The book of Proverbs is a treasure trove of wisdom. It’s nearly impossible to pick a personal favorite because the more I read it, the more verses I find and say: “I love that!.”
A passage I had highlighted a while back is is from chapter 3.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. –Proverbs 3:5-8.
How often do I forget to do these things myself. And the thing is, when I do actually do them, something wonderful happens! This blog and it’s name is a direct result of of verse 5. I had intended on calling it “Every Man’s Faith,” with the goal of doing studies from parts of the Bible and making it accessible to people who might read something and then say “I don’t get it.”
I was doing some domain searches for my initial choice and also reserved it until this voice inside said “May He Increase.” I don’t know how else to explain it other than it was the Holy Spirit. Why? As my about page indicates, I’ve known for a long time the meaning of my name, Joseph: “May He add/increase.” But I wasn’t thinking along those lines. In fact, my desire what to take any attention of me and put it to where it needed to be: on God and His Word. As soon as “May He Increase” was whispered to me, I immediately thought of John 3:30 which is the subtitle of the blog: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It’s not often up to that point that I felt really lead by the Spirit but it’s clear to me now that it was.
How do I know that it was the Holy Spirit? Because since that day, I’ve gone through times of self-doubt, frustration, discouragement, attacks on my beliefs…you know, spiritual warfare. In the back of my mind, I expected it because I’ve heard from pastors that as soon as you really take a stand for God, be prepared for the attacks of the devil; he’s not going to take your stand lying down. Sure enough, he hasn’t.
If you are going through a season of spiritual warfare, stand firm!
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. –James 4:7-8a.
May He Increase!
Joe, Barna survey says a lot of Christians do not believe in Satan, That makes a stealth attack real easy! fight the good fight!
Willis,
Your URL left out the domain, so I’ll repost it here: http://willohroots.wordpress.com.
Please post that Barna survey link. I would love to see the stats. But that doesn’t surprise me in the least.
It may be a poor example, but I like the quote from “The Usual Suspects”: “The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he doesn’t exist.”
Thanks for your comments!
Joe.
Joe,
Nice site, and interesting, I like it.
I have an acquaintance that has found himself behind bars. He is a violent person at times and this is not his first visit, but it may be his longest. The Lord has his attention this time round and he has started to read about “Truth.” I sat down today and wrote him a spontaneous two page letter of hope and direction, but I was at a lose to remember a proverb that would close my letter. I just arrived back at my office and decided to visit your place and found that you had the very verse I was looking for (Prov. 3:5-8) on your site. coincidence? Maybe, but certainly a blessing.
Thanks,
Steve Blackwell
http://www.indywatchman.com
Steve,
First off, I am humbled by your visit and your praise. As far as I’m concerned, this is high praise indeed. Thank you, brother.
Secondly, your comments about your friend and the finding of the verse in Proverbs is like receiving the approval of our heavenly Father, through you. I am truly overjoyed that God has done a work through us. Truly, May He increase! :-)
Lastly, I’m very sorry to hear about your friend. As you know, sometimes the only way we will hear God’s voice is through pain. I believe it was Spurgeon who said that God shouts to us in our pain. I have certainly experienced that in my life. I pray that God be with your friend and lead him into redemption.
Thank you!
Joe.