Proverbs 2:10 “for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;”
There are some times that we get to do things that really do help us to understand what it means to live in the moment. Recently I was fishing at Lake Dartmouth, I’d already caught a two-pound brown trout, and had one get off the line. The day stretched before me, and all I had to think about was fishing. I took the rod out of the water, walked back to camp and made a cup of Earl Grey Tea, and walked back to the fishing spot. I sat on a log and read a book.
I could just feel a tiny hint of heat in the Australian June sun. Today as I write this I am reminded that it’s good and wise to live in the moment. Too often we live with an imagined future, then we experience the feelings that go with that future, and then we imagine that this is the only future possible. It’s kinda like having faith in the wrong outcome. When we learn to live in the moment, we really make space to open our self up to God, his wisdom, and his favour. I’m reminding myself today that it should not need a fishing trip for me to remember to live in each moment, as that’s where God’s favour is placed for us to find.
KNOWLEDGE
Here are the consequences, and the outcomes of listening to great wisdom (moral purity) and following the instructions given. Are you ready for this?
Every type of skill and learning is heading in your direction – almost as the animals made their way to the ark, insights and skills are lining up to enter into your life. They are not passing travellers or short term visitors, rather they are family who is moving in with you. They are becoming part of you, no longer on the outside to be desired, they are dwelling on the inside to be delivered. As they make their home with you, you will be filled with pleasure, there is plenty of room for everyone. You are flourishing, internally and externally.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
Let’s look at the word “pleasant”. In the Hebrew, it’s na’em. It is seen 6 times in the Old Testament, ESV. It is translated as – pleasant, delight [Prov 24:25] and beauty [Ezekiel 32:19]. At its heart, the writer is catching the idea of being favoured.
WISDOM: What do you think the key is to your flourishing?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: As an Achiever, we can put living in the moment at the top of our “to do” list.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version [you will have skill with aptitude in your heart, your mind, your conscience, and your courage. You will have learning with ability that brings favour to the very seat of your emotions.]
PRAYER: Father thank you for today. Please help me be so open to your leading, to flow in obedience, to be teachable, and to be grateful each day for your favour.
Scroll down and leave your comments – thank you!!
Amen!
When I joined the Nursing College in Mumbai (1963)!!!!we were only allowed to speak in English!English my 3rd language. When it came to speak the word “THANK YOU “ as I said this aloud, it was with a pleasant and liberating experience I felt. In my native language we have not used this word in speaking!
Or I have not heard in my childhood growing up. I remember using this word shyly in my communication!
Due to lack of knowledge we do not experience the true freedom.
After few years I came to Australia, and now when I look back I still sense the joy of saying the word “Thank you “ for the first time!
I am deeply grateful also for the language English!
Thank you Allan and appreciate how you unpack the Scriptures!
Living with an imagined future, thinking that this is the only future possible- this really hit me.
Living in each moment makes me see clearer and appreciate all the blessings that God has given me, His wisdom that is there for me. It draws me nearer to Him. He is my everlasting sanctuary, my Rock.
For me, today’s lesson has been the best and most practical one. I cannot thank you enough, Pastor Allan. God bless you.
Living in the moment is key so easy (especially as an achiever) to love the moment aside and be looking for the next thing to get done! ….I especially liked how you worded the verse today
Thank you, Ps Allan for openly sharing your thoughts and insights that are truly encouraging!
The key to my flourishing is to be pleasant and a delight to the Father’s eyes. That as I navigate through this life, God’s unending grace and mercy flow through me, the world around me becomes better, God is glorified.
This is so refreshing, encouraging and reassuring for me. I so needed to hear this. It is important to live in the moment to see God’s goodness, guidance and communing with him right here and now.
Very easy to focus on the future and possible challenges that lie ahead or an unreachable future.
Every type of skill and learning is heading my way, I must avail myself to learn and use the skills to make a difference in life to all those who come my way and those who mean a lot to me. Thank you for this.
Thank you Allan for explaining- living in the moment, the word pleasant delight and beauty, how God wants us to enjoy the moment. Thank you for reminding us on embracing the moment and life. Sometimes this is spoilt when we try to capture the moment by photos or video haha!!! But thank you for the reminder. I need to be more purposeful!!!!
Thank you so much ps. Allan for bringing this topic.
I love to sing worship songs and one of my favourite is called “to please You Lord.” This song is in Indonesian and I don’t know for the English version for it.
The lyrics says: my longing in life is just to please You Lord….just pleasing You….shape and make me.to be your vessel to glorify You.
Journey in life for me is journey of learning, listening and pleasing my Lord for everything I do in my life.
Eventough life is not always easy and smooth and sometime extremely rough and tough to go through, but with gratitude and leaning fully to my Lord, I have been able to go through it and find peace and calmness. In the valley, I thank you for His faithfulness and His being with me. In the mountain, I praise Him and testify His goodness and glorify Him for what He has done to us.
Another worship song that I love is: The goodness of God…..this songs just as precise as stated about my life….I feel the goodness of God follow me all the days of my life…through the valley and the mountain. From the moment I wake up untill I lay down, I will sing the Goodness of God. Amen.
Grateful each day for His favour, what a beautiful thought.
How powerful it is to know that the Lords favour is found in the very moment of the day we presently find ourselves in. Overshadowed by his loving kindness and favour every moment of every day. How fortunate we are to be called a sons and daughters of the most high God.
Thank you Pastor Allan! Loved today’s devotional!
Mary, your testimony to the work thank you is incredible and beautiful. Wow!
Thank you Pastor Allan & congratulations on being an Earl Grey tea drinker!!!
A very good reminder to be mindful & enjoy each day for the Lord does say ‘this is the day that He has made for us we will rejoice in it’! A day can hold so much of sensing His presence favour love peace & direction if we will take time to praise & thank Him for His splendor & majesty. Waiting on Him each day with an open teachable & grateful heart seeking to know Him more will find His many gifts of wisdom knowledge & many more which in turn bring such a fullness & pleasantness to my soul. There is nothing to compare with it so why would we not want to pursue our precious Lord & Saviour.
“When we learn to live in the moment, we really make space to open our self up to God, his wisdom, and his favour.” Thanks Allan. This is so true and I am seeing it grow exponentially in my life and those around me who are putting God first.
The future sometimes seems uncertain for some of us.
I have realized that been anxious about my future and trying to do everything in my own strenth has not been very effective.
I know that life is full of unexpected moments.
At some point in your life,life can take a unexpected turn ,and when that happens God will always be by your side to navigate you through that situation.he will always have his hand stretched out to you to lift you up.
I have made a choice to always trust God ,and leave my future in his hands ,
And to live in the moment.
Trusting God
Living in the future or in the past robs us of living in the now! It reminds me of teaching a little child to feed. Parents feed them spoonful by spoonful until they want to try to feed themselves. And then we praise them when they manage to get it right. God wants us to live in the now and learn step by step from him until we can master a skill on our own. Then we get confident and want to do it on our own and teach others. I can nearly imagine our heavenly father’s face light up with praise that we have got it! Then it’s on yo the next thing. If we are constantly looking to the future or living in the past, we will miss Hods plan for the now. Great insight Allan , thanks
Amen to that prayer!
I love living in the moment. It can be a challenge with a fast paced lifestyle. But I guess we need to prioritise being in the moment to just breathe and embrace the moment with God.
I think the key to flourishing is to be flourishing spiritually, mentally and physically. Like Ps Brian’s message on “Spiritual Wealth, Better Self, Mental Health”. All 3 areas need to be healthy so we can be flourishing 🙏
God bless, Ps Allan, thank you!
Living in the moment is something I’m trying to do a lot more of. It’s something so hard but should be do easy.
Good reminder to chase those moments.
I’m always trying to live in the moment. Some days I do better than others.. but I’ve never thought of it actually helping me lean into gods wisdom and his favour.. love this. I recieve that prayer. “When we learn to live in the moment, we really make space to open our self up to God, his wisdom, and his favour. “
I enjoyed reading your insights on this verse Allan. I never really associated living in the moment with being an opportunity to make space for God’s wisdom and favour although it makes a lot of sense reading it.
To me this verse again places focus on the heart. I think this is because the heart controls much of our conscious and subconscious actions. So if our hearts receive the wisdom we will make ‘wiser’ decisions that reflect God’s word and ultimately this knowledge will be pleasing to our soul because we will be living uprightly.
Great reminder for us to live in the moment and appreciate nature and God blessings! Growing up I was always want to do better than everyone around me. Be it school, neighborhood, family or friends. Strength “Competition” in me at times got better of me try to achieve in life!! I lost my peace, not live in the moment and appreciate world around me. until very recently I learned to slow down and intentionally take time to appreciate every little details around me. And this intentional effort has given me and people around me so much peace! Thank you again for reminding and confirm what God wants us to do as children of his!
Hi Allan
Reading this verse can be seen as, act with emotions but its your renewing the mind of Christ, allowing the right wisdom of knowledge into your heart. I hope you understand what I’m saying Allan.
I pray that my sole is only receiving from the spirit and not the flesh Amen.
Hi Allan
Great to hear you on Saturday relating our long and deep connection through the various challenges of an entrepreneurial business – one which took you and Wendy to Australia.
I believe my mission and purpose now is to help others through my love and experience of having a knowing relationship with Christ.
I would love to hear testimony from some of your other followers whose mission field is business.
I hope to see you soon.
God bless you brother,
Finlay
Thanks Finlay – we went through a lot over the 21 years hey?! So many memories of great people – great opportunities, and great challenges. Still living the adventure now every day – on the edge with no real safety net. Grateful for all the memories, even the hard times as they helped to shape me. Blessings to you and Lorna!
Allan