Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned. Hosea 7:8
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2
Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. Psalm 25:12-14
Today's thoughts from today's verses:
The word “secret” in the Psalm above means intimacy. Those who fear the Lord are those who revere Him so much that they yield to Him as their Master and allow Him to be the centerpiece of their lives. As ones who have God at the center of their lives they learn to commune with God and knowing Him intimately they experience His presence in their day to day living. God shows them how life on earth is lived in a heavenly way (wisdom from above) and empowers them to do so. These are the ones who live in the world but are not of it. People who live life in this manner are those who walk by the Spirit (New Covenant) and are not like those who are half baked in the Hosea passage above where they are so in the world that they are of the world. But people can be half baked the other way, where they seek not to be of the world by not being in the world. May God grant that we walk by the Spirit and in the intimacy of His presence so that the life we live in this world is truly His doing.
Today's prayer response from today's thoughts:
Lord, I am learning about the intimacy of communion with you in the quiet, inner chamber of prayer. I deeply value and appreciate experiencing you as a refuge from the onslaught of the world and a source of nurture in heavenly realities (wisdom from above). You are my amazing, beautiful, and glorious Master. I worship, exalt, and bless you. Amen!
