May 27
Proverbs 1:1-4:27
Who is our teacher? When alternative viewpoints are put forth, what or who is our ultimate authority which silences all other viewpoints? Jesus said in Luke 6:40, "Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher." In education, the school curriculum dictates what teachers are allowed to teach students. Though for the first 150 or so years, the Bible was the primer used in schools, it has all but disappeared from the classroom. In 1925, The Scopes Trial was the landmark in which evolution was taught in American public schools over Creationism. In 1963, the Supreme Court declared school-sponsored prayer and Bible readings unconstitutional. Despite the eradication of God from our schools and the curricula, some school boards have no problem teaching Islam. Some requiring students to memorize the five pillars of Islam. In California, some students are learning to chant to Aztec gods. This dismantling of the minds of our youth as happened over years. These young minds are then sent to the universities where there is no shortage of atheists, agnostics, Marxists, socialists pushing forth their viewpoints at those already influenced minds. Once out of school, the media is elevated to the level of fact checkers. Honest journalism seems to no longer exist. Social media, though extremely polarized, is held as the ultimate authority. These young minds are now the adults teaching their children, and the cycle continues. Where is wisdom? Where it always has been, with God and His word. Our society is crumbling under the weight of our godless experts. The only hope for ourselves, our children, and our society is revival, a return to God.
We read God's wisdom through Solomon in this ever relevant book called, Proverbs. We read in Proverbs 1:1-3, 7, "These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair...Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Right from the outset, Solomon provides the importance of wisdom and the source of all wisdom. But how much do we really care about seeking after this, as we read in Proverbs 2:2-5, "Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God." Choices and decisions must be made minute by minute and day by day. The question is how are we making those decisions, and who are we choosing to influence our choices. We read in 2:9-12, "Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe."
So, here is a fact check that each of us should take. In any given day which voices are we most tuned into? Even for those who are Christian, what percentage of your day are you in His word, in prayer, in fellowship, in worship, seeking to discuss with others, etc.? Is it 0-10%? 10-20%? If you state, this question is impractical, because each day is busy, then what percentage of time do you spend listening to alternative voices, such as television, news sources, social media, etc.? Is it more than you spend with God? Most, if honest will realize the choices that are being made. The Bible reading program is set up to make it through the Bible in one year by spending 15 to 20 minutes reading every day. Considering if one sleeps 6-8 hours per day, This represents 1/68th of each day, with the other 67/68 being filled with something else. If God is going to be the source of wisdom that we need in our lives, then we cannot give Him a sliver of each of our days. He must become the filling of the pie which permeates every facet of our day. Only by doing this will we gain clarity to the many decisions we are called on to make. We read in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: