High Places

Solomon--a King of Israel, author of books in the Bible, the son of the man who was after God’s own heart, the wisest man that ever lived—ended his life far from the LORD. He had built high places, disobeyed the LORD, offered and sacrificed to idols, and ended his life in a very different place than where he started.

Solomon . . . the wisest man that ever lived had blind spots.

If Solomon had areas in his life that were not completely submitted to the LORD, sins uncovered or hidden, I would be foolish to think there's not wretched sin in my heart and areas of my life I'm blind to.

I can see it so plainly in the text, but not in my own life. Why is that? Why is it so easy to point out the folly of others and not see my own? I can see so clearly the sins of another and yet be blind to my own.

So with fear and trembling, I ask . . . LORD help me to see the high places in my own life. I don’t want to end my life far from you, worshiping idols, because of the sin I was blind to in my own heart. Help me to surrender EVERY area of my heart, soul, and mind to you. Thank You for the help of Your Holy Spirit who makes the blind man see, the dead heart alive, the tired soul quickened. I desire to delight in You and You alone . . . let there be no other gods in my life besides You, the Holy One.

The Other Aisles

I went into the Christian bookstore for Mother’s Day and found myself lingering, walking up and down each aisle, curious to see what is on “Christian” bookshelves.


WOW! Honestly I couldn’t believe some of the stuff that’s out there. I remember the first time going into a Christian bookstore, seeing all of these books, and thinking “How do I know which one to choose? How will I know if what these books are teaching is true?” I still think that when I go into Christian bookstores.

I always check out the section on prayer. Okay I think this is the worst section! They might as well call it “How to Get What You Want from God” or “God Can Be Your Genie in a Bottle in 5 Simple Steps”. Seriously, it just shows how truly sinful we are-we want God only to get stuff from God. We seek after His “blessing” more than we seek after Him. Women’s interest is just as bad. It’s all about us. I think this section should be called “How to Stay Busy and Add God on to An Enormous To-Do List without Feeling Guilty”.

I noticed that the aisles were full of people, but the section with all the bibles had not one body in front of it. Here we are again . . . God’s people looking all over the place to find the answers to life, how to deal with life, how to get a better life, and not one standing before the Bread of Life for nourishment. Just like God’s people in 1 Kings-they begin seeking out other gods, worshipping other gods, building high places to make sacrifices, etc. I asked myself these questions . . .

Is God truly the “God of my life"?

Am I seeking after other “gods”-whatever they may be . . . career, status, motherhood, beauty, relationships, materialism . . . fulfillment from anything but him?

I say I believe, but do I truly trust God for the big things AND for the little things in my life? Do I trust Him for my decisions and provisions? Do I follow His direction, do I heed His instruction?

Do I go to the other aisles more than I go to Him? Do I follow those authors from the other aisles or do I follow the Author and Perfector of my faith?

So here’s to putting down the books and picking up The Book. Resting and abiding in Him, being nourished not by the Bread of Life (John 6:35), drinking from His river of delights (Psalm 36:8) and letting His Truth set me free (John 8:32).



“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Just a Little . . .

As you read through 1 Kings you see Solomon go from seeking God . . . to seeking wives . . . to allowing idol worship. You see him go from good . . . to bad . . . to worse. A little compromise here, a little compromise there, and soon he is far from the LORD. So far from the LORD that the subtitle of Chapter 12 reads “Solomon turns from the LORD.”

What happen to this God fearing, wisdom seeking man from 1 Kings 3?

Slowly and steadily . . . he compromised. Little steps away from God, little steps toward sin, and soon, he turned from the LORD. Just like Eve. Our pastor once shared “notice how Satan didn’t ask Eve to turn from the LORD and deny Him all together, he just asked her to take a little bite.”

Just a little compromise. Just a little doubt. Just a little fear. Just a little greed. Just a little sin.

I’m wondering in my own life where I’m taking little steps away from God? Where am I taking “just a little bite” of sin? As a friend once shared with me, “if a ship gets off by even one degree on its journey, it will end up far off from its destination.” Just one little degree.

So where am I compromising “just a little”? Oh LORD help me to see my folly and turn! Oh that I would follow you with ALL of my heart.

“For you will make known to me the path of life . . .”
(Psalm 16:11)

Wisdom & Breadth of Mind

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all . . ." (1 Kings 4:29-30)

Wisdom
-knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action
-keen perception, sound judgement
-discernment-acute judgement and insight
-insight-seeing into inner character or underlying truth

Breadth
-freedom from narrowness or restraint
-open-mindedness

God is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17). HE gives wisdom and understanding. Remember Proverbs 3:7? “Be not wise in your own eyes” . . . I’m asking the LORD to fill me with wisdom (His wisdom) and breadth of mind like He did with Solomon. Oh how I want to be wise and open-minded to things of the LORD!

What Would You Ask For?

Santino and I are reading through 1 Kings together. In Chapter 3, the LORD appears to Solomon in a dream and says "Ask what I shall give you." (v.5). God basically tells Solomon to ask for anything and the LORD will give it to him.

Before Solomon even asks for anything, he responds to the LORD with reverence, praise, thanksgiving, and humility. (*See 1 Kings 3:6-8)

After exalting the LORD and humbling himself, Solomon asks. And what does he ask for? An easy life? No suffering? Power? Celebrity? Health? Wealth? Prosperity?

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (v.9)

He asks for wisdom and discernment.

What would you ask for?
Would you ask for wisdom and discernment like Solomon? Or ask like Paul in all of his chapter 1 prayers for knowledge, wisdom, love, and faith?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7 to ask. Ask and it will be given to you. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” (John 16:23)

The LORD will answer, if we ask according to His will.

The LORD answers Solomon. And guess what? The LORD also blesses him with all that he didn’t ask for too.

“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." (v.10-14)

The LORD has given us permission to ask freely. What would you ask for?

Go ahead and ask.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think . . . to him be the glory . . .” (Ephesians 3:20-21)