The Sister Letters

The Proverbs Challenge Days 25, 26, 27 and 28 - Chapters 25, 26, 27 and 28 

Hi, Woman of God

What a week it has been! Thank you for all your messages to check if I've been ok.For those of you who didn't see on my Instagram, I travelled on Thursday for my birthday, and my phone was stolen within hours of landing in Italy! I was without a phone in a foreign country and unable to reach anyone. The enemy tried so hard to ruin what was set to be a beautiful birthday trip and also to disrupt the power flowing during this challenge, but as always, he failed.Everything is being restored multiple fold!I'm back home safely to the UK and enjoying the love of my Father evidenced by all the beautiful messages and emails from my sisters in this community.How have you been? I'm so blessed to hear how you have been continuing the challenge and seeing God's hand in your lives. I'm excited to see what God does during the final few days of this challenge. It's time to jump back in to our regular programming! Below are my notes from days 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Challenge. Let's go! 

SCRIPTURE

Proverbs Chapters 25 verse 2Proverbs Chapters 26 verses 24-26Proverbs Chapters 27 verse 19Proverbs Chapters 28 verse 1 

OBSERVATION

Chapter 25 verse 2"it is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
 but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."We often wonder why the things of God are so mysterious and hard to fully understand, but we see here that God has made it this way intentionally for His glory. He conceals His wisdom to preserve its value. Just as gold or other rare assets, they are illusive and hard to come by - which is their glory. The same applies to God’s wisdom: not everyone knows it because it is reserved for the seekers. It is only the eager and thirsty among us who decide to search it out that find it. God’s glory is in His concealing and our glory (as kings through Christ according to Revelations 1:5-6) is in our seeking. I also believe this is glory in a very practical sense; we will be lifted up and brought to high places by our wisdom. This wisdom comes by studying and searching out God’s truth concerning the matters of life (health, wealth, purpose, salvation, power, our authority as believers etc). I believe that God desires to give us answers to even the hardest of questions and will not withhold from the one who persists in this pursuit for wisdom (just was Matt 7:7 says - “ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find"). Praise be to our God!chapter 26 verses 24-26"He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
 for there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
 his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly."These verses are powerful and immediately had me thinking about what we as Christians can learn from it. For example, there have been times I have hated the ungodliness in previous work environments and I’ve had views that were strongly against the status quo yet I didn’t express my views to avoid uncomfortable conversations. These verses are challenging in the way they reveal how every time we conceal or disguise a matter, it lays up deceit in our heart. I am now bolder in these situations because I recognise that we cannot compromise our beliefs in the name of politeness because each time we do, we deceive my own heart. People can also sense it and the truth comes out. As a general word of wisdom, honesty should overrule the desire to not offend. As a person who is incredibly sensitive to other people's emotions, this one is a real challenge for me sometimes. However, I understand now that even though some people may be offended by the Truth, it doesn’t mean we are not called to speak up for the Truth. This is where our power is because people are set free by the Truth we share.chapter 27 verse 19"As in water face reflects face,
 so a man’s heart reveals the man."There is strong emphasis throughout scripture on the heart being the key to the life you live. My daily prayer is for grace in guarding my heart from anything that does not align with the person I strive to become. I am reminded of Philippians 4:8 which gives us guidance on the things that keep our heart in good shape and are worth our attention: “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” If God has given the guidance, then it means it is possible to keep our minds on these things. I pray we commit our hearts to the things of God so that our life and our character reflects His glory.chapter 28 verse 1"The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."This verse reveals how a lot of people are living in complete fear and this state of anxiety is so normalised. As an example, I am reminded of a video I came across some time ago where Andrew Tate was speaking about how he lives in constant fear of attack, and has set up safeguards to protect himself. He mentioned not being able to walk around with headphones because he needs to hear his surroundings at all times, and he also spoke about requiring his barber to come to his home to cut his hair because he can't trust being in enclosed public spaces.Now much of this is heightened by celebrity status, but the truth is that A LOT of people can relate to this level of social anxiety. Their heart condemns them which leads to distress and anxiety. God is revealing in this verse that He wants His children to be bold, without fear of attack. A lion, though it is not necessarily the biggest animal, will carry itself with confidence and assurance at all times. This is a stark contrast to how many of us as believers are living.The closer I get to God, I have an increasing awareness of His presence in my life, which leads me to move in boldness and authority. Even with the things I've experienced over the last couple days whilst travelling without a phone, I've not once doubted His presence through it all. I've known with conviction that He continues to protect me and cover me. I pray that we only become bolder in our identity and confidence in Christ.  

APPLICATION

I will continue to feed on the true Word of God, asking for further revelation and grace to apply His wisdom to my life. I will praise Him through all circumstances, knowing that He will always work all things out for my good, as I keep my eyes on Him. I will pray for boldness to speak my words with truth that I may be used by God more and more as a vessel for His wisdom to the lives of other people. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing me home safely. Thank You for Your word which rings true now more than ever. I pray for myself and my sisters, that our desire to seek the glory of your Kingdom continues to grow. I pray that our hearts reflect Your ways. I thank You that our boldness increases with our knowledge of our identity in You. I invite You alone Lord to be King over our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen! 

Feels good to be back! See you tomorrow for Day 29 Sister!Follow me on Instagram at @creatortochi for updates and encouragement throughout our challenge. With my love,Tochi