From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 6:37 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: August 1st Greetings

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
 Fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Proverbs 1:7

We, in our nation, are entering into a time when we will be bombarded with rhetoric (one of Webster's Dictionary definitions for rhetoric is: the undue use of exaggeration).  I fear that this will be true in these days before the Presidential election.  This being the case let us hold fast to what the Bible says concerning wisdom and instruction as we trust God to reveal truth to us.

Fearing, reverencing, God is first and foremost in coming into wisdom and instruction, as Scripture reveals: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;  A good understanding have all those who do His commandments..." Psalm 111:10

"Who is the man who fears the Lord?
 He (the Lord) will instruct him in the way he should choose." Psalm 25:12  My ( )

Concerning wisdom:
"The beginning of wisdom is; Acquire wisdom;
 And with all your acquiring, get understanding."  Proverbs 4:7

If it is necessary to remind yourself, think on these things: "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;  By understanding He established the heavens.  By His knowledge the deeps were broken up,  And the skies drip with dew."  Proverbs 3:19-20

"O Lord, how many are Thy works!
 In wisdom Thou hast made them all;
 The earth is full of Thy possessions."  Psalm 104:24

Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God provides wisdom and instruction to those who fear Him!

There is no need to become anxious or confused at the many words we are now hearing.  Our focus is on the Lord!  We can trust Him to open up the truth to each of us.  Even in such a thing as a Presidential election we need to be "Fixing our eyes on Jesus" and to "Let not your heart be troubled."  For God is in control!

So with the writer of Proverbs we say:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
 And lean not on your own understanding;
 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
 And He shall direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

And again in Proverbs:
"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
 And the man who gains understanding.
 For its profit is better than the profit of silver,
 And its gain than fine gold."  Proverbs 3:13-14

Believers, as sojourners on this earth let us do our civic duty with wisdom, knowing that our true home is with Christ in the heavenlies.  Hallelujah!