A Competent Worker

(Prov 14:35 GNB) Kings are pleased with competent officials, but they punish those who fail them.

This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon, a sitting king himself, tells us about the type of servants (or employees) that kings are pleased with and those who bring them shame and frustration.

To get a better understanding, let’s take a look at this verse from a couple of different translations. The God’s Word translation reads: “A king is delighted with a servant who acts wisely, but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.” The Moffatt translation reads: “The king favors an able minister; his anger is for the incompetent.”

The words I want to key in on are favor and competence. In a Biblical context, I define divine favor as: those situations where God raises up people who use their power, their ability, and their influence, to help you in ways that you cannot help yourself.

Whenever I teach on favor people get excited and they want to see the favor of God operating in their lives. However, Solomon – who was a king and a person who could give ‘favor’ to those whom he was pleased with – is telling us that favor is often tied to competence.

Too many believers today want God to magically do things for them, without any work, energy or effort on their part.

When you give your life to Christ and you are Born-Again in Him, it does not mean that from that point on you will be exonerated from work. No, as a matter of fact, it often means that you will be even busier, because (through the leading of God’s Spirit) you align yourself with God’s purpose for your life. Make no mistake; you are not going to maximize your purpose and potential, before you die, if you are lazy. It is going to take diligence, dedication, and good ole’ fashioned hard work.

In addition to working hard, Solomon is teaching us that the type of servants kings are truly pleased with are those who work smart; those who are competent, those who know their craft. It’s a sad commentary for a Christian to be incompetent at what they do.

As a believer, we are not paid to joke around at work all day, or to read our Bible when we should be working. We are paid to perform a certain job and when we realize that we are ultimately doing what we do for God, and not for man, we should be even more motivated to accomplish every task in excellence.

When we think of Biblical characters that received divine favor – people like Joseph, Mordecai, and Daniel – we see people who were excellent at what they were assigned to do. No employer (in his right mind) is going to reward incompetence, but they will definitely go out of their way for the servant (worker, employee) who excels in what they do and brings glory to their organization.

This reminds me of the story of the Centurion who had a sick servant and he came to Jesus for help and healing. A Centurion was a Roman officer who was in charge of 100 soldiers. In today’s terms he would be considered a Company Commander.

Luke says this about the Centurion and his servant: “There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die” (Luke 7:2). We know that the Centurion went out of his way (especially as a Roman) to find a Jewish miracle worker (Jesus), so that his servant could get better.

But why did the Roman officer do it? The text says that the Centurion highly valued this servant. I am pretty sure that he had other servants, but this one was precious to him. This one performed his job so well that his boss was willing to go out of his way to help get his breakthrough!

Would your boss do the same for you?

So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that you should strive to be the absolute best at what you do. Competence brings glory to God and to your organization. Incompetence brings glory to neither.

Father, I thank You for blessing me to be able to work. As I enter this day, I declare that I will not neglect my duties in any way. I rather seek to maximize my purpose and potential by diligently performing my duties in excellence. I seek to bring You and my organization glory, by doing all that I do in a quality manner. I will experience favor, because I will become a precious servant in the eyes of all those whom I serve! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Righteousness

(Prov 14:34 GW) Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon tells us something that we all need to hear, especially since it seems like the moral fabric of our nation is deteriorating more and more every day.

What Solomon tells us seems even more impressive today, because it is coming from a sitting king. This national leader, while serving God by serving his people, tells us that the key to national success is righteousness.

Other translations say, “Righteousness exalts a nation.” If a nation wants to be blessed, then it must put leaders in place that will establish national policy that lines up with God’s Word. Once a nation starts to stray from righteousness and Godliness, it is only a matter of time before sin abounds and the nation becomes a disgrace before God.

The Hebrew word used for “disgrace” in this text is only found one other place in the Bible, in Leviticus 20:17, where it says: “If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a shameful disgrace. They must be publicly cut off from the community. Since the man has violated his sister, he will be punished for his sin.” The point is that the same level of disgrace that would be given to a man who sleeps with his sister is given to nation that falls into sin. This is a good reminder for us today.

I wish this verse were inscribed over the United Nations instead of the verse about beating their swords into plowshares, which will not happen until Christ reigns on this earth. When Christ returns, then they will learn that righteousness does exalt a nation. Today the nations do not believe that righteousness exalts them, but history bears testimony to it. The pathway of history is strewn with the wrecks, the debris, and the ruins of nations that didn't follow this principle. Sin is a reproach to any people. The scripture referred to, that is posted at the U.N. headquarters, is Isaiah 2:4.

In that verse Isaiah tells us that the Lord will ‘some day’ judge all nations. The point is that instead of pointing out the fact that eventual judgment shall come, why not use a scripture like this one (Prov 14:34) that would remind national leaders that their decisions matter TODAY? Sure, nations will be judged, but in reality nations (and citizens) are being judged daily. God is not going to overlook sin. We all – individually and corporately – will reap what we sow.

In order for a nation to be great, its leaders and people must have upright and moral character; they must be known for their righteousness. Where corruption, bribery, immorality, scandal, and all forms of civil unrighteousness abound, the nation will be a disgrace before God. But where justice, virtue, honestly, integrity, equality, and morality abound, righteousness will abound and the nation will be honored before God.

So what does this mean to you? It means that you should pray for our nation, its leaders, and it citizens; so that we could be the nation God has called us to be. I will close with the words of Paul, from his first letter to Timothy. Paul wrote: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:1,2).

Father, I declare, by faith, that I will pray for my nation, its leaders, and every elected and selected official. I will pray for our judges, so that they would exercise righteousness judgment. I will pray for our legislators, so that they would establish laws that line up with Your law. I will pray for my President and his cabinet, so that he would lead us in the direction You desire for us to go. I know that righteousness exalts a nation; therefore, I will do all that I can to ensure I am doing my part in the process. I will walk upright before You and others and I will be an example of righteousness in my daily affairs. Father, thank You for having blessed America and I pray that You continue to do so. Give us the strength and the courage to get back on track! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Godly Metamorphosis

(Prov 14:33 TNIV) Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon points out an important difference between the person who operates in God’s wisdom and the fool. He tells us that wisdom (or Lady wisdom, as He commonly refers to her) reposes in the heart of the discerning, but she only makes herself known to fools.

Quite honestly, I had to read this verse from many different translations, read several commentaries from Biblical scholars, and pray, before I was able to glean a message from it.

The beginning portion of the scripture is pretty straightforward. This translation says that wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning. Other translations say that she rests in the heart of those with understanding.

The point being that Lady wisdom is able to rest, relax, and make her habitation in the heart of those who embrace God’s way of doing things.
Lady wisdom is welcome and her input becomes second nature. Like I said, that portion of the text is not confusing at all. However, the latter portion is worded in such a way that could cause confusion. After doing some research and praying (most importantly), I believe Solomon is telling us that Lady wisdom exposes herself to fools, to make her wisdom available to them, but fools don’t welcome her input. While Lady wisdom is able to make herself known, she is not allowed to live in the hearts of the foolish. In their foolishness they resist her constant attempts to get them on track. The foolishness of the fool keeps them in their state of foolishness.

This reminds me of something Paul said in his letter to the church at Rome. He wrote:

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2).
When we come to God, receive His Spirit, embrace His Word, and apply His teaching, we definitely change the way we think. We are literally transformed. The Greek word used in this text for “transform” is the word metamorphoo. This word is where we get our English word metamorphosis. We know that a metamorphosis is no slight change. When you look at a caterpillar and then look at a butterfly, they don’t even look close. If you took ‘before and after’ photos of a caterpillar-turned-butterfly you would never think the two were the same creature. The transformation is so drastic that it looks like another species all together. This is what should happen to the believer.

When I meet someone today that knew me prior to my salvation experience invariably comment on how different I am. The person I was and the person I am are not even close. My mind has been transformed to think like God thinks. My heart has been transformed to feel like God feels. My will has been transformed to make decisions that line up with God’s Word. Why? Because Lady wisdom reposes, rests, abides in my heart. She quietly and constantly dwells in my heart and her input has become so welcome that it is hard to differentiate between her input and my own.

So what does this mean to you? It means that Lady wisdom is available to you! She WILL make herself known to everyone; even to fools. But she wants to make her habitation in your heart. She wants to setup camp in your innermost being. Will you let her? Will you allow God’s wisdom to transform you into the person He desires for you to be?

Take it from me, while change is never easy, the metamorphic experience available to you in God is awesome and definitely worth it!

Father, I thank You for sending Lady wisdom to me. She makes herself known to me and instead of fighting against her input, I welcome her and I invite her to make her habitation in my heart. I want her to repose there. As she does, I declare, by faith, that I go through the metamorphosis the Father desires for me to go through. My mind (my thinker), my emotions (my feeler), and my will (my chooser) are all transformed. I become a different person from the inside-out. I learn to think, feel, and choose God’s way and Lady wisdom’s input becomes so second nature to me that it is hard to differentiate between her input and my own. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Covering to Cleansing

Ex 30:10 NLT) "Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by placing on its horns the blood from the offering made for the atonement of sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the LORD's supremely holy altar."

This morning we take a break from our current series from Proverbs to discuss one of the topics that moves me the most: the Blood of Jesus. Exodus 30 opens with God detailing to Moses the altar of incense. The Lord went into great detail about the dimensions, the type of wood, the placement, etc. This would be the first thing you encountered when entering the Tabernacle. Aaron, the High Priest, was to burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning and then again in the evening. While this was a ritual of worship the true purpose of any altar is death.

Our text outlines the death tied to this altar. The death spoken of here is the death of the animal killed for the 'Atonement' for sin. This annual "Day of Atonement" (Yom Kippur) was the day set apart every year where the High Priest would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people.

The word atonement means 'to cover.' It is further explained in Leviticus 23:26-32. Suffice is to say that the blood of the animal was offered as a 'covering' for sin. (JBC Bible College Blood Covenant) However, the blood of the animal could never really eradicate the sin problem created by Adam. Animal blood was merely serve as a temporary fix, until the ultimate sacrifice could be offered - Jesus Himself.

The Hebrew writer explained it this way: For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate. He did not go into the earthly place of worship, for that was merely a copy of the real Temple in heaven. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the earthly high priest who enters the Most Holy Place year after year to offer the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, he would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But no! He came once for all time, at the end of the age, to remove the power of sin forever by his sacrificial death for us (Heb 9:24-26 NLT).

So what does this mean to you? A few things:

1. Adam introduced two problems with his disobedience: Death and Sin.
2. The blood of the PASSOVER sacrifice was a symbol of God's deliverance from death, although it was only temporary.
3. The blood of the Atonement sacrifice was a symbol of God's deliverance from sin, although this was also temporary.
4. The blood of the Atonement sacrifice served as a 'covering' for sins.
5. The blood of Jesus cleansed us from sin once and for all.
6. Jesus was both that PASSOVER and Atonement sacrifice. He delivered us from both Death and Sin.
7. In Jesus, we graduate from temporary to permanent; from ritual to relationship; from depiction to definite; from Covering to Cleansing!

I enjoy discussing the many benefits of Christianity. I can do series' on the benefits (peace, power, protection, prosperity, etc.) from now until Jesus comes back, but the greatest benefit to life in Christ is the deliverance from Death and Sin.

The greatest peace we can experience is the peace of knowing that we are not covered, but rather cleansed. What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Father, I do not walk in ritual, but rather relationship. I do not base my life on a depiction of truth, but rather a definite truth; the truth that Your Son died that I might live. My sins are not covered... I have been cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! I walk in perfect peace, power, protection, and might. I enter into this day with a clear conscience and a rested spirit. I have the confidence that I can accomplish anything set before me today, because I am internally at rest. My rest comes from the saving knowledge of Jesus the Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Godly Hope

(Prov 14:32 GW) A wicked person is thrown down by his own wrongdoing, but even in his death a righteous person has a refuge.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon reminds us that the wicked will reap what they sow and that the believer can always (even after death) find refuge in God.

The word “refuge” in this text is also translated as hope. As believers we have a hope that springs eternal. While the wicked face challenges and are often overwhelmed, we too face challenges, but we can find hope and refuge in our God. No matter what we face, no matter how difficult the situation, no matter how hard the challenge, we can face every obstacle with God on our side. We you are confident that God is on you, in you, with you, and for you, it gives you an internal confidence – a living hope – that cannot be shaken!

Even when we are facing death, as believers, we know that our hope does not die with us. We can even face death with a smile on our face and with the confidence of knowing that our relationship with God is intact. Back in chapter 11 Solomon talked about this eternal hope that can look death in the face and keep on going. He said, “At the death of an upright man his hope does not come to an end, but the hope of the evil-doer comes to destruction” (11:7).

In the book of Romans Paul teaches us a great deal about our hope in God. In Romans 15:4 Paul said, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.”

Paul tells us that the scriptures of old were documented for us so that we could have hope and encouragement while we patiently wait for the manifestation of God’s promises in our lives.

When we read about what God did for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Daniel, Peter, James, John, Paul, and etc., it should give us hope; Godly hope, eternal hope. Just like He responded to the faith of others, He WILL respond to our faith.

The expectation of His manifestation is the source of our hope. In the 13th verse Paul aptly called God, “The God of Hope” that enables us to “Abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Once again, this Godly hope (that we abound in by the power of the Holy Spirit) not only helps when we face temporal challenges, but it gives us internal and eternal peace when facing death.

The wicked don’t have this hope. To illustrate this point let’s look at a story that Jesus told in Luke chapter 16. It is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. In this story there was a certain rich man who lived in luxury every day. A beggar named Lazarus sat at his gates. The rich man never paid any attention to Lazarus. He simply went on with his life. Lazarus would have been content to eat the leftovers from the rich man’s house, but the rich man did not show him any mercy. Although Jesus did not say it, I am sure that the rich man had hope and plans for his future, as did Lazarus. They both had hope, but when they died only the hope of one of them lived on. After death Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom and the rich man went to hell. The rich man begged for relief from the agony of the everlasting fire, while Lazarus abounded in his hope.

So what does this mean to you ? It means that you don’t have to be concerned about the wicked; they will done-in by their wrongdoing. All you have to do is focus on the God of Hope and remember that your hope (IN GOD) lasts forever. When this type of hope is flowing through you, you know that God is your refuge, strength, strong tower, deliverer, and everlasting hope! As you enter this day remember that your God is “The God of Hope” and that His hope never dies!

Father, I thank You for being The God of Hope for me. I don’t concern myself with the efforts of the ungodly. I don’t consume my thoughts with their lives. I focus on You and I know that in You I have hope. My hope in you lasts beyond the grave. No matter what I face today or this week, I know that I will face it WITH The God of Hope on my side. Father, Your hope is so strong in me that I know, without a shadow of doubt, that you are my refuge, my strength, my strong tower, my deliverer, and I shall not be afraid! I have fearless confidence in the God of my salvation! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Walking in God’s Love

(Prov 14:31 MSG) You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon shifts from teaching about controlling your emotions to the treatment of the poor and disadvantaged. Jesus Himself acknowledged the fact that there would always be poor people in the world (Mat 26:11). For a myriad of reasons (self-inflicted or otherwise) there will always be poor among us.

Solomon was a political and national leader, but his lesson here is not about national politics. Solomon is not trying to make a point about the position the government should on the treatment of the poor. No, his instruction is personal and individual. He wants us to know that it honors God when we are kind to the poor and it insults Him when we exploit them. The Bible is full of teaching concerning the treatment of the poor. Solomon himself had several things to say about the topic. Later in Proverbs Solomon said:

“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed” (17:22) and “Don't take advantage of the poor or cheat them in court. The LORD is their defender, and what you do to them, he will do to you” (22:22,23). Solomon shared scriptures that encouraged us to be a blessing to the poor, reminding us that we would be rewarded for it. And then again, he also shared several scriptures that warn us against mistreating them, because God Himself would come to their defense.

Job understood what Solomon was teaching very well. In the 31st chapter of the book that bears his name, he explained how well he treated his employees and the poor, and how he knew God would deal with him if he didn’t.

Job said: “If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me, how could I face God? What could I say when He questioned me? For God created both me and my servants. He created us both in the womb. Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket! That would be better than facing God's judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?” (see Job 31:13-23).

Wow.

Job vividly explains the point Solomon is trying to make. Job would rather have had his arm ripped out of socket than to face and angry God for mistreating His people.
So what does this mean to you To me it means that you should walk in love. Yes, I could show you the litany of scripture that supports the fact that you will be blessed for showing mercy to the poor and I could provide a laundry list of warnings, showing the bad harvest you will reap if you mistreat them, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to love. God is love (1st John 4:8). As a child of God you are commanded to walk in His love daily.

I should have to bribe you to do good, by promising a blessing; and I should not have to scare you into doing right, by telling you that God is going to get you if you don’t.

The bottom line is that we are called to walk in love and we should never seek to exploit or take advantage of anyone, period. A person’s socio-economic status, race, color, creed, or gender, should not matter.

When you walk in God’s love you seek to be a blessing (and not a curse) to as many people as you can every day of your life!

Father, Thank You for blessing me to be a blessing. I declare, right now, by faith, that I will walk in Your love every day of my life. Not only will I not take advantage of the disadvantaged and not only will I have mercy on the poor, but I will seek to be a blessing to anyone and every one. Your love in me is so strong that it keeps me from operating in bitterness, malice, unforgiveness, wickedness, and evil. I honor You today, Father, not just by being a blessing to the poor, but by being a blessing to ALL PEOPLE! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

A Peaceful Heart

(Prov 14:30 NIrV) A peaceful heart gives life to the body. But jealousy rots the bones.

This morning we continue our series in the last verse Solomon warned us against losing control of our emotions and allowing anger to get the best of us. In this verse he tells us about the benefits of having a peaceful heart. When you at peace with God and you have the peace of God, it promotes physical, mental and psychological health. However, those who are overly consumed with others are robbed of their inner peace and they physically, mentally and psychologically pay for it.

The word translated “heart” in this text is the Hebrew word leb. Strong’s dictionary says that leb is primarily used for one’s feelings, but it is also used to address one’s will and their intellect. Several others translations use the word “mind” instead of heart in this text. For example, the Good News Bible reads:

“Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer.”

Is your mind at peace? I have met many people that have peace with God (a reference to the status of their relationship with the Father), but not the peace of God (a reference to the internal condition of your heart). The Father wants us to have both. Once we have peace with God, we have access to the peace of God, which passes all comprehension (Phil 4:7).

So how to do tap into the peace of God? Let me give you three ways.

1) Cast all your cares/concerns over to God. Peter said, “Cast all your worries over to him. He cares about you” (1st Peter 5:7).

2) Pray about whatever is troubling you. Paul said, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything… Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand” (Phil 4:6,7).

3) You take control of your thoughts. Paul went on to say, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil 4:8).

When you do these things and you fill your mind/heart with sound principles of truth, righteousness, and holiness, you will be internally happy and the state of your spirit and soul will spill over to your body. Later in proverbs Solomon said,

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (17:22).
When your heart is glad, when you are at peace with God, and you have the peace of God, it is like medicine to your bones.

The latter portion of the text gives us the opposite side of the story. Jealousy/envy is a feeling of inadequacy and bitterness rooted in the perceived superiority of the possessions or qualities of another. Envy and jealousy come as a result of not being satisfied with who you are, what you have, where you are going, and whom God has made you.

People that live this way definitely do not have the peace of God. The peace of God promotes contentment. Those who operate in envy and jealousy are robbed of contentment and peace. They are never satisfied and their dissatisfaction eats away at them like a consuming disease. Envy will not only eat away at your relationship with God, but if not checked, it will eventually lead to physical maladies.

So what does this mean to you? It means you have a choice. You can either focus on what you do not have and allow your life to be consumed by the perpetual pursuit of ‘keeping up with the Jones,’ or you can thank God for who you are, what you have, where you are going, and all He has done for you.

If you take the latter route your life will be happier, and your inner peace will spill over to physical health, so you can live long and live strong!

Father, thank You for reminding me of how blessed I am. I don’t have to allow myself to be consumed with the life of others and what I don’t have. I am thankful for what I do have and my most prized possession is my relationship with You. I am at peace with my God and I also have the peace of God, which enables me to face my future with contentment, excitement, and great anticipation. My heart is merry and the joy of the Lord is health to my bones. I declare, by faith, that I am mentally, psychologically, and psychically healthy. I shall live long and strong and enjoy every step of the way! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Self Control

(Prov 14:29 NLT) People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon makes a connection between wisdom and self-control. He has already warned us against ‘flying off the handle.’ In chapter 12 he said, “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” This is basically what he is reiterating to us today.

When you operate in Godly wisdom you develop the ability to rule over your emotions; not allowing your emotions to rule over you. We all know people who get way upset, way too quickly. When you think of people like that your mind is probably not flooded with pleasant thoughts. People who easily lose self-control are not the image of Godliness.

The Good News Bible translation of this verse makes it very plain; it says: “If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.” I know that is harsh language, but that is the message Solomon is trying to get across. God is not pleased when you lose control. A quick temper can be like a fire that burns everyone is its path.

The issue is not anger, because even Jesus got angry, but the lesson here is not to operate in uncontrolled anger. We should never get to the point where we allow anger to get the best of us. Uncontrolled anger leads people to make hasty decisions that they will later regret.

We will all have to deal with unpleasant people and those who will seek to ‘push out buttons.’ But when you walk with God, when you have His wisdom operating in your life, and when you have His peace in your heart, you are able to remain patient under provocation and your patience will help you to deal with the adversity correctly. I know this is often not an easy thing to do, but in Christ you can do all things (Phil 4:13).

Solomon understood how difficult true self-control could be. Later in proverbs, in chapter 16, he said: “He that is slow to anger is better than he who is mighty; and he that rules his own spirit than he who takes a city.” (16:32). Here Solomon tells us that true strength is not exhibited in physical prowess, but rather with self-control. Sure, there are many who exhibit their might with their muscles, but can they control their temper?

To Solomon controlling one’s temper was the sign of true strength. He even said that the man that is able to rule over his own spirit (control his own self) is better than the one who is able to single-handedly conquer a city. Conquering the city is a sign of external strength, ruling your own spirit is a sign of inner strength.

Solomon’s point is that inner strength is more challenging and it should be what we all strive to attain.

So what does this mean to you? It means the Father wants you to be in control of yourself. What good will it do if you tell everyone that you are Christian, if you have Christian bumper stickers on the back of your car, if you put Christian quotes on the bottom of your email signature block, and you where a Christian T-shirt to company picnics, only to lose control of your temper at the drop of a dime? What kind of witness do you think that would be?

As a believer the first person you need to learn to lead is yourself!

Father, thank You for helping me to control my temper. Jesus was able to get angry without sinning; without losing control. I declare, by faith, that I am able to do the same thing. I control my spirit, I rule over my emotions, and I learn to lead myself well, before I ever attempt to lead others. I will not exhibit foolishness by having a hot temper, but I rather operate in Godly self-control. Even when I am provoked, I will maintain an inner peace, and Godly patience. My peace and patience will enable me to deal with the situation in such a way that brings glory to Your name! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

People are a Leader’s Greatest Resource

(Prov 14:28 GNB) A king's greatness depends on how many people he rules; without them he is nothing.

This is an interesting verse because Solomon, a man who was a sitting king, talks about the mark of a great king. He obviously knew a thing or two about ruling. He reigned over his kingdom with Godly wisdom. Since the hand of God was on his life, Israel prospered mightily during his tenure. Under his rule, there was no national debt, but rather an exceeding surplus. His crowning achievement was the building of God’s temple. The temple project took over seven years and over a billion dollars to complete. To get it done Solomon employed over 200,000 workers and he even had to partner with other nations to bring in expertise that his citizens did not have.

And what about his house? Solomon had a palace built him to live in that was so beautiful that when the queen of Sheba (a queen in her own right; who lived in a palace herself) came to visit king Solomon and she saw his house, and the excellence that his servants operated in, it literally took her breath away. The Bible says, “she was left breathless” (1st Kings 10:5).

I share all of this with you so you can better understand who is speaking and so you can see how awesome Solomon’s words for this morning are. Even with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with being a king, even with all the money and notoriety that Solomon operated with and in, and even with all the lavishness and grandeur behind his vision for the temple of God and his own house, at the end of the day, Solomon was clear that he was nothing without the people.

A king without subjects is not really a king at all. The Message Bible makes it plain; it reads: “The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.” The true glory of a king is not in what he was, but rather in what his people have. A Godly leader is more focused on giving than getting. A Godly leader understands that development, not dictatorship, is the mark of a great leader.

Solomon knew that many kings were so caught up in the ceremonial “glory” of being royalty that they lost true concern for the well being of their people. However, he knew that the true “glory” behind the throne was the ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others. To have a populous kingdom was a sign that the king was ruling well. He created an environment for his citizens that was so good that it caused strangers to want to come and setup their lives under his leadership.

Make no mistake; the people did not have to live under the rule of any particular king. If the king did not rule well and if he did not promote the well being of his people, then they could simply move to another kingdom. This has many applications, especially in the spiritual realm, but for the sake of time, I will stop here for today.

So what does this mean to you ? It means people are a leader’s greatest resource. Whether you are leading a large corporation with a multi-million dollar budget, or a family with a modest budget, at the end of the day, it comes down to people. If you lead people and you have a genuine concern for the well being of those you lead, it will be evident and others will flock to you for your leadership, wisdom and insight. But if you mistreat people, if you have no regard for them as individuals, and if you care only about yourself, it will only be a matter of time before you realize that you are a leader at all, because no one will be following you.

Father, I thank You for blessing me to progress to positions of leadership. As You elevate me and bless me to be in position to lead others, I declare, by faith, that I will never mistreat Your people. I understand that a leader is nothing with the led. So thank You Father, for giving me the insight and wisdom to lead with vision, clarity, courage, and compassion.

Father as You pour into me, I will pour into all those You bless me to lead. While I might enjoy the perks that come with being in a position of leadership, I will not allow my focus to be skewed. I keep my focus on people, because I understand that people are a leader’s greatest resource. Use me to be a blessing to those that I lead! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Living Water

(Prov 14:27 MSG) The Fear-of-GOD is a spring of living water so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon reiterates the importance of the fear of God. Once again, this is not a reference to the type of fear that Jesus came to deliver us from; the distressing emotion aroused by impending (perceived or real) danger, evil, or pain. No, the fear of God is a reverence, respect, and awe of/for the Lord. It’s an acknowledgement of who He is, what He has done, and His proper role in our lives.

For Jehovah to be our Lord He must be the Lord of all, or He is not our Lord at all.

Can you say, without an equivocation, that Jesus is the Lord of your life? There are two positions that need to be filled every day and they are: the cross and the throne. If you are on the throne it means that you are making your own decisions, running your own operation, and ruling over your own life. That means that as far as you are concerned, Jesus is still on the cross. He is dead to you and while He is definitely the Lord of lords, He is not the Lord of your life, because you have failed to acknowledge Him as such.

However, if you are on the cross, dying to self daily, crucifying the flesh, stripping off your old nature, and being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ, then that means that Jesus is on the throne in your life. You have allowed Him to rule and reign over you. You acknowledge Him as Lord and reverence Him as such. You seek to operate daily as a God-fearing believer!

For those of us who have acknowledged Jesus as our Lord, Solomon tells us that our reverence of God becomes a spring of living water. Other translations call it a fountain of life. Our relationship with our Lord becomes a source of continual renewal and refreshment. We don’t have to face a single day with a stagnant and stale relationship. We know that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:23), and our confidence in God and in His faithfulness towards us enables us to enter every day with our vibrant, powerful, exciting, and purpose-filled relationship intact.

In the latter portion of the text Solomon tells us that this living water empowers to be able to avoid poisoned wells. The New International Reader’s Version of this verse says:

“Respect for the LORD is like a fountain that gives life. It turns you away from the jaws of death.”

The living water (the fountain of life) that we get from the Father, should enable us to steer clear of the jaws of death. It should remind us that we have too much going for us [IN GOD] to get caught up in sin and with satan. Yes, satan will do everything that he can to lead us astray, but when we are drinking from the living water that flows from our relationship with the Father, we are able to resist every temptation, to stay on God’s desired path for our lives, and to enjoy every step of the way!

So what does this mean to you ? It means that your relationship with the Father should be too precious to you for you to dibble and dabble in sin. Don’t allow yourself to be tempted by poisoned wells when you have living water available to you daily. Fear God, reverence Him, give Him the proper position (the throne) in your life, and seek to please Him daily.

The more you drink from His living water the more satisfied you will become with living God’s way and the less susceptible you will be to satan’s tactics.

Father, I openly acknowledge You as the Lord of my life. I am able to say, without any reservation, that Jesus is my Lord! Jesus is on the throne of my life and I am on the cross, dying to self daily. I drink from Your fountain of life. I enjoy Your living water every day. Your living water is so satisfying and refreshing to me that I am able to resist every temptation of the enemy. I am completely satisfied with You Father, I am committed to You and Your ways, and I refuse to drink from poisoned wells. Give me fresh water this morning Father; water that helps me to enter this day with a spring in my step, a song in my heart, a smile on my face, and a dedication and determination that cannot be shaken! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Peace and Protection

(Prov 14:26 CEV) If you respect the LORD, you and your children have a strong fortress.

This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon teaches us about Godly protection. The protection Solomon speaks of is not just available for the believer, but also for the believer’s children.

The word translated as “respect” in this text is also translated as “fear,” and the word translated as “fortress” is also translated as “refuge.” Solomon seemingly breaks away from giving us proverbs to give us a statement of fact for the believer. This is more of a promise than a proverb. It’s a reminder for all of us that our God (Jehovah) is able to protect us. Not only that, but because we fear the Lord, His protection is also made available to our children.

I looked up the word refuge in Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary and this is what it says: a shelter or protection from danger or distress; a sanctuary that secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to the enemy.

Isn’t that awesome? When we fear (respect and reverence) the Lord, He becomes a shelter for us; a sanctuary that is inaccessible to the enemy. I often quote Proverbs 18:10 when I pray, where Solomon said: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” I know a thing or two about God’s safety. Not only did God deliver me from danger (many times) when I was out in the world doing my foolish things, but He has also protected me everywhere I have been. I can say, without reservation, that fear has no power over me. I am not afraid. I know that the Lord is my strong tower and I also trust in Him to protect my family back at home and in Huston.

Actually, in this verse Solomon sounds like his father David. David wrote:

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to You for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in Your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of Your wings! For You have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear Your name” (Psalm 61:1-5).

Jehovah is our rock of safety, He is our fortress and strong tower, He is our shield and strength, He is our sanctuary of serenity, He is our God and besides Him there is no other! Paul had been through many dangerous situations and the Lord delivered him from them all. Paul’s experiences led him to ask the question:

“What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).

And remember, the reality of our redemption from fear is not just for us, but also for our children. Later in Proverbs Solomon said,

“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!” (20:7).

So what does this mean to you ? It means that your reverence for the Lord and your belief in His promises should give you overwhelming confidence concerning His protection for both you and your children. You don’t have to be subject to the bondage of fear.

Jesus died and rose from the dead. He conquered death. He took the string out of death and the victory from the grave (1 Cor 15:55,56). So we now, as believers, can receive deliverance from the bondage of the fear of death, which is actually the fear that all other fears stem from (Heb 2:14,15).

Fear not! Exercise confidence that the God of your salvation will also be the God of your protection – for you and your entire household!

Father, I declare, right now, that You are my refuge, my shelter, my place of safety, my deliverer, my God, and I trust in You. Some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses, but I shall trust in the name of the Lord my God. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe. Jesus conquered death and I will do the same. He took the sting out of death and robbed the grave of its victory. Fear has not power over me. NO FEAR HERE! My relationship with You, Father, gives overwhelming confidence in Your ability to protect me and my family. I enter this day with complete, total, and steadfast

Truthful vs. False Witnesses

(Prov 14:25 NLT) A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon teaches us about the importance of truth and honesty in the legal system. Think about what the world would be like without any form of law. We all know that our legal system is not perfect, but it is definitely better than a world without it.

The Law helps maintain order, structure, function, and civilization. At the time of Solomon’s writings, the law in place for the Jews was the Mosaic Law (the Law of Moses). Under the Mosaic Law the accused had the right to be faced by his/her accuser and to give evidence of his/her innocence. This meant that the role of a witness – either an eyewitness or a character witness – was significant. Witnesses and their testimonies helped safeguard individuals from false accusations and it gave them the right privilege of self-defense. Since the role of the witness was (and still is today) so important, the penalty for those who perjured themselves (by lying under oath) was severe. This was so important to God that He listed it in the original 10 Commandments given to Moses. The 9th Commandment says:

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Ex 20:16).
The following is what the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) says about the word witness: “The main use of the word is forensic, and from this use all other applications are naturally derived. Important legal agreements required the attestation of witnesses, as in the case of the purchase of property… The Mosaic Law insisted on the absolute necessity of witnesses in all cases that came before a judge, especially in criminal cases. Not only in criminal cases, but in all cases, it was necessary to have at least two witnesses to make good an accusation against a person.” In Deuteronomy Moses said:

“On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness” (17:6).

The words of Solomon in this text make more sense when we understand the setting. An honest witness in a court of law can help save the life of the falsely accused and a deceitful witness, one who misrepresents the facts, can actually help condemn the innocent. But God was clear that false witnesses would not go unpunished. If they willfully brought harm to others, they would eventually deal with the consequences of their actions. Later in Proverbs, God through Solomon said,

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free” (19:5). In the 24th chapter He said, “Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did” (24:28,29).

It is clear that some bear false witness as a form of revenge, but the Lord will get the ultimate revenge. He will not allow the actions of those who ruin of the good names and characters of innocent to go unpunished.

So what does this mean to you ? It means you should tell the truth AT ALL TIMES! And it especially means that you should never bear false witness against your neighbor. The way I like to say it is: “Don’t put your mouth on anybody!” If you are going to fix your lips to say something about someone else, make sure it is: 1) True, 2) Proper, and 3) Said in love.

Father, I know You are light and in You there is no darkness at all. I know You are love and in You there is no selfishness at all. I know You are truth and in You there is no falsehood at all. I also know that I am IN YOU and that You are IN ME. Therefore, I declare, by faith, that I refuse to speak falsely against anyone. If I do say anything, about anyone else, I will be sure it is true, proper, and said in Love. I will not put my mouth on anyone. If I don’t have something good to say, I would rather not say anything about them at all. And if I am ever called to be a witness, I will speak the absolute truth! Father, as I enter this day, I do so with You love, peace, joy, and truth! I am not a liar and I refuse to speak lies. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Wealth is a Crown

(Prov 14:24 NLT) Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

This morning we continue our series, In our last message Solomon said, “All hard work pays off. But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.” While commenting on that verse I shared other scriptures with you that connect diligence to prosperity and laziness to poverty.

Now, when I say, “prosperity,” most people immediately think about money. While that is not totally incorrect, it is definitely incomplete. Godly prosperity has to do with a great deal more than just money. But to be clear, this verse is talking about material wealth. Solomon was extremely wealthy and his wealth opened doors for him, in the secular arenas, in ways that almost nothing else could.

The word crown in this text is also translated: wreath. The crown or the wreath is what others see, especially the ungodly. We have to remember that we are not trying to reach spiritual people. If we were attempting to reach spiritual people, then they would be impressed with our spirituality. But the Father has called us to reach the world, and that means that we are attempting to reach people without the Holy Spirit, without spiritual discernment, without understanding of the scriptures, and without the love of God.

When you approach an ungodly person and tell them about your relationship with your God, they often want to know, “How’s it working for you?” If all they see in you is problems, then they won’t be attracted to your God, because they already have problems. They need to see something in you that they don’t have. Things like peace, joy, internal rest, vision, self-control, and etc. Furthermore, many will also want to know how you are doing financially.

The sad reality is that many in the world will not receive the wisdom/advice of the poor. In Ecclesiastes Solomon told a story that helps illustrate this. He said:

“Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works. There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him. So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long” (Ecc 9:13-16).


His point is that wealth of the wealthy opens doors to levels of influence that the poor will seldom walk through.

The latter portion of the text tells us that the effort of the fool simply leads to more foolishness. While the person with Godly wisdom will exhibit characteristics that promote wealth (like hard work, honesty, integrity, fiscal responsibility (giving and saving), and diligence in Godly matters), the person without Godly wisdom will exhibit characteristics that promote poverty (like laziness, lying, poor spending habits, and overall irresponsibility). Since their efforts of the fool are foolish, it only leads to more foolishness.

So what does this mean to you ? It means you should desire to prosper (in every area of your life) so that you can have the greatest level of influence possible. Remember, the Father wants you to make an impact in your sphere or influence FOR HIM! I will close with the words of Matthew Henry about this text. He said: “If men be wise and good, riches make them so much the more honorable and useful… those that have wealth, and wisdom to use it, will have a great opportunity of honoring God and doing good in the world.”

Father, I thank You for blessing me to receive and apply Your wisdom. I know the value and importance of things like hard work, integrity, diligence and fiscal responsibility. I declare, by faith, that I will honor You in all my ways. I maximize every opportunity You give me and I honor You with all that I receive. Financially, I apply Your wisdom to both giving and saving, and as You open doors for me to operate in greater levels of influence, I declare that will share all that You have blessed me to learn; giving You the glory every step of the way. I In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Work Hard!!

(Prov 14:23 NIrV) All hard work pays off. But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.

This morning we continue In this verse Solomon goes back to another popular theme in his teachings: hard work! The New King James Version reads, “In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.” There is nothing to decipher here. Hard work is profitable; idle talk leads to nothing but poverty.

Back in chapter six Solomon urged us to learn some of our life-lessons from the ant. He said, “Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter” (6:7,8). From this we learn that we should be self-motivated, hard working, representatives for God every day. But Solomon did not stop there. He went on to say: “But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber” (6:9-11).

It was in this passage that I first highlighted the connection between laziness and poverty. Solomon made it clear that if you are too lazy to work, then you will find yourself with scarcity, lack, and poverty, and it will NOT be God’s fault.

The latter portion of our text deals with those who talk more than they do. Instead of doing much and talking little, they talk much and do little. Paul has something to say about this in the New Testament. In Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica, he said, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2nd Thes 3:10).

I believe that’s plain enough. We all need to work. But then Paul goes on to address the real issue. Paul had received word that some of the members of the church in Thessalonica were more focused on being busybodies, than being busy. So he said, “Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living” (verses 11,12). Instead of getting busy in other people’s lives, they just needed to get busy working on their own.

Getting back to Solomon’s teachings, we go back to chapter 10 and we read, “Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands bring riches” (10:4). Whenever I read a scripture like this or I mention it to another believer, many immediately make the connection between the word “riches” in the Bible, with spiritual riches. While I know that in Christ we have eternal and countless riches, I have to point out that this verse, and many more like, refer to natural riches (earthly wealth). Solomon is making it clear that if you want to ahead in life – in any area – you are going to have to work for it.

I challenge you to find ONE person, in the entire Bible, that God used mightily, who was lazy.

So what does this mean to you ? It means that if you want to prosper (spiritually or naturally) you are going to have to work diligently. If all you do is sit around and talk while you should be working, then it won’t be long before your employer gives you more time to talk, by giving you a pink slip. But if you work hard and you learn your craft, it will pay off in both the natural and spiritual realms.

I will close with something Solomon said later in Proverbs: “Observe people who are good at their work – skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone” (22:29).
Father, I thank You for teaching me the value of hard work. I declare, right now, by faith, that I will be a diligent worker all the days of my life. I overcome laziness. I refuse to sit around and spend my time in idle talk. When I do say I am going to do something, I back up with words with action. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I put my hands to DO all that You have blessed me to do and I know that I will profit – spiritually and naturally – because of it! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Your Thoughts are Important

(Prov 14:22 NIV) Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon reminds us about the importance of our thoughts. We all know people who do evil and here Solomon explains to us how many of them arrive at their malicious destination: they plan it.

The wicked receive a sort of misguided pleasure from plotting and planning to do evil against others. Their thoughts eventually lead them astray. They can’t plan (all day long) to do evil to others and then walk in righteousness themselves. Why? Because you can’t disconnect yourself form your thoughts.

Later in Proverbs Solomon teaches, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” (23:7). The way you think is the way you are. Not only that, but the way you think is also who you will become. If you think you can or you think you can’t, either way, you’re right! Your thoughts say a great deal about you, NOW, and who you will become in the future.

Solomon’s teaching make absolute sense. If you plot evil you will eventually become evil. You will disconnect yourself from God and you will go astray. However, is you plan to do good, if you seek the good in others, and you are always on the lookout for ways to be a blessing, then you will find love and faithfulness. God will reward you with His best, because your mind and your heart are filled with thoughts of His best!

So does that mean that those you have filled their minds and hearts with the wrong thoughts are hopeless? Absolutely not! You can change the way you think through the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:1,2). So how do you do it? Well, let’s look at what Moses said about training our children. We can glean some insight from him.

Moses said, “So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them. Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates” (Deut 6:5-9).

The first thing Moses told the Israelites to do was to Love God. Your love for God must be settled in your heart. After that, the key is memorizing His Word. You can’t teach what you don’t know. You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t lead where you have not been. If you truly love God and you commit His Word to memory, you are well on your way to taking control of your own mind, and you will then be able to impart the same into your children. Moses even gave them instructions on how to train children. Moses taught the people keep the Word of God before their eyes.

Why? Because Moses knew that the eye is a gate to the body and if we fill the eye gate with Word of God we will eventually become what we consistently behold.

So what does this mean to you ? It means that your thoughts are utterly important. You are who you think you are! But if you have been struggling in your thought life, don’t get discouraged, there is hope! You can change. If you change your input, you can change your thinking. If you change your thinking, you will change your planning. If you change your thinking (what you ponder now) and your planning (what you see for your future) you have changed!

Your renewed thoughts will lead to renewed action!
Father, I take control of my thought-life and I become the person You desire for me to be. I refuse to plot and plan evil. I refuse to fill my mind and my heart with the wrong things. I check my input, because I know that if I listen to the wrong things and think the wrong thoughts, I will become the wrong person. I declare, right now, by faith, that my I will keep Your Word and Your love at the forefront of my mind continually. I will line up my thoughts with Your Word and I seek ONLY to do good to others. I will see the best in others; even in those that come up against me. I plan to do good and I find love and faithfulness along the way! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Treatment of The Poor

(Prov 14:20,21 NIrV) Poor people are avoided even by their neighbors. But rich people have many friends. Anyone who hates his neighbor commits sin. But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.

This morning we continue our series I have been going verse-by-verse, but I needed to cover two verses this morning, because these two go ‘hand in hand.’ Let’s break this passage down and take a closer look:

Poor people are avoided even by their neighbors: While is sad and it should not be this way, it is true that in the world the poor are often shunned. No seems to want to deal with them, especially not to befriend them. So, in addition to the economic challenges they are already facing (due to their poverty), the poor also suffer socially.

In the 19th chapter Solomon said, “When you're down on your luck, even your family avoids you—yes, even your best friends wish you'd get lost. If they see you coming, they look the other way” (v.7). Solomon is not teaching what God wants us to do, but rather what he sees as the reality of the way of the world.

Many people form so-called “friendships” on the basis of self-interest; seeking only what the can get from the other person. I would submit to you that these relationships are no true friendships at all.

But rich people have many friends: In the 19th chapter Solomon also said, “Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague” (v.4). But once again, the people that are drawn by the wealth may be called friends, but are they really? In one sense the rich man has many friends, because his wealth does attract people like honey, but in another sense he never knows how many true friends he has; friends who love him for who he is rather than for what he possesses.

Anyone who hates his neighbor commits sin: In context, this is a reference to a person that hates or despises his neighbor because of their poverty. The Bible calls it is a sin to judge someone solely based upon the size of their bank account. It’s a sad commentary, but even many Christians avoid the poor like the plague. I grew up poor and so did my wife. There was nothing wrong with us; we just did not have much money, that’s all. Poor people are people FIRST and we – especially as believers – should not forget it.

But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need: This is where the question: “So what does this mean to you today?” comes in. The Father promised to bless Abraham and his descendants (which now includes non-Jews, because of Christ) TO BE a blessing (see Gen 12:1,2; Gal 3). Are you blessed financially? Praise God! But remember that you are blessed TO BE a blessing to others.

The Father clearly wants you to be kind to the poor. Later on in this chapter Solomon said, “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (v.31). Solomon also went on to say: “If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—and He will repay you!” (Prov 19:17); and “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed” (Prov 28:27).

There are many more Bible verses I could give you, but I trust you get the point by now. The Father does not want you to look down on people, especially the poor, but He rather desires for you to seek ways TO BE a blessing to others, even if it includes money.

Father, I thank You for blessing me TO BE a blessing. I refuse to judge people based upon the size of their bank accounts and I definitely refuse to look down on someone, just because they are facing hard financial times. I am eternally thankful for ALL You have blessed me with and I am always on the lookout for ways TO BE a blessing to others, even if that includes money. Whatever You lead me to do Father, I will do it – BY FAITH. Father, use me today to be a blessing to someone else. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

There Will Come A Time!

(Prov 14:19 NKJV) The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon speaks of a future time when the evil will bow down before the good. While he could have been referring to some time or times throughout history, most scholars believe this is a reference to the eventual reign of Christ.

As believers we can often find solace in the challenges of our current world, when we remember that a time is coming when good will reign over evil FOREVER! This is a good reminder for us today. We often face many challenges in the world, because Adam left the world in a fallen state. However, Jesus came to redeem us and He will return to redeem the world. In the interim, we know that we are redeemed, but the world, in its entirety, is still not. That’s why it is so very important for us to shine as light in the midst of darkness.

This past week, in Intercessory Prayer, I prayed for many of the things going on in the world. Let me give you an example of some of the things I pray for and about. I prayed about: the earthquake in Indonesia that left tens of thousands homeless, the tsunami in Samoa and American Samoa that killed at least 170, mud slides in Sicily that killed at least 21 and left many more missing, an attack in Afghanistan that killed eight U.S. soldiers and seven Afghan fighters, a typhoon in the Philippines that killed at least 12 people (2 of which were under 12 years old), an attack in the Philippines that killed two U.S. soldiers (one of which left behind a widow who now has to raise 5 children without their father), and the teenage fighters in Somalia that have taken over Mogadishu.

When you couple that with the financial crisis of the United States, the threat of swine flu and other diseases, and the continual efforts of terrorists and terrorism, the world can seem like a dark place. But remember, there is hope.

Right now we (as believers) have hope in Christ, because we are redeemed, and eventually, the world will be redeemed. Let’s look at some scripture about this.

Daniel Said, “Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey Him” (Dan 7:27). John the revelator said, “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15). Paul said, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11).

So what does this mean to you? It means there is hope. There is hope NOW for you, if you are a believer. You should walk in that hope daily, so that others would come to Christ, because of the hope they see in you. And it also means that there is eventual hope for the entire world. There will come a time when righteousness and truth shall reign forever, when every knee in the universe will bow before Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.

That’s Good News and that’s the type of news that should put a smile on your face and a song in your heart as you prepare to face this day!

Father, I thank You for saving me. I am in the world, but I am not of the world. I have been saved NOW. I have hope NOW. I have joy NOW. I have peace NOW. I shine as light in the midst of darkness NOW. And I know that there will come a time where darkness no longer has dominion, power, or any right to operate in the earth. There will come a time where every knee shall bow to Jesus. The deliverance that I HAVE received and the deliverance the world WILL receive are both motivating factors for me today, as I prepare to face whatever challenges may come my way! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

The Simple and the Prudent

Prov 14:18 GW) The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge
This morning we continue our series,

In this verse Solomon reiterates the fact that we, as believes, should be prudent in our affairs and he compares the life of the prudent with the life of the simple. This emphasis on knowledge or prudence vs. foolishness is a reoccurring theme in the book of Proverbs.
Solomon was the wisest man in the land and he was sought out - even by other kings - for his wisdom. He knew what it was like to operate in Godly wisdom and I am sure he had his fair share of encounters with fools. He often talked about fools in his writings, mainly warning us from becoming one.

I look the liberty of looking up some of the words from this verse in the original Hebrew. Most of them were pretty straight forward, but nevertheless, let me share with you what I found:

Simple: this word is also translated as naïve, silly, and foolish. It basically refers to a person who is easily seduced or one that lacks common sense.

Prudent: this word is also translated as shrewd, crafty, sly and sensible. It refers to a person who is careful, thorough, and thoughtful when making decisions.

Crowned: this word is also translated as encircle, encompass, surround and 'round about.' It refers to the environment a person operates in.

The words inherit and knowledge are pretty straight forward and are primarily translated as such. After looking at all the definitions, after reading this verse from several translations (I have over 30 translations on my computer), and after praying (of course), I believe Solomon is telling us that naïve or gullible people inherit and leave an inheritance foolishness, whereas the prudent operate in an environment of knowledge.

In other words, we normally produce more of the same. If we are gullible and naïve we will invariably surround ourselves with people that are gullible and naïve. We will raise our children to be gullible and naïve. We will leave an inheritance of foolishness, because our ignorance and lack of careful and deliberate thinking/planning will entrap us in a (seemingly) never-ending cycle.

On the other hand, however, the same holds true. If we are prudent and we carefully think through the consequences of every decision, we will find ourselves making good choices and one of those choices will be to surround ourselves with like-minded people. We will be encircled with and environment that is conducive to learning, growing, developing and maximizing our purpose and potential. And while it's not mentioned, we too will leave and inheritance for our children, but it will be an inheritance of intelligence and sharp minds.

So what does this mean to you? It means the Father does not want us to aimlessly wander our way through life like a fool. No, he wants us to carefully and deliberately make decisions that will take us towards His expected end for our lives. Now, some may say: "Wait a minute I thought God wanted us to live by faith." You're right. He does, but living by faith does not mean that you disregard all the knowledge the Father has blessed you to attain. While there are times where the Holy Spirit will lead you to do something that defies logic, for most part, on a daily basis, He will USE your mind, not ignore it.

Father, I thank You for blessing me with intelligence and for giving me the wisdom that enables me to be prudent in all my ways. I refuse to be gullible, naïve or simple. I will not leave and inheritance of foolishness for my children. I declare, right now, by faith, that my mind is alert and sharp, my body is awake and active, and I am ready for this day. I carefully think through the consequences of every decision. I am a thinker and a deliberate planner and I surround myself with like-minded people. I create a creative environment where I can grow and help others to grow as well! Teach me today Father. In Jesus' name. Amen!

The Hotheaded and The Coldhearted

(Prov 14:17 GW) A short-tempered person acts stupidly, and a person who plots evil is hated.

This morning we continue our series, "Unlocking the Power of Proverbs - Walking in the Wisdom of God." In this verse Solomon teaches us about two categories of people, neither of=2 0which we (as believers) should aspire to be. They are: those with a short-temper and those who plot to do evil. The former does things in anger, without considering the consequences, like yelling out insults, screaming out curses, slamming doors, throwing whatever is within arm's reach, breaking things, and being overall 'out of control.'
Is that bad? Absolutely. That's terrible and it clearly shows that a person who is ruled by their emotions. But I believe latter category is even worse. This person has control. Those that devise evil schemes know exactly what they are doing and that's what makes them even scarier.

The Message Bible does a good job of capturing the two categories in modern English. It reads: "The hotheaded do things they'll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder." That's a good way to describe20these two types of people: hotheaded and coldhearted. The hotheaded does stupid things, things he will later regret, but he does them in a hasty and not well-thought-out manner. While the coldhearted's evil is pre-meditated and carefully thought through.

I know you would probably not want to deal with either or the two, but if you had to choose, would you rather deal with a person who "flies off the handle" and says/does ridiculous things or the person who seems completely in control as they carefully and cold-bloodedly plan out evil? While I agree that neither is attractive, I would prefer to deal with the hotheaded over the coldhearted.
The hotheaded shows (with their actions) that they have no control over their emotions. This is a challenge, but it is definitely not as hard to overcome as the coldblooded. The coldblooded clearly has control and focus, but they are guided in the wrong direction; towards evil and not peace. Teaching someone to control their emotions (for the hotheaded) is one thing, but changing the content of their character (for the coldblooded) is a much harder task. But the good news is that IN CHRIST nothing is impossible.

I believe Solomon's lesson for us is about self-control. We should not strive to be either hotheaded or coldhearted. If you are either one this morning, there is still hope. Let's look at each:

For the hotheaded: If you have the propensity to "fly off the handle" and to lose control of your emotions, then spend time with God and with his people. The more you spend time with God - in prayer, worship, fellowship with others, and in his Word - the more you will develop the love of God in you. Once God's love is developed inside of you, you will learn to control of every negative emotion and in-so-doing, you will be taking control of your life.

For the coldhearted: Your mind must be renewed (see Rom 12:1,2 and Eph 4:23) and that will only come by receiving and applying God's Word. The more Word you get down inside of you, the more you will be transformed into the image and likeness of God. Before you know it, you will find yourself operating in God's love towards others and having thoughts of peace and not of evil.

Father, I thank You for loving me so much. You love me enough to want to see me succeed in every area of my life and for me to do so, I must take control of my self. I declare, right now, by faith, that my spirit, soul, and body are all sanctified for Your purposes. I don't allow my emotions to rule me, I rule over them. I take control of every way ward thought and I bring it into alignment with Your Word. I take control of my mind and I think good things. I make plans of peace and not of evil, I operate in love and not hate, and I have the self-control needed to maximize my purpose and potential while I am in the earth. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Avoid Danger

(Prov 14:16 GW) A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is careless and overconfident.

This morning we continue our series, In our last verse Solomon told us: “only simpletons believe everything they are told,” obviously warning us from being gullible. Solomon went on to say: “the prudent carefully consider their steps,” carefully giving their decisions due diligence.

In this verse Solomon gives us an example of why that due diligence is necessary. We all know people that fail to properly consider the risks surrounding a decision and we know how dangerous the outcome can be. Solomon warns us from not properly discerning the evil or danger surrounding a situation.

We should never enter into things blindly. The fool, Solomon says, enters into the face of danger with careless overconfidence. There is a big difference between fearlessness and carelessness. I am convinced that the Father does not want us to be bound to fear. Fear is an incapacitating force that can leave even the most committed (to God) immobile. Fear moves satan, faith moves God.

I am not saying that fear is good, but I am saying that while we can (and should) strive to be fearless, we should never make the mistake of being careless.

So what is it that leads many people down the road of carelessness? The latter portion of the text gives us the answer: overconfidence. The Bible in Basic English reads: “The wise man, fearing, keeps himself from evil; but the foolish man goes on in his pride, with no thought of danger.”

Many have allowed their pride to take them where their ability was not able to keep them. Pride will get us in trouble quickly. When we operate in pride we have an inflated opinion of ourselves and of our ability; and our prideful delusion will cause us to miss the many warning signs the Father puts in our path to keep us from making mistakes. He will do His best to warn us, but if at the end of the day we choose to ignore His warnings and carelessly walk into traps, we will have to pay the price.

The Contemporary English Version does not hold back at all; it reads: “Only a stupid fool is never cautious—so be extra careful and stay out of trouble.” That’s about as plain as it could be. None of us WANT to be stupid fools. We want to grow, we want to develop, we want to become the men and women the Father desires for us to be. We want to maximize our purpose and potential in the earth, before we die; and Solomon is teaching us how. He wants us to weigh every decision, to be aware of the inherent risks surrounding every situation, and to walk in humility, because pride will cloud our judgment and cause us to be careless.

So what does this mean to you ? It means you should avoid unnecessary dangers. Be the wise person Solomon urges you to be and cautiously turn away from danger. Don’t allow pride to cause you to be careless. Many in the world see Christians as gullible, naïve, and border-line unintelligent people who blindly believe the Bible. But strong believers are careful, thoughtful, humble, and prudent. They are not blind at all.

Mature believers see danger, they have a sober opinion of their ability, and they seek to please God by only going down the roads the Father desires for them to go. They know that if the Father leads them down a dangerous path, then He will protect them, but they don’t allow prideful overconfidence to cause them to be foolish. Be wise today and carefully consider your ways.

Father, I thank You for helping me to be prudent. I am governed by Your Word and led by Your Spirit. Your Word and Your Spirit keep me from prideful arrogance. I humbly enter this day with a sober opinion of myself, my abilities and Your power. I know Your Spirit will never lead me where You cannot keep me, but I also know that I am capable of getting out of Your will and leading myself down roads that lead to failure. So I declare, right now, by faith, that I will be led of You, I will avoid foolish arrogance, I will consider my ways, I will weigh every decision, I will avoid unnecessary dangers, and I will experience the Life Your Desire for me to Live! In Jesus’ name. Amen!