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.
Friday, January 4, 2013
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.
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!!
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!!
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!!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
The Real Treasure
1Thessalonians 4:3-6
3It is God's will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.
Many have no idea why what is being done is a problem other than they're told not to but no one sees the harm in it. So what's the problem? As detailed in the NIV Study Bible, "sexual sin harms others besides those who engage in it. In adultery the spouse is always wronged. Premarital sex wrongs the future partner by robbing him or her of the virginity that ought to be brought to marriage."
No you cannot change the past but what you can do is make a choice going forward for your future. If you know you are with someone that you do not wish to marry, are not supposed to marry because God said it was off or who doesn't want to marry you, why rob the person they are supposed to be with of something that God says belongs to them? Do you know you are robbing the one God has set aside for you that hasn't arrived yet? Do you know that each time you have sex with someone there is a transference of a spirit? If that person is not of the Holy Spirit you are opening yourself up to control and domination by things that are not of God? What's the problem you ask? The problem is that if you have been messed over so much by those who are not for you, when the one who is for you arrives, what's left? Will it be one who is whole? Or will it be one who has been torn apart by others and is so confused that they cannot let the one God has for them in? Believe it or not, Satan doesn't like true unity. True unity starts with God and then with one He has designed for you. But if Satan can get you off course, then you won't be united to the one God has designed for you. You'll miss it and can even mess it up if you have not been cleansed of what wasn't for you. What's the problem? The problem is Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. Satan wants nothing more but to turn upside down anything that God desires. What God desires brings Him glory. Satan wants the glory just as he did when he was in heaven, which is why he was banished. So who will get the glory in your life? Who will be able to say "this is my creation." What "God" has put together no one can tear asunder but what is not of God, will fall. You are robbing you, your future partner and most importantly God of getting the glory from your life. How much longer must you rob yourself, your future partner and God? How much longer will desire to trust yourself in using your own devices to find happiness or rely on God, who already knows the end of the story and is there to help you so you have a great ending?
Let God remove the fake pearls so He can show you the real treasure He has waiting for you.
3It is God's will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.
Many have no idea why what is being done is a problem other than they're told not to but no one sees the harm in it. So what's the problem? As detailed in the NIV Study Bible, "sexual sin harms others besides those who engage in it. In adultery the spouse is always wronged. Premarital sex wrongs the future partner by robbing him or her of the virginity that ought to be brought to marriage."
No you cannot change the past but what you can do is make a choice going forward for your future. If you know you are with someone that you do not wish to marry, are not supposed to marry because God said it was off or who doesn't want to marry you, why rob the person they are supposed to be with of something that God says belongs to them? Do you know you are robbing the one God has set aside for you that hasn't arrived yet? Do you know that each time you have sex with someone there is a transference of a spirit? If that person is not of the Holy Spirit you are opening yourself up to control and domination by things that are not of God? What's the problem you ask? The problem is that if you have been messed over so much by those who are not for you, when the one who is for you arrives, what's left? Will it be one who is whole? Or will it be one who has been torn apart by others and is so confused that they cannot let the one God has for them in? Believe it or not, Satan doesn't like true unity. True unity starts with God and then with one He has designed for you. But if Satan can get you off course, then you won't be united to the one God has designed for you. You'll miss it and can even mess it up if you have not been cleansed of what wasn't for you. What's the problem? The problem is Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. Satan wants nothing more but to turn upside down anything that God desires. What God desires brings Him glory. Satan wants the glory just as he did when he was in heaven, which is why he was banished. So who will get the glory in your life? Who will be able to say "this is my creation." What "God" has put together no one can tear asunder but what is not of God, will fall. You are robbing you, your future partner and most importantly God of getting the glory from your life. How much longer must you rob yourself, your future partner and God? How much longer will desire to trust yourself in using your own devices to find happiness or rely on God, who already knows the end of the story and is there to help you so you have a great ending?
Let God remove the fake pearls so He can show you the real treasure He has waiting for you.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Meditate on Love
Psalm 48:9
9Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
The psalmist celebrated God's protection of Zion. The temple here in this verse does refer to a building. But did you know your body is also God's temple? How so? God created you did He not? He has also housed in you His Holy Spirit once you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. So then you are His temple. And in that temple you ought to meditate on His unfailing love. Tomorrow is the day designated that we celebrate the birth of Christ. Without Christ, we would not have a direct connection to God the Father and creator. Without Christ, there would be no Holy Spirit left to comfort us and direct us from danger. Without Christ, there would be no instruction on how we can live a life full of love because it was by His act of love that He stayed on the Cross to suffer and die so that He would resurrect and defeat death for the remission of our sins. It was by an act of love that God even sent Jesus to be born so that Jesus would live in the physical to fully identify with us. So if nothing else, THIS Christmas, meditate on Love. Meditate on God's love for you and just how PERFECT it is. Recognize that the greatest gift you have and will ever receive is the one and only JESUS CHRIST. Recognize that unless you know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, you really do not know true unconditional love. Meditate on Love..how it was demonstrated for you and then and only then can you recognize the love you have to offer to others and those who love you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!
P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show Mondays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
9Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
The psalmist celebrated God's protection of Zion. The temple here in this verse does refer to a building. But did you know your body is also God's temple? How so? God created you did He not? He has also housed in you His Holy Spirit once you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. So then you are His temple. And in that temple you ought to meditate on His unfailing love. Tomorrow is the day designated that we celebrate the birth of Christ. Without Christ, we would not have a direct connection to God the Father and creator. Without Christ, there would be no Holy Spirit left to comfort us and direct us from danger. Without Christ, there would be no instruction on how we can live a life full of love because it was by His act of love that He stayed on the Cross to suffer and die so that He would resurrect and defeat death for the remission of our sins. It was by an act of love that God even sent Jesus to be born so that Jesus would live in the physical to fully identify with us. So if nothing else, THIS Christmas, meditate on Love. Meditate on God's love for you and just how PERFECT it is. Recognize that the greatest gift you have and will ever receive is the one and only JESUS CHRIST. Recognize that unless you know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, you really do not know true unconditional love. Meditate on Love..how it was demonstrated for you and then and only then can you recognize the love you have to offer to others and those who love you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!
P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show Mondays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Claiming It In His Name
John 16:2
2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
It's amazing the level of wisdom Jesus gave to the disciples that they really had no idea. Besides the miracles and teachings, Jesus gave direct warnings. He warned the disciples about the type of natural disasters they could expect but also the behaviors and actions of people. Jesus knew people like no other because He and the Father created man and Jesus was sent to die for the remissions of our sins. He told the disciples that people were going to kill and claim that it would be in service to God. That's deep! But here's the important point Jesus makes in verse 3, anyone that does so doesn't know God nor do they know Jesus. For anyone in law enforcement that is reading this message, this your biggest clue that anyone who tells you they killed someone because it was God's will or He told them to do it, you know that it is not of God. No matter what the cause, God is not in favor of anyone taking someone else's life to further their cause. In fact, that's playing God and He is not to be mocked as is said in Galatians 6:7.
2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
It's amazing the level of wisdom Jesus gave to the disciples that they really had no idea. Besides the miracles and teachings, Jesus gave direct warnings. He warned the disciples about the type of natural disasters they could expect but also the behaviors and actions of people. Jesus knew people like no other because He and the Father created man and Jesus was sent to die for the remissions of our sins. He told the disciples that people were going to kill and claim that it would be in service to God. That's deep! But here's the important point Jesus makes in verse 3, anyone that does so doesn't know God nor do they know Jesus. For anyone in law enforcement that is reading this message, this your biggest clue that anyone who tells you they killed someone because it was God's will or He told them to do it, you know that it is not of God. No matter what the cause, God is not in favor of anyone taking someone else's life to further their cause. In fact, that's playing God and He is not to be mocked as is said in Galatians 6:7.
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