Christians in the church who are struggling with addictions, alcohol, and depression but they refuse to seek help. Listen if that is you, your pride will be the cause of your fall (Proverbs 16:18). Getting help is not a sign of weakness but it is a sign of strength and trust.

Do you see yourself as the "wise youth" or "old foolish king"? Open up and let others end and you will learn to enjoy to Joy of fellowship that God has blessed us with (Hebrews 10:24-25). Stay focused, you can do this!

"In His JOY!"

Life Consultant

Genesis 13

Lot was following Abraham as Abraham was following God's Direction. Wherever Abraham went Lot was close behind. As time grew on Lot's family and his herdsman began to grow and Abraham also grew in wealth and possession. Between them they had so much stuff that the land they inhabited could not support them. Fighting and quarreling broke out between Lot's servants and Abraham's servant. Abraham spoke with Lot and said "Let's end this senseless violence because we are family, choose any part of the land you and it is yours. If you choose to the land to the left then I will take the land to the right or vice versa (paraphrased from Genesis 13: 8-9)." Lot looked up and choose the land that seemed best to him (Genesis 13:10).

It's here I think about Lot choice. He chose the land that was pleasing to his eye. I wonder if his decision was based of greed. I know that Abraham was the one who proposed the separation but Abraham's motivation appeared to stem from wanting to restore peace and he humbled himself by offering Lot the land of his choice. But Lot gave into infatuation and followed his eyes and not his heart. Not taking the time to pray are seek the Lord. Lot choose a land the was physically beautiful but spiritually dead. Lot choose Sodom and Gomorrah.

I think about the outcome of Lot decision. Lot was kidnapped by rival kings along with all his possessions were taken as well and had to be rescued by Abraham (Genesis 14:12). Lot's wife turned into salt ( Genesis 29:26), Lot's son-in-laws died in Sodom and Gomorrah because they thought he was being foolish by leaving so they ignored his warning of God's coming judgement (Genesis 19:14). His daughters became the mothers of his children ( Genesis 19:30-38). Now it is important to note that Lot was a righteous man who made a poor decisions. God sparred him from judgement because He considered Lot to be righteous ( Genesis 18:22-33, 19:29). One choice led to multiple complications that Lot could not foresee.

I wonder if he had consulted the Lord instead of trusting his eyes how different the outcome would have been. If he had walked by faith instead of sight how the story would have ended. What about you? What decisions or you making today that are based on what you see and not based on what God has told you. Because it is extremely easy to trust in our eyes, follow our hearts, and be led by our selfish desires. But the Bible makes it very clear we are to walk by faith not our sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) because when we walk by faith in the Lord we will always please Him (Hebrews 11:6). When we are walking by faith we are actively seeking after the Lord and following Him. Our hearts are deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) so we should not follow after it or seek to fulfill its desires. Instead we should seek after the Lord and His Righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We should not be led by our evil desires, we should rather we should be led by the Spirit of God and trust that He will make the clear to us if we ask for His Wisdom (Galatians 5:16, James 1:5-9).

So I implore you friends to seek the Lord before making a life changing decision. Trust in the Lord's direction and courageously follow it despite what you feel. Because you simply don;t know the outcome of your decision. But He knows the outcome of His plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Stay focused you can do this!

"In His JOY!"