Thursday, April 26, 2012

An Unintended Pitfall

Proverbs 3:7
7Do no be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

It's interesting when you tell God "I know what I'm doing", yet have not the slightest clue as to what is coming around the corner. Does this example not sound like one plagued with arrogance? God is the creator of wisdom but why do so many leave Him out and claim to be wise? What does it mean to be wise? According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary wise is defined as someone who shows good sense and judgement. In other words, one doesn't just easily take a path. God is the beginning and the end so why wouldn't He know the beginning and end of our journey and every pitfall waiting? Fearing the Lord means recognizing that He knows ALL and what is best for you at ALL times. But how many times do you wait until after the pitfall to look to Him for wisdom? And to shun evil, simply means to not entertain it. If evil is coming from the south,you must go north. Too many of us entertain evil which is not the sign of good judgement. Entertaining evil is a good way to hit a pitfall that the Lord intended for you to skip over. An unintended pitfall means a lesson that comes with serious bumps and bruises. Some pitfalls are worth skipping if you just look to the Lord for your wisdom.

P.S. Check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network on www.live365.com!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Spiritual Currency

1Timothy 2:18-19
18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take of the life that is truly life.

An investment in spiritual currency is like none other. The apostle Paul wrote his letter to Timothy about treasure. Most think of treasure as financial but treasure can be whatever is valued. The highest currency to our Lord is not in paper money but in spiritual. Why? Because God is spirit and we are to worship Him in spirit and in truth. What is spiritual currency? It is in an investment in the Kingdom of God. Well how does one invest in the Kingdom of God? Not only is it doing good but having the willingness (wanting) to share and planting seeds in others so that they can go forth and fulfill their purpose. Many do not understand when you invest in the kingdom of God, it is not a small investment but rather greater than anything you can give. Every investment in the kingdom of God whether through your pocket book, kindness, encouragement or knowledge and wisdom you give to assist someone gets documented into the Lamb's book of Life. When you depart from your natural body, Your spirit has to give account face to face with the Lord on what you have done. If all you have done is just about you, you, you then what spiritual currency have you acquired? None. But when you look beyond how you can benefit and concentrate on providing what someone in the kingdom of God needs, you are making a deposit. Your reward can be earthly if God so chooses but often your reward is stored in heaven waiting for you because you looked beyond yourself. Bless God this day if you have made an investment into the kingdom of God with spiritual currency!!!

P.S. Get Your JOY In The Morning is now available through www.sears.com! To every single leader (title or no title) that has poured into me, I THANK YOU graciously for depositing into me for the sake of the kingdom of God (knowingly or unknowingly). Your deposit was indeed a spiritual investment documented into the Lamb's Book of Life. That is not small but HUGE!!! And I LOVE YOU for it!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

First Judgement, Then Deliverance

Micah 4:9
9Why do you now cry aloud-
have you no king?
Has your counselor perished,
that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

We don't always miss the water until the well runs dry. When we do not look at what God has given as a gift but something deserved, it's a sign of arrogance. That's exactly when God will "show out". He will change things in an instant or blink of an eye. God showed Micah the coming fall and exile of the Jews. The Jews once said they wanted a king to rule over them not God. The Jews wanted to be like the other nations, not set apart. Between the actions of their kings and their own actions, they sealed their fate of judgement. But God is a forgiving God. He will bring the judgement for the purpose of bringing one to a place of humility. He will take away all that one relied on so that God is the only one that can be consulted. What have you been looking to as your king and counselor? What about God? Have you ignored Him? When He removes all that you have looked to, where will you go? Deliverance will come for you when you recognize that God is the source of every good and perfect gift, not you.

P.S. It's official!! My second book went into production last week!! I am truly grateful for those God used to provide their personal testimonies that contributed to the book!!! It will take you through a range of emotions as though you are part of the story and promises to be an awesome read!!!

Monday, April 23, 2012

It Has to Die

John 12:24
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

We don't like to think about this and sometimes it hurts. Things have to die. How else can God create something new? We've even heard the saying, "Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die." Well our old bodies have to die in order for our spirit's to take on a more glorious form....hmmm. In the Fall season, leaves change color, die and fall off the trees. The leaves have to die but in the Spring, new life brings new green leaves. With the fall season, there is death. But with Spring there is life. Everything in life starts with a seed. Fruits, vegetables and even us. We are seeds. We affect the things around us. But sometimes it's in death, that we see just how much new life has been created. We sometimes attempt to hang on to things for selfish or blind reasons but when God says it has to die, let it die. What seeds in your life need to die in order that God may fertilize the soil to produce new life? It has to die. So let it.