John 1:6-8; 15-34  John the Baptist "came for a witness"  to "bear witness".. he was born for this purpose.. to be a witness and to testify about "the light".. Jesus.  John fulfilled his calling when he cried out, "This is He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank that I, for He existed before me.'" (v15) 

John had been questioned by the Jews.. for they wanted to know who he was. Was he the Messiah? Was he a prophet? Was he Elijah?  John did  not consider himself anything but , ".. a voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'"  He was only sure of this one thing.. that he was supposed to be preaching repentance and baptizing.. because the Messiah was coming. 

When John saw Jesus at first he did not recognize Him.. "And I did not recognize Him but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water."  It was when he baptized Jesus and saw the Holy Spirit descend on Him and remain on Him.. that John knew that Jesus was the Messiah. " And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."  John had been told what to look for so that when he saw it.. he would know.  He could then say with confidence, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Father, You have called us to be witnesses and to bear witness.. just like John the Baptist.  You have created us to be filled with His light and His life.. to recognize the truth of Who Jesus really is and to proclaim this truth to a world that is still in darkness.. Jesus, the Light of the World, came to take away the sin of the world.  Hallelujah! What a Savior!  When we are asked "Who are you?"  may our answer be.. we are the voice of ones crying in the wilderness of this world.. "We are children of God, through Jesus Christ, the Lamb.. the Son of the Most High God.. who came to seek and to save the lost.. to enlighten men and women that we might see." Thank You for such love and grace poured out on us.. be glorified and honored and exalted in every nation and in all the earth. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 John 1:1-14  "In the beginning was the Word.". the logos - the Divine Expression - the thought; the reasoning; the account; the communication; the utterance;  -"and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Jesus Christ, God the Son, the "true light".. came into the world to "enlighten" every one of us.  Four times the word  ginomai is used... "came into being" v3; "made"; v10 "become";  v12 and "became" v14.  Jesus is the Maker, the Cause, the Motive, the requirement... "All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." 

Jesus is the source of Life.  He is the source of Light.... light that overcomes darkness and can not be seized or possessed by it.  Jesus the "true light" came to "enlighten us"  - to photizo - to shed rays; to shine; to illuminate.. to make to see.  When Jesus said that none could come to the Father except through Him.. this truth resonates.. we can't come because we are blind and in darkness.. only Jesus produces the kind of Light that makes us able to see..

Jesus came to the world that was "made through Him" - to His own possession, His own domain.. and was not received.. not accepted.  God came near.. the incomprehensible came to be comprehended.. and was rejected. ".. the world did not know Him." 

"But.... " O Hallelujah!  ".. as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become (ginomai) children of God".  When we receive Jesus.. we are made, created, caused to be.. God's children.. produced- born of God.  Born by His will....not by accident or by force.. but born out of the wonderful grace and love of God the Father through the Divine Expression.. the Word.. Jesus.  This privilege belongs to those who "believe in His name.".. those who trust in His authority.  Those who answer the call to believe.. who accept and not reject the Word who was made flesh and dwelt among us. 

Father in heaven, thank You for this truth, for the Son of God who came to reveal YOU to us.. He has conquered the darkness.. conquered death.. and conquered our blindness so that we might behold His glory.... "the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."  In His Light we stand and we live... and we pray in His Name asking that His Light will fill this land.  Amen

 Proverbs 31  I noticed something that I don't remember noticing before.. "The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.. " 

These are the words of a mother to her son.. "What, O my son?"   What words of wisdom and love can she offer her son, the king?

"Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. "   The Message puts it this way, " Oh, son of  mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God! Don't dilute your strength on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders." This advice reflects the first few chapters of Proverbs that warned again and again.. of those who would lead sons ( or daughters)  into dens of iniquity and death.  This mother sees her son taking the wrong road and desperately wants him to choose the way of life... 

Verses 4-6 "It is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget the rights of the afflicted.. "  She tells her son that drinking is for the perishing.. not for the strong leader.  It helps the stricken to forget.. but it does not help the righteous leader to do right. As Paul wrote, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." ( Ephesians 5:18)   Filled with the Holy Spirit, the son will be able to do what is right.. "Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy."  This is the path that a godly mother desires and prays for her children. 

I know of women who do not like this next section.. the description of a "worthy woman".. it is a bit intimidating for us to try to become as ambitious, wise, strong, resourceful, and powerful as this ideal woman.. we just don't have that much energy.. But, when we think of this as mothers.. advising our sons to look for such virtues in a wife ( or our daughters for their husbands).... well, it sounds pretty good!  We want our children to find spouses who are industrious, trustworthy, good, faithful, kind, generous, and noble.  We want more than anything for our children to find a mate who "fears the Lord.. " A wife... or a husband.. who is praiseworthy, dignified, respected, and worthy..   godly qualities of a  much greater value than "jewels" or riches. 

Father, this is our prayer for our children and grandchildren.. that they walk in the wisdom of Your Word, that they choose Life.. following Jesus Christ all the days of their lives.  We come boldly to ask that You would help us to lead our families into the Truth that they would never leave the path that You set out before them. Father, hear this mother's heart for her children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.. for their salvation, for their perseverance in faith, for their future ( or current) spouses.. may they walk in the Spirit.. in a manner worthy of Your calling.. for Your glory!  We praise You Lord for such love and grace that You have poured out on us.. that we can come before You as children and ask such wonderful things.. in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Proverbs 30 "The words of Agur... 'Surely I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man. Neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.'"

This man then goes on to write some very profound and wise words.. "Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!" 

O Hallelujah! We do know!  Yahweh.. the Lord God Almighty and Jesus Christ the Son! John wrote, "And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man." (John 3:13)  Isaiah wrote "For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar, the Lord of Hosts is His name. And I have put My words in your mouth, and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ' You are My people'" (Isaiah 51:15-16)

Agur goes on to share wise observations.. 

He asks that he doesn't have too much.. lest he be too full and deny the Lord; and that he doesn't have too little.. lest he be in want and steal. What a great prayer.. "Feed me with the food that is my portion"... Daily bread...  He asks for nothing more.. and nothing less.  

He warns of the liars.. and of the greedy... of the mockers and of those who do not respect their parents. 

Agur wonders at the beauty of nature; and he grieves at the things that shake the earth and his soul.

He observes the ironies of life.. an ant that is not strong but  wisely prepares food for the winter; a badger that is "not mighty"  but lives among rocks; locusts that have no leader but are organized like an army; and a lizard which is small and helpless.. but can live in a palace!

In humility, Agur warns the proud.. who have foolishly exalted themselves..to "put your hand on your mouth".. 

Father in heaven, You are God alone.. in heaven above and on earth below.. and there is no other.  You stir up the sea... You established the universe.. every star, You know by name.. every creature on earth.. You have ordained according to Your great wisdom. We desire to know You, even as the prophets and poets of old desired to know You.  Thank You for the Word of Life.. for Jesus Christ, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. . so that we can know You more! Open our eyes to see the beauty and wonder of Your creation and to exalt Your Holy Name. Open our hearts to receive the Truth of Your Word.. to know Your love and grace and wisdom.. that we might exalt Your Name! Fill us, Spirit of God, that we might give honor and glory to the Father and to the Son.  Let the love of God..and love for God fill our hearts today we pray.. in Jesus' name.  Amen. 

 Proverbs 27-29  More warnings and instructions.. all pointing to the same truths.. wisdom and righteousness are the way to  life and deliverance and blessing.  Foolishness and wickedness will lead to destruction.  We all make a choice.. to believe and obey God's Word or we ignore it, spurn it, and go our own way.  The path is clearly spelled out in every proverb throughout this book. They help us to discern what is right and what is evil.  They give us understanding of God's ways.. they are lived out in the life of our Lord Jesus. 

We need this knowledge and understanding.. so that we can endure in this world.. and so that we can be found in His righteousness on that day when we stand before His throne.  Have we stood up for what is right and good?  Have we treated others with justice and mercy? Have we loved Jesus and others more than wealth and ourselves?

These proverbs teach us to be faithful, to be kind, to be generous.. to watch what we say and do.. to care for others; to take responsibility for ourselves and our families; and to keep on trusting the Lord. 

They also show us what foolish and wicked ways we must not walk.. scorning and mocking, cheating and scheming against others. 

"The poor man and the oppressor have this in common; The Lord gives light to the eyes of both." (29:13) This truth is vital.. we all are His creation.. we all are accountable to Him. The choices we make.. big or small matter to Him.. what is in our hearts - matters to Him!

Oh God our God, we need You. We need You to fill our hearts with Your great love and goodness.  We need You to keep us in Your Mighty hands so that we will not fall.. that we will not act foolishly.. Deliver us from evil.. and lead us in the paths of righteousness.. for Your Name's sake!  Forgive us our trespasses and help us to forgive others.. to love even our enemies.. to do good.. even in return for evil. Thank You for the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ the Lord.  He is our Light and our Salvation. Blessed be the name of the Lord.  We give You all praise and honor and glory. Amen. 

 Proverbs 28-29  These two chapters are filled with somewhat random bits of wisdom that Solomon left  behind.  We are told that the "men of Hezekiah" transcribed them.  Here are a few that stand out:

v11 "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances."   Jesus did that often.. when they tried to trap Him with hard questions.. He would answer simply with exquisite beauty and wisdom, so that they had no more to say.  Lord, help us to have this godly wisdom.. with patience and self-control.. to speak beautiful words of truth.. with grace and love. 

v21-22 "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."  Paul quoted this proverb in his letter to the Romans (12:20).  This chapter in Romans is filled with instructions for living a dedicated life of service to the Lord.. beginning with " I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship."  A life of obedience, service, and love.. filled with the wisdom of God's Spirit through the Word. 

Chapter 29: 20-22  "For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The word of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body."   James reminds us about the danger of the tongue,  " So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!"  How much we need the "wisdom from above.." that is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits.. unwavering and without hypocrisy.

Father, sow in us the fruit of righteousness and fill us with wisdom from above.  Let our hearts be conformed to Yours.. let our wills be yielded to Yours.. let our lives be transformed by the power of Your Spirit living in us.. so that You are glorified in all that we do and say. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. 

 Proverbs 24   Verses 3-4  "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

This book is meant to help us build our houses.. our lives.. with wisdom.  It has instructed us to seek wisdom, to treasure it.. to choose the narrow road that begins with the "fear of the Lord".  As we read and study the Word of God we will gain knowledge that is true and pure and right.  The Spirit of God Himself is the One to give us understanding so that we can walk in His paths.. knowing it is our God who orders our steps. 

As we walk in God's ways we discern the difference between foolishness and wisdom.  We shun what is evil and choose good.  We forsake idleness and choose to take responsibility for our lives and families.  We understand that wrong choices will lead to destruction and sorrow and pain... that following Jesus is the way to  Life. 

There are truths hidden throughout the proverbs that are reflected in the life and teaching of our Lord.. forgiveness.. humility... love.. " Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?"  

Jesus taught that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.. ( Matthew 6)  Proverbs 24: 11 says, "Deliver those who being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, O hold them back." And verses 17-18 say, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; let the Lord see it and be displeased.. " 

We are called to speak truth.. "He who says to the wicked, 'You are righteous'..( v24)  are to be condemned.. but to "rebuke the wicked"..(v25)  with the heart of mercy and love.. like Jesus did with the religious leaders of His time on earth.. like He does with all of us.. this will bring "blessing". 

All the wisdom found in the Word of God.. points to the Son of God. To follow Jesus is to walk in wisdom. May we seek Him.. treasure Him.. and trust in His power to work in us His will.. His good and perfect will.. that will bring Him glory and honor!

Father in heaven, Your will be done. Sanctify us by Your Spirit that we might become more and more like Jesus. 

Amen.