Friday, January 4, 2013

A Fool in Luxury

Proverbs 19:10

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury- how much worse for a slave to rule over princes.

King Solomon was given a lot of wisdom by God. One thing that still holds true today is the reality of a fool. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines a fool as one who lacks sense and judgement and also does things thoughtlessly, is aimlessly idle and acts in ignorance. So then it would stand to reason that a fool who lives in luxury will do what? A fool will waste what they have, take advantage, over indulge and misuse it. For a slave to rule over princes is even worse. How can these two things even be compared? Well a fool is slave to their own mentality and lack of judgement, therefore to rule over anyone who is of high standing and who does have sense and good judgement is of no value. What does this mean to you? A fool will continue to do the same thing over and over. But one of wisdom learns from mishaps and is more thoughtful and will seek guidance from God rather than to act in haste. A fool refuses to acknowledge their limitations while one with wisdom understands they do not have all the answers and seeks the source of the one True God to get answers. One with wisdom when put in a position of favor will be wise with it. Do not be a fool or slave to anything but that of Christ. Be one who walks in wisdom.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Public Introduction

Luke 8:45

45"Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

Sometimes a person's introduction to Jesus is made public not by them but by Jesus himself. Why? As the NIV Study Bible states, Jesus wanted to show the power of the miracle that had taken place. Therefore the only way to do it was to have a public introduction. So the woman with the issue of blood had to come forward. She had pressed her way to Jesus because she had tried everything else. She had spent all her resources for twelve years. She had seen every doctor she could see. And though she was considered ceremonially unclean and could've been severely chastised for making a public appearance while she was considered unclean, she pressed her way to Jesus. She was hoping to go unnoticed since there were so many people. She was hoping that she would only need to touch the hem of his garment, not even him, but his garment that his grace and healing power would be extended to her. Such a public act she sought but yet wanted to go unnoticed. It's these types of acts of faith that will garner a public introduction to Jesus. By Jewish tradition she should have been ashamed of herself, but by Jesus, there was no shame. Therefore her public exposure was to introduce the miracle and who she was because of her faith in a man she had never met. And it gave further evidence that even if you have never been introduced to Jesus, if you believe enough to press your way through whatever the circumstance or need, He will want to meet you personally no matter where and who is present.

BLESS GOD!! Someone has just had their public introduction. Be not ashamed.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Praise God Anyhow!

Job 1:21

21and he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised."

Job was an extremely wealthy man both materially and spiritually. He was known in the land of Uz and in the East for being a great a man. Job was a man who walked upright in the sight of God. In short, Job had favor with both God and men. In this scripture, Job received the news that he lost all his children in one blow. That is enough to dishearten anyone and bring them to a place of anger and resentment. But not Job. Job recognized that he came into the world with nothing and when he was to depart there was nothing he could take with him. That acknowledgement alone speaks volumes. Many are so fixed on what has been acquired during life here on earth that it is easy to forget that this place is not the final destination and nothing acquired here can be taken to the final destination but that of one's heart. And more importantly, Job recognized that God is the giver and only God gives the authorization for anything to be taken. Many of you know the story that Satan did not see anyone who was worthy of being tested but God said, "Have you considered my servant Job?" God thought enough of Job as an upright man that surely even when Satan put him to the test, he would still praise and serve God. After losing all seven of his children, Job still praised God! That is a lesson for everyone. In the midst of your trial, whether it is losing someone or something, praise God anyhow! Why praise God in the midst of loss and tragedy? Because first of all, God considers you worthy enough to be tested. God considers enough of your character, your faith, your love for Him for a test or tests to even come. And even more so, He knows that when the test or tests are complete, you will come out with greater faith, greater praise than you did before you went into the test. And for Job's faithfulness during the test, he received greater materially after then he had before he walked into the test. What does God desire more than anything? He desires to be worshiped and praised and that's why you were created. To worship and praise Him with your life and every gift that He has placed within you. Your test always leads to greater, even if it doesn't seem like greater to you because of a loss, it's greater to God because more is gained than meets the eye. At the end of Job's test, not only did he receive greater, but his friends even learned something and were brought to a greater understanding and appreciation of God. So no matter what your circumstance, just PRAISE GOD ANYHOW!!

Monday, December 31, 2012

The Ripple Effect of Fear

Proverbs 29:25

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

King Solomon was clear on this. Too many fear man more than they fear God when God is the one who has ALL power. The proverb references another scripture which actually tells why the line of David was chosen to rule over Israel. King Saul, who was chosen by the people of Israel, was given instructions from God by the prophet Samuel.  But what did Saul say to the prophet Samuel about his sin?

1Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them."

And Saul's sin nearly led to the destruction of the Jews nearly 500 yrs later if it were not for God placing Queen Esther's on the thrown to for the purpose of one heroic act. When God says not to do something, He does so for a reason. You may not see the "why" but as King Solomon pointed out, the one who trusts in the Lord is kept safe. When the Lord says to stay away from something it's because it's for your safety. The Lord is not trying to usurp your fun or being a mean dad. He cares enough about you and doesn't want to see you at an "unnecessary crossroad" that you don't have to endure if you would just hear Him and then take heed. Saul's sin actually numbered his days as king and for his family. Whenever you do something in this world whether it is good or bad, there is a ripple effect. The ripple effect touches everyone you touch and touches everyone they touch. So either you will either hurt yourself and others or you will make things better for yourself and others. Fearing man over God always puts you in an unpleasant situation.

The choice is yours.

P.S.
Remember to check out the relaunch of the Leap of Faith Show  Mon-Fri 6-9am ET on the Leap of Faith Network on www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the new Get Your JOY In The Morning segments coming to you in 2013!!!!  HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!