Author Archives: cb.cooksey

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About cb.cooksey

This blog was created from a desire to reach the internet community with a ministry of encouragement. I post as God directs and pray that the right people will land here and read His encouraging message of love and hope. If you are reading this, I have prayed specifically for you, and I hope that God's words take root in your heart. Blessings to you!
Feb24

Measureless Wisdom

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God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight,

And a breadth of understanding

As measureless as the sand on the seashore.

1 Kings 4: 29

 

Imagine the Creator of the Universe offering you this proposition:

“Ask for whatever you want me to give you…”

What do you think your request would be? Abundant Wealth? Fame? Happiness? Health? A passing grade on your next test? A luxurious new home? A winning lottery ticket? A fancy sports car? A wide screen TV?

When given the chance to have anything in the world, Solomon asked for “a discerning heart” in order to govern God’s chosen people and to distinguish between right and wrong. His request for wisdom pleased God so much that not only did He grant Solomon’s desire, but He also gave him what he did not ask for – wealth and honor. Furthermore, God promised to give him a long life if he obeyed His statues and commands like his father, David.

Notice that Solomon’s request was based upon his desire to carry out his job as king. He realized that if he had discernment he could lead well and make wise decisions. He knew that God had chosen him for that lofty position, but he thought of himself as a “little child” who didn’t know how to fulfill his royal duties. Imagine that! The one man on earth, whose renown for knowledge has been passed down through the ages, felt inadequate and ill-equipped when he was tapped as the king of Israel. The responsibility of ruling a great nation whose numbers were too numerous to count was overwhelming to Solomon, but he wasn’t asking God to do the job for him; he merely asked for the personal resources which would allow God to do the job through him.

Another interesting thing about Solomon’s request is that he asked for “heart knowledge” not “head knowledge.” He wanted a discerning heart, which implies “God-centered” wisdom, as opposed to “self-centered” wisdom. Intelligence without compassion can be a dangerous thing, but wisdom applied through the filter of a heart filled with God’s love is divinely inspired and can impact the world for eternity.

Throughout most of Solomon’s reign, he applied his wisdom well because He continually sought God’s guidance. For the nation of Israel, the fruits of this wisdom were peace, prosperity and security. During the time of his rule, we see a great example of what can happen when a nation is obedient to God’s commands and trusting Him for direction.

Another example we see from Solomon’s life is what can happen when God’s wisdom is not applied to all areas of our lives. God granted Solomon a wise and discerning heart, but it is clear that this gift of wisdom did not guarantee that he would not make mistakes. Solomon married hundreds of pagan women in order to seal many foreign agreements. This went against not only his father’s last instructions to him, but also God’s direct commands. He allowed his wives to affect his loyalty to God, and his actions remind us how easy it is to know what is right and yet not do it.

Knowing what actions are required of us means little if we do not have the will to follow through on that knowledge. Solomon was wise at ruling the nation of Israel, but he was foolish in his personal life. Although he was the wisest man ever to walk the earth, he allowed the influence of unbelievers to ultimately bring tragedy to the entire nation of Israel. One of the greatest kings of Israel fell because he did not turn from his sins. From Solomon’s example we can learn this important principle: your gifts, talents, abilities and strengths won’t be of much benefit if you fail to deal with your weaknesses.

God promises to supply all our needs if we put His kingdom, His principles and His interests first. While He does not promise us great riches, He does promise to satisfy our deepest needs if we place His will as our top priority.

Is God is asking you to take on a role in your life that seems too big for you to handle? Do you feel overwhelmed with the mountain of responsibilities facing you? Before you begin your ascent, spend time in God’s Word and on your knees before your Heavenly Father. Ask him for a “discerning heart” so that you may be well equipped to take on this role and achieve His goals in the process.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God…” James 1:5a

 

 


Feb22

Rock Solid Savior

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I love you, LORD;

You are my Strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

Psalm 18:1-2 (New Living Translation)

 

God’s protection of His children can take many forms. He is our Strength whose power is limitless. He is our Rock, our firm foundation that can’t be moved. He is our Fortress, a place of safety and refuge. He is our Shield who comes between us and harm. Nothing can ever pluck you from the eternal security of God’s hands. He is our mighty and wonderful Savior. Take refuge in His loving arms. Call upon Him for help.

Feb21

My Lips are Concealed

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My Lips are Concealed


Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

But only what is helpful for building others up

According to their needs,

That it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV, ©2010)

 

I rummaged through my purse in the seat next to me as I sat waiting for the traffic light to turn green. My lips were dry and cracking from the bitterly cold conditions, and I was trying to find my chap stick for quick relief. The light turned green, and traffic began to move. With my eyes now on the road, I kept blindly feeling for the tiny tube as I accelerated with the flow of cars.

Instead of the Chap Stick, I came upon what I thought was my lip gloss. Thankful for anything that could provide relief to my irritated lips, I grabbed the tube from the bottom of my purse. Still watching the road ahead, I unscrewed the cap and used the sponge applicator to rub the moist balm on my mouth.

At the next traffic light, I looked in the rear view mirror to check my application of lip gloss. Something did not feel quite right, and I wondered what was wrong. To my surprise, when I looked in the mirror I realized that I had applied ivory toned concealer instead of lip gloss. My lips were now the same color as the skin surrounding them!

As I looked for a tissue to wipe away my mistake, I thought about the fact that sometimes it would be best if my lips really were concealed, or better yet – sealed! I recalled many times when being silent would have been a much better choice than speaking my mind. The reflection in my mirror reminded me that I frequently speak harshly to my husband or children and say things to them that I would never say to others outside my home. When stressed or frustrated, I submit to the urge to “say the last word” during an argument. More often than not the “last word” should be eliminated from my vocabulary. There are other times when the problem might be the tone I use to speak to my loved ones; in other words, it’s not what I say, but rather how I say it.

The Bible has many lessons on how we should talk to others and the types of conversations we should be having with them. Here are a few verses to meditate upon concerning our speech:

 

  • Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning… Proverbs 10:13

  • When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

  • The lips of the righteous nourish many…Proverbs 10:21

  • A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

  • He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

  • A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

  • But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36

If we all hit the pause button on our lips and think about these instructions, we can live more harmoniously with our families, friends, co-workers, acquaintances…even strangers who cross our paths. More importantly, our testimony will not be tarnished by the use of careless words. Stop and think about the visual of “concealed lips” before you snap back with a quick response to someone in your “line of fire.” Use words that build up, rather than tear down.  You never know when your kind words may be life-changing for someone.  Choose to sow peace with your words, rather than anger.

…my lips are concealed. J

 

 
 

Feb20

God’s Artwork

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The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1(Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
       he suspends the earth over nothing…

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
       for a boundary between light and darkness…

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
       how faint the whisper
we hear of him!
       Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Job 26:7, 10, 14 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
   the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

 

Take time today to view the work of God’s hands. Listen for His whispers of love to you as you look upon His creation. Reflect on His glory and His unfathomable wisdom. Be reminded that the same God who created the ends of the earth also hand crafted you and loves you beyond measure. Set aside a time of quiet solitude to simply meditate upon this directive:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

Feb19

Lessons from Unanswered Questions

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“…As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered.

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen

What the Lord finally brought about.”

James 5: 10, 11 (NIV 2005)

We live in an age of “instant” everything. With microwaves and drive-through windows, we can place a meal on our tables within minutes. Cable news networks and satellites allow us to view up-to-the-minute reports on stories happening around the world. Laptops and smartphones allow us to have the internet at our fingertips almost anywhere we travel, so the answers to most questions can be found with a quick query of our favorite search engine. GPS devices allow us to find directions instantaneously. Emails and Texts allow us send messages instantly. Weather conditions can be determined by a quick search of a “Weather Radar Ap.” Medicine provides prompt relief to pain, indigestion, cold symptoms, fever, sleeplessness, etc… Even common medical problems can sometimes be “diagnosed” quickly by entering symptoms into web based medical sites.

Because of all these technetronic advances, we have become conditioned to receiving almost anything we need in an instant. As a result, we have also lost the ability to wait. Above all else, we expect an immediate cure or solution for anything that causes us pain or discomfort ~ from toothaches to heartbreaks and everything in between. However, there are some things in life that don’t have instant answers. Despite all the tremendous advances in science, technology and medicine, we still live in a world where many people suffer.

Job was a wealthy landowner and successful businessman who had a wonderful family and home. He was a man of faith and was known for his generosity and care for others. The Bible describes him as “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” He was living a very happy and fulfilling life when tragedy struck. In an instant, his ten children were swept away by a windstorm, in an instant his land, crops, livestock and servants were destroyed by raiding bandits and a lightning storm, and in an instant he lost everything he had through no fault of his own. To make matters even worse, Job was struck with painful sores all over his body.

Job experienced both extreme physical pain and gut-wrenching grief over the loss of his family and possessions. He was at a crossroads in his walk of faith. He could blame God, curse Him and give up, or he could choose to trust God for strength to carry on. Job was forced to return to the basics of his faith in God. Throughout his story a common theme emerges: Job acknowledged the sovereign authority of God, but he wanted to understand the why behind his suffering. For a period of time, he allowed his desire to understand why he was suffering to overwhelm him and make him question God. 

Job didn’t expect an instant cure for his pain and suffering, but he did become frustrated over not knowing why he was suffering, expecially when he was sure he had done nothing to deserve this sort of punishment.  He wanted to know the answer to the age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Even though God didn’t answer his question instantly, Job did perservere in his faith.  When God, who knows everything, finally spoke to Job, He did not provide him with the answer.  Instead He pointed out an important lesson:  It is better to know our Heavenly Father than to know the answers to all our questions.

 

Sometimes suffering is shaping us for service to others. Often we face consequences of bad decisions, and we suffer through correction or discipline. And, yes, there are times when we won’t know why we are suffering.  We may never know why bad things happen to good people or why innocent children have to suffer, but no matter what the reason for our pain, instead of getting caught up in wanting an instant answer to the question of “why” we are suffering, we should respond by digging our roots deeper into God. By doing so, we can weather any type of storm we may face. God is not caught off guard by any of our problems, and He can help us withstand any trial we face in life.

 Trust in God and not in your circumstances and remember the important lesson from Job’s life:  Knowing God is superior to knowing all the answers.

 

Feb18

Riches of the Heart

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“…though your riches increase,
   do not set your heart on them.”

Psalm 62:10 NIV 2010

In times of prosperity, it is easy to fall into the trap of “trusting” in your wealth. You build up “security” by purchasing financial assets such as stocks and bonds. You invest in real estate thinking that it will never lose value. You feel that your future is “secure” because you have a large savings account and a diversified financial portfolio.

The “Great Recession” has proven to many that no matter how much you have stored away for the future, that wealth can be erased over night. Some investors had the sad misfortune of believing that their retirement fund was solid and golden, but found out instead that their hard-earned money was wrapped up in an unprecedented financial scam which left untold numbers with nothing but worthless paper certificates.

“The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;

They imagine it an unscalable wall.”

Proverbs 17:11 NIV 2010

While it is wise to save for the future, we must never place our faith in our riches. God is the only sure thing, and He is the One in whom we should trust completely concerning our future. For the rich who imagine that their wealth is their strongest defense, they are sadly mistaken. Too many things can occur which erode away at their assets. The stock market can crash, inflation can rob money of its value, ruthless thieves may steal it, real estate values can plummet, or a health crisis can drain your bank account of all its reserves.

Where do you look for your safety and security? In what or in whom do you place your trust for the future? What would happen if you lost everything you had worked for in your life? God is the only sure thing. He never loses His power, and He is the only firm foundation upon which you can confidently build toward your future. Better than any “tax shelter,” He will shelter us from any type of storm that life can bring. He is always dependable. “Investing” your time, talent, energy and resources in God’s kingdom provides eternal rewards.

Everything we do should have the focus of fulfilling God’s purposes, even when it comes to our finances and wealth accumulation. Seek your Heavenly Father for wisdom and guidance in this area of your life. Place your trust and faith in Him for a secure future with eternal “dividends.”

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth,

Where moths eat them and rust destroys them,

And where thieves break in and steal.

Store your treasures in heaven,

Where moths and rust cannot destroy,

And thieves do not break in and steal.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. ”

Matthew 6:19 – 21 (NLT)


 

Feb17

God’s Guidance

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

Lean not to your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 (NIV)

 

Leaning implies placing your whole weight onto something or someone. You must totally trust in whatever or whomever you lean into. By leaning into the Lord for guidance and not into your own ideas, you are placing all your faith in Him. You are resting on Him and trusting in Him.

We sometimes feel like we are the only ones who know what is BEST for us. We feel like we can’t trust anyone – even God – to make important decisions. But God knows what is best for us and is a better judge of our needs than we are! He knows every intimate detail of our lives, and He knows our entire life story. He knows the perfect answer for our situation.

If you have an important decision to make, you should lean into the Lord for His guidance, wisdom and direction. Instead of asking everyone else BUT HIM, He should be the first one you turn to for help. Sometimes His answer will come through the wise counsel of others or through His Word.

Turn to your Heavenly Father for wisdom. Bring your decisions to Him in prayer, and use the Bible as your guide. Then follow God’s lead as He makes your path straight ahead of you. He will guide and protect you along the way. His way is always best! Lean into Him!

 

    

Feb16

Wonderful Works

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As you do not know the path of the wind

Or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,

So you cannot understand the work of God,

The Maker of all things.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

 

Dear Lord,

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Ps 139: 14 – 16) Amen.

Trust your Creator with all the intricate details of your life.
He knows each chapter in the book of your life, and He knows the purpose for which he made you. You are never hidden from Him…He’s with you every step of the way.

Feb15

How to Be Profitable and Productive in Life

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I, Wisdom, will make

the hours of your day more profitable

and the years of your life more fruitful.

Proverbs 9:11

 

When I was growing up, I had a pet hamster named “Charlie Brown.” I loved to watch him run on his treadmill. The big circular wheel would spin round and round as he ran, allowing him to “exercise,” but he remained in the exact same place.

Lately I feel like I’m on a giant hamster wheel in life. I run and run throughout my days, but I never seem to get anywhere or accomplish what is important. These are the “sights” I see as I’m running along on my treadmill: Wake up, Do laundry, Cook, Clean, Work, Chauffer, Appointments, Practices, Cook, Go to Bed…Repeat. At the end of the day, I sometimes wonder if I ever came up for air.

I want my days to have purpose, and I want my activities to be aligned with what God wants me to achieve in life. Perhaps these are the very activities He wants me to be doing at this time, but I desire to make the minutes of each day count for eternity. It is easy to slip into auto-pilot and thoughtlessly speed through the days.

I have found that if I take time each morning to meet with my Heavenly Father, I am better able to align my agenda with His plan for my day. He promises that His wisdom will make the hours of my day more productive and the years of my life more fruitful. I know that when I begin the day like this, I feel a greater sense of accomplishment when I finally lay my head upon my pillow for the night. If I know the hours of my days have an eternal impact, I feel fulfilled in my soul. When my heart is in tune with God’s will, He makes those hours profitable and fruitful. To me there’s no greater sense of worth than this!

Take time today to step off your treadmill, and ask the Lord to direct your steps. The impact will be eternal!

A person’s steps are directed by the LORD.
   How then can anyone understand

their own way?

                                                                                Proverbs 20:24 NIV 2010

 

(clip art credits:   free google download)


Feb14

Vintage Love

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                            Love never fails…

                                                                      1 Corinthians 13:8