Tag Archives: instructions

The Best Counsel

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Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
(Psalm 32:6-8, NIV)
God reassures us in His wonderful Word that He will be our guide. In fact, God personalizes it, stamps His name on it. He says, “I” and no one else. I, who is God. I, the Great I am. I, the Creator. The Lord. The God of all. The Maker of heaven and earth. I, the King decrees. I, the One who made you, designed you, fashioned you into who you are will instruct you in the way you should go. Not the preacher, not the prophet, not the apostle, not the evangelist, not our prayer partner, not our spouse, but God, will show us in the way we should go.
Now, my sister, please don’t misunderstand me. Yes, God can and He does use our pastors, preachers, teachers, prophets, prayer partners, our husbands and so forth to give us Godly counsel, but before we run to them for advice, we must run to God first. God wants us to seek His way, His kingdom, His righteousness, His counsel first, and then He will take care of what concerns us (Matt. 6:33).
God says, “I will instruct and teach you in the way you should go” (Ps. 32:8a, NIV)
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As I read that passage, I wondered, why did God us those two words, “instruct” and“teach”. Why use those words, aren’t they the same? I often say, God does not waste His Words. God’s Word is such a beautiful thing! Every Word has a meaning, a purpose. Every period, comma, exclamation mark in the Bible has meaning and depth. So, I did a little studying to see how different and alike these two words are.
Today, I want to focus on the first part of verse 8 in our scripture passage. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go”(NIV).  I want to share with you what I discovered in God’s Word. These two words are so familiar to us. We use them in our everyday vocabulary, but it was so enlightening, such a blessing, and an encouragement to me what the Lord showed me. I pray that it will bless you, as well.
In the English dictionary, the word “instruct” means 1. to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate. 2. To furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command. 3. To furnish with information; inform; apprise. In Hebrew, “instruct” means to be (cause make or act) circumspect; prosper, deal prudently, give skill, have success, teach, (have, make to) understand, wisdom.
The dictionary describes the word “teach” as to impart knowledge of or skill in; give instructions in; to instill knowledge. In Hebrew “teach” is described as to point out (as if by aiming the finger); archer, cast direct, inform, instruct, lay, shoot.
And when I looked up the synonyms for both words, I was floored! Wow!
Synonym for “instruct”: advise, guide, keep posted, lead, notify, reveal, steer, train, educate, counsel. Synonym for “teach”: coach, communicate, demonstrate, direct, develop, discipline, enlighten, explain, give instruction, give facts, improve mind, indoctrinate, nurture, prepare, polish, open eyes, school, sharpen, show, tutor.
Oh, how God cares so much about you and I. You know how you know something, but love to hear it, see it, and be reminded of that very thing? Well, that’s how I felt and feel, right now, after studying this scripture passage. We know that God loves us, but when He reminds us and shows us, or should I say, when He opens our eyes to really see His amazing love and care for us, it is mind blowing! It was such a beautiful illumination to learn and be reminded of the way God is attentive to us.
So, through His Word, God tells us that He will explain to us, give us the intelligence, the wisdom, the understanding, as He directs us in the way we should go. Like a Captain, He’s going to coach us, train us, and give us the appropriate orders and command. He’ll give us the knowledge, inform us, prepare us and instruct us. Like a skillful archer, God will point us in the right direction. With His watchful eyes, His infinite wisdom, and His care for us and our future, He will guide us successfully. Amen!
Psalm 32:8 is a short verse, but it has such astounding revelations! God’s instructions and teachings are the best counsel we can ever receive. However, in order for us to receive what God wants to give us, in order to be instructed and taught in the way we should go, we have to go to Him first. Acknowledge Him and allow Him to direct our path (Prov. 3:5-6).
IT’S WEDNESDAY – HUMP DAY!! HERE’S A BIBLICAL PRINICPLE TO HELP US OVER THE HUMP.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you. (Ps. 32:8, NLT)

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During your Quiet Time, MEDITATE  on God’s Word, WATCH to today’s music video and KEEP walking in freedom!
LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!

Rhovonda L. Brown is speaker and author of two bestsellers, Walking in Freedom!: A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!”: An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart. 

Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved.

God Admonishes

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Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16, 17 AMP)
 

Our Heavenly Father, disciplines those whom He loves (Prov. 3:12; Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19). Through the prophet Isaiah, God scolds the children of Israel. He describes how He’s been a nurturing and loving parent, who has raised them well, instilled in them His Godly principles. He delivered them from slavery, fed and clothed them in the dessert, gave them shelter from the rain. He led them to the promise land, a prosperous land. God has gone above and beyond meeting their needs, but now they had turned their backs on Him. Those He’d been so faithful to had completely deserted Him.

As you read through the beginning chapter of Isaiah, you feel God’s anger, His hurt and pain. You can feel how disappointed He was for the way His children had been behaving. Mothers, can you relate? You’ve been there when your children have done something they knew was wrong? They’ve behaved in a manner that was contrary to the way you raised them. Remember how disappointed and hurt you were? Remember how angry you felt? You were angry, disappointed and hurt because they knew better. They knew right from wrong, and since they knew, you disciplined them. That’s how God felt.
As a Father, God had come to Israel’s aid time after time. He’s been their faithful God. Despite, Israel had turned their backs on God. Once again they had walked away from His love. Again they had abandoned His principles, began doing evil things – godless things that God detests. And from their rebellion and corruption, they were wounded and afflicted by their own doing. Their evil was causing harm to themselves. Their lives were a mess as a result of their outrageous sinful life (Isa.1:5-8).

Even worse, God’s children had turned their worship for Him into a game, a spectacle. Israel’s sacrifices, their offerings, and their worship were a big half-time show! All worthless and all detestable to God. Their worship was not real, their giving wasn’t from the heart, but was just performance (Isa.1:11-14). God was tired of them playing church. All of it had become wearisome to God. He was not pleased, but angry! He said, “When you pray and ask for help, I will close My eyes and will not listen” (Isa. 1:15). Just the thought of that verse is devastating to me. Can you imagine our Heavenly Father not listening to us? Basically, turning His back on us?
God admonished Israel as He admonishes us today: Change your ways. Stop sinning. Stop doing wrong and learn to do right. Remember what I’ve taught you. Return to Me. Comfort the hurting. Help the homeless. Stand up for the weak and helpless. Do your Christian duty.
SELF CHECK √: Has my life been a reflection of the Savior? Have I been focusing so much on rituals, church programs and performances that I’m neglecting what’s most important, to glorify God with my life? Have I deserted God? Have I removed God and His principles from my everyday life in order to satisfy me?
During your Quiet Time, MEDITATE  on God’s Word. WATCH to today’s music video, Allow these things to encourage you to have a grateful heart and keep walking in freedom!
LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!

Rhovonda L. Brown is speaker and author of two bestsellers, Walking in Freedom!: A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!”: An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart. 

Copyright ©2010-2016. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved.

ORDER NOW & HAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS!! ENJOY IT AND BE MOTIVATED TO HAVE A GRATEFUL HEART AND BE ENCOURAGED TO EMBRACE FREEDOM IN JESUS CHRIST!SecondBook
Small, but packed with powerful and inspiring devotionals! God is allowing Rhovonda’s second book to take the reading community by storm. As of today, At Least Say, “Thank You!” is an Amazon’s No.1 Kindle Best Seller and has been on Amazon’s Hot New Releases List in the Family & Inspirational Spirituality category. Our Master is using Rhovonda’s books to impact, bless and encourage the people of God. Order your copy now.
At Least Say, “Thank You!” is available in eBook and Paperback. Order your copy on Amazon now or contact us and we’ll order the paperback for you.
 
Synopsis: Imagine how many times throughout our day we forget to tell our Heavenly Father, “Thank You.” Yes, we may say thank you for something obviously noticeable, such as a brand new car, a new job, the healing of a loved one. But how often do we acknowledge or notice those so-called “small blessings”? Rhovonda encourages you to live out each day with a spirit of rejoicing and gratitude. As you read through each devotional, your heart, mind, and spirit will begin to settle on this one fact: there is always something to be grateful for.   
 
Rhovonda’s debut Book, Walking in Freedom! is also an Amazon Kindle Best Seller and is available for your enjoyment. A great read for the holidays. Or another with this book. She will be encouraged to embrace God’s freedom and live each day trusting God.
 
Synopsis: Walking in Freedom! is comprised of devotionals and interactive activities that are designed to empower you to become a better person. With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, all thirty devotionals and interactive activities were created by Rhovonda L. Brown, the founder of Martha & Mary Ministries, Walking in Freedom! a women’s devotional ministry. These are not your traditional devotionals. Instead, Rhovonda openly shares her heart, her struggles, her flaws, and her victories while pointing you back to God. This inspiring devotional takes you on a journey that will encourage you, motivate you, and empower you.