Good morning! How are we faithing? Lots to think about and to pray about. Things going on around as of late that arouse concern, things that make one shake one's head, things that makes a heart break for someone else and the things that concern ourselves. Sifting through council of others and separating the good from the bad is daunting and can get confusing. Some things discovered is, council that is self serving or retaliatory in nature gets dismissed. Council that is pessimistic can be a warning and it can be just a complaint session. Council that is tainted with regulatory constraints or dogmatic in nature can be solid and it can miss the mark completely because of its inherent biases. What to listen to and what not to? Godly council from the Word is always right, council from god fearing people is intended for good most times and worth a serious consideration, council from friends and family are biased and council from people with no vested interest is either dead on the mark or throw away advise. What is this all for? There are people we encounter who are hurting all around us and we are to be beacons of hope and a lamp that emits the love light of Jesus. Without that shine we are just another drifting soul on the waters of humanity. Pearls of wisdom need not be prophetic or life changing. Sometimes council is a hug, a hand held, a question, a scripture reference or even a finger wag with a little chastisement. The wisdom to know what where when? There is the big rub. The Word tells us to be ready in season and out to respond Godly because any other advise is like heads, we all have one.

Prov 1:5-7
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
NIV

Prov 9:9
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
NIV

Prov 12:15
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
NIV

Prov 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. NIV

Hos 6:33
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
NIV

I want to encourage you all who are seeking answers to decisions to look not to man but to God. Get in the Word, proverbs is a fine place for wisdom and the Psalms is a fine place for praise. Remember our hope and assurance lies not with man but with the creator.

Heavenly Father,
We come before you today with praises for you because we know you are indeed in control even when we can't figure out what is happening. Lord grant us the grace and faith to rest on your Word and what and when it speaks to us. Help us be a vessel of light and wisdom for your people.  We ask for your will be done and your strength be with us all. Lord thank you for this life you give that we may serve. Lord, calm and comfort those who are in such anguish they feel alone. Lord, make it so plain to us that we act and react in accordance with your ways. Guide us and forgive us when we stumble because we want to please and honor you with our lives in Jesus name, Amen