“For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: “ I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.”
Proverbs7:6-27NKJV
This is one of the most powerful literary images of temptation and its consequences that I see in scripture. Solomon starts off this chapter stating that staying close to wisdom and understanding and to the voice of God in our hearts will keep us from immoral situations. In this story, he shows that everyone needs to be wise in our relationships because many times temptation begins with flattery. I can think of many men and women who have fallen in their marriage because they did not guard their conversations with the opposite sex. Flattery is just part of what we all want to hear at times, sometimes it is just companionship, sometimes consideration, and sometimes it is just a listening ear. In ministry and in the workplace, I counsel leaders to avoid one on one closed door meetings and private lunches with the opposite sex because it can lead to a deadly trap of the enemy. The picture he paints of a young man devoid of understanding who has met his match with temptation is very sobering. Sin “lurks” around every corner “diligently” seeking after the unaware of this world. Temptation also is enticing with a promise of no consequence. In this story, it reads that the husband of the woman is on a long journey and will not come back for awhile, so in other words, nobody will ever find out. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. As an ox goes to the slaughter so do many men and women who do not heed the words of wisdom. Wisdom would say “stay home”, “stay away”, and “run” from this situation. Many who have been wounded because of her and all who have been slain have been strong men. I am sure David, Solomon’s dad, told him of his own story, the story of Samson and others to warn him of the enemy’s ways. Take heed and remember, that staying close to wisdom and the Holy Spirit as your best friend is the way to walk free from the traps the enemy has for our lives. God will protect us but we all need to be wise and aware and He will lead us into paths of righteousness.
Worship
“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalms 9:1-2 NKJV
Father, my whole heart belongs to you and I will praise You! Give me am open door to speak of Your blessings and ways. I am thankful and glad for Your provision, victory, and blessings in my life . You are worthy of my praise and adoration and I will sing with joy for all that You are to me. I love you and will love you forever.
https://www.createchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Create-Church-Logo80-1030x176.png00Regi Thomashttps://www.createchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Create-Church-Logo80-1030x176.pngRegi Thomas2018-08-26 16:57:272018-08-26 16:57:2731 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 7 – Pastor Ryan Binkley
“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”
To know what God loves is incredibly important. He tells us to love one another, serve the least in our world, take care of orphans and widows, and for us to live by His commandments. Conversely, and yet equally as important, we need to know and heed to what God hates and what is an abomination to Him. A proud look is thinking more highly of yourself than you should and less of other people than you should. I remember in my first freedom experience with God almost 20 years ago, I was repenting of all the sins in my life and the one God highlighted to me that was the root of them all was a “haughty spirit”. When He lovingly confronted me about that issue, every other stronghold in my life lost its’ grip and I was set totally free. The Lord also hates someone who lies and misrepresents the truth. White lies are not only noticeable and hurtful to others, they are also an abomination to the Lord. Hands that shed innocent blood is self explanatory in so many ways that we face today. I believe that an unborn child is innocent in all the events that could lead to their arrival and we should do all we can to see that more children are cared for and possibly adopted into loving homes. Certainly all murders fall into this category as well as abusive situations. Wicked schemes, feet that run to evil and a false witness who speaks lies are representative of people and situations that we need to avoid at all costs. Finally, the Lord detests someone who tries to divide a group of people by sowing discord. I have always thought it’s interesting that the Lord ends his list of abominations with an analogy of someone who “plants” a seed of doubt or disunity – that it’s ungodly and is detestable to Him. I believe the Lord loves unity so much that He would rather us overlook offenses than just complain and sow disunity especially regarding small issues. I am not referring to sinful ways or major doctrinal foundations that we must stand for righteousness and confront if needed. But most of the discord that I have seen in churches, families, and in businesses usually involve just one person wanting to be promoted or lifted up over someone else. Usually it was a time, when they felt like they should be leading but they just weren’t leading just yet. I think one of the greatest tests all leaders have to pass right before they get elevated is to not take the bait and speak down or look down at others on your way. God will promote you and see to it that you are where you are supposed to be right on time. He always blesses the faithful.
“My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.”
Lord, thank you for delivering me from my enemies and protecting me from every evil scheme against my life. The enemy has surrounded me many times and You have always protected and saved me! Thank You for hearing my prayers and my cries and for bringing me through every trial I have faced. May every accusation and attack from the enemy be turned back and anyone who participates be brought into repentance. Today, I forgive and bless all my enemies and pray Your guidance, love, and grace to cover them in truth and may they find healing and hope in their lives. May your grace and unity surround my home and life forevermore. Amen.
https://www.createchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Create-Church-Logo80-1030x176.png00Regi Thomashttps://www.createchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Create-Church-Logo80-1030x176.pngRegi Thomas2018-08-25 08:46:102018-08-25 08:46:1031 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 6 – Pastor Ryan Binkley
“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell. Lest you ponder her path of life— Her ways are unstable; You do not know them. Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner; And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!”
Proverbs 5:3-12 NKJV
When it comes to temptation the words of wisdom are very clear. The promise of pleasure is short lived and the end result is bitterness, death, and the doorsteps of hell. I think every young person, single person, married person…ok, everyone should read all of Proverbs 5 and just think about the pain that comes from sin. It promises to please and serve but only enslaves and dominates people’s lives. There is no hope when you go down the dark path of sin. You give your honor to others and your years to the cruel one, your wealth will be gone, and your health will be consumed. Temptation comes to everyone but wisdom gives some good counsel on how to avoid it forever. First, He says remove your way far from her and not go near the door of her house. I don’t know what tempts you or one of your loved ones but we have to remove ourselves far from it and not go near the door way of it. What does that mean? Very practically, shut down the doorways to sin and go the other way. I remember when I first gave my life to the Lord and struggled with my eyes, that I turned off my cable television and did not watch it for over a year. There was a season where I needed to protect my eyes and heart in a special way and I didn’t need to go near the door of just worldly television. Sitcoms reminded me of my past, there was a lot in normal shows that just made my mind struggle, so I removed my way far from a doorway of temptation. It was a few years later that I learned freedom and was set free from my past completely, but just setting up some boundaries kept my heart and my mind from struggling. Solomon continues in the latter part of the chapter, stating that what every one needs is discipline. We need discipline to guard our heart, our ways, and life and we need to love Instruction and correction. Keep your ways far from the doors of temptation and God will keep you, and bless you with with life, health, and freedom.
Worship
“Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.
Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”
Psalms 5:1-3, 8 NKJV
“Lord, I praise Your name this morning! I thank You that you hear my voice. You are worthy of all of my praise and adoration. I am looking up to You and declaring that You are my God and I am giving you every area of concern for my life. You will hear me in the morning just praying and praising your name. You have my attention and my life and my love is set on You forever and ever. Father, lead me in the ways of righteousness and keep my foot from stumbling. Make my paths straight and keep me from harms way. I will forever follow you and all of my days and ways belong to you. Amen”
https://www.createchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Create-Church-Logo80-1030x176.png00Regi Thomashttps://www.createchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Create-Church-Logo80-1030x176.pngRegi Thomas2018-08-24 08:38:502018-08-24 08:38:5031 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 5 – Pastor Ryan Binkley
31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 7 – Pastor Ryan Binkley
Wisdom
“For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: “ I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.”
Proverbs 7:6-27 NKJV
This is one of the most powerful literary images of temptation and its consequences that I see in scripture. Solomon starts off this chapter stating that staying close to wisdom and understanding and to the voice of God in our hearts will keep us from immoral situations. In this story, he shows that everyone needs to be wise in our relationships because many times temptation begins with flattery. I can think of many men and women who have fallen in their marriage because they did not guard their conversations with the opposite sex. Flattery is just part of what we all want to hear at times, sometimes it is just companionship, sometimes consideration, and sometimes it is just a listening ear. In ministry and in the workplace, I counsel leaders to avoid one on one closed door meetings and private lunches with the opposite sex because it can lead to a deadly trap of the enemy. The picture he paints of a young man devoid of understanding who has met his match with temptation is very sobering. Sin “lurks” around every corner “diligently” seeking after the unaware of this world. Temptation also is enticing with a promise of no consequence. In this story, it reads that the husband of the woman is on a long journey and will not come back for awhile, so in other words, nobody will ever find out. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. As an ox goes to the slaughter so do many men and women who do not heed the words of wisdom. Wisdom would say “stay home”, “stay away”, and “run” from this situation. Many who have been wounded because of her and all who have been slain have been strong men. I am sure David, Solomon’s dad, told him of his own story, the story of Samson and others to warn him of the enemy’s ways. Take heed and remember, that staying close to wisdom and the Holy Spirit as your best friend is the way to walk free from the traps the enemy has for our lives. God will protect us but we all need to be wise and aware and He will lead us into paths of righteousness.
Worship
“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalms 9:1-2 NKJV
Father, my whole heart belongs to you and I will praise You! Give me am open door to speak of Your blessings and ways. I am thankful and glad for Your provision, victory, and blessings in my life . You are worthy of my praise and adoration and I will sing with joy for all that You are to me. I love you and will love you forever.
31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 6 – Pastor Ryan Binkley
“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”
To know what God loves is incredibly important. He tells us to love one another, serve the least in our world, take care of orphans and widows, and for us to live by His commandments. Conversely, and yet equally as important, we need to know and heed to what God hates and what is an abomination to Him. A proud look is thinking more highly of yourself than you should and less of other people than you should. I remember in my first freedom experience with God almost 20 years ago, I was repenting of all the sins in my life and the one God highlighted to me that was the root of them all was a “haughty spirit”. When He lovingly confronted me about that issue, every other stronghold in my life lost its’ grip and I was set totally free. The Lord also hates someone who lies and misrepresents the truth. White lies are not only noticeable and hurtful to others, they are also an abomination to the Lord. Hands that shed innocent blood is self explanatory in so many ways that we face today. I believe that an unborn child is innocent in all the events that could lead to their arrival and we should do all we can to see that more children are cared for and possibly adopted into loving homes. Certainly all murders fall into this category as well as abusive situations. Wicked schemes, feet that run to evil and a false witness who speaks lies are representative of people and situations that we need to avoid at all costs. Finally, the Lord detests someone who tries to divide a group of people by sowing discord. I have always thought it’s interesting that the Lord ends his list of abominations with an analogy of someone who “plants” a seed of doubt or disunity – that it’s ungodly and is detestable to Him. I believe the Lord loves unity so much that He would rather us overlook offenses than just complain and sow disunity especially regarding small issues. I am not referring to sinful ways or major doctrinal foundations that we must stand for righteousness and confront if needed. But most of the discord that I have seen in churches, families, and in businesses usually involve just one person wanting to be promoted or lifted up over someone else. Usually it was a time, when they felt like they should be leading but they just weren’t leading just yet. I think one of the greatest tests all leaders have to pass right before they get elevated is to not take the bait and speak down or look down at others on your way. God will promote you and see to it that you are where you are supposed to be right on time. He always blesses the faithful.
“My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.”
Lord, thank you for delivering me from my enemies and protecting me from every evil scheme against my life. The enemy has surrounded me many times and You have always protected and saved me! Thank You for hearing my prayers and my cries and for bringing me through every trial I have faced. May every accusation and attack from the enemy be turned back and anyone who participates be brought into repentance. Today, I forgive and bless all my enemies and pray Your guidance, love, and grace to cover them in truth and may they find healing and hope in their lives. May your grace and unity surround my home and life forevermore. Amen.
31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 5 – Pastor Ryan Binkley
Wisdom and Worship-Day 5
“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell. Lest you ponder her path of life— Her ways are unstable; You do not know them. Therefore hear me now, my children, And do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner; And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!”
Proverbs 5:3-12 NKJV
When it comes to temptation the words of wisdom are very clear. The promise of pleasure is short lived and the end result is bitterness, death, and the doorsteps of hell. I think every young person, single person, married person…ok, everyone should read all of Proverbs 5 and just think about the pain that comes from sin. It promises to please and serve but only enslaves and dominates people’s lives. There is no hope when you go down the dark path of sin. You give your honor to others and your years to the cruel one, your wealth will be gone, and your health will be consumed. Temptation comes to everyone but wisdom gives some good counsel on how to avoid it forever. First, He says remove your way far from her and not go near the door of her house. I don’t know what tempts you or one of your loved ones but we have to remove ourselves far from it and not go near the door way of it. What does that mean? Very practically, shut down the doorways to sin and go the other way. I remember when I first gave my life to the Lord and struggled with my eyes, that I turned off my cable television and did not watch it for over a year. There was a season where I needed to protect my eyes and heart in a special way and I didn’t need to go near the door of just worldly television. Sitcoms reminded me of my past, there was a lot in normal shows that just made my mind struggle, so I removed my way far from a doorway of temptation. It was a few years later that I learned freedom and was set free from my past completely, but just setting up some boundaries kept my heart and my mind from struggling. Solomon continues in the latter part of the chapter, stating that what every one needs is discipline. We need discipline to guard our heart, our ways, and life and we need to love Instruction and correction. Keep your ways far from the doors of temptation and God will keep you, and bless you with with life, health, and freedom.
Worship
“Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.
Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”
Psalms 5:1-3, 8 NKJV
“Lord, I praise Your name this morning! I thank You that you hear my voice. You are worthy of all of my praise and adoration. I am looking up to You and declaring that You are my God and I am giving you every area of concern for my life. You will hear me in the morning just praying and praising your name. You have my attention and my life and my love is set on You forever and ever. Father, lead me in the ways of righteousness and keep my foot from stumbling. Make my paths straight and keep me from harms way. I will forever follow you and all of my days and ways belong to you. Amen”