Whose Wisdom Are You Following?

James 3:15-16

 

15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

 

The scripture brings a whole new meaning to 1Corinthians 14:33 which states, "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." Many of us have heard the first part of 1Corinithans 14:33 but without giving thought to what it really means. The word has stated there are two types of wisdom, God's wisdom and the world. The wisdom reflected by God is from the Greek word "Sophia" as said in the NKJ Study Bible. The wisdom from the world in simple terms is demonic.  And this is why the spiritual gift of discernment is necessary. God is wisdom but not all wisdom is of God. As a matter of fact, the word says in Proverbs to seek wise council. The apostle Paul speaks of godly council but if you are not surrounded by men and women of God who conduct themselves as such, what wisdom do you think you will receive? The world teaches you to do things for self-seeking reasons while the wisdom of God ALWAYS teaches and communicates the concern and well-being of others as brought up in the Study Bible. How so? The self-seeking wisdom of the world is focused on doing whatever you can the easy way; whatever requires the least amount of sacrifice. But God teaches you, "no pain no gain or "No cross, no crown." The greatest reward will come from the sacrifice you make to do things in accordance to God's plan for your life, His direction, which means no shortcuts. For example, God gave you a means or money to support not only your family but also the kingdom of God from which you have greatly benefited but you would rather use the help or dollars He gave you to play the lottery because the jackpot is big. You were not being a wise steward of the talents/money He gave you. Another example, "God gave you a command to teach His people to prepare them for greater works of service but you listened to "your boy or your girl" who said let's go to the club and get our drink on which you know means you won't get up Sunday morning and be prepared to teach God's people the Word that they may be ready and mature in Christ for His service and not being tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine as said in Ephesians 4. Whose wisdom are you adhering to? The path you take is directly related to the wisdom you receive and the choice you make to act on it. If you are confused about anything, know that God didn't confuse you. God makes Himself very clear and is ALWAYS mindful of your future as said in Jeremiah 29:11 as well as the future of those around you and keeping His reputation in tact. Whose wisdom has dictated your life? Hint, if you have no peace and contentment about anything and have that sick feeling in your stomach that hits every time you think about the choice you made, then chances are you followed the wrong wisdom. Seek God and He will answer as the Word says in Matthew 7. Seek God and His kingdom and those HE shows you to be of His name and not perpetrators attempting to imitate being an angel of light but are really of darkness as is described of Satan.

 

Doing it For Love

Romans 13:8

 

8Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

 

The law means the Ten Commandments. The Lord talks continuously in His word about the "motive" or reason for someone saying or doing something is important. It is mentioned in Proverbs repeatedly but also Jesus spoke about what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart and people claiming to do things in the name of the Lord but being turned away at judgment. And the apostle Paul spoke about love being the greatest no matter what gift you have to give to the world in 1Corinthians 13. Why? Precisely the question. Why? Why are you doing what you are doing? Jesus spoke about the Pharisees loving the place of honor yet they had no regard for the people they were supposed to teach and lead. Do you realize that by Jesus talking about people who gave to the needy and claimed to be prophesying in His name He was saying that doing something just for the sake of doing something or to receive your own recognition is no better than not doing it at all? Why? Because God wants you to be motivated by love. "What's love got to do with it?" EVERYTHING!! The Word says in 1John 4:8-9 that God is love and anyone who does not love does not know God. And His demonstration of love was by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus demonstrated His love by sacrificing His blood and life on the cross for you and I. So your motivation is important. If you are not motivated by love first and foremost, then it means nothing. If you are not giving, teaching, leading or doing anything else with love for others as your motivation, then why do it? 

 

 "Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do but how much love we put in that action" ~ Mother Theresa 

 

What is your motivation? Are you doing it for the love of God? For the love you have for others? If not, then it's as empty as not doing it all.

 

P.S. My sincerest condolences to the Mandela family and to all in South Africa in the passing of a great icon. Dr. Nelson Mandela demonstrated his love at the price of giving up 27 years of his life. A clear demonstration of love. He demonstrated like the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and many others, that the suppression of a group of people because of the color of their skin does not have to be tolerated. He also showed the modern world that a Black man could be president of a country and lead it. Thank you God for the 95 years you gave to Dr. Nelson Mandela.

Discernment at Work

Nehemiah 6:12

 

12Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

 

God moved on Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and to rebuild the city. While God was moving on the heart of Nehemiah to take the lead in rebuilding the holy city, God was also moving on the heart of King Artaxerxes to financially plant a seed and provide whatever was needed for the rebuilding. Now Nehemiah had been serving King Artaxerxes and was faithful in doing so. Tobiah and Sanballat were upset when they learned that the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt. And from that point on, they decided to plot to stop the building. Tobiah and Sanballat came at Nehemiah from every angle they knew how. They had already devised slander in writing. However, when that did not work, Tobiah and Sanballat sent someone from the house of Shemaiah who they paid as a secret informer to "prophecy" or prophe-lie as is often said in the kingdom of God when someone gives a false prophecy and are not sent by God himself. Prophets are to be the mouthpieces of God. They are to speak what God is saying, to give encouragement, God's direction and rebuke when necessary. So if God didn't send them, whose mouthpiece are they? Just something to think about. Now why would someone go to great lengths to do such a thing? These people were actually enemies of the Jews as a whole who had tried many times to destroy the Jews. Rebuilding the wall and the city was representation of the strengthening of the Jews and their reuniting after their captivity which the enemies did not want. Nehemiah did not allow himself to be distracted, paid off or scared into aborting the plans God gave him. The prophe-lie given to Nehemiah was that people were coming to kill him if he didn't stop rebuilding.

 

So what does this mean to you? Hmmm... Did you know the enemy of your soul uses these same tactics? Did you know there are people that the enemy uses just like Tobiah and Sanballat used someone from the house of Shemaiah to be a secret informer?  Remember the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. So if you are moving in the direction God has for you and the enemy is upset, he will send threats and even scare tactics. He may even send someone to prophe-lie to get you so wound up that you stop moving with God's plans. Like Nehemiah, you have to "perceive" or use the spiritual gift of discernment to understand the spirit of the person and more importantly, the motive behind what is being said to you. For that is what the gift of discernment does, it divides between good and evil. It divides truth from lie and shows the motive behind whatever words are said and what spirit they are said in and the heart of the person saying them. God sometimes allows you to see the plans of the wicked and gives you strategies to combat. 1Corinithians 2:13-16 and 1Corinthians 12 which gives insight to how God uses the spiritual gift of discernment. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines discern as 1) to detect with the eyes: distinguish 2) discriminate 3) to come to know or recognize mentally. So in essence God teaches you to use your spiritual eyes to see what the natural man cannot see. If you need help to see so as not to get tripped up by the enemy, ask God to show you and He will for the sake of His plans.  Sanballat kept inviting Nehemiah to sit down and discuss as a means to get the full plan but also to distract Nehemiah away from the time he was to spend doing what God told him. You cannot entertain everyone when God tells you to do something. You cannot give away the plans God has given you. You cannot give your attention to people who do not mean you well. If God shows you that someone is off and has intention to hinder the plans of God, BELIEVE HIM! God's Word is always true and He is a man that cannot tell a lie in a world where so many do.
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Keeping the Peace

Isaiah 48:18

 

18Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

 

The prophet Isaiah received a stern word of correction from the Lord for the people of Israel. Israel had become idol worshippers and rebellious but wanted to "give the appearance of being religious" as the NKJ Study Bible notes. But to think that God could not see was very bold and not bright at all. Yet, the Lord deferred His anger as the word says. The people of Israel brought on their own drama and turmoil because of their refusal to obedient. God allowed the lack of peace.

 

If you ever want less drama and more peace in your heart and life, the best way is to be obedient to God and continue to seek Him and sit before His face. Psalm 119:2 says, "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!  Many do not seek God and wonder why there is no peace. What is peace? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines peace as 1) a state of calm and quiet; esp: public security under law 2) freedom from disturbing thoughts or emotions 3) a state of concord (as between persons or governments); also an agreement to end hostilities.  In other words, if you want to keep things agreeable between you and God and everything in your life, just lovingly follow His direction for your life. When you don't, you upset your own balance of emotions because stubbornness is the doorway for the drama to take over the peace in your life. Yes, God will allow situations to work together for your good as said in Romans 8:28 meaning He will use the drama to teach you. Some drama is not of your doing but is a storm for God to show His glory. The condition is that you have to be willing to learn. Either way, submission to God at some point will bring about greater peace. Taking hold of the peace and keeping it requires seeking God. Whether it's now or later, is up to you.

Desire to Serve

Mark 10:38

 

38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

 

The brothers James and John asked Jesus if they could sit at His right hand. They admired the power and authority Jesus had as the Son of God. Jesus made a point to share with them that they really didn't know what they were asking for. Jesus' entire 33 years was about service and sacrifice. Jesus traded His riches in Heaven with the Heavenly Father to become the sacrificial lamb for you and I. His entire existence on earth was about serving just as He serves even now by interceding on our behalf each time we sin. His blood is remembered and as long as you and I grab hold of it, our full judgment is spared.

 

There are so many who say they want to lead or be a leader. Real leadership means serving. Real leadership means putting others before yourself. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines serve as 1)to work as a servant 2)to render obedience and worship God 3)to comply with the commands or demands 4) to work through or perform a term of service (as in the army) 5)Put In (served five years in jail) 6)to be of use: answer 7)Benefit 8)to prove adequate or satisfactory for 9)to make ready and pass out 10)to furnish or supply with something 11)to wait on ~a customer 12)to treat or act toward in a specified way 13) to put the ball in play. Two of the thirteen definitions are about doing or performing something for someone other than yourself. Many want a seat of honor like the disciples James and John. A seat of honor in the eyes of Jesus has nothing to do with your title or ranking but has everything to do with are you willing to serve someone other than yourself? The NKJ Study Bible notes, "He illustrated genuine greatness and spiritual ranking in His own life as He served others rather expecting other to wait upon Him. He covered His glory for a time and assumed the humble role of a lowly servant." It takes humility to serve. Jesus had every right to be served based on who He is alone but His purpose for coming to earth was not about Him being served. His mission was to be a servant so that you and I could have a relationship with God the Father so He could look upon us again. If your mission in life and in Christ is to sit at a seat of honor or to receive special treatment, yet you do not wish to serve, you missed the point and have shown you are not worthy of a title. God does not care about titles if you cannot serve.  Revelation 3:1 says "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." The NKJ Study Bible notes, "Its citizens zealously promoted emperor worship and were known for their luxurious, indulgent lifestyles." But it doesn't say they were willing to serve. A title with no desire to serve is the same as having a name that you are alive but you are dead. The Word of God said it.

God Made You

2Chronicles 8:22-23

 

22So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

 

King Solomon's kingdom at the time of his reign was from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt. And for anyone who is not aware, Egypt is in Africa. King Solomon was given the throne by God himself. God told King David who was going to take his place. Before David made the public announcement of what God shared with him, Solomon's older brother, Adonijah, attempted to exalt himself and make himself king. Adonijah even held a banquet to this effect but God did not appoint him.  Jesus said himself that one ought not invite himself to the seat of honor. David recounted God's revelation to him about Solomon in 1Chronicles 22. When God first revealed to David who would succeed him, Solomon had not yet been born. Just as God told Jeremiah in the first chapter, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," so He knew Solomon. King Solomon did not appoint himself. God exalted him to the place where he sat. God told King David that his son's name would be Solomon, but more importantly would also be His son and that Solomon would call Him Father. Solomon was already predestined to know God. And because He sought God with a willing heart, so God gave him wisdom and exalted him. Solomon did not obtain the wisdom himself, if it were not for God, Solomon would know nothing nor have nothing. Not only did Solomon inherit the wealth of the kingdom God handed over to him through his father David, the wisdom of God was so powerful that he was sought out. And for every visit, the earthly kings shared their wealth. So it was what Solomon obtained from God that led to his increased wealth.

 

What does this mean to you? 1)God truly does know who you are even if you don't. He's waiting for you to seek Him out so He can show you who you are. He knew you before your parents knew you. 2)God gives the wisdom, knowledge and power to get wealth. The wisdom from God created the greater wealth. So again, apart from God, no one knows anything nor has anything no matter how many degrees are behind your name or what is in the bank account. God made you. 3)God is the one who exalts you at the time He deems. And if you appoint yourself to something He didn't say was yours, God will reveal otherwise at the time He deems which may not be a convenient time for you.

Showing Gratefulness

Good Morning,

 

Like many who have saw #The Best Man upon its release in 1999, I was excited to see #Best Man Holiday last Friday, November 15th. I planned for the laughter; what I didn't plan for was the tears and the lesson on how a woman's love could inspire a man, her children and all the friends she adored. The central characters were still the same with a few additions that stirred a pot of gossip and jealousy but the love of God prevailed which is what the character, Mia, always displayed. Overall, it was an awesome movie that I highly recommend. There's a reason for this today.

 

We are officially in the Holiday season and not because the commercial ads are talking about Black Friday. We are in this season because you see the Christmas decorations up and people are preparing their homes for guests. Since the passing of my late Dad, this season was the hardest for me. His birthday is December 14th. When December would hit I would be full of tears, crying everyday because I missed him and it was his favorite time of year, not just because of his birthday either. My late Dad was a loving and giving person. For a few years I stopped decorating my house and even putting up a Christmas tree. After my own near death, which I talk about in my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning!, I had a change of heart. I stopped looking at what I lost as such a bad thing. I remembered the second chance God gave me because He didn't have to give it. The Lord could've taken me in March 2008 like he took my late Dad in March 2005, sudden and during the same period of time. I was reminded and decided it was time to be grateful and give thanks. Like King Hezekiah who pleaded for his life in Isaiah 38, I pleaded in tears for mine and God answered. I realized through God's Word that obedience and thanksgiving is the way to show gratefulness to Him. When you are grateful for what someone has done for you, you show them as much as you can and you respect them, thank them and show them. Showing isn't just in words, showing is action. The apostle Paul said that love is an act. So it brought new meaning to what Jesus said in John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me." Obedience to God ought not to be out of some ritualistic belief. But ought to be out of love. God wants our love because He is love and first loved us as said in 1John 4. I am understanding at a new level that obedience is my reasonable sacrifice for one who has saved my life not just spiritually but physically when He didn't have to. I am grateful.