How we act when we are alone is significantly different that when others are present. And those actions are are even more pronounced when in the presence of those with whom we have a relationship. We have a nature that is predominant in us and is a lot of cases, that nature is harmless to us and those around us. But, there are times when our actions do not serve the good of all and are contradictory to that which we profess to believe.

“³For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. ⁴When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,” – 1 Corinthians 5:3-4 (ESV)

Here is the way I have to remember to proceed. I have to act knowing that God is present at all times. I have to know that He is with me and think, “would He approve and be proud of my actions”. This is how I will remain true to Him and the work He has tasked me with. I cannot approach things one way while in private and another when in the presence of God and my fellow Christians.

God is always present. While with other Christians, or in the comfort of my own home. He is always there watching me and taking note of my actions. While I have the freedom to do so, I have to remember that my actions are to glorify Him in any and all situations and environments. I have to remember that His presence with me should be guiding my actions and not leading me to hide from them.

When you are in the world, what actions are you trying to hide from God? Are you doing some thing when you are in His presence and other when not? What if you were to do all things knowing that God is always present?

Over the course of my life, I have had the good fortune to learn from some great people. There were Sunday School Teachers, Fellow Deacons, School Teachers, Professors, Business Leaders, as well as Friends and Family. Each of them were able to instruct me in different things and ways of carrying myself and going about the work I am doing. This was not just for me. I am obligated to take what I have learned and pay it forward to others.

“⁹He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” – Titus 1:9 (ESV)

In this verse and the passage it is found, Paul is giving encouraging instruction to Titus. Titus had been experiencing some difficulties and Paul was providing for that need. I see in the verse the instruction from Paul to Titus to seek assistance from those in his congregation that met certain criteria to serve elders and provide support where Titus was needing. This verse describes the character traits from a teacher’s perspective. These elders should be able to take the instruction they have received and pass that on to the others of the church so they too would gain from the knowledge and learning.

I have found myself in the place of having to figure things out in order to progress forward. The mistake I make is in trying to do it all myself and with just the information I have. In those instances, it seems as though I find the breakthrough once I draw on what I have learned or I reach out to others that may have experienced something similar and ask for their guidance.

Too often I believe that we forget what we have been instructed in the interest of forging our way. The reality is that most of what has gone on in the world and what will go on in the world has already been done once before. It is the use of what we were instructed that leads to new discoveries and learning.

What have you learned in the past that you have neglected to bring forward to the now? Are you out there trying to do it all? What if we simply use the instruction we have received to pay it forward to others so they too can learn and grow?

When I think about instruction I think immediately to those pages that come with that new item purchased that needs to be assembled before use. There is listed out the how to place the parts together to make it functional and useful in the manner it was intended. I believe the one area that I tend to overlook are the warnings of what not to do. There is this focus on the end result that I will overlook that which was shared to help me avoid the pitfalls that come in the use of this item.

“¹¹Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. ¹²Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (ESV)

In the verses above Paul is referring to the Israelites in the wilderness as they fled Egypt in route to the Promised Land. There were many instances of disobedience where the people were punished for their actions by God. All of these things they did where chronicled and told throughout the ages. They were written down as instructions of what not to do. They were the pages of the instruction that should be seen as the “Caution – Don’t Do This, it Leads to Destruction”. These were the warnings to those coming later, the what not to do that are overlooked in the focus on the results.

I have to remember all instructions that have been shared with me. Those that take me somewhere and those that are cautionary and guide me in what not to do. All instruction is great and useful. I may not see the value in it at the moment, but it is still useful for me to be aware of and dig out from time to time.

When you look at instructions, how do you engage with the what not to do items? Are you so focused on getting to the end, that you don’t even recognize or remember that the cautions and warnings were even there? What if you were to take all instruction seriously and remember those “what not to do” items?

I may have graduated from formal education some time ago, but the instruction I received then is more than valid today as I move forward. Think of sentence structure, Punnett Squares, cash accounting, and all of those “reading”, “writing”, and “rithmatic” items that were learned. Those items may be from the past, but their concepts and uses are very important today.

“⁴For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4 (ESV)

Well all that we learned in school was not all that we learned. Paul draws our attention to the Old Testament and the instruction we receive from the scriptures. Whereas they are from the past and the structure of how used may be a little different today, there is plenty if not all that is useful as we move into today and forward to tomorrow. Think the ten commandments, the life of David, and the whole of Proverbs as just a few examples of instruction from the Old Testament that we use today.

Although I may have reached an end to my formal education, my informal and spiritual education is ongoing. I have to remember that my christian education did not end with my acceptance of salvation. In fact, that should be looked at as just the beginning. Now that I am exposed the love and glory of God, it is my duty to focus on His instruction for my life. That instruction is what is presented for me today and into tomorrow, but I have plenty from the past that I should be learning from that is just as if not more important.

When looking at the instruction in your life, how are you using it today? Are you looking only to the today and tomorrow for learning? What if you applied all that you learned from the past for your today and tomorrow?

This morning I was led to a couple of verses related to my study of the word “instruction”.

“²³Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. ¹²Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 23:23 & 12 (ESV)

I know I have placed the verses in reverse chronological order. As I was reading them, I found that for me it made a bit more sense this way. First I have to remember to acquire something and then I have to apply it. Here that something is truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Once I have gained or am aware of those only then am I able to apply them.

I look at that application referenced in verse 12 and it sticks out to me that I have to remember to apply the instruction at the heart level and not just on the surface. Accepting/acquiring instruction is good and it is also good to begin to use that instruction as I move forward. The real change and depth of knowledge and understanding comes with the application of instruction at the heart level.

When I have instruction in the heart I am able to extend into all areas of my life and not just the one the instruction may have been intended. For example, once I have brought the action of love into my heart, I am able and willing to be the example of love to more than those that are closest to me. I am able to show love to all I come in contact with regardless of where I may be or what I may be involved.

Instruction I receive today will be useful far beyond today, but mainly when I have committed to applying that instruction to my heart and allow my heart to lead me in the path God has for me. I am more than just that which is on the surface and I get that from the instruction I receive daily from all that I seek.

When you are in the world, what instruction are you seeking? Are you seeking to acquire it from those around you? What it you were to apply that instruction to your heart and allow it to emanate from you everywhere and with everything you are involved?

It is hard to make it in this world. It seems as though for the Christian, there is a continuous mounting level of persecution. When we speak out we are considered hypocritical. When we are silent we are considered passive. It seems as though there is no way of getting away from the negative view of Christianity. And as such, I tend to be poisoned to the point that I begin to feel negative about myself and wonder if it is all worth it.

But isn’t the fact that we are being noticed kind of the point. We are making a difference and have to remember that it is really not about us. I have continue with the work that I have been given and know that it is making a difference. Others are watching and see the work I am doing and I have to realize that I am not here to make everyone happy, but I am here to spread the gospel of the Lord.

It is easy for me to simply give in to the naysayers and those that persecute me into believing that I have somehow done something wrong. When really maybe what I have done is to bring light to some darkness. I have to take the work, invite and embrace it so that others can see that work in me.

“⁵A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. ³²Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” – Proverbs 15:5 & 32 (ESV)

I have to love myself enough to know that the work I am doing is not for me, but for God. I am not here for my own pleasure, but for His. I am to be doing the work knowing that I will be rewarded. I have to invite the chance to do the work and the consequences of that work and what comes of it here in this world does not really matter when I consider my kingdom purpose. The difficulty that I experience is just part of the journey to the reward I have waiting for me in heaven. I chose to follow Christ and now it is my duty to invite instruction and so that I can do His work.

Loving myself seems to be the place where I struggle the most. When I am working in an environment, regardless of where or what it might be, my thoughts are on making it easier for others and making sure that they have what they need to be successful. I take on more work so others do not have to. In knowing that, I have to love myself enough to know that it is my choice to do that and not to expect anyone to recognize it. I am simply doing that which I have been taught to do and when I am not getting something in return, it should not matter as I will be getting what was expected anyway, the love of God and the satisfaction of doing His work.

So I am here doing the work of the Lord for His glory and knowing that I will receive my reward in heaven. Lord, I invite instruction and reproof so that I can grow in my purpose and bring glory to you. I am yours to direct and I know that the journey may be hard. I love myself enough to know that you only want what is best for me, and that best may not be here, but with you in heaven.

What things are you avoiding because they may be hard? Do you love yourself enough to invite that hard work and know that your reward may be sometime later? What if you loved yourself enough to recognize the work as worthwhile and invited even more of it?

Dr. Joyce Brothers is quoted, “Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” And oh how she was right. I have taken a lot of instruction over my years and in that time I have to look back and determine how much of it I truly listened.

“¹⁷Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” – Proverbs 10:17 (ESV)

I have to remember that instruction is there for me to learn from. Not for the moment, but for the lifetime. I have to listen to the instruction and look at the application of what it is I am learning. How am I able to use this in my life and going forward to be sure that I am indeed on the right path. It is when I am listening that I grow the most.

Look at the second part of verse 17 above, see the consequences of not listening. It is when I believe that I already know and reject any additional learning that I end up leading others down the wrong path. I have to remember that all of the instruction in the world is of no use if I am simply going to cast it off and go it alone anyway. By doing so I am surely on the path of ultimate destruction. Yes, there will be those moments when success seems to be presented, but those are in the moment and not sustaining.

I have to “heed” the instruction that I am receiving which means to me to listen and act on it so that I am able to truly head down the path of life God has for me.

When have you been given instruction that you really did not listen to? Were you already so “in the know” that whatever was being taught was of zero value? What if we took all instruction and truly “heeded” every word to grow and be directed on the path of life?

What we do not know we must learn from somewhere. There are things that are just not found through a search engine on the web or in a video sent to us. In order to really know those things, there has to be more than just seeing or reading it.

“¹⁰Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, ¹¹for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” – Proverbs 8:10-11 (ESV)

This passage is spoken from the perspective of wisdom and her calling out. She is making it known that with her there are no more valuable things. Notice the references to things of monetary value in the above verses. Silver, choice gold, and jewels are not in the same realm of value as instruction, knowledge, and wisdom.

As I am studying the word “instruction” I am drawn to the value it presents as noted above. I have to remember that I do not know everything and I have to seek out instruction from others to know and understand.

“³²And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. ³³Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. ³⁴Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. ³⁵For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, ³⁶but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” – Proverbs 8:32-36 (ESV)

She, wisdom, is calling out to me so that I may hear and learn. When I am seeking her, I will open up to the instruction that comes from her and understand the value I am receiving. I know the value is great based on successes of those that are giving. It is my duty to embrace that value so as to gain the knowledge and wisdom that will bring me closer to success and more importantly, closer to God.

What instructions has been offered that you may have missed? Are you looking for quick information that is found and readily available? What if you were to listen for (seek out) wisdom and listen when she begins to instruct, what value will you find there?

I know that there is plenty that I learned throughout my years and of that plenty, there is a great deal that I do not remember and act on. I have been given or shown a good number of things from those that were more experienced than I and yet, somehow I knew better. I was more in tune with what was really going on and those that were teaching were behind the times and really did not know anything. Until, they did.

“¹³Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” – Proverbs 4:13 (ESV)

Yes, it is true that we learn more from failure and recovery than just going through things unscathed. I am a proponent of adversity and learning from the mistakes made. What I think is missed a lot of the time is that it does not have to be my mistakes, failure, and adversity that I can learn from. Those that have been there know best. They have experienced it before and have come out on the other side, either conquering and able to share or moving on and knowing now what not to do and able to share.

Too often the site of success is all that is seen and all of the struggles and challenges are missed due to the sheer joy of end result. It is the journey where the learning really takes place. It is in the knowing what to do and what not to do that gives the success that much more punch.

In life there are people that have given freely to others to assist in making it through. I have to remember that which was/is given to me and act on it so as to be better for it. Those giving have the experience and I have to remember that they are providing that experience as instruction for me so that I may be able to avoid some of the failures, mistakes, and adversity they ran into.

What challenges have you come across in life? When you look back, is it possible that someone gave you instruction that would have helped you to avoid those challenges? What if we were to remember and act on the instruction from those that have given freely to us so that we can avoid those challenges?

“³When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, ⁴he taught me and said to me, ‘Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.’” – Proverbs 4:3-4 (ESV)

Notice that the father here indicates that he received instruction from his father. This shows the son that the instruction is not in the spirit of “do as I say” but more in the spirit of “do as I do”. The father received from his father and is now passing that instruction on to his son in hopes of giving him what was needed, but also to pass on the wisdom from before.

Too often I feel as though we are going it alone in working to figure things out and understand. Why would we not go to those that know and have been successful to learn the way to success (not necessarily monetary success of course). Shouldn’t I go to those that have been through the difficulties and come out the other side with a better understanding. Shouldn’t I look to learn from them so that when the difficulties present themselves, I will be prepared to deal with them knowing that they have been beaten before.

“¹Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, ²for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.” – Proverbs 4:1-2 (ESV)

Notice above the proactive approach to teaching in the words of the father to the sons. He is advising them to be present in this moment of teaching to learn and gain valuable information. Notice what he is teaching “insight”, or knowledge of things that have already occurred or an approach that has proven to work already. This is from a father that knows and has already been there and wants his sons to know also. As the learner, it is important to note this willingness to give from the father to the sons. Too often there is a hoarding of knowledge with the idea that one now has something over others. This father is wanting to multiply his knowledge and give others the advantage he had.

This father knows a thing or two about living and wants to share what he knows with his sons. As the sons, they should be attentive and learn. I myself find it satisfying to learn from those that have experienced so that I will know and be able to navigate similar situations in the future, knowing that they have already been conquered and that if someone else has, I can and will also.

What opportunities have you had to learn from those that have already experienced? Were you attentive to their teachings? What if we used their knowledge and experience to grow and know that we too can get through things in life?