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!