What Do You Want?
What do you want? Jesus asked this of people on various occasions. It's a great question, isn't it? What do you really want? I think if Jesus asked most Christian men today what they wanted, they would ask for very little. His sheep might sheepishly shrug their shoulders. Others might say, "A million dollars!" But apart from money or things it can buy, many men are complacent. They have nothing they are crying out for. This is just what the enemy wants- for us to want little in life. For if we should want strongly for more of what God offers, Satan's kingdom of darkness would suffer greatly. So what should we want and long for? There is something far more valuable than earthly riches to cry out for, something that will reward us far greater. Read through Prov.2 and you'll discover it.
2:1-4 reveals the pursuit of this treasure. Notice the use of the word "if" 3 x. We must seek if we are to find.
2:5-22 reveals the benefits of this treasure. Notice the use of the word "then" in v.5 and 9. So "if" you seek, "then" you will find. (I've underlined these words in my Bible. I'd suggest doing the same.)
Notice also two specific evil types of people that following the way of God's wisdom will save you from in 2:12-15 and then in 2:16-19. (I've underlined in red their names in 2:12 and 2:16. Underlining such helps you see clearly the emphasis of the passage.)
Finally notice in the summary verses of 2:20-22 the emphasis on living in the land- the promised land. For the Israelites of that time, the promised land was the land of Israel. For us, the promised land we long for will be the new earth- heaven on earth. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." One day the kingdom of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall rule forever and ever. Rev.11:15. Heaven will be on earth. "Thy kingdom come!" Come back O Lord and make this wrong world right!. Then our ultimate longing will be fulfilled- we will see You face to face. So what do you want? I want You- a face to face relationship with You Jesus.
The OT highlights wisdom as a treasure worth diligently seeking. And it still is. Yet with the progress of revelation (God revealing more truth over time), when we come to the NT, the word becomes flesh and Christ is presented as the treasure beyond measure. In Christ are "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col.2:3. He is the pearl of great price. He is the One we are to want and seek first and most. He is our future, our vision. So if Jesus was to ask you, "What do you want?" I hope you and I would answer, "You! I want You!" "Give me Jesus!" I really like the following song, Give Me Jesus, by Fernando Ortega. (This rendition is a tribute to Billy Graham's wife who died about 8 years ago.)
1.-Share one thing that impressed you from what you read here today.
2.-Write down on your MP3 card a verse or phrase that impressed you.
Remember, Proverbs is not a book of promises. It's not promising that you will be shielded from all harm (2:7-8). We live in a fallen world where wicked people even behead Christians. But following God's way of wisdom will protect us from the harm sinful ways would bring. It will protect me from following wicked men and wayward women (2:12-19) and the destructive path they are on.
We want more than to be protected from harm, more than peace at home, more than pleasurable times, more than prosperity. We want a life pleasing to God. We want to pursue His priorities- "Go therefore and make disciples" Mt.28:19- to multiply manly men, despite what harm may come.
We want to depend on His presence- "Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." Mt.28:20
And we want to ultimately experience His pleasure- "Well done good and faithful servant!" Mt.25:23
3.-Who is one man or men whom you enriched this past week that you hope to see join M3? (Feel free to invite him to our meeting this Sunday.)
Announcements
Please make sure to go to the scoreboard today. I'll be checking it over the weekend to present upcoming honors.
Speaking of honors, see you this Sunday at 11:30 in the break room for our M3 meeting and the bestowing of honors. Thanks for helping with a free will offering to help cover our costs.
I salute today's fire team members- George R, Mike, Dave H, Ricardo and Chuy! Please give a word of encouragement to the following brothers, for they were MIA yesterday on the blog- Antonio, Lucas, Oscar, and Daniel.
Also if those men are on your fire team, please reach out to them as well.
1. Prov. 2:6-8 "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. "
ReplyDeleteEarlier in chapter 2 we see what happens to the person that does not seek Christ but rather his own desires but in verses 6-8 we see the wonderful blessings of following Christ. He gives us wisdom and understanding in order to live the life that He wants us to live- full of victory and not defeat.
May we treasure His Word and that daily time in prayer everyday in order to be closer to Him.
2. Prov. 2:6-8
3. Alfredo
Yes Roger, what a great contrast between the way of the wayward in ch.1 and the way of wise in ch.2. Good observation.
DeleteIt is a treasure to know Him more. As we get closer He reveals himself more and that in itself makes live worth living...to know God more.
DeleteGlad I am alongside a brother like you with such dedication to the Lord.
Delete1.Proverbs 2:3-5
ReplyDelete3indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
Cry out, ask, look. Ask, Knock, Seek. And you will understand and find the knowledge that you're looking for. Seems like a recipe is intentional prayer, reading the word, studying the word, and observing the word.
2. Proverbs 2:4-5
3. Auggie, Oscar
Thanks Eddie. It should be in everyone's cook book.
Delete1. Proverbs 2:21 ESV For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. The word integrity stood out to me in this passage. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. This opened my eyes and showed me that we have to be all out for him. We can't just give him a little and think that's enough. We have to give him are all.
ReplyDelete2.Did it
3.Ray
You hit the nail on the head James. Great job! God wants all of us. Take it all, take everything.
DeleteJJ Weeks Band - Let Them See You (Lyric Video)
https://youtu.be/Mgho0_JRetk
I like your focus on the quality of integrity without it we cannot be trusted and trust precedes intimacy.
DeleteProverbs 2:3-5
ReplyDeleteindeed, if you call out for insightand cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silverand search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lordand find the knowledge of God.
2- did it
3- tony Hernandez, just one situation that I would like some advice. He is hard of hearing and I have learned a little from my wife that is a sign language interpreter but I don't know how to pan this out and encouraging him to join us. He is comfortable around me and we can communicate in what ever way possible.
I think this would be a good platform for Him. His hearing would not be a hindrance to him. Encourage him to join.
DeleteThe lord is leading me to do that and in the mean time I can learn sign language from my wife and practice with him. Thanks Sam I will consider that greatly
Delete1. God's riches are inexhaustible. The more we seek Him the greater the hunger and thirst for Him and because He's Infinite, we'll continue learning more of Him for all eternity.
ReplyDelete"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6
2. Did it
3. 0
How true it is Robert. Your hunger for His word is very apparent. Glad to be fighting the good fight with you.
Delete1.We must be join together with Christ in his suffering and to be used by him to glorify His name.The Lord Jesus Christ is the word.
ReplyDeleteJohn 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
James 1:22
"Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." So by following Jesus Christ example we can bring glory to His name.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate wisdom so when you accept him in your heart you have hidden treasures there.
Proverbs 2:4
"and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,"
Great point George, The word of God is alive and well in the past, present and future.
DeleteYou have great insight George when it comes to the word of God. Keep the straight and narrow path that is in front of you and God will guide you.
Delete1.-Share one thing that impressed you from what you read here today. God wants us Christians to seek him and his word (Jesus) wholeheartedly (with all our heart) and he will give us Jesus full of wisdom and love to his coming.
ReplyDelete2.-Prov. 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Did it.
I seek wisdom from the word of God to live a righteous life and all these things will be given to me. Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
3. Vicent Rosado.
Amen! That is some beautiful scripture that you shared with us!
DeleteGlad to see you share the word of God with us in the morning. I am glad to see the word of God transforming you Oscar.
DeleteEverything about God impresses me :) I like how you shared about His priorities, presence, and pleasure. I will be sharing it as well. I'm surprised there is no mnemonic for this one. There's 3 P's. 3peat? :)
ReplyDeleteProverbs 2:6-8
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
I pray that we continue to seek Him and share His presence with our future brothers.
Here's a song I like on His presence.
Francesca Battistelli - Holy Spirit
https://youtu.be/UvBBC7-PSHo
I invited Gino and Toni. I haven't received a confirmation
Astronomical job Sam! Im excited to meet you this Sunday and to watch our friend Michael Johnson get baptized! Thanks for mentoring him brother!
Deletefor wisdom will come into your heart,
ReplyDeleteand knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
(Proverbs 2:10 ESV)
I have seen so my life change for the better and I have seen God work through me. I have seen what Gods word and prayer do for others. I have learned to accept that nothing is unreachable or duable as long as you put faith in him everything will always turn out fine.
I opened my heart to God when no one else listened or helped he was there to pick me back up and give me a new purpose in life. Listen and learn from those around you because God works through others as well.
Great stuff Andre! I look forward to meeting you this Sunday!
DeleteI'm glad you have seen the power of God in others, and if something ever goes wrong (God forbid), God's promise is in heaven but for this earth, Paul puts it this way.
DeletePhilippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Amen. Listen for wisdom cries out from the streets.
Delete1.Proverbs 2:4-7 And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
ReplyDelete2. Did it
3. I invited Michael Johnson and Jose Guadalupe. Neither of them have confirmed yet, but they both are interested.
Glad to be doing God's work with you Phillip. You are an awesome encourager. Glad to see the transformation that God has instilled in you. Let's continue to team up and encourage Mike. God bless you. See you soon.
DeleteI like Roger also like the verse of Prov 2:6-8 and his view on it and that is why I like being
ReplyDeletein such a good group of Godly man of m3 were we share with each other are love for God
And faith in Jesus though reading and studying his word.
1. proverbs 2:12 "Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse," Wisdom is a great power in this crazy world of ours. It helps defend yourself and others from planting false teachings and ideas into your head. It helps combat the others trying to manipulate and work against God.
ReplyDeleteAll of Proverbs 2 impressed me. I mean from the start of Proverbs 2, God offers us Him, to have a relationship in which he doesn't have to anything especially to an undeserving person like myself. But yet His love for us is so indescribable, his pursuit for us is unstoppable. Just an amazing Lord We have!!
ReplyDeleteLord, I lift up my heart to you for you and you alone know my heart. May I be pleasing to you only.
Dit it.
I don't have anyone yet to enrich at church or to come to M3. I am praying and seeking.
I like that "His pursuit of us is unstoppable." How true it is.
DeleteProverbs 2:6 "For the lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." As the song states "Give me Jesus." His words and understanding we are weak helps me get through life. I thank you Jesus for your love and your big heart.
ReplyDelete1) For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:10-11 NIV)
ReplyDeleteMy cousin Rick Barrera
1) What stood out to me was that Jesus holds the wisdom we seek, the protection we many times desire, the deepest pleasures we long to experience and His relationship is the greatest value we could ever attain. I agree with Dave "Father place within us a great longing to know, experience and honor you. One so great that all other activities become less important, not only in principle but in passion.
ReplyDelete2 Did it.
3 _______
1. Take this world and give me Jesus-this is not where I belong is what I learned today and over the last 2 years with Christ. I couldn't run from his presence, I couldn't run from his arms-- Jesus he loves me, he loves me! What beautiful song verses that make me tear up whenever I hear these 2 songs.
ReplyDeleteI long for his return and always to feel his presence.
He has given me the wisdom to understand the power within my heart as I lean on Jesus to fight off the adulterous woman and evil men and focus on our Lord. Thank you Lord for rescuing me and giving me understanding of your desires for me.
2. Did it
3. Ged,
Great words my brother. God bless
Delete
ReplyDeleteProverbs 2:5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
2:6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding
Its great to know that the Lord will teach us how to fear him. I know we are only on the second chapter of proverbs, but I have been realizing how important it is to use the word of God more to help me get through things in my life. I knew that before reading the blog, but I guess sometimes I just need a friendly reminder to go to the word for some direction. Proverbs has already been a blessing for me. "Give me Jesus" is a great song.
1 – What stood out to me is that God is telling us that we need to seek wisdom and if we seek it He will give us wisdom and common sense. With these we will be able to make better decisions and be protected from the wicked men and immoral women.
ReplyDelete2 - Proverbs 2:21 For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.
1) 1.-Share one thing that impressed you from what you read here today.
ReplyDeleteI felt convicted by Dave G's statement : “This is just what the enemy wants- for us to want little in life. For if we should want strongly for more of what God offers, Satan's kingdom of darkness would suffer greatly.” I do want more from God for myself, and my family and those I know. But I sense that maybe I desire more for the good or betterment of myself and others and I've been overlooking the very best that God desires for us. Also I'm sort of more narrowly concerned about those I know personally and not so much for those all around me who God knows intimately and wants to touch with His truth and love. Oh Lord, increase our faith that we would realize and want more of what you want to accomplish through us.
2) MP3 verse > Proverbs 2:7a “He holds victory in store for the upright and is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.
This is good reading when we get complacent in life. I can do more with what God wants me to do for myself and family. This is great encouragement when we start to get lazy.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 2:3-5
indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
ReplyDeleteFor wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (Proverbs 2:6, 10 NIV)
He is the source of the wisdom and knowledge that will make is feel fulfilled.
Proverbs 2:16 the strange woman lurks around every corner in our day. She lives in our cell phones flattered by her body and Her words like honey but gravel in our throats. She promises life but only leads us to the dead. Waterless cisterns. Wisdom and Gods word lead to paths of life.
ReplyDelete1. "indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord
ReplyDeleteand find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:3-5
I do like these verses a lot.
2. did it.
3. I haven't really been able to enrich him this week due to being very busy with my finals and preparation for my graduation on Saturday. However, I would like to have Augie join M3. He is actually getting baptized on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 2:10 "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." This verse overflows with God's enriching presence when wisdom is concerned. Wisdom will encompass a persons well being, gives them naturally righteous skills to navigate through today's world with confidence and peace.
1. The first blessing of obtaining " wisdom" is that one will understand the "fear of the Lord". This knowledge is possible only because the Lord gives it to the Upright. The second blessing of obtaining "wisdom" is that one gains an understanding of righteousness and justice and equity because wisdom takes root in the heart and acts to protect the person who embraces it.
ReplyDelete2. did it
3. I invited Lloyd Jones, Mike Stanevicius, and Rigo to our meeting this Sunday
1
ReplyDeleteIt has been very inspiring and humbling this week to Seek first the kingdom of God. Also to add to that to seek christ first and identify with him crucified. Gal 2:20
I would not want to live a life and find that I am equal to being anathema or condemned. Let us all be very diligent in saying we will keep His commandments (Prov 3) and commit ourselves to seeking the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3.)
2
Did it wrote verse 2
making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;