Are You FAT?

(Prov 23:9 NLT) Don't waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs - This is the 10th Saying: an Admonition on Wasting Words on Fools. Have you ever tried to reason with a fool? There are three different Hebrew words translated "fool" in Proverbs and each has a slightly different meaning. The one used in this verse, which is the most common of the three, means: one who is thickheaded and stubborn. I am sure you have had your fair share of fruitless encounters with this type of fool. No matter how much you attempt to help him and no matter how sincere your effort is, he flat-out rejects or seeks to argue with everything you say.

This reminds me of something Solomon told us back in chapter 9. Solomon said: "If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different-they'll love you for it! Save your breath for the wise-they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know-they'll profit from it."

That pretty much sums it up. Solomon warns us about wasting our breath of fools, while at the same time urging us to teach, correct, and impart wisdom into those who have a teachable spirit. The point about being teachable takes us all the way back to the first chapter, where Solomon said, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (1:7). Those that fear the Lord will receive what you have to say, but those that don't will despise Godly counsel and there is nothing you can do to force them to receive. That's why Solomon calls it is a waste of time and breath.

So what does this mean? A few things:
1. Be led of God when attempting to correct someone: If you attempt to correct or even share wisdom with someone who thinks they know it all, or are hardheaded and stiff-necked, not only will they reject the correction, but they will despise you for attempting to share it with them. So make sure you pray before you attempt to share divine wisdom with others. If you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, then He will lead you to the right people and He will bless the conversation, but if you attempt to go around correcting people - even if you are using scripture - and the Lord is not leading you to do it, then all you will do is cause unnecessary 'drama' for you, them, and all those around you.
2. Correcting the right people helps all parties involved: If you correct those the Father leads you to, then not only will they receive it, but they will respect you for caring enough about them to share what you did with them. Your correction of them will help them to make the course corrections they need to make, to stay on the path God wants them to take. Additionally, they will have an elevated opinion of you, because you were the tool God used to provide the correction/instruction they needed.
3. Be a F.A.T. Christian: When I became a Christian my Pastor taught me that I needed to be F.A.T.; which stands for: Faithful, Available, and Teachable. Never be the person who is not teachable. Be wary of the person that will not receive instruction or correction from anyone. That person has become the god of their own lives and they will soon find themselves spiraling out of control. If there are two things I have learned over my 13(+) years of Christian life, they are: 1) there is a God and 2) I am not Him!

Father, I thank You for taking the time to document Your wisdom in a book that is made available to me. When I read the Bible I get to sit down, one-on-one, with Your wisdom and I am thankful for it. Your Word teaches me and I receive it. I am also an open to receive from Your people. As you send people to me, I shall be faithful, available, and teachable. And then, as You teach and prepare me, I know I will get to the point where You will share through me, what you have shared with me. As You seek to use me as a tool to share with others, I declare that I will be careful to hear from You first. If I step out without Your leading I know I can stir up contention, confusion, and strife. Therefore, I will only approach those You lead me to approach, so that You can be glorified through me. Use me Father, today, for Your glory! In Jesus' name. Amen.

This is Today's Word! Apply it and Prosper!

Build Your House Upon a Rock

(Prov 24:3-7 GNB) It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies. It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. Wise conversation is way over the head of fools; in a serious discussion they haven't a clue.

This morning we continue our series. There is too much in this passage to cover it all in one day, so I am going to break this up into three parts: the home, the battlefield, and leading. We will start with 'the home' today.

I will address this topic from the natural and then the spiritual. Naturally speaking, it does require wisdom to build a house well. Solomon describes a house that is well designed, solidly erected, seated upon a firm foundation, and beautifully furnished.

The house is a representation of the thoughtful planning, tireless labor, and care of it's owners. Yes, it does take a certain level of wisdom to have a beautiful house, and moreover, it takes the wisdom of God to make the house a Godly home. When you have a Godly home it serves as a sanctuary and refuge from the hustle and bustle of life. Within its walls you find rest, your hope is restored, your body is rejuvenated, your mind is at ease, and your heart is at peace. It is here that your children are nurtured, educated, and corrected; your family bonds are strengthened, and the fire of your marriage is rekindled.

This is a description of a natural home that is dedicated to God as an edifice where He is welcome, where He is acknowledged as Lord, and where He communes with a family who enjoys communion with both their God and one another. I pray that I just described your home. Actually, it's the home I want, the home my husband and I strives to establish, and the home I believe the Father wants us to live in. Yes, it takes divine wisdom to establish this type of home.

Spiritually speaking, one could interpret what Solomon is describing as our own life. It takes divine wisdom to build a solid life, one set upon a firm foundation. Most of us are familiar with the story of the man who built his house upon the rock and the one who built his house upon the sand. Jesus described how both faced "the storms of life." When the rail fell, the flood flowed, and the winds blew, the house that was built upon the sand came crashing down, but the house that was build upon the rock stood and it stood strong! So you might ask: how do we build our house upon the rock? Jesus answered that question by saying that we must hear His words and then put them into practice. If we do so, we will be wise and our house will withstand any storm we face in life.

So what does this mean? Two things:
1. Naturally: Pray for divine wisdom so that you can build a home that will serve as a sanctuary for both you and your family. You need a place where God can minister to you, you can minister to Him, and where you and your family can find rest, peace, encouragement, restoration, and rejuvenation from the rat-race of life.
2. Spiritually: Ensure you are building your life upon the rock of the Word. Don't just read God's Word (countless people do that), but settle in your heart the fact that you will live what you learn. This way you can be sure that you are prepared to withstand the storms of life and to continue to grow into the person the Father has destined, designed, and desires for you to be.

Father, both naturally and spiritually, I build my house upon a firm foundation. Naturally, I establish an altar in my home, making it a place where You are always welcome and where You reign as Lord. When my family and I come home we are able to enjoy supernatural rest. Within the walls of our home dreams are encouraged, hopes are nurtured, passions are fed, faith is grown, and discouragement is displaced. Our natural home is awesome and we thank You for it. Spiritually speaking, I am committed to build my house upon the Rock of Your Word. I read, listen to, receive, and apply Your Word daily. Your Word is the foundation upon which my life is established and because of it, I am able to withstand the storms of life. No matter what comes my way, I am ready to take it and to triumph over it - by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen!

This is Today's Word! Apply it and Prosper!

No Super Powers Required

You call out to God for help and He helps — He’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.” (1 Peter 1:17, The Message).

Some knuckle head somewhere back in time coined the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves.”

I suppose the guy was a parent that was trying to motivate a sluggish child to get with the program. But whoever it was and whatever their motivation — the statement is false.
The truth of the matter is this — God does NOT help those who help themselves. He helps the helpless. He helps those who call out to Him. The good news is there are no super powers required to live this new life in Christ. God has all the power necessary, and He releases it in us and through us as it pleases Him.
God is not interested in helping us do our own thing with His assistance — for it will still be “our own thing.” And apart from the perfunctory acknowledgement to The Man Upstairs — He receives little or no glory for our achievements. We keep it all for ourselves.
God helps those who want His help, need His help, and ask for His help.
But, being responsible, He expects us to take the help He provides and become the best we can be in whatever it is we are doing. Knowing at all times, and in all things, that all the glory belongs to Him.
Do you need some help today? Ask God….and just watch what happens! And then be sure to give Him all the glory!
Love you all Have an awesome weekend !!!

Personal Message

I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of my story. I remember receiving Christ into my life. Going through the 'regular' routine like we all do of being taught the scriptures. Learning more about who Christ is and what He has done for me. I strived "working" so hard to find out more about the truth so I could tuck it underneath my belt and "know it," memorize it so it could be "life" to me and I could "help" others get on the "right path." A few years ago I began to discover who I really was and what I had become. I had become someone who lives by the letter of the law instead of realizing my relationship was not built on a book but on a Father in heaven who loved me. He tells us, "you didn't choose me, I chose you." It is so easy to become a worshipper of the Bible rather than a worshipper of God through His precious Son Jesus.

I forgot the Word within the Word. I forgot the author was a person who cared, loved and accepted me just the way I am. Why? Because I didn't choose Him, He chose me. If I chose Him, He could have easily rejected me and said, "no thanks. This inn is full." But He chose Me just how I was, which means, He takes out what needs to be taken out of me. He does the cleaning, not me. I just yield my mind over to Him to let it be renewed. But please remember like I said earlier, He chose Me! Just how I was and truly I was a mess!

I see how others forget that the kingdom of God is relational not doctrinal or traditional. It is built upon covenant more than anything else. I watched a very close friend of mine of over 10 years, who knew this principle but somehow by the influence of others in the system, go back from relational and covenant to word bound. So now, she will not speak to me, she speaks to me only by giving me scripture. What happens when we lose ourselves with speaking not from our heart to love, accept, comfort and show compassion; instead we skip the heart and only "speak the word." Have we forgotten the Jesus behind the "word" (Bible)? The same Jesus who didn't throw scripture at people but loved people. Jesus spoke scripture to the enemy when He was in the desert because He knew the word could be used as a sword in battle to defeat.

But when the woman who was caught in adultery saw Jesus, He didn't say, "the Bible says, 'Thou shall not commit adultery!'" He looked at her and said, "I don't accuse you." It wasn't even the fact that she was caught in the midst of it. No repentance. No remorse.....just caught! But because He LOVED her and desired to build a relationship with her, he told her, "I don't accuse you." Could she go back to living in adultery? Yes. Was Jesus guaranteed that she wouldn't? No. But He still desired to love her and wanted a better life for her but He still did not turn His back upon her! He still did not say, "let's put her through a time of 13 years of recovery." He just wanted relationship with her.

Let me talk to you about the kingdom of God for a moment. What is the kingdom of God? It is built on covenant, not doctrine, not tradition and not how spiritual we can be. It is supernatural! Let me give you an example. If you went to your natural father and told him something about you that he would not agree with, what would he do? If he truly has a father's heart he would say something to the effect of, "I might not agree but you are still my child and I love you." AS most of you all know my natural dad and I do not always agree with things we believe but the idea that my dad would cast me out and say, "you're no longer my child" would be nothing I have ever known since my dad has a father's heart to say, "you're my daughter and nothing will ever change that fact."

Probably many of you, maybe like my friend, never had a dad who had a father's heart. Maybe many of you feel your natural "father" because he is a doctrine or tradition worshipper does not possess a true father's heart. Please hear me now! YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CHILDREN.....ALL OF HIS CHILDREN. He does not care about your doctrines, your traditions or your opinions. He wants your heart. He wants his son or daughter to say, "Good morning daddy”.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I love all people! I told my friends and family years ago that I would never leave them but many will leave me. I have seen it with a close friend of mine of over 10 years and many others just like many of you out there have because relationship and covenant are so important to me. More important than if we agree or disagree, if you believe in the rapture or no rapture, if you believe this or that.

Take a look at your life for a moment. How many people have you hurt or kicked out of your life over doctrines and beliefs? The Jesus in the word is still wanting nothing more than relationship with His children. Are we mature enough to say, "I love you.....regardless?"

If there is something God wants to work out in them, let Him do it. When we become people who use His precious word to hurt, "straighten up" or even massacre, we become Pharisees. Someone who uses something that is meant to heal, deliver and comfort as a tool to pound, beat and hurt. I am a grace woman. It's sad that people hate people that display grace to all. But ask yourself this question: "When you approach the throne of God one day, will God say, 'well done, you used my word to straighten people up, you told others who did not line up with what you believe that they are not welcome, come on in you wonderful servant.' Or do you want the Lord to say, 'well done thy good and faithful servant. You loved those who were hurting, different from you. You allowed everyone and anyone into My house to pray to find the way for a better life for them. You kept on loving them, humbling yourself to love and show them grace. Because if you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to Me.'?"

Please note, I love every one of you. I stand with you and for you no matter who or what you are because I see Jesus in you. I love you and your Daddy in Heaven loves you too.

Your in HIM,
Paulette Fraticelli

A Word from the Fathers Heart

Ladies you are living in a very exciting time in history when that which was spoken of by the Prophets of old is happening right before your eyes.

The Holy Sprit is saying “All that I have said I will do. Do not look to the left or to the right but look to Me the One who created you in your mother's womb. The earth is transitioning; even nature is crying out and reacting, sometimes violently longing for My return. Remember what I have spoken I will do. The line has been drawn in the sand, the plumb line has been established, nations are transitioning, the future of nations is being determined.”

“Allow Me to lead you into your destiny, I know the plan that I have for you and it is a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Come forth! Come out from among the world, let the people see Me manifest in you. This is a time of unprecedented miracles, allow My glory to flow through you and see the Kingdom of God take dominion in the earth. I will restore the land that man by his actions and deeds has cursed. I will restore what the locust has eaten. The demons go across this land like a lion seeking (where they are allowed) to incite fear and bring destruction but I have come to bring life in abundance, far above your measure and need.”

“Prepare the way for the return of the King, look up to Me and do not believe all that you hear. I speak to those who know Me, those that don't know Me cannot hear what I am saying so be careful who you are listening to and taking council from. Soon you will see My glory manifest upon this earth. Be conformed in Me by the renewing of your mind.”

Protect Your Heart

(Prov 24:1,2 GNB) Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them. Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.

This morning we continue this is the 22nd Saying: an Admonition against the Envy of Evil Persons. This is not the first time Solomon has given us this type of warning. Actually, not too long ago, with the 15th Saying, Solomon said, "Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed." The emphasis there was on us, on our ability to keep our hope in and on God. The emphasis here is on the evil person.

Solomon wants us to know that their heart is simply not in the right place. All they ever think about is causing trouble, strife, discord, dissension, and conflict. It's like they get some sort of perverted pleasure from seeing others unhappy. Another translation says, "The purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble." I am sure we all know people who fall into this category. Solomon's message to us today is to stay away from them and by no means should we actually envy them or pattern ourselves after their wicked ways.

Way back in chapter one Solomon talked about this as well. He said: "My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in. Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it! They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them! We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot! Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal." My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them. They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill. It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching, but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die. Robbery always claims the life of the robber-this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence" (1:10-19). There is a lot we can draw from this passage. Solomon warns us about this type of person and he tells us to stay away from them, making it clear that they will ultimately receive their reward.

My question is: why is this even an issue? Why should Solomon have to tell us to stay away from people like this? I believe it is because we (yes, even believers) sometimes develop a sort of wicked affinity for the wrong things. A great portion of our modern entertainment-whether it be movies, novels, plays, etc.-is based on wickedness, evil, and violence. For whatever reason audience members have a perverse attraction to, and even an affection for, mischief.

My husband and I are both big "action movie" fan, but unfortunately many of the action movies today are so filled with filth that I can't stand to watch them. While violence is bad enough, I can stomach the violence, what I can't stomach is excessive cussing and unnecessarily long sex scenes. I have had to walk out of several movies. Not long ago my co worker asked me why I refused to watch a certain movie and I told him it had too much cussing in it. He did not see a problem with it until I explained how what you allow through your ear and eye gates actually gets down into your heart.

So what does this mean? It simply means that you must protect your heart. Don't allow yourself to be overly exposed to the wrong things. Too much exposure to the wrong things will lead to you becoming the wrong person!

Father, I protect my heart with all diligence. I know that the course of my life will be determined within the recesses of my heart. If I allow my heart to get polluted with perverse thinking, then I will make poor decisions and reap the repercussions of them. I shield myself from the wrong influences, I surround myself with positive and Godly people, and I feed on a constant diet of the Word and positive input. By protecting my heart I am protecting my life, the lives of my family members, and my legacy. I want to make the impact You birthed me to make, therefore I will do all that I can to receive the type of input that will lead me down the path You desire for me to take! I declare this by faith. In Jesus' name. Amen!

This is Today's Word! Apply it and Prosper!

Continue in the Word

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14).

Reading, studying and listening to the Word of God is vital to walking in the spirit. Fellowship with God through His Word opens the door to your heart so the fruit of the spirit can flow out of it. They're listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and are a part of your new nature as a believer.

When you think about it, you can easily understand why. The Word is spiritual food. The more of it you put in your heart, the stronger your spirit becomes. If you'll continue to feed on the Word, eventually your spirit will be so dominant that it can overcome your flesh every time (Heb. 5:14).

The opposite is also true. If you spend your time feeding on soap operas, romance novels, and the six o'clock news, your flesh will grow stronger and your spirit will weaken. And though you'll still have the inner desire to be loving and kind, the flesh will bully you into acting like the devil!

If you're especially wanting to strengthen your spirit in the area of one particular fruit of the spirit, one of the wisest things you can do is feed on what the Word has to say about that particular fruit. If you've been running short of joy lately, for example, make it a point each day to read and meditate on what the Bible has to say about joy and rejoicing. Build up your spirit in that particular area. The moment light comes, faith is there.

Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). Continuing in the Word will help the fruit of the spirit to flow, to make you free from the bondages of the flesh. "Walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16).

Speak these Words: I will continue in God's Word and walk in the spirit, and I will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (John 8:31; Galatians 5:16)