The Deceitfulness of Sin

(Prov 20:17 NLT) Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs. Back in chapter 9 Solomon said, "Stolen water tastes best," making a reference to the illicit desire most have for the forbidden. I believe this all started with Adam. Ever since Adam indulged himself with the forbidden fruit men have been born with a fallen nature. I call this the "Adamic nature." Whenever you tell someone that they CAN'T have something, the Adamic nature feeds a hunger and desire for the forbidden.

You must understand what happened when you gave your life to Christ. When you were Born-Again you received a new nature, spiritually speaking, but then you must submit yourself to the process of mind renewal. While your spiritual birth was instantaneous, the renewing of the mind is definitely a process. You must learn to love what God loves and hate what He hates so that you can grow in godliness. While the Adamic nature may have made stolen bread attractive and sweet in your BC (Before Christ) days, your new nature and new mind will keep you from it; and if you truly renew your mind, you won't even have a desire for the ungodly. But for those that do - who are either carnal Christians who still love what they should not love or straight-up sinners who have a sin nature - whatever enjoyment they receive from the sin will be short lived.

Solomon tells us that stolen bread might start off tasting sweet, but it eventually turns into gravel in the mouth. In other words, the person committing sin might enjoy it for a little while, but when it is all said and done the pleasures of sin have a way of turning rotten; leaving the person unsatisfied and feeling unpleasant.

In the book of Job, Zophar drives home this message loud and clear, saying: "Since the time of creation, everyone has known that sinful people are happy for only a while. Though their pride and power may reach to the sky, they will disappear like dust, and those who knew them will wonder what happened. They will be forgotten like a dream and vanish from the sight of family and friends... Sinners love the taste of sin; they relish every bite and swallow it slowly. But their food will turn sour and poison their stomachs. Then God will make them lose the wealth they gobbled down... Their hard work will result in nothing gained, because they cheated the poor... Greedy people want everything and are never satisfied. But when nothing remains for them to grab, they will be nothing. Once they have everything, distress and despair will strike them down, and God will make them swallow his blazing anger... The heavens and the earth will testify against them" (see Job 20). Wow. Zophar said a mouthful as he painted a vivid picture of the deceitfulness of sin. Sin might seem promising, but the end result is disastrous.

So what does this mean to you? A few things:
1. The more you get into the Word the more you will develop a hunger and thirst for the things of God.
2. As your mind is renewed you will simply desire sin and less and less.
3. Sin might seem enjoyable, but the pleasures of sin are deceitful. What starts off tasting good eventually turns sour and poisonous.
4. Don't succumb to the temptations to sin. Sin will take you where you don't want to go, make you stay longer than you want to stay, and spend more than you can afford.

Father, I know that sin is sometimes alluring and that temptations can be real. However, I declare, by faith, that I get so much Word in me that I experience mind renewal in every area of my life. Once my mind is renewed in a certain area, then I simply don't struggle with temptations in that area any longer. My goal is to renew my mind completely to think as You think, to desire what You desire for me to have, and to live as You would have me to live. This way I will shine as light in a dark world and I will not have to deal with the deceitful consequences of sin. Sin may look sweet, but I know it quickly turns into an unrighteous and unpleasant harvest. I walk, fully, in the newness of the life Christ Jesus died to provide for me. In Jesus' name. Amen!

The Value of Divine Wisdom

(Prov 20:15 NLT) Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs While we, as believers, can endure all sorts of fluctuations in the economy and still come out on top, naturally speaking, we are living in uncertain times. Millions of Americans are concerned about the future. They see constantly shifting gas prices, an unstable economy, a nation closing out one war and still involved in another, and an economy that has not made the expected turnaround many have been waiting/hoping for.

Many that are seeking peace of mind find it in their savings accounts. Their money is their security blanket. But what happens when the money is not there? What happens if the money runs out? What happens if the money is no longer the be-all end-all that many mistakenly thought it was? Is money bad? Of course not, but money is not everything.

Here Solomon tells us that God's wisdom is much more valuable than gold or precious stones. Back in the third chapter Solomon said, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold" (verses 13,14). Yes, the wisdom of God can bless (profit) us in ways that far exceed the limitations of money. As a matter of fact, the wisdom of God can help us accumulate wealth, but the opposite is not true. All the money in the world cannot buy divine insight.

Job was a man who had both divine wisdom and wealth. He lost the wealth (which he eventually got back), but he never lost the wisdom. This is what Job had to say about the two: "But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide? Mortals don't have a clue, haven't the slightest idea where to look. Earth's depths say, 'It's not here'; ocean deeps echo, 'Never heard of it.' This was Job's way of explaining how humans often pursue spiritual things through natural means. Job explains how you can search the planet from pole to pole, but you will never be able to [physically] find God's wisdom. Nor can your purchase it. Job continues: "It can't be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it. Even famous Ophir gold can't buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires. Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry can't touch it. Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets-why bother? None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom! Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can't hold a candle to Wisdom."

Job's message is painstakingly clear; divine wisdom cannot be found with natural eyes, nor can it be purchased with natural wealth. Job goes on to ask: "So where does Wisdom come from? And where does Insight live?... God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it" (see Job 18:12-23). That's the key. You must come to God, the author of divine wisdom Himself, and ask for it (James 1:5). If you do, with an earnest heart, He will give you insight, wisdom, revelation, knowledge, and understanding that far exceeds anything money can buy. The Good News Bible translation of this verse reads: "If you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than gold or jewels."

Isn't that what you want?

So what does this mean to you ? Well, let me ask you this way: Do you understand the impact divine wisdom can have upon your life? What if I told you that what you are doing right now is one of the most profitable practices of your daily routine? If His wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields better returns that gold, then shouldn't you want it operating in your life? That's why you must make time to take time with God EVERY DAY. If you do, not only will you learn from His Word, receive His insight, and be prepared for the challenges of the day, but you will become the person who knows what he or she is talking about and that - as Solomon says - is more valuable than gold or jewels!

Father, I thank You for this revelation. I now better understand the value of Your wisdom, the importance of gaining divine understanding, the impact it can have in my life, and the doors it can open for me as I become a person who is constantly sought after for counsel. I declare, by faith, that I will spend the time with You DAILY that I need to in order to develop in Your wisdom and understanding. The more I do, the greater impact I can make in the world and in the lives of others. I am seeking to impact, not to impress, and Your wisdom will enable me to do just that! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Being Wise in Business

(Prov 20:16 NLT) Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger's debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

I have already told you that Solomon was an astute businessman. Here he gives us great business advice that complements what he has already taught us in Proverbs. In chapter six he said, "My child, have you promised to be responsible for someone else's debts? Have you been caught by your own words, trapped by your own promises? Well then, my child, you are in that person's power, but this is how to get out of it: hurry to him, and beg him to release you" (1-3).

To better understand what Solomon meant by that passage we need to understand the credit system in his era. In Solomon's time the Phoenicians seemed to have discovered the value of credit. The previous credit system was relatively fair. However, the Phoenicians started lending at unusually interest rates. This caused several people to be locked into bad deals and others could not qualify for credit at all. This forced them to look for a surety (someone who could guarantee the loan). In today's terms a surety would be a co-signer. Solomon tells us that if we allow our words to trap us into something (like co-signing a loan) that we did not completely think through, then the best thing to do is to swallow our pride, admit our mistake, and attempt to get out of the deal. It's not that Solomon was against generosity, but he was surely against foolish decisions.

Some even went to the extent of co-signing a loan for a complete stranger. This is hardly ever a good idea and for the believer it is even worse because we are commanded by God to meet the obligations we commit ourselves to. In other words, for the believer failing to pay is NOT an option. A person of poor character may enter into a loan without the intentions of paying it back, but we must never do so. Our word must be our bond. But don't be naïve enough to believe that everyone will live up to that high standard.

Solomon was not naïve and he was no fool (not by a long shot). Solomon fully understood that if someone with good credit guaranteed the loan of a total stranger with bad credit, that the deal had a high probability of going bad; and the person with good credit might realize his or her mistake and attempt to back out of the deal. This is why Solomon tells us to get collateral, even if the co-signer has good credit, because no one with good sense should co-sign on a loan for a complete stranger. This way, even if the person with bad credit defaults and the person with good credit attempts to back out of his or her responsibility, at least you have the collateral and you will be able to recover your investment.

So what does this mean to you ? A few things:
1. The Father expects us to be wise in business. Being a Christian, and loving people, does not mean that we should be gullible and stupid.
2. There is a difference between being generous and making a poor decision.
3. Don't allow your emotions to take you where your bank account can't keep you. This is great advice in today's credit-laden society.
4. Count the cost. Think things through, prayer over them, and make sound decisions.
5. If you make a mistake, don't allow pride to keep you in it. Get out as soon as you can.
6. God is not obligated to bless your mess, so be careful what obligations you take on. Where He leads, He feeds. Where He guides, He provides. If it's His will, then it's His bill! But if you take on obligations without seeking God, and knowingly ignoring His counsel, then you are going to have to reap the harvest of the bad seeds sown.

Father, I thank You for walking with me daily. You lead me in the way that I should go. I declare, by faith, that everything decision I make is a decision that is birthed out of my prayer life. I make decisions that line up with Your Word, will, and way. I am a blessing to others and I give to those in need. However, I am led in my giving. I don't overextend myself and endanger my family by making poor decisions. You lead me in the area of my finances and in every area of my life. I pray, I think things through, I count the cost, and I make sound decisions - BY FAITH! This way I am able to experience divine success in business and in everything I put my hands to do. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Refusing to Take Advantage of Others

(Prov 20:14 NLT) The buyer haggles over the price, saying, "It's worthless," then brags about getting a bargain!

Solomon gives us an interesting proverb this morning. When I first read it I did not know what to make of it. I had to read this verse in several translations and also read what commentators had to say before I was able to understand what Solomon is teaching here. I can now see that this verse flows in the same vein with those that Solomon has taught us about integrity, honesty, hard work, and respect.

As I have been teaching you all we know that Solomon was a major businessman, running a nation with a multi-billion dollar surplus. Solomon knew that his nation was blessed because the hand of Jehovah was on it. He also knew that integrity, especially in business matters, was a key facet of keeping the hand of God on Israel. If you read Chronicles you will see Israel go through a proverbial roller coaster ride. The nation went up and down, based upon the quality and character of their leaders. When Israel had leadership who honored God the nation was blessed, when they did not, they were not. It's that simple. God is not going to bless mess. He expects us to walk in His Word, will, and way.

This leads us to Solomon's lesson for us this morning. Solomon teaches us that when we buy something we should pay a fair price. In Solomon's day people would haggle over an item, very much like we to today. Haggling, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. However, Solomon explains that some shoppers clearly recognized the value of an item, but unscrupulously belittled/disparaged the item, just so the seller could bring the price down. And as soon as the seller would, the unscrupulous shopper would buy the item, knowing good and well that they purchased it below the fair market value, only to later brag about the deal. The Message Bible paraphrase of this verse makes it clear; it reads: "The shopper says, "That's junk-I'll take it off your hands," then goes off boasting of the bargain."

This reminds me of my parents they had a nursery and many time they would go to the Flea Markets to sell their wares…and many people would haggle with them for a better price. This would really upset my mom because the prices that they had was already very low, and many time she would say “this is the price take it or leave it”. My parents were just trying to make a living just like everyone else and this is what upset my mom. She felt that people were trying to take advantage of them.

To be quite honest, when I read this verse I was convicted. I used to do just what Solomon describes, especially while perusing the garage sales back in the day. I actually furnished an entire house once by going to multiple garage sales. I know that I would surely boasted whenever I received a deal that was better than market value. Wow that's really Solomon's message. Now that I am a believer, and I love God and His people, I can't go around looking to take advantage of people. At the end of the day, the merchant is trying to make a living just like everyone else. As a child of God we should go around being a blessing, not a curse. Now, I am not saying that we should pay ABOVE market value, but we should simply pay a fair price. When we pay a fair price everyone wins. We get what we wanted and the merchant is able to make the desired profit, in order to stay in business and to make his or her own living.

So what does this mean to you? It means that God expects you, as a believer, to walk in integrity in every area of your life. Yes, God cares about little things like the price you paid for something. Don't think that you can go around taking advantage of people and still retain His blessing. And is it really worth it? Is saving a few dollars on a purchase worth losing the blessing and favor of God over? Absolutely not!

Father, I thank You for blessing me to be a blessing to every person I come in contact with. I walk in integrity in every area and facet of my life. I honor You with my finances and You cause me to walk in Your best financially and otherwise. I have more than enough to meet the needs of every situation. Therefore, I have no need, nor desire, to take advantage of others. I seek to maximize my income by not overpaying for items, but I also refuse to willfully and dishonestly deceive others in order to underpay. I do what is right, because it's right, and I seek to do it right - every time. This way I will continue to honor You and You will continue to bless me. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Developing Your Children

(Prov 20:11 GNB) Even children show what they are by what they do; you can tell if they are honest and good.

This morning we continue in the book of Proverbs. People say one thing and do another all the time. That's why in the New Testament Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves." Jesus knew that many would come after Him who would say godly things with their lips, but would only do so with the intentions of leading people astray. These people may have had God on their lips, but He was certainly not in their heart.

Anyone can claim to be righteous, holy, godly, and etc.; but we have already learned in this series that 'claiming to be' and 'actually being' are not always the same. So what is the answer? How can we truly judge a person's character? Jesus goes on to say, "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act."

Jesus is teaching us to give more credence to a person's actions than their words. Why? Because you can temporarily hide behind deceitful and deceptive words, but eventually who you really are will come our in your actions. You might be able to 'fake it' for a while, but what's in you abundantly will come out of you eventually. Jesus kept going and asked, "Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" The obvious answer is no. So if a person claims to be an apple tree, wears apple tree paraphernalia, puts an apple tree quote on the bottom of their email signature block, and hangs an apple tree logo from the rear view mirror of their car, but spends all day producing oranges, then the reality is that this person is an orange tree. You can claim apples all you want, but if all you produce is oranges, then 'orange tree' is who you are.

Jesus closed out the conversation by saying, "A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit" (verses 15-18). That's about as plain as it can be.

With that understanding we can get to Solomon's scripture for us this morning. While what I just shared with you is not new revelation, most people don't apply it to children. Solomon tells us, however, that we should. Even children, Solomon says, are known by what they do (their fruit). This can apply to the development of their character and to the identification of the gifts the Father has placed down inside of them. Let's talk gifts first. The future engineer is seen in the little handicraftsman of two years old. The little doctor is seen in the three year old walking around with a stethoscope around their neck. The future major league baseball player is often recognized before preschool. So in that sense it is incumbent upon us, as parents, to carefully observe our children and to develop the God-given desires they possess.

Now let's talk character. From a character development perspective we, as parents, have a Godly responsibility to feed the positive character traits we see in our children and to correct the negative ones. If our children are producing oranges today, and we want them to be apple trees, then it is our responsibility to cultivate the desire and development of apples in their lives.

So what does this mean to you? It means that we, as parents, must do what Solomon instructs us to do later in Proverbs: "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it" (22:6).

Father, I thank You for giving me the grace and perception, as a parent, to identify those things in my children that I should feed and nurture, and also those things that I should condemn and correct. I want my children to maximize their purpose and potential in life and I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that happens. I will do my part and I am convinced that You are committed to doing Yours. Together we will direct my children on the right path and when they are older, I am believing You that they will not leave it. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Your Part in His Provision

Prov 20:13 NLT) If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

Solomon was a fan of hard/diligent work and a clearly not a fan of laziness. Solomon taught that laziness leads to poverty and diligence leads to wealth. He refers to laziness as "sleep" and diligence as "keeping your eyes open." This is not the first time he has brought this up. Back in chapter six Solomon said, "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" (9-11). In the last chapter he wrote, "Anyone who doesn't want to work sleeps his life away. And a person who refuses to work goes hungry" (19:15). Those are references to laziness, which leads to poverty. On the side of the equation, in chapter 10 Solomon said, "He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth" (v.4). In the 12th chapter he said, "Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense" (v.11) and "If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune" (v.27).

Solomon teaches that if you are too lazy to work you will find yourself with scarcity, lack, and poverty, and it will NOT be God's fault. In the New Testament, in Paul's second letter to the church at Thessalonica, he said, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat" (2nd Thes 3:10). Paul had received word that some of the members of the church in Thessalonica were more focused on being busybodies, than being busy. He went on to say, "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).

It's easy for someone to say, "God is my source," and He should be, but that is no excuse for laziness. God will not overlook laziness and bless you with abundance. The Father will reward what put your hands to DO, but that's the point, you must put your hands to DO it. If you don't DO anything, then you are not giving Him anything to work with. The lazy reap what they sow - NOTHING!

Our heavenly Father does not want His children to suffer in poverty, but He is not going to send down checks from heaven. What the Father does is teach us what to do in order to prosper in the earth. For example, our God is against laziness, idleness, dishonesty, deceit, stealing, addictions, haphazardness, lack of focus, and etc. People who practice these things are susceptible to poverty.

On the other hand, God is for hard work, honesty, integrity, diligence, dedication, giving, a sense of purpose and focus, vision, clarity, freedom from addictions, love, peace, a sound mind, a strong body, and etc. People who live this way - who faithfully honor the Father in every area of their lives - open themselves up to God's best and before they know it, they are living strong, stable, and secure lives.

So what does this mean to you? It means that you have a part in God's provision for your life. Don't blame God for everything. Take an honest look at your financial situation and at the overall condition of your life. You know God was not solely responsible for it. Whether good or bad, up or down, rich or poor, you had something to do with it. Does God have a part? Absolutely! But God is going to either bless or reject what you DO! So determine today to do all the things that promote a good and Godly life.

If you do your part, God will do His!

Father, I thank You for teaching me in Your Word and by Your Spirit to walk in Your best. I declare, by faith, that I am not lazy, I have a strong work ethic, I am diligent, dedicated, honest, and purpose-driven. I walk in integrity, love, joy, and peace. I am free from all fear, bitterness, strife, and the power of addictions. I honor You with my finances and You bless me to continue to BE a blessing to others. I do my part and You do Yours. I walk in the Blessing of Abraham, which is natural, and the Blessing of Jesus, which is Spiritual! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Slowing Down long enough to Praise God

(Prov 20:12 NLT) Ears to hear and eyes to see-both are gifts from the LORD.

This morning Solomon takes us back to the basics. It seems like we are all busy in today's society. Kids' schedules are often as busy as their parents', between school, sports, and other extra curricular activities. Parents have to juggle the kids' schedule, work related responsibilities, and managing their home; not to mention the fact that they must also take care of themselves (physically, psychologically, and spiritually) and somehow make time to keep the flame in their marriage burning. Wow that a lot of work!! We have work email, personal email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and all sorts of other online activities that we interact with on our multiple multimedia devices. While technology was supposed to make life easier, one can definitely make the case that it has made life more hectic. But we embrace our busy schedules, all the while attempting to make room and time for God.

Even as you read this email (on your computer or phone), most of you are doing so with 'just a few minutes to spare.' You are reading this quickly so that you can get on to your next task. Some of you have my emails on your daily checklist, so you are trying to hurry up so you can check it off.

But the message this morning is to SLOW DOWN and think about the goodness of God. Allow God to take you back to a time when your life was a lot simpler. Solomon reminds us of the true blessings we take for granted. We have ears to hear and eyes to see, both are gifts from the Lord. It is a liberating experience, at least for me, to spend a few minutes thanking God for who He is, what He has done, and How He has richly blessed me - and not with an emphasis on "things," but rather with an emphasis on LIFE.

If you are reading this email, then you are still in the land of the living. There were many people who did not get up this morning, but you did. There are many today who cannot read this email, because they cannot see, but you can. Let's get back to the basics and simply THANK GOD in all things and at all times.

James said, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father" (1:17). While that is definitely true, it is something that we often overlook and certainly something that we fail to thank God for. But let's thank Him today.

Solomon's father David said, "I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him. I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!" What an attitude! David was committed to praising God and so should we be. And David was not content with just praising God by himself. In an attempt to take it from a solo to a symphony David said, "Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness; let us praise his name together!" (Psalm 34:1-3). Will you accept David's invitation?

So what does this mean to you ? It means that you should take a few minutes to 'un-plug' from your busy schedule and your multiple electronic devices long enough to PRAISE GOD for the basics - you are alive, you have the activity of your limbs, you have breath in your lungs, blood is flowing in your veins, and the Father still wants to use you for His glory. Isn't that awesome?

Father, I thank You for blessing me to get up this morning. I know many people died last night, but I was not one of them. It is only because of Your goodness that I can breathe my next breath. I can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell; and for that I say THANK YOU. I will enjoy this day because I am going to slow down long enough to notice things I don't normally notice. This is going to be awesome. I have been busy, but today I refuse to be too busy to give You PRAISE. Like David, I will always thank You and I will never stop praising You. My attitude of gratitude will unlock peace, hope, and confident expectation in my heart and my infectious hopefulness will rub off on all those I come in contact with today! In Jesus' name. Amen!