A House is Not a Home

Proverbs 21:9

 

9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

 

This may sound like a sting to some women but God used King Solomon to address a very real situation. Remember, every scripture is God breathed and applicable. It is a very real situation in that it is the quickest way for a man to leave home. Luther Vandross said, "A house is not a home when the two of us are far apart." The book of Song of Solomon provides the illustration of courtship and marriage as one of happiness and where the husband and wife have a true oneness. The NKJ Study Bible begins the translation of verse 9 as, "The portrait of marriage God paints in Scriptures is a most intimate relationship in which husband and wife grow to become lovers and best friends." The translation goes on to say how husbands are commanded to love their wives as stated by the Apostle Paul and, "a wife is commanded to respond to her husband and to respect him but a contentious spirit says, I will not respond to you and I do not respect you."  But what does it mean to be contentious? Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines contentious as, 1)likely to cause disagreement or argument 2) exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes.

And there it is. If a woman is fighting a man tooth and nail on every decision, every aspect of life at home, then she will see the result of a man who does not wish to be at home. This is not to say that a woman is to be docile. If you want to argue constantly, then become a lawyer in the courtroom or seek a public office. A home is to be one of peace. It does not mean that there can be no difference of opinion but pick wisely on that which God is directing. Our God is Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace. If there is no peace then God is missing somewhere as peace is a blessing from God.

The Naked You

Psalm 32:10

 

10Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.

 

The psalm of David speaks of God's mercy. You often hear, "I thank God for grace and mercy." But do you understand what true mercy is? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines mercy as 1) compassion shown to an offender, also imprisonment rather than death for first-degree murder, 2) a blessing resulting from divine favor or compassion: also a fortunate circumstance 3) compassion shown to victims of misfortune.

 

Mercy is something you and I do not deserve but God is willing to give. It means not receiving the full punishment for the offense committed. What offense did you commit that God granted mercy to you though the punishment you deserved was more? In the psalm David talks of confessing his sin and earnestly praying to God without a deceitful heart. He speaks of the wicked who will be sorrowful but the one who trusts in the Lord shall receive mercy. No deceit in the heart and lips. No one can lie to God and think He does not know it. God knows exactly every thought that you do not utter. So, half-heartedly confessing something does not say you have a contrite heart and spirit. God does not need lip service. He needs the true naked you. The naked you that is willing to cry, willing to say, "I am sorry; please forgive me Lord." He wants the naked you that will not play the card of pride with a clenched jaw but will open your mouth and speak from the heart. The naked you is the one who receives mercy. Yes, Jesus shed His blood on Calvary. But you have to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. Remember, Jesus said what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart. So if you do not see your error in your heart, you will not confess. But mercy cannot be yours without the two walking together.

Tough Love as Discipline

Proverbs 20:30

 

30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

 

Let's be honest, discipline hurts whether verbally or physically. King Solomon refers to physically disciplining a child. However, many reading this message are children of the Most High God and joint heirs with Christ. God is Abba (Father), and He is also one who disciplines. The translation of the scripture in the NKJ Study Bible states, "The purpose of discipline is not to wound or cause pain but to heal a person of evil and lead him to maturity. Sometimes when the conscience is slow to work, physical discipline is needed to break the most stubborn self-will."  God will bring a word forth through whomever He chooses to get our attention. When that doesn't work, He will use circumstances in your life to strike some blows as a way to break you of your stubborn self-will and bring you to maturity in Christ. Don't believe me? Let's look at something He instructed you to do through the Holy Spirit. Did you listen? What happened when you didn't? Did you feel the physical outcome of not listening? Has He sent the same word of instruction to you repeatedly and you failed to listen? What happened? Sooner or later He stops talking and allows you to feel the results of your stubborn choices. Going through the pain does not mean that the Lord God does not love you. He says in His word that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He simply loves you so much that He disciplines you when you are out of line. Proverbs 13:24 says, He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.  The NKJ Study Bible gives a translation of the verse as, "God disciplines His children, and earthly parents are instructed to do the same."  Abba disciplines us to keep us on track. Remember you and I have been created for His purpose. And His purpose is paramount to your individual agenda. Tough love from Abba hurts yes, but it shows yet again that He loves you just that much.

The Works of God

Ecclesiastes 11:5

 

5As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

 

Have you ever wondered what God is doing? Have you ever seen the wind change direction? You usually don't see it when it changes but you feel it. We do not understand exactly how a child grows in a woman's body but we know it happens. We cannot fully comprehend God. All we know is what He decides to reveal to us. And that is exactly King's Solomon point. We are acting on limited knowledge. We are acting on whatever it is God has decided to reveal. That's only if we've sought Him.

 

Five years ago today, Get Your JOY In The Morning the devotional was birthed. If someone would've told me when it began that it would become a book, a way of ministering to hundreds in multiple countries and would be the back drop for speaking to groups, the launch pad to help other writers and a company, I would've said, "yeah right." But it has. I am grateful for what God has done. Though He has had to pull at me multiple times to get His desired results, I still BLESS GOD for the opportunity as I did nothing to deserve it. In fact, it was a death bed confession. Laying in the hospital ER bed the March previous I silently prayed asking God to spare my life and that I would FINALLY do what HE wanted me to if only He would give me more time. As the doctors put it, I was running out of time. Submitting to God's will has been the ONLY way any of this has come about. It took weeks for God to get that first writing out of me. God is still in control. I am grateful for the readers who have been there since day one and for those that have come along the way. I am even grateful for those who did not stay. I learned to not take it personally for the rejection was not against me. I am thankful for each of you. I had no idea the way the wind would blow, but God makes everything and I humbly submit once again to His will and His way to teach and minister through writing. It is a task not to be taken lightly because with it comes much responsibility. The word in James 3:1-2 says, My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

 

Perfect I am not as God is still working on me. I did not wish to teach the word in the beginning, as I have witnesses to this fact. But God! He will get from you that which He desires. Happy Birthday Get Your (J)esus (O)n (Y)ou In The Morning!

The True Blessings of Job

Job 1:11

 

11But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"

 

Many seek the book of Job when financial trouble hits. They see themselves as walking the road and in the shoes that Job had walked. But the entire premise of Job's trial was because he had been faithful to God, serving and doing what God had asked of him. The trial was not because Job had faltered, not because Job was proud and lacked humility, not because Job was disobedient. Job was a model of what God desires of us all in the body of Christ.  Satan attacked Job's character because in his deceitful eyes, Job was only serving God because God had blessed him immensely. Satan wanted to prove that if God allowed Satan to remove all that Job had been blessed with not just financially but the love of those he held dear, Job would no longer serve Him. Indeed, a character assassination, defamation of character, presumption and outright lie. God knew that no matter what, Job would still call Him God, Abba, Jehovah Jireh. Job's family was struck, his property, finances and his health, but Satan was not allowed to kill him. When God is under attack, you are part of His family so that means you also come under attack. It's a covenant, taking the bad along with the good. But if you really read the book of Job, for the majority of the book, Job is at the point of despair where he wishes God would just take him in order to spare him the pain. He would rather die than to curse the God whom he loves. Job spends the bulk of the book defending himself against the very ones who are supposed to comfort him. Again, the character assassinations and presumptions. During the scolding of Job by his friends and family, not once do you notice them seeking God on Job's behalf, interceding, or asking God how they are to comfort their friend Job. They are responding to Job's despair based on human factors and their own knowledge. Isaiah 55:8 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord."  Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Job's friends and family did exactly the opposite. When God answered Job's questions to shed light, He reminded him that He has ALL power. In the end, Job forgave and prayed for those who hurt him during his trial. He still interceded out of love for them though they were speaking to Job in their arrogance. It takes a lot to pray for those who have hurt you. Because your prayer has to be from a place of love at all times for God to receive it. Many people want the blessing but don't want to take the trial that comes before the blessing. So with it I say, are you sure you want to know the true blessings of Job?

 

Thank you to my loving Pastor, Rev. Medric C. Mills, III  who recently preached on Job from a different place to shed light and to my loving Assistant Pastor, Prophetess Rev. Williams to shed light on what it means to take the cuts.

The Roughest Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

1To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

 

A season is defined by Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as a period of the year marked by a particular activity, event or holiday. The United States, especially the Midwest, South and East Coast have been hit very severely this winter. It seems as though it's been the roughest winter in several years. It is has been long and drawn out.  But has the rough season of winter hit in your life somewhere? Does it seem as though you've shoveled much snow in an area or all areas of your life, and then hit with more? This is no coincidence. You are experiencing winter not just meteorologically. You are in the coldest period. However, where there is an extreme winter, know that there is a plentiful spring that gives birth to new and abundant life.

 

The good news is the season is almost over. That's right, it's just a season. Your new season full of life and bloom is on the way. Are you preparing for it? Are you making plans? Or are stuck because you can't see past the snow drifts that exist right now? Snow melts. Your drifts are not permanent.  As King Solomon said, to everything there is a season.  It will pass. God is still keeping you in this rough season. Hold on because you are about to pass your test of faith.

"Guess Who Loves You More?"

1John 4:9-10

 

9In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

"Guess Who Loves You More?" is the title of a song from the Love Experience CD by my former High Point High School Class of 93' Eagle mate, Raheem DeVaughn. Some of you may know the R&B/Neo-Soul artist from the Washington, DC area. His song focuses on a man who has carried a torch of love for a woman for a long time yet she has never known it. The word around town is that the woman has given her boyfriend his walking papers and Raheem is singing about stepping up to the plate. He explains just how much he loves the woman and all that he will do to show her.

 

We are in the "commercialized" season of love where love is declared by all types of tokens that usually involve a financial profit to some form of business. However, there is one who loves you more. It is not your significant other or spouse. Men, it is not the woman who follows you like a lost puppy dog who does what you tell her to do without using her own mind to earn the top spot of your affection.  It's not even your children who run to you when you open that front door. It's not your mother or father who loving brought you into this world. It's not your favorite aunt or grandmother who spoils you with your favorite meal when you come for a visit. It's not any of your friends who have been there through thick and thin. The Word says in Proverbs that there is "one who sticks closer than a brother." The cat or dog that waits in your window swishing their little tail, still cannot compare.

 

One of my ultimate favorite Christian love songs is by a group called Commissioned. And the song is dubbed, "More Than I". The group of men sing about all they desire to do for the woman they love and want to be with but the love they offer is just from an ordinary man with an ordinary heart. And that there is one who loves her more and can show her even greater. That one is God.

 

Guess who loves you more? Yes, God. As the scripture stated above,  He loves you SO MUCH that HE gave up the only Son birthed through a woman and His Holy Spirit for you. Jesus is the model of love in that He took your place of death from sin. Not many would die for another, but Jesus did it for you and I. Guess who loves your more? So as you celebrate the Valentine's weekend or not, remember that there is one who loves you more and does so beyond a second, minute, hour, day, week, month or year.

 

P.S. I know you may be wondering when the messages will return to their daily schedule. That schedule has ALWAYS been subject to God. It is according to His time not mine. God Bless You for your faithful reading and acknowledgement.