Benefits – We All Want Them!
A long satisfying life, favor with God and people, a reputation for good judgment, success, health, vitality, riches, honor, pleasure, peace, protection, justice, righteousness, life itself, God’s approval, constant learning, and understanding.
If I was to ask you if you wanted these benefits in your life you would answer with a resounding YES! However, they are all benefits you and I can possess – they are all promises given to you and I throughout the Word of God.
The book of Proverbs teaches us how to attain wisdom and discipline as well as how to do what is right. The very first chapter of this book on wise living starts out with it’s purpose to teach wisdom, discipline, to give understanding and insight, to help us to live successful lives, and to do what is right, just, and fair. In verse 5 it says ” The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly.”
We all want the benefits of God and believe me they are plenty. However, are we willing to seek after Him; to seek after the wisdom He instructs us to place our hearts and minds on. Wisdom is the principle thing according to Proverbs 4:7, one translations says ” it is the wisest thing you can do!” Proverbs also tells us wisdom is to help us to make wise choices and keep us safe. When evil people come against you, Proverbs assures us wisdom will save us!
I for one want to be wise; I want wisdom beyond my years and my training or education. But I must do more than just want it. I can want to make a million dollars but if I never put the steps into place to work towards making a million dollars it will not happen!
So how do we get wisdom James 1:5, says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James makes it very clear to us that if we want wisdom we are allowed to ask God for it and He will give it to us liberally and without reproach or fault! God does not stand there and say “well let me see whether you have earned the right to have wisdom.” NO! He gives it freely and ungrudging!
So we know we are to ask God for wisdom and in our asking we are allowed to seek wisdom in ALL areas of our lives; how to be a better spouse, mother, father, employee, employer, whatever you do in life, whoever you are to someone else, you need wisdom to be that person! And you must ask God for the wisdom.
And again the writer of the Proverbs states clearly that if we desire wisdom then we should study the book of Proverbs. Webster’s Dictionary says study is application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection. We must first read the Word, then we are to investigate or seek out what else the Bible says about the topic we are studying, and we are to reflect on what we are reading by seeing how it applies to our lives right now.
Solomon wanted to impart to others; regardless of their age, sex, or position in society the wisdom on how to live accordingly. These wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs give you and I practical wisdom for daily living. We are to study them and apply them to our lives, THEN we can expect the benefits they promise.
The Drying Pot; And The Refining Fires Necessary To Become A Vessel Used By God
Add comment February 4, 2010
The Difference Between Mercy and Grace
Grace and Mercy are best shown in the salvation that is available to us through Jesus Christ. What we truly deserve is judgment for the sins we have committed, however if we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we instead receive mercy from God and He delivers us from judgment. We receive this gift of grace through salvation; our sins are forgiven, we are given an abundant life (John 10:10), and a promise of eternity in Heaven!
So what is the difference between grace and mercy? Many of us have heard it quoted that grace is unmerited favor to us from God. And though mercy and grace are somewhat similar they are also different. We obtain mercy from God when He does not punish us for our sins, as we deserve. And grace is God giving to us or blessing us even when we do not deserve it. Mercy is the deliverance we get from God’s judgment. And grace is God extending His kindness to us.
So, who exactly needs mercy and grace? A very simple answer to that question is we ALL need mercy and grace! It is through God’s mercy that we are granted favor, forgiven of our sins, and restored to right standing with God – a state of righteousness. It is through the grace of God, our Heavenly Father, that He gave us the ultimate gift -the gift of eternal life and salvation; not because we deserve it and certainly not because we have earned it. He has freely given it to us, all we have to do is believe He has it for us, ask Jesus to be our Savior, and accept we indeed have been given it.
Because of the mercy and grace God gives to us, we should fall on our knees in worship and give thanks to Him for all He has done and all He has given us. Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) so wonderfully promises us: “Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” We have Him and His mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. All we have to do is approach Him and accept what He freely gives to us! (If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior do it now!)
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Add comment January 25, 2010
Is It True We Are What We Eat?
With New Year’s resolutions nearly half way through the first month it is time to do an assessment of where we are. I know one of the top of everyone’s “To Do” is lose weight. We all know the old adage “you are what you eat.” I believe that is true in the natural but I totally believe that is true in our spirits as well. As we “eat” the Word of God every day we are feeding our spirits.
We all are made up of a soul which contains our minds, our will, and our emotions. Our souls live in our physical bodies and we are a spirit. Our spirit is who we are inside of our “coat” of a body. Our spirit is what will leave this earth when we die. Just as we feed our natural body for nourishment we must also feed our spirit. And whatever we are feeding our spirit is who we become; hence “you are what you eat.”
Think of this, over the course of this day how many times did you eat or drink? Now how many times did you eat of the Word of God or drink of Jesus’ living water? What does your physique look like in your spirit? Are you skinny, average, or fat on His Word?
Deuteronomy 11:18-25 instructs us to put His Words as signs before our eyes on the doorposts of our homes. There are several ways you can increase your amount of Word in your daily “diet.” You can download podcasts of teachings to your ipod and listen through the day, on your commute, or your lunch break. You can write on index cards or sticky notes scriptures to put on your desk, in your car, on your mirror, and you computer. No matter how you get the Word of God in, just do it! Think of it as “grazing” all day long. Spend time praying through out the day as well, acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit. He lives within you and He is trying to speak to you. So take the time each day to listen, pray, and feed on the Word of God.
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Add comment January 11, 2010
Should Christians Set Goals and Resolutions?
Several things ring true this time of the year: people are thinking about new beginnings and making New Year’s Resolutions and the weight loss ads seem to multiply on TV! Many of us fall into this trap year after year, but how many of us actually get beyond January 31st?
So why don’t we keep those lists we make? What it really boils down to, is most of us are not serious enough to change the life we have. We get caught up in the moment and simply think we will do it this time. I believe each of us truly has the desire to change but how is the question. How do we change? And is God motivated by our resolutions and goals?
One great thing in our lives is God never changes. “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6). We take comfort in knowing “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 12:8). Even though God does not change it is vital that we DO change. We must change. And we must come to realize setting goals is not about what we want to do, but what God wants to do through us!
Our goals need to reflect Him in our lives no matter what they are. If we want to loose weight or kick a bad habit we can stand on Romans 12:1 “…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…” And in every area of our life we are to be about His Kingdom and significantly change our own little world by setting goals which agree with God’s. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)
I for one want 2010 to be a year filled with milestones and accomplishments for Him and His Kingdom. Not another year of “I should have, I could have, or I would have if only!” I am encouraging each of us to make our year to be more about Kingdom exploits (Daniel 11:32) by setting goals God would have us set. We need to take the time to sit with Him and ask Him what He wants for 2010. What can we do to increase His Kingdom? What can we do for Him? What goals do we set for each area of our life spiritually, physically, mentally, socially, and financially?
Why not take each area listed above and sit down with Him and ask Him what two things does He want you to work on and change in 2010.
Remember to make your goals S.M.A.R.T. — Specific (not just lose weight but instead lose 35 pounds by such-n-such a date); Measurable (Can you tangibly show you met the goal?); Attainable (Do not reach too high, but don’t reach to low either); Realistic (“never buy shoes again this year.” – better to say I will only buy 1 new pair of shoes every other month (obviously this is for me not you); and Timely (set a date — not too close and not too far away).
Then place them in your Bible to look at each day when you have your quiet time with Him and make this faith declaration with me:
“I stand in agreement with God’s Word that says He wants to give me a future and a hope. I offer these goals and plans to you Father. I know Jesus I can do all things through you who gives me the strength. Help me Holy Spirit as I challenge myself to see exploits done for the Father’s Kingdom through my life. Lead me as I set these goals and help me to stand on Matthew 6:33 and make your Kingdom first in my life and Romans 12:1 as I crucify my flesh and bring it into submission. I praise you and thank you now that it is done in Jesus Name!
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Get Your Freebies!!!
Add comment December 31, 2009
A Christmas Gift for You!
One of the biggest problems I see people face is not thinking well of themselves. And when it comes to loving oneself sometimes that is even harder. However, God wants us to love ourselves and the Word of God tells us it is His desire for us to love ourselves.
Matthew 19:19 tells us to love our neighbors AS ourselves. Now if we are to love them AS we love ourselves then God must want us to love ourselves. He must want us to think highly of ourselves. (Do not confuse thinking highly with being proud, arrogant, or haughty) God wants us to love things about us, however most focus on what we do not like about ourselves.
We do not like our hair, or our hips, or our nose, and we fixate our minds on what we do not like; instead of looking inside as our Father does and focus on the real us, not the outside shell we live in, but our inside self – who we really are!
The Bible talks about love and walking in love and this applies to us; not just to others. As we learn to walk in love with others we will feel better about ourselves too. We must learn to accept who we are. And the parts we don’t like; we give them over to God and allow Him to lead us and perfect in us what we cannot.
The more time we spend with God and realize His love for us, the more we will spread that love to others and even to ourselves.
As a gift to yourself this Christmas why not focus on how great you really are. Not what you look like but who you really are. Focus on how much your Heavenly Father loves you. Focus on how much others love you.
God wants you to remove all of the thoughts you have about yourself which do not line up with His Word. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)!
You are the best present you can give to your Father in Heaven, you are the best present you can give to someone else, and you ARE the best present you can give yourself this Christmas Season!
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Add comment December 22, 2009
