Take good counsel and accept correction— that’s the way to live wisely and well. We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. (Proverbs 19:20-21 MSG) We have to take counsel. We must accept correction. Counsel is often sought. Correction is frequently not sought but is much needed. Both play a very important part in helping us grow up, become mature in our faith, and stay on course. Wisdom isn't just a thing for the aged - it is found by those who know the value of both good counsel and thoughtful correction. Advice can be good or bad; thoughtful or spur of the moment. We might seek the advice of an 'expert' if we want to install a ceiling fan where one does not exist - the electrician knowing how and where to provide the needed electrical connections. We might give into the 'advice' of social media 'counsel' that advises us to buy this or that 'next great thing' because we know we don't have that item yet and ...
Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don’t these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. (Galatians 3:5-6 MSG) God's grace is provided in lavish amounts - because we need all we can get! His presence comes as we say yes to him, so we are entering into a new relationship that needs to be developed just like any other relationship. The difference is that we don't 'work' our way into his presence or into his grace as we might with our earthly relationships. In our relationship with Jesus, he draws us to himself, shows us exactly who he is, tells us clearly what he likes and dislikes, and then he provides all we need within that relationship - not in limi...