Proverbs Chapter 3

by Rick

(3:1) Keeping God’s Word in Your Heart and Mind

(Prov 3:1 AMP)  My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God,” with the first scripture of the third chapter of the book of Proverbs.  We have two chapters down, 29 to go.  The first thing Solomon tells us in chapter three is that we must keep His Word at the forefront of our mind.  First of all, you cannot forget what you never knew, so Solomon’s initial point is that we must read and learn God’s Word.  The undertone is that if we are able to remember the Word, then we will be reminded to perform it.  The writer of Hebrews told us to pay close attention to the Word, lest at any time or in any way we let it slip (Heb 2:1).  If we allow the Word to slip from our mind, then we will eventually find ourselves slipping from God altogether.  I often say, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, either way, you’re right.”  Solomon will tell us later in Proverbs that basically, we are the way that we think we are (23:7).  Our thoughts influence our decisions.  Our decisions will dictate our actions.  Our actions lead to our habits.  Our habits develop our character.  Our character will eventually lead us to our ultimate destination (or destiny).  It all starts with our mind.  Keeping the Word at the forefront of our mind will ensure that our decision making process is influenced by God’s wisdom and that is the ultimate goal of the book of Proverbs – for us to literally WALK in the wisdom of God.

Solomon then says, “Let your heart keep my commandments.”  The original commandments were written upon tablets of stone.  Theses stone tablets were then placed in the Ark of the Covenant.  The symbolism of God’s Word being written on stone tablets and then the tablets being safely guarded within the Ark of the Covenant translates to us today.  Jeremiah foretold what would happen someday and that day has come.  He said, “The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people” (31:33).  Jeremiah talked about a day where God’s law, His Word, would no longer have to be written on tablets of stone and carried around in an ark, but it would rather be written upon our hearts and safely guarded within the essence of our beings.  Paul said something similar in his second letter to the church at Corinth.  He said, “For ye know that ye are an epistle of the Messiah, ministered by us; not written with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on the tablets of the heart of flesh” (2nd Cor 3:3).  Even as God wrote many letters, through Paul, and sent them to different churches, He tells us here that we are a living letter.  If we allow Him to, He will write upon the tablets of our hearts of flesh and send us out for others to read.

When you keep God’s Word in your heart, you literally allow Him transform you into a living letter to be read of men.  You might be the only Bible that someone reads.  When they read you, your words, your life, your example, what will they learn?  Will they be drawn to God or away from Him?  Will they learn about love or hate, bitterness or kindness, mercy or revenge?  When you hide God’s Word in your heart you become the tablet, the letter, the light, the life He wants you to be in your environment.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you must keep God’s Word in two places: your mind and your heart.  When His Word is at the forefront of your mind you will make wise decisions.  When His Word is locked safely within your heart you will walk in His love.  Do you want to make a difference?  Then hide God’s Word in your heart and mind!

Confession for today:  Lord God, I hide Your Word in my heart and my mind.  In my mind Your Word influences my decision making process.  I make wise decisions, because I constantly and consistently refer to Your counsel – Your Word.  In my heart Your Word influences every area of my being.  It helps me to walk in love, grace, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness.  I am a living letter, ready to be read of men!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:2) A Long and Prosperous Life

(Prov 3:2 AMP)  For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Yesterday we saw how Solomon urged us to keep God’s Word in our hearts and minds.  The point was that we should allow God’s wisdom to influence the way we think and feel.  When God’s Word becomes the ruler by which we judge our decisions, we will find ourselves living the God-kind of life.  As we move from verse one and to verse two we see that there are clear benefits in it for us.  The reason God wants us to walk in His wisdom is so that we can make the maximum impact possible in the earth.  I often say that I want to die empty.  I want to fulfill my purpose.  I want to get out of me, all that God has put in to me, while I am in the land of the living.  Solomon tells us that if we submit to God’s wisdom, His counsel, His way, we will live long and strong.  Not only will we live for many years, but we will live a life worth living.

Another translation of this verse says, “My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life.”  That is about as plain as you can make it.  Not only does God desire for us to live long, but He wants our years to count.  He does not want us to live long, but empty years.  No, He wants us to live long and full years.  Years that we can look back on and say, “Thank You Lord, for using me to make a difference.”  Isn’t that what you want?  Don’t you want to live a long and prosperous life?  Don’t you want to be used of God for the long term?  I know I do.  The lesson here, from God’s book of wisdom, is that can we make a difference, we can live long and strong, we can impact lives through faith, but we must do it God’s way.  When we allow His wisdom to influence our thinking, feeling, and choosing, then we will make that long and lasting impact God desires for us to make.

Now, you may be thinking, “But Rick, you don’t know me.  You don’t know my past.  You don’t know the things I have done.  I am not sure if God can really use me.”  Let me assure you that God can.  If you read the Bible you will find person after person that God used mightily and NONE of them were perfect.  God is in the business of making Holy Garments from Flawed Material.  Some of the heroes of the faith made some of the biggest mistakes you can make, but God still used them and He can still use you.  Since you are still living, then God still wants to use you to make a difference.  And he does not only want to do it once or sporadically, but He wants to use you daily and for the long-haul.

Solomon’s father David wasn’t perfect.  He had a spell in his life where he got involved in adultery and murder.  Did he throw in the towel?  Did he give up and take his life?  Did he conclude that his days of walking with God were over?  NO!  He repented and God used him for the long-haul.  He wound up living a long and prosperous life.  As an old man David looked back over his life and concluded, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Ps 37:25).  What was he saying?  He was saying, “God never gave up on me and I haven’t seen God give up on anyone I knew.”

So what does this mean to you today? It means that not only does God want you to live long, but He wants you to live well.  It is not His best for you to live long, but miserable.  No, He wants you to have the blessed assurance that you will make it heaven, but He also wants you to enjoy the ride.  He wants to use you to make a difference in your environment.  Will you let Him?

Confession for today:  Lord God, I want what You want for me – to live a long and prosperous life.  I declare, by faith, that I will long and strong.  By Your grace I will make a difference.  I will not die young and I will not die empty.  I line up my words with Your Word.  I choose to believe what I just read in Your Word.  Yes Lord, I want what You want and that is for me to live long and to make a lasting impact everywhere You bless me to go!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:3) Mercy and Truth

(Prov 3:3 KJV)  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  We closed out last week with a message about God’s desire for us to live long and prosperous lives.  I told you that God does not want you to live long and miserable in the earth.  He wants us to make it to heaven, but He also wants us to enjoy the ride.  One of the key ways to enjoy the ride is to build healthy and lasting relationships.  Solomon gives us two key character traits that we must develop if we want healthy and lasting relationships.  He tells us not to allow mercy and truth to forsake us.  Now, that is Old English.  What it really means is that we should not forsake them.  Mercy and truth are attributes of God and Solomon is teaching us that if we want to live the life that God desires for us to live, if we want to win with people, if we want to have healthy relationships, then we should walk in mercy and truth.  Let’s take a closer look:

Mercy:  Webster’s dictionary defines mercy as that benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant.  My Webster’s dictionary goes on to say, “In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy.  That which comes nearest to it is grace.”  My former Pastor (Dr. S.L. Moton) often said, “It doesn’t get any better than grace.”  His point was that God constantly looks beyond our flaws, faults, and failures, and still decides to equip, empower, and employ us.  Our relationship with God should be our pattern for our relationship with others.  The same way God shows us mercy, the same way He overlooks our faults, the same way He extends benevolence, kindness, and goodness to us, is the same way we should treat others.  In other words, forgiven people should develop the ability to forgive people.  The closer you get to God, the less you will think of yourself, the more you will realize that you are where you are because of grace and mercy – not all merit and achievement – and the more lenient you should be towards others.

Truth:  We serve a God that literally cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  As we develop more and more in His image and likeness, one of the key areas that we must develop in is the area of truth.  Words like honesty and integrity may not be popular in today’s ‘win at all costs’ culture, but they are central in your walk with God and men.  The foundation for any relationship is trust.  Once the trust is gone, the relationship is either in jeopardy or destroyed.  One of the fastest ways to destroy trust is to lie.  We trust God because He is trustworthy.  He says what He means and He means what He says.  If you say something and then don’t do it, because of a failure of some sort, it is one thing.  But if you intentionally misled a person or said something that you NEVER intended to accomplish in the first place, you are walking a line that leads to mistrust and broken relationships.  If you are not careful, you will develop a reputation of being dishonest, deceptive, and untrustworthy.

So what does this mean to you today? It means if you want the healthy and lasting relationships God wants you to have, then you should develop mercy and truth.  Solomon tells us to display them around our neck and to write them upon the tablets of our heart.  Mercy and truth are character traits that we should be both known by (externally) and made of (internally).  There are few things in life as precious and rewarding as a relationship with a true friend.  Develop mercy and truth and you will enjoy the gratification that comes from having them.

Confession for today:  Lord God, I declare, by faith, that I am both made of and known by mercy and truth.  I have been forgiven by You and as a forgiven person, I develop the ability to forgive.  I trust those that are trustworthy and I earn the trust of others.  I build healthy and lasting relationships in the earth.  These relationships are rewarding, enjoyable, and necessary in my walk with You.  I win with people and I am happy about it!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:4) Favor with God and Man

(Prov 3:4 GNB)  If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Yesterday we learned about developing healthy and lasting relationships.  In the message I said, “Mercy and truth are character traits that we should be both known by (externally) and made of (internally).  There are few things in life as precious and rewarding as relationships with true friends.  Develop mercy and truth and you will enjoy the gratification that comes from having them.”  The wisdom of God released through Solomon was teaching us about our relationships with God and man.  What good is it to have a powerful relationship with God, but none with men?  How can you say you love a God that you cannot see, but you fail to get along with the people that you see every day? Walking with God, developing His character, taking on His image, and becoming more like Him daily, will ensure that you walk in favor with both He (God) and men.

Another translation of this verse says, “God and people will like you and consider you a success.”  We will all be judged some day for the actions that we took or failed to take while we lived our lives out in the earth.  God will want to know what impact we made – for His Kingdom – in the land of the living.  You cannot impact lives, positively anyway, when you cannot get along with people.  Solomon tells us that walking in the wisdom of God will help us to not only get along with God, but others will consider us a success.  Others will be drawn by our character and charisma.  We will shine as light in the midst of darkness.

It is our commitment to healthy relationships that affords us the opportunities to pour into someone else’s life and vice-versa.  Jesus had three people (Peter, James, and John) in His inner circle.  He spent more time with them, than anyone else.  He invested into them and they invested into Him.  He committed to teach them and they committed themselves to be taught.  The same can be said for the additional 9 men (the other Apostles) that followed Jesus daily.  Both Jesus and the disciples had to be committed to God and to each other.  John Maxwell says that greatness is too great a task for one person.  Jesus was the greatest man to ever live and part of His greatness was His ability to form lasting relationships.  Although He had different levels of commitment to the three (inner circle), the 12 (the Apostles), the 70 (that He sent out), and the multitude, He was committed, to some extent, to every relationship He entered into.

Jesus, the man, was very successful at developing at maintaining His relationships with God and man.  And we see that even as a child Jesus knew how to win with people.  Luke says this of 12yr. old Jesus, “Jesus became wise, and he grew strong.  God was pleased with him and so were the people” (Luke 2:52).  Even at the tender age of 12 Jesus was committed to growing with both God and man.

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

1.  Your love for God is expressed through your relationships with men.

2.  You cannot positively influence those that you cannot connect with.

3.  You will have to give account for your time in the earth.  Are you simply trying to impress people or are you out to impact their lives for the Kingdom of God?

4.  Jesus was a master at relationships.  Learn from Him.  Invest time, energy, and effort into the lives of others.  They will learn from you and you will learn from them.

Confession for today:  Lord God, I thank You for Your wisdom.  I have favor with You and with men.  I positively influence others for Your glory.  By Your grace I am able to impact lives for Kingdom living.  I know that I will have to give account for my time in the earth and I declare that it will be productive.  I invest time, energy, and effort into the lives of others and they do the same for me.  I have healthy and lasting relationships.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:5) Do You Trust God?

(Prov 3:5 KJV)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  This morning’s verse is very important to me.  Not only is it one of the first verses that made sense to me and that I attempted to live out it the earth, but it, along with verse six, is the very first scripture passage I ever memorized.  My first spiritual mentor, Leo Jacobs, recommended that I memorize Proverbs 3:5&6 and memorize them I did.  However, I did not commit them to memory so that I could simply quote them; my intention was to allow God’s Word to be the ruler by which I judged my decisions.  This passage was a very good place to start.

The first thing I read was that I needed to trust in the LORD (Jehovah).  I was 23 years old, I was attempting to learn how to be the Christian I had just become, and my first assignment, from my mentor, was to trust God.  Leo led me right, because trust is what I needed to establish up front in my new relationship with God.  John Maxwell, in Winning with People, talks about The Bedrock Principle, where he states that trust is the foundation for any relationship.  I needed to be able to trust God and I prayed earnestly that He would trust me.

Williams Boost said, “Trust is established when words and deeds are congruent.  Trust also develops when people feel safe and secure.”  From that standpoint God is THE most trustworthy being I can establish a relationship with.  He always says what He means and means what He says.  He has never (ever), promised something and then not done it.  He has never failed.  He is completely flawless and therefore, completely trustworthy.  Even though I had just entered into a sincere relationship with Him at 23, I was able to look back over my life and see how He, time after time, protected me in Brooklyn and kept me from harm.  I was able to look back at a trustworthy God and receive the internal peace that I needed to both look and move forward.  It is said (and I agree), that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Within my first few days of becoming a Christian I settled in my heart how much God cared for me.  I was as convinced then, as I am now, that God is a loving, caring, and sharing heavenly Father who wants nothing but His best for His children.  My job was to line up my thoughts, desires, and decisions with His, so that I could experience His best in my life.

I used the King James Version of this text, because that I how I memorized it, but I also like the way the Message Bible translates it, saying, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.”  I was tired of trying to figure everything out on my own.  I was young and relatively successful, but I knew that I was not on the right path.  Later in Proverbs Solomon teaches, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (14:12).  I was on the way that seemed right, but deep down in my heart I knew it wasn’t right.  So what did I need to do?  I needed to trust my newly designated Lord.  I had to trust that He would not lead me wrong and 13 years later, I can say that He never has!

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you need to take a moment to answer a very important question in your heart: do you trust God? Now, I don’t mean trust with your lips, I mean trust with your life.  Do you believe that God is truly trustworthy?  And if you do, then are you really trusting Him to lead, guide, and direct you or are you simply continuing on with your path, your life, your decisions, and your actions?  Saying that you trust Him is one thing, showing it is quite something else.  So I ask you again, do you trust God?

Confession for today:  Lord God, I as I look back over my life and take a few moments to take self-inventory, I can truly say that You are the most trustworthy being I have ever encountered.  I commit to trusting You with all my heart and with all my ways.  I am tired of walking down the path that seems right.  From this day I walk down the path that IS RIGHT!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:5) Do You Trust God? (Part II)

(Prov 3:5 KJV)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  The reason the message is going out a little late this morning is because I am off my battle rhythm.  I will be back on track tomorrow.  I made it back home yesterday after spending about two weeks in the Middle East.  As I looked out the window on my last of five flights I saw something I had never seen.  I have looked down at God’s creation from many flights of many countries, but what I saw yesterday was as breathtaking as anything I had ever seen.  I looked across a deep-blue sky, seemingly painted with fluffy white clouds, and I looked down at beautiful snow-capped mountains, expansive lakes, flowing rivers, and stretching valleys.  I am not sure where we were.  Judging by the time remaining on the flight I believe we were either over Montana or Idaho, but wherever we were it was awesome.  As I looked out I thanked God for His creation.  I was reminded of the words of David when he said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and God’s handiwork” (Ps 19:1).  As I looked out at both the sky and the earth I saw the glory of God.

As I sat there, on the plane, giving God glory for His handiwork, I realized that I did not have a care in the world.  I had been on five flights in two days flying over many countries and at no point was I afraid.  Honestly, fear is not a factor in my life.  I did a series on fear entitled, “Overcoming the Fear Factor,” and I pray that those that received it and applied it to their lives were able to overcome the incapacitating power of fear.  As I thought of my absence of fear and the Word that God allowed me to share with you yesterday about trusting Him, I came to the conclusion that the main reason that I don’t allow fear to operate in my life is because I trust God.  You can’t trust and fear at the same time.  When you truly trust God it creates an atmosphere that shields you from doubt and fear.  Let’s look at what theologian Adam Clarke taught from this verse.  He said that:

1.            God is the Fountain of all good.

2.            He has made His intelligent creatures dependent upon Himself.

3.            He requires them to be conscious of that dependence.

4.            He has promised to communicate what they need.

5.            He commands them to believe His promises, and look for their fulfillment.

6.            And to do this without doubt, fear, or distrust; “with their whole heart.”

To sum up what Adam Clarke said I would say that when we have a solid and secure relationship with God and we sincerely believe the promises in His Word, then we will trust Him to bring to pass the manifestation of those promises in our lives.  This trust keeps us from fear, doubt, and unbelief.  When we trust God with our whole heart we are able to live enjoyable, fulfilling, fun, and carefree lives.  We are able to enjoy every experience and to see God’s goodness in everything.  Trusting God keeps us from allowing fear to rob us from once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, joy-filled experiences, and in my case, breath-taking views.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that when you truly God you are able to have and enjoy the life God wants you to have.  Jesus came that we might have and enjoy life, to the full, until it overflows (John 10:10).  It’s hard to enjoy the abundant life Jesus died to give you when you are boggled down with fear, doubt, and unbelief.  So trust God, believe His promises, and enjoy the life He wants you to live!

Confession for today:  Lord God, I declare that fear is not a factor for me.  I don’t allow the incapacitating force of fear to rob me from living the life You desire for me to live!  Jesus died so that I could have and enjoy abundant life, and I declare that I will.  I trust You with my whole heart and I am able to enjoy every opportunity, every experience, and every breath-taking view.  Thank You Daddy, for blessing me to enjoy life!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:5) Lean not to thine own Understanding

(Prov 3:5 KJV)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  This verse, along with the next one, are far too important to just skim over.  That’s why I am taking my time going through these two verses; the verses that helped lay the foundation for my spiritual walk.  This morning I want to focus in on the latter part of the verse, where Solomon said, “Lean not unto thine own understanding.”

To get the full weight of what he is saying I want you to read this latter portion from a few other translations.  The Bible in Basic English says, “Not looking to your reason for support.”  The Darby Bible says, “Lean not unto thine own intelligence.”  The Contemporary English Version says, “Not your own judgment.”  And finally, the Message Bible says, “Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.”  In light of this information it is easy to see that Solomon is warning us against attempting to live life solely upon the basis of our own intellect, judgment, reason, and logic.  Solomon knew that God’s wisdom far surpasses that of man and that God makes His wisdom available to man.  Solomon understood this and he only experienced a portion of what Born-Again have available to them.  The Spirit of God came upon Solomon and others in the Old Testament, but they did not have a permanent indwelling.  In the New Testament we learn that Jesus paid the penalty for the origin sin – what caused us to be separated from God in the first place – and He opened the door for God’s Spirit to be returned to man.  It happened 50 days after Jesus’ death, on the day of Pentecost, and it happens daily all over the world as people accept Jesus as their Lord and are Born-Again.

God’s Spirit in us, gives us direct access to His wisdom.  Paul explains this well in his first letter to the church at Corinth.  Paul said, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”  If we stop there it sounds like humans are simply incapable of receiving and comprehending the deep things of God.  But Paul did not stop there.  He went on to say, “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God… no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”  Did you get that?  Paul explains that the deep things of God are revealed by God’s Spirit, whom we (Born-Again believers) have received and then Paul says something very important.  Paul explains that one of the purposes of God’s Spirit coming into our beings is so that we may understand! Wow!  Praise God!  Paul then goes on to say something that brings us back to our focus text in Proverbs.  Paul says, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (see 1st Cor 2:9-14).  Our intellect, reason, and logic cannot make sense of Spiritual things.  Oftentimes Spiritual things are diametrically opposed to our intellect, reason, and logic.  See, man, left alone, attempts to make sense of everything, because men are sensual beings.  We filter information through our senses.  But God is Spiritual, not sensual.  God can provide us revelation that far exceeds mere information.  He can give us more insight in a minute than we could ever receive otherwise.  Now, this does not mean that we should forgo formal education and natural learning, but it does mean that we should never allow our natural wisdom to trump God’s Spiritual wisdom, made available to us by His Spirit.

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for blessing me with Your Spirit.  Your Spirit lives in me and He makes Your wisdom available to me.  I no longer have to live my life by mere intellect, reason, logic, or senses; I can live my life by Your wisdom, insight, revelation, and truth.  I would be a fool to attempt to live my life on my ability alone.  I am not a fool.  I seek Your leading, guiding, and directing.  Teach me Lord, I am ready to follow!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:6) Acknowledging God in all Your Ways

(Prov 3:6 KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  As I have previously stated, Proverbs 3:5&6 hold a special place in my heart.  These two scriptures helped me immensely as I sought to navigate my way through my baby steps with God.  I remember reading, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him,” and thinking, “What does that mean?  Does that mean 24/7?  Does that mean in everything – even small things?  What does it mean to acknowledge God?  And how I am supposed to do it in everything?”  These were earnest questions for me and I sought so dearly for answers.  Even if I did not know what it meant completely, what I did know, without anyone having to tell me, was that I was no longer supposed to live my life on my own.  The days of making my own decisions – of doing whatever I ‘felt’ like doing, and however I felt like doing it – were over.  I knew, very early, that I needed to involve God in every area and aspect of my life.  I was in Kuwait, on a hardship tour of duty, away from my family for a year, and I often felt lonely.  But when I gave my life to Christ I knew that my lonely days were over.  Even if was alone I was not alone and that reality – the reality of His presence – changed everything!

Acknowledging God in all your ways means keeping Him, His Word, His will, and His way, at the forefront of your mind.  It means taking the time to judge your decisions by His instruction.  It means allowing His Word to be the ruler by which you judge your actions.  It means being aware of His presence in your life, every moment of every day.  No, God does not just want to be the Lord of your Sundays.  He wants to be the Lord of your life.  Either He is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all! From the time you get up in the morning, to the time you lay your head on the pillow, it means that you are cognizant of your relationship with Him and you make every effort to align your life with His instruction (His Word).

Theologian Adam Clarke said of this verse, “Begin, continue, and end every work, purpose, and device, with God.  Earnestly pray for his direction at the commencement; look for his continual support in the progress; and so begin and continue that all may terminate in his glory… Self-sufficiency and self-dependence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall of Adam.  The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavor to live independently of God.”

What an awesome reminder for us NOT to do what Adam did in the garden.  He knew what God said.  He knew that what he was doing was wrong.  He was fully aware of his actions, but he failed to acknowledge God in what he was doing.  What was the result?  He got kicked out of the garden.  He was separated from God’s Spirit.  He started a chain of events that still has ramifications today.  And it all happened, because he failed to acknowledge God in ALL of his ways.  Learn from Adam and don’t make that same mistake.  You need God, so take the time to acknowledge Him in everything you do.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that the God that created the universe takes the time to think about you and it means that you, the creation, should take the time to acknowledge the creator.  If God wants to lead, guide, and direct you, shouldn’t you want Him to?  You may not know where or how to start, but you can’t get started until you get started.  So start today.  Take the time to acknowledge God in your decisions and you will never be the same!

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for having a desire to want to spend time with me.  Of all the things that You could be doing, You actually care about ME and that reality makes me want to acknowledge you in every decision I make.  I may stumble along the way, I may make my portion of mistakes, but I will attempt to acknowledge You in every area and aspect of my life.  By faith, I will allow You to help me to make the right decisions today!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:6) Acknowledging God in all Your Ways (Part II)

(Prov 3:6 KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  As I thought about what it really means to acknowledge God in everything you do I came to the conclusion that it all comes down to attitude.  You and I both know how excited we can get when we have plans for something.  It can be something as major as a starting a business or something as small as what you want to do on Saturday.  Our attitude must be one of flexibility and willingness to adjust our plans and desires if we are interrupted by God.

A small example of this is when I was about to get on one of the five flights that I took to get back home from the middle east this past week.  Before I take any trip I pray over the planes, the pilots, and the staffs.  I decree a blessing over every plane that I get on and I command angels to keep us during the flight.  Another thing that I pray for is where I am going to sit.  I like to sleep or relax on flights, but I also know that God has used me many times to minister to people during a flight.  So, although I normally pray for favor with the airline staff for either an upgrade or an exit row isle seat, I also pray that God would allow me to sit wherever He needs me to sit to be a blessing on the plane.  Now, this has meant that sometimes I have had to fly in a middle seat, sometimes next to uncomfortable people, but I was where God needed me to be, doing what He needed me to do.  The point is that on those occasions where I knew another seat was available, but I sensed that God wanted me to take the uncomfortable seat, I did not fight against it.  I was willing to accept a few hours of discomfort if it meant being able to reach someone for God.  That may seem minor to some, but believe me, it is not minor to God.  Acknowledging Him in all your ways means making adjustments – small and big.

January seems like it was so long ago.  My family and I entered this year with the knowledge that the military had placed us on orders to move to Washington State.  I sat down with my family, we discussed the situation, and we all collectively agreed (at the time) that we did not believe it was God’s will.  So we prayed fervently for God to change the orders.  A couple of months into it I received a Word from the Lord from a good friend of mine.  The Lord spoke to him to speak to me, because honestly, my personal desire was hindering my ability to hear God.  Once he told me what God had told him about the assignment and it agreed with my spirit, I came home and told my family that we had received guidance.  I explained what God had said and I told them to accept it, because were not going to fight against what God wanted to do.  Immediately my wife and I received peace, the peace we had been searching for for months and we got excited about this new chapter of our lives.  My teenage son, however, refused to accept it.  Even after explaining, over and over, that God wanted us to go, he kept saying, “I know, but I don’t want to go.”  What was he saying?  He was saying that even if it is was clearly God’s will, he was not willing to adjust his desires to God’s desires.  Now, I know that it is simply because he is still maturing in life and in God, but that is how many believers do God daily.  They get stuck on their desires and refuse to make any adjustments for God!

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you must be willing to acknowledge God in everything, and then (more importantly), you must be willing to make the necessary adjustments to align your life with what God says.  Why pray if you are not wiling to any adjustments?  Why ask God for guidance if you are not willing to do what He tells you?  So make plans, have desires, and foster dreams, but be willing to adjust if God leads you to.

Confession for today:  Father God, I know that the safest place in the entire world is in Your will.  I ask You to lead, guide and direct me; and I declare that as You do, I will make the necessary adjustments in my plans to ensure that I am where You want me to be, doing what You want me to do.  Not only I am willing to acknowledge You, but I am willing to obey You!  I trust You with my whole heart and I know You will not lead me wrong!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:6) He Shall Direct Thy Path

(Prov 3:6 KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  For the last couple of days we looked at the words, “In all thy ways acknowledge him.”  We learned that we must be willing to acknowledge God – to Get Him involved – in every area of our lives.  Nothing should be off limits to God.  And most importantly, we learned that we must be willing to make the necessary adjustments to align our lives with His instruction (His Word).

This morning we look a the latter part of the verse, where Solomon said, “And he shall direct thy paths.”  Solomon promises a benefit for those that choose to involve God in every area of their lives.  He says that God, after being welcomed in (because He will not force Himself), will direct your paths.  Now, that’s Old English and it may be unclear what it means to us today.  So for the sake of clarity, let’s look at this portion of the text from a few other translations.  The New American Standard Bible says, “And He will make your paths straight.”  So not only will God direct us (if we let Him), but He will direct us down straight paths.  The Bible in Basic English says, “He will make straight your footsteps.”  The inference here is that when we involve God in our decisions, the decisions that we make will be good ones.  Every step that we take on the path towards our destiny will be a straight or correct step.  This really helps, because some might read “He shall direct they paths” and think that they don’t have anything to do with it.  Some believers think they can leave everything to God.  But if you read the Bible you will learn that God has a part and we have a part.  God will give us the wisdom, but ultimately, we make our own decisions.  Solomon’s point is that if we involve God, we will make the right ones.  The Message Bible says, “He’s the one who will keep you on track.”  Isn’t that what we all want?  Don’t we want to know that the decisions that we are making are leading us down the right road?  Well, when we acknowledge God in all our ways, He keeps us on track, because we allow Him to.  And finally, the Contemporary English Version says, “He will clear the road for you to follow.”  The inference here is that if we listen to God, if we apply His counsel to our lives, if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, then our path will be easier and more enjoyable.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that life in Christ is free of all challenges.  You and I both know that that is not the case.  What I am saying is that although life is never completely easy, when you involve God in your life (decisions and actions), then it will most certainly be easier.  Life with God is much better than life without Him!

So what does this mean to you today? It means that when you choose to involve God in your life He is able to:

1.  Influence your decisions.  At the end of the day, our life is a grand-sum-total of our decisions.  God has set it up, so that we will all reap whatever we sow.  Sow the right seed and you will reap the right harvest.

2.  Help keep you on the path that will lead to His best for your life.  God has plans for you (Jer 29:11) and He wants you to fulfill those plans.  When you involve God in your decisions He is able to help you make the decisions that will take you down the path He wants you to go down.  Believe me, that’s the path you want to take.

3.  Ease the load.  Not only does God want you to make it to heaven, but He wants you to enjoy the ride.  He does not want you to live a stress-riddled, obstacle filled, miserable life.  When you involve Him in your decisions you free Him to help you enjoy the life Jesus died to give you!

Confession for today:  Father God, I choose to involve You in my decision making process.  I want You to influence my decisions, so that I stay on the path You want me on.  As I do, as I seek Your counsel, as I make decisions that line up with Your Word, as I seek to live that life You want me to live, I thank You in advance for clearing the road; for easing the load.  I involve You in every area of my life and I free You to move however You see fit!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:7) Do not be Wise in Your Own Eyes

(Prov 3:7 NASB)  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  I pray that you learned a great deal from verses 5 and 6 and verse 7 flows in the same vein.  After telling us to trust God, to avoid the folly of our own understanding, and to acknowledge God in everything that we do so that He can direct our paths, Solomon seemingly sums it all up by saying, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”  By this point Solomon has already made it clear that human wisdom is far below God’s wisdom.  He spent all of chapter two teaching us about the benefits of receiving and applying God’s wisdom.  Here he is driving home the waywardness of human wisdom.  Even those things that you say you are SURE of today, can change from one day to the next.  Every once in a while I will pull out a CD or DVD of an old sermon that I preached.  Sometimes I hear what I said, from the pulpit, preaching the Word of God, and I think to myself, “How could I have said that?”  I was preaching with passion and sincerity.  I was preaching what I believed to be true.  But sometimes, as we grow, we realize that some of the things that we believed were either off-course or flat-out-wrong.  Passion does not always equal accuracy.  The evening news is full of quotes from people who made passionate plunders.  Yes, you can be sincere, and wind up be sincerely wrong.

What’s my point?  My point is that you and I both know that we can look back five, 10, 15 years and remember points in our lives where we were completely convinced (human wisdom) that we knew something, only to find out later that what we were wrong.  The only absolute truth comes from God.  That’s why when people come to Pastors for counsel/advise most Pastors lead them right to the Word of God.  If I tell you what the Bible says about your situation, then I know I am solid ground.  But if I tell you what my opinion is, apart from the Word of God, then we can both wind up on shaky ground.

Matthew Henry said, “There is not a greater enemy to the fear of the Lord in the heart, than self-conceit of our own wisdom.”  Our wisdom can lead us astray, that is why we must make every effort to acknowledge God in all our ways.  I am not saying that human wisdom is useless, but to be sure that our wisdom is solid and secure, our wisdom must be deeply rooted in God’s.  When Solomon said, “Do not be wise in your own eyes,” he meant that whatever wisdom we believe we have should not be gained and applied apart from God’s wisdom.  The goal is to fashion our thinking after God’s; to develop a decision making process that lines up with His Word; to react to things the way that He would; to walk in His wisdom daily.  The more we read, understand, apply, and live out God’s Word, the more our thinking will become like His; the more our wisdom will be rooted in His.  At that point we can trust our wisdom, because our wisdom is not ours alone.  By then it has been developed and fashioned by God Himself.

So what does this mean to you today? Two things:

1.  Human truth has a date/time stamp.  Meaning that it changes.  What you believe to be true today may not be true tomorrow.

2.  Godly truth never changes.  We live in an ever-changing environment.  The only constant is God.  When we root our lives (thinking, feeling, choosing) in His wisdom we develop a source of strength and stability that enables us to live the safe and secure life that many seek after.

Confession for today:  Father God, I realize that it is dangerous to be wise in my own eyes.  I declare, right now, by faith, that I will not put my whole heart in human wisdom.  I am thankful for everything that I have learned, but I will allow You to fashion and shape my thinking.  I want my wisdom to be deeply rooted in Your wisdom, so I can simply live my life from the inside out, knowing that what I believe on the inside has been influenced by You, Your Word, and Your Spirit.  Your wisdom enables me to live a solid, stable, and secure life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:7) Fear the Lord

(Prov 3:7 NASB)  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  I want to focus in on the latter portion of our text, where Solomon said, “Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”  This reminds me of one of the messages I shared early in this series from Proverbs 1:7 where Solomon said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”  In the corresponding message I shared: “Our focus text this morning serves as a reminder that we should not attempt to get things FROM God without first having a relationship WITH God.  In other words, we should not attempt to tap into His wisdom and to glean from His understanding without first having submitted to Him.  The wisdom found in this book is based solidly on the fear of the Lord; not a fear where we are afraid of Him, but a reverential and respectful fear.  This fear runs the gamut from a mild respect that simply acknowledges God to a deep and powerful respect that seeks to obey Him wholeheartedly.  Whether deep or mild, Solomon tells us that true knowledge begins with fearing the Lord.”  Furthermore, Solomon went as far as to call those that do not possess the fear of the Lord “fools.”  No matter how much we learn in the world, it would be foolish to ignore or flat-out reject the wisdom of God – made available to us in His Word.

I like the way the Message Bible translates our text, it says, “Don’t assume that you know it all.  Run to God!  Run from evil!”  That’s about as plain as you can get it.  It’s not enough to run from evil.  Unless you are running TO God as you run FROM evil, you will never get away.  It is in this running to God, in the fear of the Lord, that we find protection, peace and power.  Benjamin Franklin said, “Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith.”  He knew that no matter how much you think you have, if you are without God, then you will never find true solace from the world’s troubles.  Samuel Johnson said, “Shame arises from the fear of men, conscience from the fear of God.”  It’s been my observation that those that fear God and have a true relationship with Him are more apt to be people of integrity, loyalty and personal courage; exercising sound judgment as they seek to walk upright before God.  Without the fear of the Lord many lack the moral compass required to navigate the difficulties of life.  The Bible has a lot to say about the fear of the Lord.  Some of the benefits listed in scripture for those that fear God are:

  • It will add length to your life (Prov 10:27)
  • You will be blessed (Ps 115:13), prosperous (Ps 25:13), and enjoy fulfilled desires (Ps 145:19)
  • You will lack nothing (Ps 34:9), and always have food (Ps 111:5)
  • You will enjoy angelic protection (Ps 34:7)
  • And I could go on and on

Fearing God does not mean that you operate in worldly fear; quite the contrary.  The Fear of the Lord should keep you from succumbing to the incapacitating force of fear.  Francis of Assisi said, “Where there is fear of God to keep the house, the enemy can find no way to enter.”  Yes, the fear of God should keep us from all other fears.

So what does this mean to you today? Quite simply it means that you should fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  You should acknowledge and respect Him in all your ways.  You should not continue in sin and think that there will not be consequences.  Have a sober understanding of God, His power and His expectation of you to walk in His righteousness today and every day.

Confession for today:  Father God, I declare, by faith, that I fear You with my whole heart!  I make every attempt to abstain from even the very appearance of evil.  I submit unto You and seek to please You all of my days.  I thank You in advance for blessing me with the benefits of walking in the Fear of the Lord.  Use me as light and salt today!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:8) Wisdom for Living, Strength for Life

(Prov 3:8 KJV) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Although the King James Version (KJV) has a dear place in my heart – because it is the version I used when I first read/learned the Bible – I will admit that it is not always the most accurate, nor the most understandable.  In this case, however, the KJV is both accurate and concise.  There is no need to look for alternate translations for understanding.  Solomon tells us that if we perform the proceeding verses (5-7), if we trust God with all our heart, lean not to our own understanding, acknowledge God in all our ways, allow Him to direct our path, and turn away from evil, our actions will literally be health to our navels and marrow to our bones.  Let’s take a closer look at the picture Solomon paints for us:

Navel:  It is common knowledge that the umbilical cord feeds a baby, in the womb, with everything the baby needs to grow.  The yet unborn child is nourished not by mouth, but by belly.  It is connected with its mother directly and it feeds off of her everything that it needs to develop and grow.  Just like an unborn child needs the umbilical to develop, a twice-born believer needs to be consistently connected to God to grow.  Solomon tells us that when we trust Him, when we allow His counsel (His Word) to help shape our decisions, when we are willing to adjust our lives to be more pleasing to Him, it is as if we were being fed through a Godly umbilical cord.  His life, His direction, and His strength are passed on to us by His Word, His wisdom, and His Spirit.  An unborn baby will die if the connection to their mother is severed.  A Born-Again believer will eventually die, Spiritually, if he allows his connection to His Father to be severed.  But as we trust God, as we walk with Him daily, and as we allow Him to influence us in daily affairs, we allow Him to feed us His light, His love and His life.  It is this life (God’s life) that is nourishment to our navel.  It is health and healing to every area of our lives.

Marrow:  Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of bones.  It contains blood vessels and capillaries that supply the fibers of the bones; making them less liable to break.  In other words, bone marrow gives strength to the bones.  Remove all marrow from a bone and it becomes brittle.  Restore the marrow and within a few minutes, the bone will be solid and strong again.  This is what marrow does for bones and it is what our relationship with God does for us.  Without Him, His direction, His leadership, His guidance, and His wisdom, we are frail, fragile, and brittle.  But when we walk with Him, when we trust Him daily, when we acknowledge Him in all our ways, we live the strong, solid, stable, and secure lives that God intends for us to live.  His Word, His wisdom, and His counsel are like marrow to our bones.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that God wants you to live a healthy life.  This is much more that just physical health.  When you do all that he said to do in verses 5-7 then you can be physically healthy, emotionally stable, psychologically sound, socially connected, and internally at rest.  What He said in verses 5-7 is that He wants to be a part of your life.  He wants you to involve Him in your decisions.  He wants to provide you with everything you need to live the life that He intends for you to live.  If you do that you will know what Solomon meant when He said that His wisdom can be strength to your navel and marrow to your bones.  Imagine receiving a constant supply Godly nourishment through your navel and having your bones infused with heavenly strength.  That’s what happens when you trust God with your whole heart, acknowledge Him in everything You do, and walk with Him daily!

Confession for today:  Father God, I want to live the life that You want me to live.  I welcome and apply Your wisdom in my life.  It is health to my navel and marrow to my bones.  I am healthy and strong because I allow You to influence every area of my life.  Nothing is off-limits to You.  Lead me and I will follow.  Speak and I will listen.  Feed and I will eat.  Release and I will receive.  I receive Your wisdom for living and Your strength for life!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:9) Honoring the Lord with your Money

(Prov 3:9 NASB) Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  This morning we get to a topic that is ‘touchy’ for many people: money.  First of all, let me share a few things with you about Solomon’s background.  Whenever you talk to people about money they want to make sure that you know what you are talking about first.  They don’t want to take financial advice from a pauper.  Solomon himself taught this.  In Ecclesiastes Solomon told a story of a small city with just a few men in it.  The city was attacked by a great king.  There was a poor man in the city that had the wisdom to save the city, but no one listened to him, because he was poor (see Ecc 9:14-16).  Solomon, on the other hand, was not poor by any standard.

Solomon was born as heir to the Kingdom; he was the son of King David.  He learned at an early age how to manage finances and he was destined by God to build God the house his father David wanted to build.  It would be called King Solomon’s temple, but it was the house of God.  When Solomon was ready to build he knew that he needed cedar wood and that his people were not skilled with wood.  So he contracted the King of Hiram to send the wood an the carpenters, for which he paid Hiram 125,000 bushels of wheat (1 Kings 5:11), and 115,000 gallons of pressed olive oil.  You know how much olive oil costs today.  Imagine 115,000 gallons of it.  Solomon also hired 30,000 Israelites to help the carpenters.  The project required 75,000 carriers (general laborers), 80,000 stonecutters and 33,000 foremen for supervise the project (1 Kings 5:16).  It took 7.5 years to build and some estimate the cost at well over a Billion dollars.  When the temple was ready Solomon held a two weeklong dedication ceremony during which he had 22,000 cattle and 130,000 (1st Kings 6:62,63) sheep sacrificed and offered unto the Lord.  If you do the math, that was an over $15M offering in livestock alone.  And I could show you other scriptures that show how Solomon received hundreds of millions of dollars a year in silver and gold alone.  My point is that Solomon was well qualified to talk about money.  Many consider him the richest man (money wise) to ever live.

Getting back to our text, Solomon says, “Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce.”  Before we get to the latter portion of the text let’s focus in on the words, “Honor the LORD from your wealth.”  Instead of the word wealth, some other translations say, “substance,” or “money.”  The point here is that you should honor God with your finances.  In Deuteronomy chapter 8 the Lord, through Moses, was preparing the people to enter the Promised Land (Canaan).  Moses knew that when the people got into Canaan, after spending so much time in the wilderness, they might not know how to handle the blessing.  The told them, “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deut 8:18).  When they came into money they were to remember God and His covenant?  What was the covenant?  What he had established with Abraham, that they would be Blessed TO BE a Blessing (Gen 12:1,2).   I will stop here for today, but know that we will not rush through this.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should honor God with your finances.  Money makes an excellent servant, but a poor master.  When you honor God with your money you are affirming to God that 1) He blessed you to possess it, 2) It does not posses you, and 3) You understand that you are Blessed TO BE a Blessing to others.

Confession for today:  Father God, I declare, right now, that I do and will always honor You with my finances.  There is nothing in my life, not even money, that I place above you.  Money is not my master, it is my servant.  I am blessed by it and I used it TO BE a blessing to others and to Your Kingdom.  Use me Lord, finances and all, to bring You glory; today and every day!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:9) Honoring the Lord with your Money (Part II)

(Prov 3:9 NASB) Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  I read an article yesterday about Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, the former NFL football player.  He has retired from professional football, is working on television, and most importantly, he is giving back.  He started a Foundation that helps underprivileged kids.  He teaches kids that they should live their lives out in three stages: Learn, Earn, and Return.  Biblically speaking, we are not called to wait to any particular phase of live to give back.  We are to teach our children, as soon as they can understand it, that they should honor God with all their increase.  My children give back from their allowances and from whatever they make on odd jobs here and there.  Financial stewardship should be taught early, because undisciplined spending is hard to correct.

The Bible has a lot to say about money.  I could easily teach an entire series about this.  But that is not overall emphasis of this series, so I will attempt to be brief.  Biblical giving can be broken up into the following categories:

1.  Giving to the poor:  Later on in Proverbs Solomon taught, “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed” (19:17).  This is the principle that Jerome Bettis is teaching and it is Biblical.  I often ask, “What is the purpose of discipleship, if not evangelism?”  Meaning that what good is it to learn the Bible if you are not going to use what you learn to be a blessing to others?  In the same way, what good is it to earn if not to RETURN?

2.  Giving Tithes and Offerings:  There are several scriptures that I could use for this, but for brevity’s sake I will only use one: “Bring one-tenth of your income into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the LORD of Armies. “See if I won’t open the windows of heaven for you and flood you with blessings” (Malichi 3:10).  Some Christians practice tithing and some do not.  I for one, do, and believe that it is Biblical.  Giving God the first tenth of your income (plus offering) is a small thing and it is a reminder that He is the Lord of every area of your life.  It’s OK to have money, just don’t let the money have you.

3.  Supporting Ministry:  God will ensure that you are blessed for whatever you sow (give up) for His sake and for the sake of furthering the Gospel message: Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29,30).

4.  First fruit:  Some see first fruit as the same as tithing and others as something separate.  Whatever your position, it is about giving God the first and giving Him the best of what you receive.  That’s what Solomon was teaching in our text.  Back then agriculture was a major part of commerce.  Solomon taught that farmers should give God, “The first of all your produce.”  This was the first fruit.  Giving God the first and the best.  Honoring Him as the Lord of the harvest.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that God should be the Lord of your life – and that includes your money.  I never ask for donations so I don’t have any ulterior motives here.  I just want you to enjoy all that God wants you to experience.  When you meet someone else’s need, with no expectation of a return, you experience what it is to share the love of God.  So enjoy everything God has blessed you with, but remember that you are BLESSED SO THAT you can with the purpose of BEING a BLESSING!

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for birthing a desire in me to want to give back.  I give to the less fortunate.  I am thankful for everything You have blessed me with and I know that I am blessed TO BE a blessing.  I honor You with the first and the best of whatever You bless me with.  I support those that are ministering the gospel message to the lost and I thank You for helping me to help them.  I honor You with my life, money and all!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:10) Can God trust you with Abundance?

(Prov 3:10 NASB) So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Over the last coupe of days we looked at verse 9 where Solomon said, “Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce.”  I shared with you the different categories of giving and the point is that we, as believers, are expected to be faithful stewards over everything the Lord blesses to come into our possession; and that includes our finances.  I say finances, because that is what we mostly deal with today.  The audience who would have read this back then were, for the most part, farmers.  Although they primarily dealt in grain, grapes, cattle, and sheep, I want to be clear that Biblical stewardship is not limited to these areas.  Our previous verse set called for the readers to honor the Lord (to be honorable) with their money (wealth) and produce.  For those that heeded the call, for those that were obedient to God, for those that operated honorably with their money and their crops, this verse promises an abundance of grain (barns) and grapes (vats).  What would the overflowing crops produce?  More wealth.  And why would God want to bless them with more wealth?  Because they were honoring Him – doing the honorable thing – with their wealth.  They were giving back to him and blessing the less fortunate.  Since they proved they could be trusted with abundance, then God had no problem with releasing abundance.  This is a VERY important point.  Why would God bless you with a million dollars if you are not faithful over a thousand?  If you refuse to honor God and bless others with your current income, then praying and believing for more may be an exercise in futility.

Now, let me be very clear, this is not about you investing in God.  Some can read verse 10 and think, “Alright!  That’s what’s in it for me!  I will give to get!”  No, the issue is not you investing in God; it is God investing in you.  When you prove to God that money does not have you, that you will be faithful over what He blesses you to posses, that you are willing to be a conduit through which He can bless others and that you are willing to finance ministry, then He is free to bless you without measure.  I know most believers don’t like to talk about it, but it takes money to reach the world.  It takes money for me to share this email with you and with the world via the Internet.  I have to have equipment, an Internet site, a web hosting company, an email list server, software, and etc.  It takes money to share the Word on the radio.  I have been on the radio before (and I will be again) and I know that it is not cheap.  It takes money to share the gospel via television (lots of money).  It takes money to finance missionaries.  Most of the world is still unreached.  It takes money to translate the Bible into different language.  There are thousands of languages and dialects in the world and we only have the Bible (in print) in about 450.  It takes money to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide medical supplies for the sick, and etc., etc. etc.  I could go on and on.  So why is this important?  It is important to understand because you may not be called to be a missionary.  You may not be called to preach the gospel around the world.  You may not be called to translate the Bible.  You may not be called to… you get the point.  But you can make a difference by helping those that are.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that God wants to know if you can be trusted with finances.  Can He trust you with abundance?  Can he BLESS you and trust that you will BE a BLESSING to others?  Can He trust you to give back?  Can He trust you to finance ministry?  Can He trust you to make a difference?  CAN HE TRUST YOU?

Confession for today:  Father God, I want You to know that I can be trusted with abundance.  I am not so selfish that I just want enough for me and mine.  If all I have is enough for me and my household, then I will not be able to BE a blessing to others.  You can trust me with more than enough and know that I will use it to finance ministry and to make a difference in the lives of others.  I will do the honorable thing.  You can trust me!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:11) Welcoming Chastisement and Correction

(Prov 3:11 KJV) My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Solomon jumps from the abundance of God’s provision to chastening and correction.  Walking with God is not all roses.  Sometimes we will get out of line and God has to correct us, but He does it because He loves us.  He wants us to make sure we make the course corrections necessary to get back on the right path.  This reminds me of a very familiar a passage in Jeremiah.  It says, “The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” (Jer 18:1-4).

God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house and that he would receive a Word (a message) there from what he saw.  He saw a potter working a work on his wheel with clay.  He then saw something significant.  The potter looked down and did not like what he saw, because the vessel he was working on was marred (damaged).  This caused the potter to make it all over again, into something that pleased him.  The good news of this story is that, although imperfect, the clay was still on the wheel.  The vessel might have been marred, but the potter was not through with it.  It might have been damaged, but it was still destined. It was a candidate for correction and the potter did just that, so that it could become something pleasing TO HIM!

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

  1. The Potter did not start the work until He finished it in his mind:  God knows what plans He has for you (Jer 29:11).  He declares the end from the beginning (Is 46:10).  Just like a contractor does not start on a house until the plans are completed, God already has the plan – that’s your Destiny!  When He sees you’re off-course, He provides chastisement and correction.
  2. The Potter puts the clay through a process:  Clay on a potter’s wheel endures shaping, molding, making, bending, etc.  You may feel like you have been through quite a bit of molding in the hands of God.  This is sometimes painful, but it’s always productive – the potter knows what He is doing.  It will not happen overnight, but if you remain on the wheel, it will happen.
  3. The Potter periodically checks the progress:  The unique part of this story is that the clay (you) has a choice in the outcome of the vessel.  So the potter periodically checks to see that His work is not in vain; that what He planned for the vessel to look like is actually coming to fruition.  The potter is displeased when he looks down to a marred (damaged) vessel.  He knows that the damage is a result of the decisions of the clay.  This is not His plan – not His best.
  4. Fixing the clay often requires major reconstruction:  Sometimes a potter basically smashes the clay to start all over again.  Now, I pray that God does not have to smash us, but the reality is that major reconstruction is needed, from time to time, because of our disobedience.
  5. Praise God that You’re Still on the Wheel:  God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you TOO much to leave you that way.  You may not like the chastisement and correction, the molding and making, the bending and shaping, but at least be thankful that you are still on the wheel and that He is still working with you.  If you are anything like me, you know all the mistakes you have made and you will be thankful to God for His grace and mercy!

Confession for today:  Father God, I am eternally thankful to You for loving me too much to leave me the way that I am today.  You take me – with my flaws, failures and all – and You continually work on me and with me to bring to pass Your best for my life.  Your grace and mercy are amazing and I will never cease to thank You for chastising and correcting me.  No matter how painful the process gets, I am thankful that I am STILL ON THE WHEEL!  Forward ever, backward never!  The best is yet to come!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:12) Being Mature Enough to Welcome God’s Discipline

(Prov 3:12 NIV) Because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we looked at verse 11, where Solomon said, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction.”  As we looked at that text I shared with you some observations from the story of the Potter and the Clay.  I told you that we, like the clay on the potter’s wheel, must endure shaping, molding, making, bending, and etc. if we are to become (in the potter’s hands) the image the Potter sees for us in His head.  The point being that we must accept the process.  The process is sometimes painful, but it is always productive.  Ultimately, the Potter knows what He is doing.

In the next verse we receive motivation to accept the process.  Solomon explains that the Lord only does what He does because He loves us.  Just as a father takes the time to discipline his son, because he loves him, God does the same for us.

I have two teenage children and a two-year old.  There are sometimes when my teenagers do things that I see need correcting.  Even though I am tired, even though I might not feel like getting into long explanations, even though I may prefer to ignore their actions, I force myself to take the time to correct them.  Why?  Because I love them.  Now, they may think I am being hard on them, but I am only doing what I do with their best interest in mind.  If I don’t correct them now, they might develop unproductive and destructive life-long habits.  Whether I feel like it or not, my love for them drives me to correct them, because I want to do all that I can for them and share all that I can with them.

What is it that drives a young child on a merry-go-round to wave at his parents every time around?  And what makes his parents wave back?  It is love.  It is an eternal connection.  It is an inner-bond.  It is a covenant between parent and child – child and parent.  When we understand this connection we can better receive from God.  Just like we want the best for our children, God wants the best for His.  The difference is that He never makes mistakes.  Our children often see and feel the affects of our mistakes, but they still love us.  We have a heavenly Father that never makes a mistake.  So never question His love, His motives, nor His methods.  You did not do anything to make Jehovah love you and you can’t do anything to make Him stop.  But the fact that He loves you DOES NOT mean that He will not discipline you.  The opposite is true.  He disciplines us, He corrects us, He instructs us BECAUSE He loves us.  A true mark of maturity in Christ is understanding that fact and welcoming His chastisement and correction.  I remember the look on my mother’s face when I was mature enough to thank her for raising me the way that she did.  I recounted time after time where she refused to back down to my ill-warranted desires, because she knew better and because she loved me.  As I thanked her I saw on her face what all parents want; and that is the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you did all that you could and that your children appreciated it.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should take a few moments to take self-inventory this morning.  Are you mature enough to thank God for His correction?  Or are you too immature to understand why you need it?  I pray you get to the point where you welcome God’s correction and discipline.  Without it, you will never maximize your potential in life!

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for all the times when Your Spirit convicted me of wrong and when You gave me an inner-witness in my heart that helped me to do right.  I may not always know where I am going, but I know WHOM I am following.  I declare, by faith, that I follow You with my whole heart.  I welcome your correction and I know that I need it.  Speak Lord, Your servant is listening!  I won’t fight against Your discipline!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:13,14) Wisdom is Better than Silver and Gold

(Prov 3:13,14 NIV) 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.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  We are living in uncertain times.  Millions of Americans are concerned about the future.  They see rising gas prices, an unstable economy, a nation in the middle of a long-war, and financial institutions falling left and right.  Many that are seeking peace of mind find it in their savings accounts.  Their money is their security blanket.  But 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.

What if I told you that what you are doing right now is one of the most profitable practices of your daily routine? Do you realize how important taking time with God is?  Do you understand the impact that His wisdom can have upon your life?  Our text says that those that find His wisdom and gain His understanding shall be Blessed!  Other translations say, “Happy!”  The Hebrew word used here is a word that means: empowered to prosper.  I know that some have made the word prosperity to be an ugly word in the church.  Some have pursued money to a fault.  But prosperity is not al about money.  To say that prosperity involves money is not incorrect, but it is way incomplete.  Money is just a small part of prospering in God, walking in His wisdom, enjoying THE BLESSING of the Lord.  God wants you to be physically healthy, to live a long and fulfilling life, to have fruitful and rewarding relationships, to enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference in your environment, and to die with the pleasure of knowing that you fulfilled your purpose in the earth.  Now how valuable is that?  How much is a life like that worth?  How much more significant is that than money?

Solomon had lots of money.  By most accounts he was the richest man in the world.  But he did not get there because he asked God to make him rich.  No, he asked God for wisdom.  Wisdom was the key to Solomon’s life.  Godly wisdom was the key that unlocked every other door for him.  It was the wisdom of God that made the difference.  That’s why Solomon could unequivocally say that wisdom is, “More profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

If you have wisdom and lose money, you can always get more money, but if you lose wisdom and still have money, then rest assured that the money won’t last too long.  In the next chapter Solomon calls wisdom, “The principal thing” (4:7).  Wisdom was the difference maker in his life and it can be the difference maker in yours.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should keep your perspective clear and your priorities in order.  Money is required in life and as I have stated numerous times that money makes and excellent slave, but a poor master.  Money is a necessary tool, but it should not be your number one focus.  Take time EVERY DAY with God, to learn from His Word, to receive insight and counsel, and to ensure that you are receiving the wisdom you need to face the challenges set before you.  If His wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields better returns that gold, shouldn’t you want it operating in your life?  I will close with the words of James, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (1:5).

Confession for today:  Father God, I need Your wisdom in operation in my life.  You said that if any lacked wisdom that they could ask it of You, so I ask right now, by faith.  I ask You to release Your wisdom in my life for today.  I receive Your wisdom by faith and I declare that Your wisdom in the difference maker for me.  Knowing how You want me to face every day is more precious to me than silver and gold.  Speak Lord, I need to hear from You!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:15) Wisdom is More Precious than Jewels

(Prov 3:15 NASB) She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  I consider my mother to be a woman of great wisdom.  She may not have completed higher education, but she has gained wisdom and understanding as she has traveled the course of her life.  Very few people I know are more respected than my mother.  One of the things she often told me (in Spanish) was that I should take things based upon who said them. Considering the source this morning is important, because Solomon is telling us that wisdom is more precious than jewels and basically ANYTHING that we could ever desire.  Solomon was more than qualified to make such a statement because he was both the wisest and the richest man in the land.  He made the statement because he knew that his wisdom did not come from his riches; it was the other way around.

Solomon was young when he took over the throne from his father David.  He was concerned about assuming such a great responsibility (being King) at such a young age.  The Lord spoke to him through a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  This was Solomon’s golden opportunity.  He was young, he was in charge, he was somewhat afraid, and he was seeking help from God.  God told him what we all want to here, “Ask for whatever you want!”  Now, you know that most of us would have started rattling off a list of selfish desires, but young Solomon was different.  He said, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David… you have made your servant king in place of my father David.  But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”  Wow.  Solomon had maturity beyond his years.  He did not ask for fame or fortune, he asked for wisdom and understanding; for help in carrying out the duties of the office that he had been charged with.  He knew that he was in authority, but also knew that he was under authority.  He submitted to God so that those that he led would submit to him.  All leaders should learn from his example.  God was pleased and said, “I will do what you have asked.  I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” (see 1st Kings 3).

Solomon had wisdom and riches, but he knew which had first place in his life.  He attributed all his success to the wisdom of God.  Without it, he would not have been able to lead, to build the temple, and to make the impact that he did.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that nothing should take a higher place in your life over the pursuit of Godly wisdom.  You, like my wife, may like precious jewels.  You may have other desires.  There is nothing wrong with having nice things.  God has blessed us to possess and enjoy lots of niceties, but they mean nothing in comparison to the wisdom of God.  I know that I am who I am today, because of God’s grace and His wisdom.  I am able to make an impact in the military and in the ministry because of His wisdom operating in my life.  His wisdom will make you wise beyond your years and open doors for you that no man can close.  Believe me, that is more previous than rubies.

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for blessing me to be able to keep things in proper perspective.  After receiving Your Son as my Savior, the pursuit of Your wisdom is first place in my life.  With Your wisdom I am able to be a better parent, son/daughter, brother/sister, worker, leader, servant, etc.  Your wisdom enables me to do everything that I do BETTER.  As I walk with You and You walk with me, together, we make a difference!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:16-18) The Very Tree of Life

(Prov 3:16-18 MSG) With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.  Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.  She’s the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.  Hold her tight—and be blessed!

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Hands-down, the salvation message is THE most important message in the Body of Christ.  The message of eternal life through Jesus Christ must be preached to every man in every land.  Hearing, receiving, and responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ is how we were translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.  The importance of receiving Christ as Lord is second to none in the life of any person.  But after you accept Christ, after you have been Born-Again, after you have eternal life, then what?  Salvation is not the end, but rather the beginning.  It’s not the finishing line; it’s the starting block.  After receiving Christ, that’s when true life begins and that’s when the wisdom of God is paramount.

After we are Born-Again we are able to, for the first time, really hear from God.  We open the scriptures and see them in a new light.  Why?  Because the author is then living inside of us.  Most new believers have an insatiable thirst for the scriptures.  Peter likens a new believer’s desire for the scriptures to a newborn’s desire for milk (1st Peter 2:2).  It is all new, it is all good, and it is all powerful.  I received Christ at 23 and I know that for me, that is when my life started to come into focus.  My life’s purpose was revealed to me and I am now on that path.  I teach that every believer should 1) Find, 2) Follow, and then 3) Finish their purpose, in the earth, before they die.  However, you cannot do this without the wisdom of God.

Solomon says that wisdom, on the one hand will give long life, and with the other recognition.  So when we walk in God’s wisdom, not only will our life be long, but it will be rewarding.  Who wants to live long if they are living miserable?  God does not want us to be saved, but miserably saved.  No!  He wants us to live the lives He has destined for us to live.  Solomon goes on to say that wisdom’s manner is beautiful and her life is wonderfully complete.  Another translation says that her ways are pleasant and all her paths lead to peace.  The point here is that when we walk in the wisdom of God we are able to get along with people.  We are able to have pleasant, rewarding, and meaningful relationships.  Life is too precious to attempt to live it alone.  And if that were not good enough, God’s wisdom enables us to both enjoy inner and outer peace.  He teaches us how to be at peace with ourselves and with others; physical, psychological, and social health.  This is the life God wants us to live and if we want to live it, then we will need Godly wisdom.

And finally, our text says that wisdom is, “The Very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.”  That sums it all up for me and it makes me want to embrace her.  I want to enjoy the life God wants me to enjoy and to have it I must embrace God’s wisdom.  This means that I will have to change some of my ways.  That’s a small price to pay to live life He wants me to live.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that like everything else, the choice is yours.  You can choose to accept Christ and then not make any changes, but that’s not God’s best.  If you are willing to make the adjustments that God’s Wisdom instructs and you are willing to embrace the changes He leads you to make – by His Word and His Spirit – then you will enjoy the benefits of eating from The Very Tree of Life! Hold wisdom tight and Be Blessed!

Confession for today:  Father God, first of all I thank You for making a way for me to receive eternal life through Your Son Jesus.  After receiving Christ I know that my best years are ahead of me.  Therefore, I declare, by faith, that I embrace Your wisdom and I don’t fight against her.  I make swift and accurate changes, as I am led, and I experience the best year and years of my life.  I eat daily from the Very Tree of Your Life!  I hold wisdom tight and I am blessed in every area and aspect of my life!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:19,20) Jehovah’s Wisdom is available to You!

(Prov 3:19-20 NIV) By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Think about the wisdom of God in creation for a moment.  The earth is just the right distance from the sun to make human life possible.  If the earth were any closer to the sun, we would burn up.  If it were any further, we would freeze.  It’s just on the right axis, rotating at the right speed, with the right amount of gravity, so that it remains in place.  Have you ever looked at the sea?  The waters ebb and flow without human intervention.  They draw back the right amount of sand during the day and bring it back at night.  They only come but so far and then stop.  What about the air you breathe?  We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.  Plants do the opposite and help us to cohabitate.  Without plants we would die.  Without humans plants would die.  What about rain?  Solomon mentions the clouds and the dew.  It’s like God setup an irrigation system so that water (most of the earth’s land mass) could evaporate into the air, create clouds, travel over land, and then be released where it is much needed; required for all life and vegetation.  What about the human eye?  If you ever do any research on the eye itself you will be amazed.  The tear production system, along with our subconscious blinking, constantly cleans the eyes.  Also, there is a small bone behind the eye that has a small hole in it where tears pass through.  I remember one time when my son was questioning creation and I asked him, “Who drilled the hole?”  He got the point.

I could go on and on about creation, about the interrelated and interdependent nature and order of things, but in it all we see the glory and the wisdom of God.  What’s both amazing and encouraging is that this same wisdom – the wisdom used to create the heavens and the earth, to divide the earth from the waters, to setup an irrigation system, and etc. – is available to us.  The whole point of the book of Proverbs is for us to know that God’s wisdom is available for us and He states, in no uncertain terms, that we need that wisdom to live the lives He desires for us to live.

How much would you pay for a one-on-one mentoring session with Donald Trump?  Or Bill Gates?  Or Oprah Winfrey?  Or Colin Powell?  Or Billy Graham?  Or T. D. Jakes?  Or… whomever.  My point is that there are certain people in the world that you hold in high regard.  You consider them wise and you would love to have a closed session with them.  Well, guess what?  No human as ever come close to possessing the wisdom of God.  God is the alpha and omega, the beginning and ending, the author and finisher, the first and the last, the creator and sustainer of everything and He makes Himself available to you.  He clears his schedule whenever you are ready.  He stops what He is doing to spend time with you.  He knows everything about everything and He is willing to impart His wisdom into your life, if you would only setup the time.  And guess what?  He is willing to do it free-of-charge! You can’t get a better deal anywhere.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that the all-knowing and all-wise God of everything is willing to spend time with you, to impart wisdom into your life, but you have to be willing to setup the time to spend with Him.  And it doesn’t have to take long.  I had an awesome time with God two days ago as I drove to work.  I left the car refreshed, renewed, restored, and ready to face the challenges of the day.  If you make time for God He will make time for you!

Confession for today:  Father God, Jehovah, I acknowledge the fact that you are Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient.  There is no god like Jehovah.  I acknowledge no other gods and I call upon no other name.  I come boldly to You in the name of Your dear Son Jesus.  I setup time with You daily and I thank You for honoring that time.  I ask for wisdom and You impart it into my life.  Thank You for giving the wisdom to carry out the duties of every responsibility You have blessed me to have and in it all I give You praise and I bring You honor!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:21) Do not Allow His Wisdom to Depart from Your Eyes

(Prov 3:21 KJV)  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  I like the way that Solomon keeps saying, “My Son.”  It is as if we were young apprentices sitting at the feet of a wise and time proven leader.  He is teaching us what he knows about God and life.  After exalting wisdom over and over again Solomon says, “Let not them depart from thine eyes.”  It seems as though the sentence was written backwards.  The way it is written the first part of the sentence seemingly poses a question?  What is it that we should not allow to depart from our eyes?  What is it that we should keep before us continually?  What is it [implied] that we should meditate on day and night?  He then gives us the answer and says, “Keep sound wisdom and discretion.”  He tells to keep wisdom and what wisdom enables us to do (discretion) before our eyes continually.  Yes, when we keep God’s wisdom before us, when we allow His instruction to be the ruler by which we judge every decision, when we make decisions that we know are pleasing to Him, when we involve Him in every area of our lives, we then – as we find out in the next verse – experience the lives that He desires for us to live.

What is the purpose of studying God’s wisdom, His Word, His insight, His way of doing things, if not to apply what we learn in our own lives?  Solomon warns us from learning the Word of God without learning the God of the Word.  Solomon does not want us to gain empty head knowledge.  He wants our head knowledge to become what I call “hand knowledge;” meaning that we literally perform (with our hands) those things that we have learned (with our heads).

Another thing that this verse implies is that we are in it for the long haul.  We are not to forget the things that we have learned of God.  God’s wisdom is not just applicable for the moment.  His wisdom is timeless and it is well worth holding on to for life.  There are countless lessons that I have learned in God that serve me time and time again.  But for them to pay dividends you must take the time – from time to time – to look back to move forward.

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

1.  Take the time to take self-inventory:  In our fast-paced society many live their lives so fast that they fail to take the time to realize the life-lessons God is attempting to teach them.  If you are not careful, days will turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years before you realize that life is passing you by.  Slow down enough to recognize and learn from the life-lessons God is teaching you.

2.  Take the time to consider wisely:  Over the years I have realized that many people don’t take the time to think.  They don’t weigh the magnitude of the decisions set before them, and because of it, they are prone to making mistakes.  Take the time to pray, to allow God to speak to you, to consider the wealth of His Wisdom (from His Spirit and His Word) and to judge accordingly.  Don’t let His wisdom depart from your eyes.

3.  Take the time to look back so you can go forward:  I, for one, don’t like to have to learn the same lesson twice (or more).  If you take the time to remember the life-lessons you have already learned in God then you will find that you can apply many of those lessons in your current situations.  Not allowing His wisdom to depart from your eyes is never forgetting what you have learned in God.  Sometimes looking back gives you the best perspective for moving forward.

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for Your timeless wisdom.  l take the time to take self-inventory.  I slow down long enough to recognize the life-lessons you are teaching me as I journey with you towards my final destination.  I also take the time to consider wisely.  I pray, I seek Your face, I consider Your Word and what I hear form Your Spirit concerning the decisions that I must make.  And then, from time to time, I look back so I can go forward.  I tap into the life-lessons of the past so I can apply them to future successes!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:22) Wisdom To Me and then Through Me

(Prov 3:22 TNIV) They will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Yesterday we learned how important it is to keep God’s wisdom before us continually.  His wisdom enables us to walk discreetly; to make sound decisions that take us incrementally closer to God’s desired destination for our lives.  This morning we learn that this ability – the ability to make sound judgment and to walk in divine wisdom – becomes life for us.  The New American Standard Bible (NASB) says, “So they will be life to your soul…”  I have shared with you before that your soul is comprised of your mind (your thinker), your emotions (your feeler), and your will (your chooser).  When you walk in divine counsel daily you think, feel, and choose wisely.  Mentally you are sharp and alert, emotionally you are stable and secure, and you literally train your will to choose the will of God.  You learn to make astute and accurate decisions.  So yes, wisdom and discretion become life to you, they become life to your soul.

I really like the latter portion of the text.  Solomon tells us that this ability to walk in divine counsel and to choose wisely will become like an ornament that graces our neck.  If I read into it I could say that Solomon was painting a picture that God’s wisdom around your neck enables your head to make good decisions, but I don’t believe Solomon was speaking figuratively.  I believe he simply meant that when you walk in God’s wisdom and make sound decisions then you will be known for it.  You will wear wisdom and discretion like a gold chain.  Wisdom and discretion will adorn your neck and all will know that you are a man/woman of wisdom.

What do you want to be known for?  We are all known for something.  When someone asks about you to someone else, what is the common answer?  Some are known for their athletic ability (sports), others for their artistic ability (song, dance, etc.), others for their inability to get along with people (snobbish), others for their love for people (caring), and I could go on.  I believe you get the point.  But what are you known for?  Wouldn’t you like to be known for wise counsel?  Wouldn’t you like to be sought after for Godly advise?  Wouldn’t you like to be called upon when a tough decision has to be made?  If so, then seek God’s wisdom and you are on the road to becoming that person.

The guy that drew me to Christ was a Staff Sergeant (SSG) in my platoon in Kuwait in 1995 named Leo Jacobs.  I too was a SSG but I was clearly not like SSG Jacobs.  Every third word that came out of my mouth was a cuss word.  I still had a Brooklyn mentality and I led by fear – all 150 lbs of me (back then).  When SSG Jacobs spoke it was obvious that he and I were different.  He was articulate, sound, and sought after.  Everyone respected SSG Jacobs and sought him out when they needed help (military or otherwise).  This is what drew me to him and he led me to Christ.  I later found out that he was walking in the counsel of God.  I still talk Leo Jacobs (now a retired Master Sergeant) from time to time and I still seek his advise.

So what does this mean to you today? It boils down to two things: when you walk in wisdom and discretion they become both life for you and for others.  God’s wisdom will obviously change your life, but the more you walk in it, the more others will see it (around your neck) and seek it from you.  So not only can divine wisdom impact you, but if you allow God to, He can impact others through you.  This is how you become the light and the salt God desires for you to be.

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for gracing me with Your wisdom.  I know I have a part and I declare, right now, by faith, that I do it.  I seek your counsel daily and I allow Your Word, Your will, and Your way to shape my decisions.  Help me to be known as a person that walks in Your counsel.  Use me to be light in the midst of darkness.  Use me as a conduit of Your wisdom, so that You can impact others through me.  Your Word ministers TO ME and then it ministers THROUGH ME!  I speak this by faith!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:23) Safety In His Counsel

(Prov 3:23 NIV) Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Yesterday we learned how God’s wisdom upon our lives becomes life to us and through us.  We become known as wise and sought after for Godly counsel.  Solomon now tells us that when we walk this way, when we allow God’s counsel to be the foundation for our decisions, we enjoy both safety and security.

The songwriter wrote, “The safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God.”  Solomon, later in Proverbs, wrote, “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (11:14).  Now, I hope you know enough about Solomon to know that the implication is that the multitude of counselors he refers to are providing Godly, not worldly, counsel.  It does no good to seek a multitude of counsel if the counsel you are seeking is bad.  Solomon’s father (David) taught us that we are blessed when we DO NOT seek the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1).  So it is obvious that we should seek counsel, and that there is safety in seeking counsel, but the counsel we seek must be rooted and grounded in the counsel (The Word) of God.

Don’t you want to know that you are doing the right things?  That you are making the right decisions?  That you are heading down the right road?  That you are taking on the right endeavors?  At the end of the day, none of us want to lead our families down paths that lead to failure, fear, and frustration.  We want to know that we are leading our families down roads that are safe, secure, and certain.  This is where the counsel of God comes in.  Solomon took on many endeavors, one of which – the building of the temple – was a billion dollar project.  He oversaw construction for years, not to mention the fact that he was also running a nation at the same time.  Solomon knew a thing or two about taking on major projects and making decisions that had major impact, but he took them all on with the wisdom of God.  Looking back he tells us that when we walk in that same wisdom, when we seek Godly counsel, when we allow God to influence our decisions, then we will be safe and we will not stumble.  Now, let me warn you.  This does not mean that you will be perfect.  This does not mean that you will not make mistakes.  This does not mean that, in God, you are flawless.  Because we all know that we miss it from time to time, but what it does mean is that we can recover.  When we walk in the counsel of God we get back up from every mistake with an ability to look up (towards God) and to look forward (towards our future).

I like the way the Message Bible translates our verse.  It says, “You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip.”  I can attest to the fact that when I know I am doing what God wants me to do that I don’t tire.  Knowing His will enables you to tap into an ever-flowing well of confidence, courage, and strength.  You move forward with the excitement and expectation of experiencing Godly success.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that when you seek God – through prayer, His Word, or others – and you believe you know what God desires for you to do in a certain situation, it gives you both confidence (in believing for success) and peace (in believing for safety).  Never underestimate the power of confidence and peace.  Seek Godly counsel.  Go forth to do great things for God, with God.

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for placing people in my life that can speak Your counsel to me.  I declare, by faith, that I receive Your counsel through prayer, through Your Word, and through Godly others.  Knowing that I have Your counsel gives me confidence, courage, and strength.  I don’t tire or trip.  I move forward and not backward.  I look up and not down.  My hope is rooted and grounded in my relationship with You and Your counsel for me.  I enter this day with a confidence and peace that cannot be shaken!  I am safe in You!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:24) Sleep and Rest

(Prov 3:24 NLT)  You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Yesterday we learned that when you truly believe you have received the wisdom/counsel of God on something, then you approach the task with fearless confidence and undisturbed peace.  There is safety in God’s counsel.  Solomon goes on to teach us that when we walk in that safety, confidence, and peace we are able to resist fear and sleep well.

Most Americans don’t get enough sleep.  Studies for years have shown that we need eight hours of uninterrupted sleep to function at our maximum level.  However, the reality is that most Americans don’t get eight hours of sleep.  Knowing that, a mattress company is currently running an Ad that says, “Most of us are lucky to get six hours of sleep.  With this mattress you can get a better six.”  So now, “A Better Six,” is their slogan.  Whether you are trying to get six, eight, or more hours of sleep, the point is that we all need it.  God has set it up so that we live our lives out in increments of days.  We need sleep to help rejuvenate our minds and bodies, so that we are ready for the challenges and opportunities of every day.

It is worth noting that many of the people of Solomon’s time would read this verse differently than us today.  We read it and our focus is on the latter portion – sound sleep.  However, many of them would have read it and focused on the fact that when you are safe in God you can go to sleep without fear.  Remember, many of these people lived in tents or makeshift dwelling places.  Security was an issue and some even had to post night guards.  This is lost on many of us who live in secure communities, with many homes being protected and monitored by alarms and security agencies.  But Solomon’s point is that beyond the alarms, beyond the safe neighborhoods, beyond the locked doors, there are many people who still can’t sleep, because they are not at rest in their minds and in their hearts.  When you believe you are walking in the wisdom of God, it gives you an unshakable peace that enables you to get both sleep and rest.

Solomon’s father David said, “I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, LORD, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8).  I know a thing or two about the Lord keeping me safe.  In Brooklyn I was shot at several times, I had a .357 magnum placed to my head when I was 11 years old, I have had knives placed at my throat, and have escaped many a close call, by the grace of God.  I know that if God kept me safe in Brooklyn back then (and He did) that He will definitely keep me safe now.  That is why fear is not a factor for me.  I lie down and sleep soundly, because I know Lord keeps me safe.  Another thing David taught was that God never sleeps.  David said, “Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps” (Psalm 121:3).  The point here is that there is no need in both of us staying up.  If God is up, then we can go to sleep.  He can protect us from seen and unseen dangers, whether we are asleep or awake.  Our trust must be in God.

So what does this mean to you today? It means God wants you to get both sleep and rest.  I see rest as a spiritual thing.  We can burn ourselves out if we fail to enjoy a Sabbath (one day of rest a week) and if we fail to enjoy the rejuvenating, refreshing, and restoring power of sleep.  So walk in the counsel of God, set your mind at ease, and when you lay down to sleep trust God for both sleep and rest.  That way you can live a long and productive life in Christ!

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for blessing me with Your wisdom.  I apply Your wisdom to my life and it gives me fearless confidence and unshakable peace.  I declare, by faith, that fear is not a factor for me.  I trust You totally and I know that You neither slumber, nor sleep.  Since You are awake, then I can go to sleep.  There is no need in both of us being up.  When I sleep, I sleep well.  I get both sleep and rest and I enter every day with the energy and excitement of knowing that I am ready to be used of You in again.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:25,26) Where is Your Confidence?

(Prov 3:25,26 NIV)  Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message I taught you that God, who watches over us, neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:3).  I told you that since He’s awake, we can go to sleep and sleep well.  There is no need in both of us staying up.

One of the major impediments of sleep is worry.  Many people, even Christians, stay up late worrying about tomorrow.  They worry about the unknown.  They worry about the economy.  They worry about gas prices.  They worry about this and they worry about that.  I remember when I first came to Christ.  There was an older lady in the church that we called, “Momma.”  Momma told me one time, “Baby, if you are going to pray, then don’t worry.  But if you are going to worry, then don’t pray.”  If you are worrying, then you don’t have any confidence in your prayer.  You can’t trust and worry at the same time.  Just like you can’t be in fear and in faith at the same time.

After telling us to get some sleep – without fear – Solomon drives home the point.  He instructs us, under the wisdom of God, not to fear sudden disasters or the ruin that overtakes the wicked.  Will bad things happen in this world?  Sure.  Do bad things even happen to good people?  Of course.  But the answer is found in the latter portion of the text where Solomon says, “For the LORD will be your confidence.”  There is a constant battle for our minds and our hearts; basically, a battle for our confidence.  Faith is having confidence in what God said.  Fear is having confidence in what the enemy said.

Let’s say you read your Bible, have an intimate time with God in prayer, and receive a Word from your Pastor that all tell you that you things will be well with you.  If you believe that and make your decisions based upon that belief, then that is: Walking by faith! But let’s say that after listening to your Pastor, on your way home from church, you hear bad news about the economy on the radio.  Then you go home and watch the news and things are looking grim.  You then get a call from your cousin who just lost his job.  They enemy, at that point, will do everything he can to get you to lose your confidence in God.  Once you give up the confidence and start having more confidence in the negative input from the enemy, you will find yourself believing that things are not going to turn out well with you.  Before you know it you will be making decisions based upon that belief.  Do you know what that is?  That’s Walking by Fear! Fear moves satan, just like faith moves God.  The enemy will use anything he can to get you to fear.  Once you are afraid you will not, you cannot, come to God in faith, because you have lost your confidence.

So what does this mean to you today? It means fear is a choice, just like faith is a choice.  You can choose to walk in confidence in God or not to and the major battle is in your mind.  If the enemy can get you to be afraid – with a constant barrage of negative information – he can cripple your relationship with God.  The Bible tells us 365 times (in some form), not to fear.  That’s at least one Word from God not to fear for every day of the year.  So don’t – not now, not ever – allow the enemy to rob you of your confidence in God.  Paul asked the question, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).  The answer is: Anyone that wants to lose!

Confession for today:  Father God, I declare, right now, by faith, that I have fearless confidence in You.  You Lord, are my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  You Lord, are the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  I live under the protection of the Most High God and stay in the shadow of God, the All- Powerful.  You spread your wings over me and keep me secure.  I don’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day.  Nor do I fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.  Though thousands may fall around me, I will not be harmed, because my confidence is in You!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:27) Using Your Position for Good

(Prov 3:27 NIV)  Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt with confidence and how if your confidence in God is intact, it will enable you to resist fear.  Solomon goes on to teach us about doing good to others.  Many scholars interpreted this verse with money in mind.  As I read through a few commentaries on this verse this morning most commentators said that we have a responsibility, from God, to Be a Blessing to others, with our money, once we realize that God has blessed us with it.  The Message Bible translation lends itself to this interpretation saying, “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.”  I like the way that we become God’s hand and how we become the conduit through which God blesses others, but I can’t see this as just money.  My challenge is with the words, “Those who deserve it.”  When giving to the poor, most of the time it is not because someone deserves it.  You give to those in need out of compassion, not merit.  So when I read this verse this morning and as I prayed over it I see it as a Word to leaders.  This verse tells me, as a leader, that we should praise those that we lead, when they deserve it.  Now, this could be at work, at church, or at home.  Whether you are leading a staff, a congregation, or a family, the same holds true.

In our society positive news is no news at all.  Negative news and gossip spread like wildfire, whereas positive news is hardly interesting.  Most leaders (parents included) are quick to correct something they see being done wrong, but are not as quick to praise those things being done right.  I know that as a father I have had to force myself to shower praise on my children, because if I don’t praise them, then who will?

Solomon was a leader with levels upon levels of subordinates.  He was a leader of leaders.  Surely he made corrections when he needed to.  Without the corrections he would have never achieved what he did in his years on the throne, but he gives us a glimpse this morning into another aspect of his reign.  He lets us know that leaders are not only affective when they correct, but also when they realize that their position of leadership can be used for praise.  As a leader in the US military I can tell you that it is a rewarding experience to be able to submit a subordinate for an award; or to praise him/her in front of their peers.  As I read this verse I see that we do it because, 1) they deserve it, and 2) it’s in our power to do it.  The problem comes when people deserve it, but those that are in the power to do it never do.  Tomorrow Solomon will teach us a thing or two about procrastination.  So I jump the gun a little this morning and remind you, as a leader, to not put off recognition.  It may seem like a small thing to you, but it is a big thing to the person that is being recognized.  That worker wants to know that someone is paying attention to his/her effort.  That child wants to know that their parents see how hard they are working in school.  A word of praise goes a long way.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should take a few moments this morning to survey those around you.  Who have you been withholding good from, that deserves it?  And now that you realize it, what are you going to do about it?  Remember, God blessed you to be in a position where you can BE a blessing to others.  Why not use that position for good?

Confession for today:  Father God, I thank You for giving me the power, for placing me in a position, to BE a blessing to others.  I will not just use my authority for correction, but I will also use it for praise.  I praise and recognize those that deserve it and in-so-doing, I become a conduit of Your love, Your grace, and Your goodness.  Use me Lord as an emissary of good today and every day.  I want to become the hands through which You bless others.  As I enter this day I am determined to BE a blessing within my sphere of influence.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:28) Overcoming Procrastination

(Prov 3:28 NLT) If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt with using the position and power the Lord has given you for good.  Whether it is praising someone for their efforts or blessing someone financially, we are to seek to BE a blessing to others every chance we get.  This message flows in the same vein.  Solomon tells us that if our neighbor needs our help and we have the ability to help them, then we should do it.  Don’t tell them, “Come back tomorrow,” when you have the ability to help them today.  This is a matter of doing what is right, because it’s right, and then doing it right.  If you call yourself a Christian, but you never do the things that Christians are supposed to do – like give to God and others, show compassion and mercy, walk in love and forgiveness – then at some point you will need to question your status.  What good is it to be enough light for others to come to you for help, but then not be enough light to actually provide it?  Especially when you know you can.

James says it this way: “Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything?  Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?  For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend!  Be clothed in Christ!  Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup–where does that get you?  Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” (James 5:14-17 MSG).  At some point your video must match your audio.  Empty words don’t make the impact that God wants us to make.

When it comes down to it, this verse is about fulfilling obligations.  When we are presented with opportunities to BE a blessing we must realize that they are divine appointments, setup by God, for us to be conduit through which He can bless others.  Wouldn’t it be a shame if God would through all the trouble of setting up the appointment, but we allowed procrastination to keep us from doing what He expected us to do? Whether it is giving to the poor, giving at church, repaying a loan, returning a tool, or fulfilling a promise, never allow procrastination to keep you from doing what the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart to do.  Never allow procrastination to cause you to miss an opportunity to BE a blessing.  You and I both know that ‘waiting for tomorrow’ just doesn’t work.  Do all that you can do NOW and deal with tomorrow when it comes.

So what does this mean to you today? Two things:

1.  God wants to use you to bless others:  God does nothing in the earth without a human.  If God wants to make a difference in your environment (and He does), then why not sign up for the task?  Sign up for duty and watch how God blesses others through you.  But be careful, when He sets up the divine appointments, don’t blow them off because of procrastination.  If you fail to do what He wants you to do, He will use someone else to get the mission done and you will miss the blessing of being used by God.

2.  Procrastination is NEVER God’s M.O.:  Search the Bible and you will NOT find ONE time where God said, “I will do it tomorrow!”  Not once!  God is always a RIGHT NOW God and if you want to please Him you need to learn to be a RIGHT NOW person.

Confession for today:  Father God, I declare, by faith, that I break the back of procrastination in my life.  I do what You want me to do, when You want me to do it.  I make swift and accurate changes as You lead me.  I am a man/woman of my Word.  I fulfill every natural and spiritual commitment and I do so on-time.  I prove myself to be faithful so that You can use me to make a difference in my environment.  Use me Lord for Your glory!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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

(3:29) Live at Peace with Everyone

(Prov 3:29 MSG)  Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt overcoming procrastination and helping those that you can help, when the help is needed.  Solomon is still talking about our treatment of others, but now the emphasis is no longer on just giving, but rather getting along.  God, through Solomon, is teaching us how to treat others.  He wants us to be unifiers and not dividers, to be menders and not breakers.

Solomon knew that we only have 24 hours in a day and we want to use our time, energy, and effort in the right way.  We need to be good stewards of the abilities the Lord has given us and, for the believer, it does no good to waste time devising schemes to do people wrong; especially people who live among us who have not done anything wrong to us.  Under the Old Testament, ‘an eye for and eye’ concept, some believed it was OK to repay evil with evil.  That’s why Solomon makes it clear that he is not talking about someone who has done you any wrong.  This is someone who is your neighbor, who lives at peace with you, and you trusts you.  For you to take the time to devise an evil scheme against them, without any provocation, and then carry out your premeditated evil, is a double-sin.  It’s a sin of your heart and your hands.  This is definitely NOT the expectation of God for the believer.  Moreover, the New Testament requirement is even higher.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28,28).  Paul said, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves…  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”  And then Paul, summing it all up, says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (see Rom 12:12-18).  That’s the bottom-line.  God expects us to do all that we can to live at peace with everyone.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that God expects you to be a peace-maker, not a peace-breaker!  He expects you to walk under a higher standard.  He wants you to live above the ‘eye for an eye’ mentality.  Bottom-line: He wants you to walk in love.  Now, I know that things like loving your enemies and blessing them that curse you are hard pills to swallow for average Christian.  However, God calls you to excellence, not average.  There are too many people that are “turned off” from God, Christianity, and the church, because of people who claim to be Christians, but fail to walk in God’s love.  Loving God and loving man are the commandments of Jesus.  I entreat you to allow the Love of God to wash away the resentment, bitterness and anger that your past may have embedded in your soul.  Walking in His love can heal past hurt, remove past pain, and renew you into the person God intends for you to be.  This way you can truly treat others the way God wants you to treat them and the way that you want to be treated.

If God loves you and treats you well, even with all the mistakes that you make, then why not share that same kind of forgiving love with others?

Confession for today:  Father God, You empower me to love.  You equip me to walk in peace.  You employ me as an instrument of godliness in the earth.  Your blood covers me, Your Spirit guides me, and Your love rules me.  I walk peaceably with all men.  I do not allow any corrupt communication to proceed from out of my mouth.  I am a blessing and not a burden.  I am a help and not a hindrance.  I build up, not tear down.  I am a peace-maker, not a peace-breaker!  I am Your child and I walk in Your love this day and for the rest of my life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

(3:30) Not being Argumentative

(Prov 3:30 CEV) Don’t argue just to be arguing, when you haven’t been hurt.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt living in peace with everyone.  This message flows in the same vein.  Basically, it boils down to walking in love.  Love is God’s highest standard, because God is love (1st John 4:8&16).  Solomon urges us NOT to be like those that are out to pick a fight.  They want to get into confrontational situations, even when the situation doesn’t call for it.  I know it is unrealistic to think that you can walk through life without having a disagreement with anyone, but you can disagree without being disagreeable.

Jesus said, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults–unless, of course, you want the same treatment…” (Luke 6:37 MSG). To pick on someone is to intentionally cause undue stress; to hassle, annoy and irritate.  Have you ever met someone who constantly harasses others?  I don’t mean the person that jokingly plays around, but the one that finds pleasure in intentionally aggravating others?  These people are constantly seeking to identify contentious areas in the lives of others and when they find them, they take every opportunity to “push their buttons.”  Simply put, love does not act that way.  Love seeks to minimize and not magnify the weaknesses of others.

This reminds me of something that Paul wrote in what is commonly referred to as “The Love Chapter” in his first letter to the church in Corinth.  In that chapter (1st Corinthians 13) he explained, “Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.”  The main characteristic of love that lines up with what Solomon is teaching is kindness.

Love is kind.  Webster’s dictionary defines the word kind as being disposed to do good to others; to make others happy by granting their requests; having tenderness or goodness of nature; benevolent.  If you read that definition again and you think of the ministry of Jesus you will quickly see that Jesus was kind.  He was disposed to do good to others.  He was inclined to meet their needs.  He was good natured and benevolent.  I mention that because Jesus is our ultimate example.  As a matter of fact, we identify ourselves as Christians.  The word Christian literally means “Like Christ.”  So if we claim to be like Him, shouldn’t we make every effort to live like He lived, walk like He walked, and act like He acted?

Paul also instructed us to be “…kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (Eph 4:32).  A person who is kind is constantly looking for ways to be a blessing to others.  They are literally seeking opportunities to do good, not to argue.  Arguments drain you, being a blessing to others recharges you.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that it is not wise, nor healthy – physically, relationally, or career wise – to be argumentative for the sake of being argumentative.  You don’t want to be ‘that person’ that no one wants to talk to.  If you are, then how can you be a witness for Christ?  You are surely being known for something, but it is the wrong thing.  No one will ever be drawn to the light in you if they can’t SEE it.  When you are overly argumentative God’s light is either dim or is not shining at all in your life.  So walk in love, be kind to others, and seek to make the impact in your environment that God intends for you to make!

Confession for today:  Lord God, I declare that I am NOT argumentative.  I am disposed to do good to others.  I seek to make others happy.  I seek to be a blessing and not a burden.  I enter this day with my heart attuned to Your heart.  I am listening for Your leading.  Lead me to those that You are looking to bless and I declare that I will be the channel through which Your love can flow.  Use me to bring peace, not turmoil, to my environment today.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

(3:31) Following After that which is Right

(Prov 3:31 NIV) Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt with not being argumentative.  As you can see, Solomon has been on a roll, teaching us how to get along with people.  He is teaching us how ‘The righteous’ ought to live.  It’s not that walking in love makes us righteous, but righteous people walk in love.  It’s not that avoiding unnecessary arguments makes us righteous, but righteous people avoid unnecessary arguments.  Now he tells us that righteous people don’t envy violent or cruel people and they don’t copy their ways.  In other words, righteous people don’t covet the lifestyle of the unrighteous and they don’t use them as examples worthy of emulation.

God is using Solomon to teach us life lessons.  He knows that if we follow the wrong people we will wind up in the wrong place, doing the wrong things.  If we are not careful, we can die without fulfilling our God-given purpose.  Solomon provides us another warning later on in Proverbs, saying, “Don’t envy evil people or desire their company” (24:1).  He doesn’t even want us to desire the company of the unrighteous, because he knows that we can be influenced by the people we CHOOSE to hang with.  My mother understood the unrighteous environment I grew up in (Brooklyn, NY), so she daily told me, “Son, show me who you hang with and I will tell you who you are.”  In other words, “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.”  The people we choose to associate ourselves with says a lot about us.  More importantly, the people we choose to follow will directly affect our lives.  Solomon warns us about copying or imitating the wrong people.

Since Solomon was clear on what types of people we should not copy or imitate, you may ask me, “Rick, so what types of people should I imitate? To answer that question I point you to the words of the writer of Hebrews.  He said, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.  Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).  In other words, he is saying, “Observe the lives of righteous leaders, of those who live their lives in accordance with the scriptures, of people who live by faith; and then imitate the faith you see in them.”  Now that’s sound counsel.  Imitating the lifestyle of the faithful will do us well.  Allowing righteous leaders to share their life experiences with us, and then applying their lessons to our own lives, is a way to learn from the mistakes and successes of others.  The point is, we should not have to learn every lesson ourselves.  Paul drove home this point in his first letter to the church in Corinth.  After teaching them about the lessons our forefathers had to learn, he said, “These things happened to them as examples for us.  They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age” (1st Corinthians 10:11).

So what does this mean to you today? I sum it all up with two things:

1.  Your desires should be pure:  You are not to envy the wrong people or the wrong things.  You are expected to like the things God likes and dislike the things He dislikes.  This way you can pursue your desires, because they are pleasing to God.

2.  Your examples should be righteous:  Following people of faith and learning from their lessons (good and bad) is a way to maximize your time in the earth.  It’s not about imitating their clothes, or their things, or the way they talk or walk; it’s a matter of imitating the faith they used to live a life pleasing to God.  You are the just and you are called to LIVE BY FAITH!

Confession for today:  Lord God, I follow after that which is right.  I flee from evil.  I have no desire for the things that are not pleasing to You.  My heart is turned towards and tuned into You.  I love what You love and I yearn for the things You want me to have.  I follow after righteous leaders.  I observe their lives and I learn from their examples.  I search the scriptures and learn from the pioneers of faith.  I follow after the lifestyle of the faithful and I live the life of faith You desire for me to live.  I am the just and I live by faith!  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

(3:32) The Secret

(Prov 3:32 KJV) For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt with following after that which is right.  Solomon’s point was that we should not attempt to emulate those that, in the eyes of God, are not worthy of emulation.  If we are going to follow after the example of anyone, we must ensure that that person is setting a righteous example.  We should love the things God loves and hate the things He hates.  Now, I used the word hate in reference to God and I know that many people don’t see God that way.  They see God as a loving, caring, sharing, and forgiving heavenly Father; which He is.  But God is not afraid of taking positions.  God is clear on what is right and wrong in His sight.  We live in a society today where people want to make concessions for everything.  In an attempt to “Not offend” anyone they make excuses for sin and open doors to things that God closes the door to.  I guess if Jesus were on earth today He would not be considered “Politically Correct.”  One time, when dealing with the religious leaders of the time who were coming up against Him, Jesus plainly said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire” (John 8:44).  Jesus was not afraid to call right right and wrong wrong.

Solomon was not afraid either, he clearly states that the froward are an abomination to the Lord.  The word froward comes from the words from and ward.  In other words, these are people that are walking from and not towards God.  The dictionary definition of this word is: willfully contrary; not easily managed; habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition.  This is definitely NOT the way God expects us to live.  Neither does He expect us to have a desire to pattern ourselves after those that live this way.

Our society seemingly idolizes the rich and famous, even if their lives are froward.  There are many teenagers, even in the Body of Christ, that idolize singers, actors, and athletes.  They get caught in what they see in the movies, in music videos, and on the television magazine shows, but they fail to acknowledge the fact that many of these people are NOT living lives pleasing to God.  Many a teenager today, when asked who their hero is, mentions one of these people, regardless of their personal convictions and lifestyle choices.  Simply put, with the righteous, this should not be.  We have what Solomon calls “A Secret.”  If you have it, then you know what I am talking about.  If you don’t, then it is hard to explain.  This secret, this inner knowledge of God, this inward reality of His presence, it is what we, as believers, should strive to feed and please.  There is something unexplainable about knowing that God is IN you, ON you, WITH you, and FOR youWhen you realize that God is literally walking with you as you enter your day, you can’t help put have a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and a song in your heart.  When you realize this, when you know this secret, then you have no need to envy the unrighteous.  I deal with high-ranking officers in the military from time and time and I am never intimidated.  Why?  Because I know this secret.  I know that if they are not in Christ, then I would have to take a demotion to be them.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should recognize and respond to the secret God has given you.  Know who you are in Christ.  Understand the reality of God’s presence in your life.  Once you do, then you will have no need to envy those that don’t have THE SECRET!

Confession for today:  Lord God, I know who I am in You.  I realize THE SECRET.  I am covered by Your blood, anointed by Your Spirit, called according to Your Purpose, and empowered to make a difference.  I have no need to envy anyone that does not have You in their lives.  Me with You, You with me, together we make a difference today!  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

(3:33) The Home of the Righteous

(Prov 3:33 NIV) The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt with “The Secret” that is with the righteous.  Solomon told us that the froward (those who are live willfully contrary to God), do not possess the secret.  He plainly stated that they are an abomination unto the Lord.  He continues to flow in that same vein this morning as he paints another contrast between the life of those that walk with God and those that walk without him.  I read through many translations before deciding to use the NIV for this morning.  The King James, for example, calls the dwelling place of the wicked a house, while calling the dwelling place of the righteous a habitation.  I felt in my Spirit that I needed to highlight the differences in these two and that is the focus of this message.

As I looked at the original Hebrew words used for the two dwelling places I learned that Solomon used the Hebrew word bayith for the dwelling place of the wicked (or twisted).  This word can be translated: house, court, dungeon, prison, etc.  The word he used for the dwelling place of the righteous is the Hebrew word naveh, which can be translated: home, habitation, lovely, house of God (temple), pleasant place, residence, pasture, etc.  These are clearly two different words and Solomon is clearly painting two different pictures.  He wants the readers to know that the house of the wicked, although it might be a physical structure – it might even be a nice one – it is void of the presence of God.  Solomon calls it cursed.

God does not need to curse anyone or any place.  The world is already cursed.  Because of the fall of man (Adam), satan became the prince of the power of the air.  We are all born into sin and shapen in iniquity.  We don’t have to do anything to walk in the curse.  But when we accept Christ, when we Born-Again, when we are covered by His blood, anointed by His Spirit, and translated out of the kingdom of darkness, we are no longer under the curse.  At that point we are in God and He is in us.  We are connected to the Blessing of Abraham and the Blessing of Jesus.  My point is that God does not have to actively curse the house of the wicked, just the mere fact that He is not welcome there, that He does not take up residence there, makes the place cursed.  The absence of God leaves the house subject to the curse of the world.  On the other hand, the dwelling place of the righteous is not just a house, but also a home.  Believers dwell there and so does God.  Jehovah is welcome to take up residence and His love abounds within the walls.  Angels establish a hedge of protection around the land and believers are able to enter their homes to enjoy the safety, peace, love, and rest of God.  Their homes become a sanctuary in which they can kind rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.  They can come home to get refreshed and renewed so that they are ready for another day.  That’s what God wants for the home of the righteous, and believe me, that’s what you want for your home.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that God wants your home to be your refuge; a place where both you and He can dwell together.  He wants you to be able to come home and enjoy the same recharging and rejuvenating power you receive when you go to church.  He wants your home to be a sanctuary for you and your family.  But you have a part in this.  Don’t willfully disrupt the peace of your home.  Avoid arguments and strife, bitterness and discord.  Allow God’s love to permeate through your home so that you and your family can enjoy the dwelling place He desires for you to have; a place where He can meet with you and you with Him.

Confession for today:  Lord God, I declare what You have already decreed.  My home is blessed, because I am the righteous.  You are welcome in the home You have blessed us to have.  You have free reign!  You make our home a refuge; a place where we find rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.  Our home is our sanctuary and we will not do anything to disrupt the peace and serenity of it.  I thank You for dwelling with us, Lord.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

(3:34) Remain Little in Your Own Eyes

(Prov 3:34 GNB) He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  In our last message we dealt with the house of the wicked vs. the home of the righteous.  Solomon now gives us another contrast between the life of those that walk pleasing to God and those that don’t.  He tells us that God won’t use the conceited or the proud, but He releases His favor upon the humble.  This is the Hebrew (Old Testament) version.  Two New Testament Apostles quote this verse in Greek saying, “God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 & 1st Peter 5:5).

To be conceited is to have or display a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance.  We learn this morning that this character trait can literally cause God’s favor to cease from operating in our lives.  Believe me, you don’t want to be on the other side of God’s resistance.  We see an example of this in 1st Samuel chapter 15.  The Lord spoke to King Saul through the prophet Samuel and said, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord.  This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites… Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them.  Do not spare them… ” (verses 1-3).  But King Saul only partially obeyed.  Partial obedience is disobedience.  Saul decided to allow the King of the Amalekites (Agag) to live.  He also decided to keep the best of the sheep and cattle alive, supposedly to offer up a sacrifice to God.  God sent the prophet Samuel to express His displeasure with King Saul.  In verse 17 we see what God told Saul through Samuel.  The Message Bible says, “When you started out in this, you were nothing – and you knew it.”  The King James version says, “When thou wast little in thine own sight.”  What was the problem?  Saul had gotten to the point where his self-importance as King caused him to disobey the God that he was supposed to be serving with the position in the first place.  He got the point where he thought he could rule without God.  That was a fatal mistake for Saul.  Soon after this event God elected David to replace him.  David ruled as King of Israel and had a son named Solomon. It was David’s son, King Solomon, that wrote the words we read this morning.  Solomon must have learned from his father that it is better to be humble than proud.  He was a King, he was on the throne, he was in authority, but he was not foolish enough to believe that he had gotten there solely based on his own merit and that he could rule and reign without the God that placed him and his father there.  Was he a leader?  Yes!  But he was a servant leader that understood that in God, the quickest way up is down and the quickest way down is up.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you should thank God for everything he blesses you to do, every position He blesses you to obtain, and all the influence He blesses you to yield; and you must NEVER get to the point where you think that you have done it all on your own or that you don’t need God.  Stay little in your own eyes.  Over the years I have learned that the closer you get to God the less you think of yourself, and the more tolerant you are of others.  If you are conceited, high-minded, and you constantly look down on the mistakes/faults/flaws of others, then it is an indication of your immaturity.  As you grow in Christ you will learn that you are only where you are by your effort (Yes), but more importantly, by grace of God (1st Cor 15:10).  So if you want God’s favor to continue to flow in your life, remain little in your own eyes and seek to be the conduit through which God can bless others daily.

Confession for today:  Lord God, I appreciate whom You have made me to be and I keep the proper perspective.  I acknowledge that You are the source of my success and the reason for my being.  I honor others and do not look down upon them.  Your love in me keeps me balanced.  Thank You Father for allowing me to succeed, while still keeping the proper perspective!  No mater how high You bless me to go, I remain little in my own eyes!  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

(3:35) The Wise vs. The Foolish

(Prov 3:35 TNIV) The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  We have been in this series for over 13 weeks now and we are just getting to the end of chapter three.  We have 28 chapters to go, but the Lord, through Solomon, has already taught us a wealth of wisdom.  In the 90 verses we have covered thus far we have clearly seen the benefits of walking in the wisdom of God and the folly of those that ignore it.   Solomon has unashamedly painted two pictures: one for those that walk with God and one for those that don’t.  It seems like verse after verse, Solomon continues to add brush strokes to both paintings as he clearly does this morning.  He tells us that the wise have an inheritance of honor, but fools (those that ignore God’s wisdom) get only shame as their reward.

I believe the teaching of this verse holds true both in time and eternity.  In time – right now, here on the earth – those that choose to walk in the wisdom of God are able to enjoy the benefits of receive earthly honor.  Applying God’s Word to their lives enables them to establish a good name (reputation), earn the admiration of others (respect) and become persons of influence (recognition).  These are people that, although highly respected, maintain a balanced self-image and understand that they do what they do with and under the grace of God.  They don’t make the mistake of thinking that they are where they are completely on their own merit.  People that walk in the counsel of God are hard-working, humble, and highly tolerant of others.  However, those that ignore the wisdom of God are left only with the wisdom of the world; wisdom that promotes self-centeredness, pride, and personal achievement, even at the cost of others.  Solomon says that people that live this way will eventually receive nothing but shame.  Their treatment of others and their focus on themselves will eventually catch up with them.  They will receive their reward.

Even of greater important is the eternal reward.  In eternity we will all be judged and those that walked in the counsel of God will receive the honor of heavenly crowns.  Even if you suffered for Christ’s sake, here in the earth, even if you were ridiculed for believing the Bible and it’s teaching, it is nothing compared to the reward you will receive for walking in His wisdom.  Paul had been through quite a bit for the cause of Christ and he wrote, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).  He also wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2nd Corinthians 4:17).  Yes, no matter what you endure for the cause of Christ, it is nothing compared to your eternal weight of glory.  On the other hand, those that choose to ignore the counsel of God are not only resigned to living their lives under the lesser wisdom of the world, but they will also be judged and damned.  They will walk without God here in the earth and they will live without God for eternity.  In time they ignore the counsel of God, in eternity they will wish they hadn’t.

So what does this mean to you today? It means that you have a choice.  As you read this verse you see two categories: the wise and the foolish.  Which one do you want to be?  Both have consequences in time and eternity.  Choose wisely.  Choose God.  Choose Christ! I close with the words of Moses.  I tell you what he told the Israelites.  “I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse.  Choose life so that you and your children will live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Confession for today:  Lord God, I thank You for making the choice clear.  You have laid before me life and death, blessing and cursing, and then you gave me the answer to the question.  You told me to choose life so that I and my children would live.  I pass the test.  I choose life.  I choose You.  I choose Christ.  I choose Your Word, Your wisdom, and Your way.  I live my life under Your counsel and I receive a reward, both in time and eternity.  No matter what I face now, for walking in Your counsel, it is nothing compared to my eternal reward!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.