Some valuable lessons

Here are some valuable lessons I've learned, that may prove as helpful to some of you.

Truly, lean not on your own understanding

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

When I was in High School, I had a track coach (Mr. Zeise) that told me this one saying that I never will forget. "ASSuming makes a "donkey" out of you and me." Obviously, read between the lines here, but his statement rings true. I've learned that it's best to seek the Lord out about EVERYTHING, rather than assume you know something. There were some times I had some great setbacks in my relationship with God, simply because I assumed something that God never intended. So now, I lead with the heart of a seeker. "God, I heard you, but show me what that means." (Jeremiah 33:3)

Love covers

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8 NIV

One of the lessons God gave me about love, was that love covers. That word covers comes from the Greek word, kalupto (strongs #2572) meaning to veil, hide, conceal or envelop. He had to teach me that when God reveals the sin of our fellow brothers and sisters, that we must cover them in prayer. You may not always feel like doing this, but God's love is expressed in action not through feeling. So when you find it hard to pray in this type of a situation, ask the Lord to remove the film from your heart, to place your emotions to the side. Ask Him to help you pray as zealously and earnestly as you would for yourself. Because indeed, the Word does say to love our neighbor as we do ourselves. (Mark 12:31)

Stay teachable

"Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored."

Proverbs 13:18 NIV

Simply put, we don't know everything. The more you learn, the more you realize you don't know anything at all. Instead of seeking every moment to express how much you know, how about exercising how well you listen? It's been times where I've received the most insight as I shut my mouth. True wisdom is discerning when to speak and when to be silent. I've learned and am learning that not everything deserves our input or a response.

It's truly an honor to serve God

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."

Hebrews 13:15 NIV

While on the topic of listening and being teachable, I received this revelation listening to an elder from Nigeria speak. As He spoke about the current state and condition of the world, there was one piece of wisdom that I decided to take as my own. "It's truly an honor and a privilege to serve God." There are people in this world that can't pray to God as we do. There are people in this world who God will say He never knew them. There are people in this world that currently aren't walking underneath the shadow of His protection. Praise God right now that you aren't one of them! With this insight, there's no way the praise of the Lord won't be the fruit of your lips.

There's many more lessons to be shared, but let's leave this here for now...

Sincerely,

Sun'Ray 💕