Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs- Part 44—“If I Only Had A Heart”

Proverbs 27: (NIV) ¹⁹ As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.

We looked at the fact that we needed a brain—one set upon the principles of truth found in the gospel. Then what about the scribes and Pharisees who were so filled with the knowledge; yet, could not see that Christ was the Messiah? What about the philosophers, scientists, and even church leaders who have intellectual knowledge; but, seem to be so caught up in worldly desires that they don’t acknowledge Christ as Lord? Or even in my own life, what about those times that I know the truth and still do not live forth the life that I should for Christ. Much like Paul when he wrote in Romans 7:15 (AMP) “¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [^[b]which my moral instinct condemns].” So, if knowledge of the truth is not enough; then, what is the matter?

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

The truth is I need more than just a brain knowledge of God, I need a new heart that is alive with the truth of the Gospel—transformed and sustained by God’s love until my heart pumps every beat to His Glory.

As a cardiology nurse practitioner, I work every day with the concepts of the heart. The heart is that organ that pumps life throughout the body and when it stops—life stops. The same is true spiritually. The central core of living forth a life in Christ begins with the heart. Because of sin, we know that the heart of man is filled with self-exalting, selfish pride above all else. Jeremiah 17: “⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? ¹⁰ I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins ”So often, we are incapable of even seeing the depth of our own darkened hearts unless the light of the truth shines into our hearts exposing all the darkness found within. We try to cover it over, we make excuses for it, and we work very hard to try to prove that we of our own are “good.” Still, God has looked down and in perfect righteousness has seen the truth “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

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Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs part 43—“If I Only Had A Brain”

As I continued this study in Proverbs, I could not help but notice the themes in Proverbs 26 being that of the fool, while Proverbs 27 dealt with the heart, and Proverbs 28 with courage. I could not help but think about the characters from the “Wizard of Oz”. The scarecrow who went in search of a brain, the tin man searching for a heart and the lion in search of courage. How much like these characters are we humans!!

We go on a never-ending search for knowledge and truth. We are a very tech-savvy world searching for the next bigger, better video game—the newest computer or the next Smartphone. We want knowledge. Societies search for philosophies that would govern a utopia; but, alas the more we search—the more evil, sorrow, war and death surround us. We search our earth for more resources; while we continue to use up those resources present with our greed and desire for more. We want to control all around us by our great knowledge and skill; yet, with all we do can we tell the rain when to fall or turn a tornado from its path?

We are but fools in search of a brain. As a whole, mankind continues on this never ending search for knowledge while at the same time ignoring the very source of all knowledge and truth—God, our Creator and King.

Turn to Deuteronomy–

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Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs part 42—Tools for Effective Witnessing.

We as Christians are called to be evangelists by the life we live and the testimony we give to those whom we meet. The truth is that we are a testimony either for Christ or against Him. We are surrounded by people wherever we go who are watching (even when we do not know that they are.)

 

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

Proverbs 25: 15-28 gives us some really good advice as we go out to be messengers of Christ’s love. Well, as for me I need the play by play handbook on how to be an effective witness.  In studying these verses in Proverbs, I gleaned theses tools toward effective witnessing. 

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Love’s Joyous Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Before the earth you e’er did form

You sang Your song of Love for me

How can I not in calm and Storm

Sing forth Your Joy with Jubilee

 

Chorus:

Your Joy sings forth in the morning light

Your Joy sings forth in the darkest night

Your Joy is my strength, my hope, my might

Your Joy gave my blinded eyes their sight

 

The fears and doubts that come and go

Can never chain my mind for long

I gaze upon thy cross aglow

The Symbol of love’s greatest song

 

I hear Your gentle voice that bid

My heart to follow after you

Such wondrous love and Grace Amid

What e’er surround, Your face I view

 

Chorus:

Your Joy sings forth in the morning light

Your Joy sings forth in the darkest night

Your Joy is my strength, my hope, my might

Your Joy gave my blinded eyes their sight

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 41— Leaders, Counselors and Faithful Servants of Christ

To this point in our study of Proverbs, Solomon has been writing to his sons. He longed to leave them the legacy of wisdom that God had so freely given Him by grace. Chapter 25 begins a listing of parables preserved by the men of Hezekiah King of Judah. It is said that the total proverbs of Solomon were greater than 3500; yet, God caused to be preserved those that are here for us. Since I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God—preserved as He has ordained in His Sovereign Reign; I must believe that the proverbs preserved are each one uniquely important to the Christian Life. That is part of the reason that I have continued so slowly through the book of Proverbs in this series. Yesterday, we looked at the mystery of God.

Artwork used by permission of Ronald Barba and is protected by copyright.

So much about God we are incapable of understanding or comprehending. We struggle with our limited knowledge which demands faith to see beyond what is visibly obvious before us. From that kind of Faith, Hope and Joy Burst Forth—expecting, awaiting the magnificent Glory that is ever present before us

. So as we move on forward in Proverbs 25, I so want us to not miss even a minute blessing. Therefore, let me carry us on through by paraphrasing the remaining verses to help you understand; but, do not fail to read the scripture yourself in either the Geneva Bible or the King James Version. Since I do not read Hebrew, I proclaim no authority in my paraphrase; so, study these yourself.

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