We must ask ourselves are we ready for marriage? Are we prepared to relinquish our selfishness? Are we ready to put the other partner’s well being first? Are we willing to share? Better yet are we willing to remain faithful and to partake in the joys as well as long-suffering that life often offers? Are we truly ready to spend the remainder of our life with this person? If you can answer yes to these questions, it is quite possible you are ready?

In this 21st century more than 55% of marriages end in divorce. Divorce is taking too many casualties! It is important to take some time and really ponder if you really want to make a lifetime commitment! Divorce and infidelity are raging a battle against marriage! Don’t let your vows just be mere words!

Marriage is the oldest institution there is. God created it to be Beautiful and last for a lifetime! Think long and hard before you presumptuously commit to Marriage. Planning for a wedding is so very exciting! It should be a wonderful magnificent, memorable and breathtaking grand occasion whether its large or small! All too often it is the idea of all the exciting Showers, Parties, Celebrations and activities that many have come to enjoy rather the marriage itself! A committed marriage takes a lot of work, it does not just happen! Make sure that you have thought about the future as well. I have found more often than not the last thing a couple wants to hear while planning to marry is are you sure?

Marriage between a man and a woman is the ultimate commitment of Love! Because of the alarming number of marriages ending in divorce and resulting in infidelity, I wrote this quick easy read premarital guide that takes less than a half an hour to read! Look and listen to the news! I have heard too many couples say “I never thought about that?” If I only would have known! You do not want a life of heartache! First know you cannot change this person you want to marry! Ask you self; Do you want to wake up to this person every morning for the rest of your life? Are you willing to work through life’s challenges and do what is best for the marriage? Are you ready to close the door on all other sexual partners? Each marriage is totally different. But the same basic principles are true! Together you have the opportunity to build a unique relationship that mutually suits your temperaments! Think long and hard? Take some SERIOUS time and really think about if you are ready to say yes to a lifetime commitment! If you are I wish you a Loving, eventful, committed, lifelong, happy, God-centered marriage, “What God has joined together let not man put asunder.”

WISDOM – The Principle Thing

WISDOM – The Principle Thing

The Bible is full of Wisdom like no other book. Its content is alive and powerful! So much so that Hebrews 4 says “It is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight…” Now that is heavy! Wisdom is to know how to apply any acquired knowledge properly. Wisdom helps us to make better choices. Did you know that wisdom is a gift from God? Self discipline comes along with applied wisdom. The wonderful thing about God is that He always gives us the right to choose. This is why it is so important to know His Word. Before you make a choice you must first realize that there are always consequences for your choices. I wonder if we thought more about the consequences first would we make better decisions. Or would you manipulate less or not at all, just for the sake of getting your way? The Word of God talks a lot about fools and foolishness as well. There is really no need to manipulate things in order to get your way. There is no guarantee that you will still not end up with the undesired results anyhow. To desire God’s will in all things is supreme. God really does have a better way. God’s Word is simply not just something you say or repeat. It was provided for us to actually do and apply. Remember it’s active! It points us to His Way of living. God wants His Word to be “A lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” What does a lamp do? It brings light to the darkness. It helps us to see!

I wonder if it was really our goal to do things God’s way would there be a different outcome? Of course there would be! There is much discontentment and confusion about us. But “God is not the author of confusion.” Just look, there is plenty of preaching; teaching and seminars, yet the masses are still living in physical, mental and spiritual bondage. Sunday for many is a retreat day from their real lifestyle. Is this why God says, “Wisdom cries aloud in the streets, she raises her voice in the public squares, in the head of the public streets she cries out; in the gateways of the city she makes her speech.” Look at our cities our towns our streets our schools and yes even some of our churches. God help us! God is always speaking we just have to get better at listening. If you truly allow the Word of God to inhabit your being your desire will be to please Him. You will desire Godly wisdom in lieu of immediate self gratification. You will exercise patience rather than tolerance. God tells us to be “as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove.” Wisdom is necessary in order to acquire a prudent and disciplined life. Discipline will teach you to respond properly rather than to merely react. Wisdom will make you desire to do what is right, just and fair in the eyes of God. God really knows who His children are! Proverbs tells us “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Fools really do not respect or fear God. Actually they do quite the contrary. God always leaves a remnant of His people whose desire is to please Him. To embrace Truth rather than accept half truths and innuendos. As His child your inner desires are to be governed by His precious Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 2 tells us that “if you turn your ear to wisdom and by applying your heart to understanding and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and look for it as for silver and search for it as a hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright…”

Did you know you stop short of wisdom when you accept things for how they appear?
rather than how they really are? Don’t be deceived.

To have insight is to look beyond the surface. God’s Word tells us that “Discretion will
protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of
wicked men. From those men whose words are perverse. Who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil.”

God is so awesome! He allows things to take place for a season. But when you
truly love Him He will always work it out for your good. He says not some things but
“All things work together for good if you love Him if you are called according to His
purpose……” But is your purpose really His purpose? Are your ways really His ways?
Do you really “let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus”? God really knows
and that is what really matters! Remember absolutely nothing gets by Him!

The biggest misconception today that permeates our world is that many simply do not
believe nor embrace the Truth and power of God nor His Word. In fact, today there is a right to do or say just about anything except; what God has to say. You now are
bordering on infringing on someone else’s freedom. Or better yet a rebel. When and if
you do make a sincere attempt to take a spiritual stance. You are thought of as anything but a child of God. In the eyes of your challengers, be that a believer or non believer. This is why it is important to apply Godly wisdom. Wisdom applied will give you the proper prospective and motivation. Patiently allow the Lord to direct you. You have as much time as you need to do whatever it is He requires of you. Wisdom will lead you to the path of Truth and God’s direction. Wisdom will yield peace in the midst of any and all situations when your focus is on Him.

Jesus gave up His heavenly existence with God to come live here on earth. He adorned a sinless earthen body for us! He disciplined Himself and conquered sin in the flesh for us! He lived an exemplary life for us! He died for the sins of the world for all of us! Why? So “We might have life and have it more abundantly.” He came so that whatever happens good or bad that we know that an abundant life is accessible through Him on this side of Heaven! What does abundant mean; it means plentiful. Plenty is relative. This passage of scripture is not just talking about having plenty money or things it goes much deeper. In Colossians Paul tells us that everything was spoken into existence throughJesus Christ. Did you know you really have everything you could possibly ever need once you have God in your life? He has even promised to supply “all of our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus…” Just know that you are going to have plenty of everything, including trouble. But just remember that whenever trouble knocks; just remember to let wisdom answer. Remember to have your loins gird with Truth! Nothing is too hard for God! This is why His Word says “To trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Remember “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof the world and them that dwell therein.” God is a good God. He is truly worthy of our praise daily.

How do we get from here to where God wants us to be? We must begin to really embrace the principles of God Word. Ask your self how many times do you actually seek to resolve things God’s way? Can you say that you have really applied His principles? Or again have you simply opted to manipulation so you could have your way? No wonder things are so messed up? Or maybe not? You can have all the knowledge in the world and still not know how to come to a resolve. God wants us to have wisdom. Godly wisdom teaches you how to properly apply knowledge. Wisdom will help you to make wiser and better chooses. Life is full of many situations and scenarios. Knowing God for yourself will make all the difference in the world. There is absolutely nothing that can come between you and God, when you truly choose Jesus as your personal Savior? It’s a personal decision! Remember, God really has a better way. Trouble or nothing else can get to you unless God allows it. God’s wisdom cries aloud. God’s wisdom is not hiding somewhere over on the sidelines where we can not find it. God wants us to access His wisdom. God wants us to live a better way. God disciplines those that He loves. Remember He says that if you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Have you accepted His way? Or have you conformed to the world’s way. God wants us to walk in the light of His Word.

It is through one man Adam that sin entered this world. It is through one man in the person of Jesus Christ that sin lost its reigning power. God wants to give you His wisdom. He wants us to discipline ourselves to His way and His will. It is only by His magnificent drawing power of His precious Holy Spirit that one truly comes to Him anyway. You have a choice. You do not have to shovel His Word or His way down someone’s throat. But yes, we do have a right to present what He has to say boldly and adamantly. Know God and His Word for yourself! Psalms 19 tells us that “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.” They warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them. God really does answer prayer! His wisdom cries loud in the streets……… He that has an ear let him hear!

Spending Time With God

Spending time with God is one of the most important things you can do. If you read the Scriptures you will find that even Jesus often took time alone to spend with the FATHER! Spending time with God will help you how to respond properly or not to respond at all to others. Spending time with Him yields patience and understanding. The wonderful thing about God is that He has provided so many ways to continually enhance our personal relationship with Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us to all truth! He has given us His Holy Word to teach us and equip us to do whatever He has planned for our lives. He has even provided spiritual armor to protect us from evil. To even tell us when we are right or wrong! His Word also gives us directions as to what not to do! His Word teaches us how and when to stand in the midst of spiritual warfare! The scripture tell us “trust in the Lord will all thine heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.” He has given us His precious Son Jesus, who will be your personal Savior once you truly invite Him into your heart. It is in Him you will always find victory!

The book of Galatians clearly tells us; “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Christ lived a sinless life! Christ became flesh! He conquered sin in the flesh so He could be our example! He died for us! He did not die for us to continue to make excuses for our shortcomings. When we accept Him as Lord and Savior we are able to rely on Him to “save us from the power of sin in our life”. A truly dedicated life to God will result in an increased ability to exercise self-control! Spending time with God will help you to discern between good and evil. To be as “wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove!” God is aware of everything. He is omniscient! It does not matter how things appear or seem. Neither does it matter when everyone else pretends everything is okay when something is terribly wrong! God knows how things really are! In the midst of a declining world you can still enjoy a wholesome clean life. Spending time with God will also teach and direct you how to be a good steward of the things and people He entrusts to your care! His Word also tells us “He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus! God is a Spirit of TRUTH!

Paul also warns us of false teachings. Spending time with God will help you recognize those who pervert the Gospel of Christ! He even goes so far to tell us that they use it for a license of licentiousness. Which merely means to excuse their loose behavior? He tells us to not receive the message regardless of the person or position. I encourage you to study God’s Word. Listen closely when some one says they have a message from God. Allow the Holy Spirit to sift its contents and validate its Truth. Just ask yourself how often did Jesus talk about how many horses or chariots someone had? How many suits of clothing did Joseph, Priscilla and Aquilla or anyone else for that matter possess? How much money it took to feed the multitudes? I don’t think that Jesus told the woman at the well that He “loved her and all of her faults”. He told her “TO GO AND SIN NO MORE!” Furthermore are you spiritually enriched by the message? Have you been provoked to good works or spiritual growth? Or do you just continue to feel content in disobedience?

Jesus said “If you abide in My Word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and truth shall make you free.” Jesus also tells us in His Word; “whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed.” The point that I am trying to make is Christ died to make us free! Spending time with God will give you freedom! We must commence embracing a Christ centered life! Christ took back the power the enemy stole! God’s Word really is “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto out path.” Paul goes further to say “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let Him be accursed.” There is much spiritual warfare about us! This is really not a game! We are living in the perilous times that the bible talks about! Please do not settle for a life that pleases man. Commence to really put God first in your life! Man’s approval is not necessary to accomplish God’s will in your life. He will and can make your path straight! God is the source of everything you possibly need to accomplish whatever He has for you to do.

Spending time with God will yield much peace. It will also consecrate your heart and your conscious! God will teach you how to guard your heart! You see God is a Spirit of Truth! I am thankful for His presence in my life! The devil is the father of lies! Deception and trickery are not a part of God’s fruit. Many are greatly deceived. I encourage you to spend some time reading Exodus. It is fear-provoking to know how much time they spent consecrating themselves for worship. They had reverence and deep respect for God. Worshipping God was sacred! Today it is not necessary for many. Many see worship as a time for them to “stand up for their gifts.” In times past God’s presence was earnestly welcomed. God is all knowing! God is truly Holy! God said that the true worshippers “worship Him in Spirit and in TRUTH!” I thank Him that I can freely lift my hands to thank and praise Him for the freedom He has given me.

Spending time with God will teach you how to properly navigate through this world of sin! Spending time with Jesus allows you to be calm in the midst of spiritual warfare. Jesus quite often did not respond to His accusers! You see many times just enough detail was omitted to prohibit the real truth from coming out. They sought to discredit His sincerity. More often than not a one sided story was and is embraced as truth! God is Light in Him is no darkness. “Perfect Love casts out all fear!” Just know it is more important what God knows rather than what others think! We must stand for the TRUTH! Jude tells us to contend for the faith! We must measure what is being taught against the Word of God. There are many false teachers who are misleading those who really need to hear the Gospel! He tells us “ these are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you beloved remember the words which were spoken before the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how they told you that their would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons who cause division, not having the Spirit.” Jude ends telling us “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding JOY!”

It is very easy to become attached to a spiritual leader. When one has helped you it is natural to feel loyalty. Especially when you have confided in them. Paul warns us against having such pride in our favorite leaders that causes divisions in the church. The Corinthian Church for an example was a very carnal church. It continually indulged in the immorality that was practiced culturally. The culture of that day embraced a temple of prostitution. The Corinthians needed specific instructions because of their immoral standards. Paul tells us “the body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” It was because of their carnality that Paul continuously warned them! It is spiritually dangerous to create an environment that embraces sin and labels it unconditional love. That really worships God in flesh and half truths!

Paul encourages us to imitate Christ because He himself spent time with God and walked closely with Him. I would like to encourage you to commit to spend at least 10 minutes of time alone with God each day! Just you and God with no distractions! Learn how to “ Be still and Know”. Start your personal devotion with prayer & Thanksgiving to give you the proper focus. Then just quietly discipline yourself to listen. To be still. Watch how someone or something tries to distract you. Please do not give up. (You see the enemy is so clever at distracting you.) Remember the idea is to exercise discipline. Increase your time gradually with God. This will also enhance your personal Bible Study time. I assure you any burden you might have will begin to lift. You see God really is a burden bearer. Honoring God by spending time with Him will give you direction. You cannot change anything that has happened but you can begin to really “walk in the light.” End your time Thanking Him for all He has done. Remember when you pray you must obey. To Love God is to obey Him! God’s Word is true!

We too must stand on the Word of God even when we are called anything but a child of God! Spending time with God and obeying His commandments will free you from sinful strongholds! I am thankful that God has provided us with many gifted men and women of God who are committed to spreading the true Gospel! They take seriously their responsibility to present Biblical Truth. A true spiritual leader is a representative of Christ. and has nothing to offer that God has not already given him or her! Loyalty should not cause strife, or slander. The truth can disable slander! God really is a Spirit of Truth! Our deepest loyalties should be to Christ and not to human agents! Those who spend more time debating the importance of church leadership than declaring Christ’s message don’t have Christ as their first priority. God’s Word clearly tells us “that we should not go beyond what is written. Spending time with God will cause you to attach yourself to God, rather than a spiritual leader. Commence to spend time with God “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your path”. When you spend time with God you shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free!

Faith Is Now

Faith Is Now

“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith is so important that it is mentioned over three hundred times in the BIBLE. Faith means to have a firm persuasion. Having Faith means much more than just to say you believe. It goes much further! Faith is developed through Prayer, Devotion, and Bible Study and the actual application of God’s Word to your life. Faith is also part of the Lord’s spiritual armor. It is “By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.” Hebrews 11:3. Faith is NOW not after the fact has materialized! “For we walk by Faith not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7

When you truly trust God your Faith will see you through any and all circumstances or situations. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Rahab, are just a few examples of the many that trusted and had Faith in God. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets beheld many miracles, faced jeers, were stoned, saw walls fall, were persecuted, misunderstood, and mistreated yet accomplished their life purpose by trusting the Lord. Notice how they all sincerely aspired to live in the presence of the Lord. They had a personal and deep intimate relationship with Him. Hebrews commends them all for their Faith; “yet none of them received what had been promised.” It is by Faith we are strengthened inwardly! Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts through Faith.
Faith is NOW!

Hebrew defines Faith as something you cannot see. Faith without works is dead. When your Faith is truly in GOD you trust that in His time He will fulfill whatever it is that He has said or promised. Take a moment to take an open and honest personal inventory of everything that is happening in your life. Guess what God already knows as well! Despite your circumstances; good, bad, or indifferent you can rest assured that your Faith makes all the difference in the world as to how you will now proceed. In order to successfully run the race of life we must keep our focus on the Lord. Laying aside any weight or sin helps us to run with endurance. When life hurdles appear God will impart to you His patience and direction. You can not change anything that has happened “it is what it is” As you fix your eyes on “Jesus, the Author and perfector of our Faith” He will help you arise to the challenges as well as the celebrations of life. Your daily trust and reliance on God is where your true security and significance should reside. This will give you sure footing and strong solid rock foundational spiritual roots to help you withstand the storms of life. Your Joy in the Lord is where you will find strength when you keep your eyes on Him. The joy of the Lord is not contingent on your circumstance. Faith is NOW!

The key to being a Christian is the Faith we have in Jesus Christ. Do you know the importance of His sacrificial death on the cross that atoned for our sins? It was so we could live life to please Him! Did you know our lives, our homes, our marriages, families and our worship should reflect we are His children? How do we do this? Titus tells us that “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self controlled, and sound in Faith, love and in endurance. To teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good…” The natural man or woman does not accept, value, nor understand the things of God. This is why the Word says to “let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.” In order to understand the things of God it is crucial that you lay aside your way and your will and let His Word be a “lamp unto your feet and a Light to your path.” Having the proper perspective will teach you how very important it is to live life and study His Word for His approval and not the approval of man. This is why we are told to “Trust in the Lord will all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path.” Proverbs 3: 5&6. Too often God is an after thought or optional choice when dealing with life. This compromise often has favorable results with man; yet results in moving you away from God. Learn to wait on God and patiently seek His way.

God’s way will give you peace and contentment that surpasses the understanding of man! God wants to be the Primary Force in your life. Being a Christian is really a chosen lifestyle. God does not force His way upon you. Faith produces commitment and faithfulness. It means to sincerely and earnestly attempt to live life to please God. Commence to truly Live, Sing, Worship and Praise Him. It really makes all the difference in the world! “LET the WORD of Christ dwell richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving THANKS to God the Father through Him” Colossians 3: 16&17.

God always has a better way. According to Ephesians He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. As His child we have been sealed and promised the gift of His Holy Spirit. God truly is faithful you can always count on Him! Now you must trust Him and step out on Faith. Remember Faith is not something that you can see. Always remember, you must exercise patience and your Faith and trust must rely in Him. He tells us if our Faith is “as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” Matthew 17: 20. The key to this is you must desire His will to be done. It is with God we can do the impossible. This way He receives the credit. To GOD be the GLORY! God keeps His promises. You can fully trust God to work everything out for your good.

Always keep in mind that absolutely nothing gets by God. He knows all that is past, current and will be. Be encouraged knowing “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” It is by Faith and patience we inherit His promises. We can patiently endure whatever is necessary because we know that God in His time will work everything out for our good. It is by Faith we accept His precious gift of eternal life. One of the most important elements in life is having Faith in GOD. “Without Faith it is impossible to please Him, for he, who comes to GOD, must believe, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Romans 1:16& 17.

GOD IS FAITHTUL in His time you will reap the promises and He will give back, restore, refuel and replenish you in His time. God knows when you are sincere. We are living in interesting times. Just keep your eyes fixed on the Author and finisher of your Faith. God is able to “keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great Joy!” You can say Hallelujah anyhow! God is awesome! As I mentioned before Hebrews records in its “Hall of Faith” many Old Testament heroes who trusted in God and displayed their Faith in unique ways. Lay aside every weight and anything that hinders you from going forth in the Lord! When you truly believe; it will be a priority to live your life to please GOD! Faith results in faithfulness! Who or what are you faithful to? “Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” FAITH IS NOW!

Do You Know How To Determine if Something is From God or Man?

Do you know how to determine if something is from God or man? Sometimes it is very hard to tell the difference. This is why it is important to know God’s Word. To know where you are in your very own personal relationship with God? To know what your intentions are. To know what God will do in your behalf when you truly allow Him His place in your life. To know that you are walking in accordance with His will. In today’s time it is absolutely crucial. The Bible says a fool ignores God’s wisdom and instead prefers to follow the crowd. Who would rather believe and prove something that is not true. Did you know that when you accept a lie as truth you have been deceived? Knowledge just gives you the facts. Wisdom tells you how to apply the facts within their proper context. Wisdom helps you to have discipline and develop healthy boundaries. Knowing the Truth of God’s Word will help you to navigate through this world’s plethora of folly. We must sincerely pray and ask God to “Give us today our daily bread.” It is very important to seek God’s direction daily. It is equally important to be willing to relinquish your own direction when He shows you this is indeed the case. God has promised that He will direct our paths when we earnestly seek Him. God is a Spirit of Light. His Word will truly be a “Lamp unto your feet and a Light unto your path.”

God’s Word is full of wisdom. The book of Proverbs is considered the book of wisdom in the Old Testament. The book of James is considered as the book of wisdom in the New Testament. Proverbs is one of the most down to earth books there is. It tells you how to gain wisdom, discipline and become prudent. It gives you advice on how to raise your family. It warns against the dangers of debt. It talks about the dangers of drinking. How important it is to eat properly; it even tells you who not to eat with. It speaks quite often against immorality. It shuns evil, lying, slander, entrapment and deception. It even talks about visiting your neighbor too much. It also warns against joining cliques, gangs or cults. It also describes the plethora of benefits that are available to you when you apply the Word of God to your life. These are just a few of the many topics of discussion. It also tells you that fools live independently from God. The dominant theme in Proverbs is to encourage one to seek wisdom. Not just any old wisdom but Godly Wisdom. It actually says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Do you know when something is of God or man?”

Fearing the Lord is a crucial prerequisite in obtaining His wisdom. Just ask yourself do you really fear God? Or do you seek to please others? How would you feel if He were to pass judgment today? God tells us to seek His wisdom as though you were looking for a hidden treasure. “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” Did you know that understanding comes from God? If you truly fear the Lord there are some things that you will just not do or say. He actually tells us that, “discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.” God also tells us to shun evil. To shun means to turn away from. Some people will do whatever it takes to get their way. They will also enlist others to help them. But is your way the Lord’s way? This is why it is so very important to ask yourself is God pleased with what you have said or done? Then to “be still and know.” A Godly conscious surrenders to God’s way. Your desire is then to sincerely repent. If you are truly a person of faith you know that God’s power is always accessible. God will never direct you to do anything that goes against His principles. God is also a just God. In His time He will surely vindicate you. The wonderful thing about God is that He alone is Sovereign. Do you know when something is of God or man?

There is a lot of discontentment and unhappiness in the world. Many times people have short term memory, they do not want to remember what they have said or done. Or they have selective memory and want to remember only what they want to remember. They often choose to do something that goes against God’s will for them in order to satisfy a desire they have. Their conscious becomes seared. Or they just prefer to blame someone else for their unhappiness. Although you know that they were unhappy long before you even came on the scene. When things do not turn out the way they want. They often do not want to take responsibility for what they have done or admit honestly what has really happened. It is hard for them to go through the consequences. In many cases this leads to depression. When you have swept so much hurt under the rug life becomes dusted with hurt. This unresolved hurt often causes them to project that hurt somewhere. Rather than simply apologize or admit they were wrong. They choose to live in denial. To instead fragment what has really happened in order to appear right. Denial is unhealthy it causes you to suppress the truth.

The enemy wants you to believe lies because they keep you in bondage to sin. Sin is anything that separates you from God. The enemy is satan he is such a deceiver he wants you to seek the approval of man over God. Lies hinder your emotional and spiritual growth. God is a Spirit of Truth! Know that God is the only one that truly loves anyone unconditionally. God tells us in II Thessalonians; “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth to be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed truth but have delighted in wickedness.” God knows everything that has transpired. He knows why, when, how, who and what will be. This is why it is so important to really know where you are in your personal relationship with Him. This is also why God tells us to guard our hearts and shun evil. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have. God’s weapon are not carnal. This is why He says “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is not always audible. Nor is it always in silence. God is just. One thousand years to us is but one day to Him. In His time “He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.” God can and will take care of you in any and all situations. It is in situations that look impossible HE GETS THE GLORY! This is why it is so very important to seek God’s direction. James says if you lack wisdom? Ask God.

You can not properly renew your mind apart from God. You can not have true emotional and spiritual health without God. Inner peace comes from doing things God’s way. James tells us that whenever you are tempted it is not of God. God never tempts us to do anything? Always know it is the witness of God that matters most! He sees and knows everything! When you look through the spiritual lenses of God’s Word things always look differently. Do you really want to experience the peace of God? Have you really committed to God’s way? Or do you seek to justify your own way? “God is an ever present help in times of trouble.” His Light will dispel any darkness. He can and will use any one and anything as an instrument if He so desires. You must know that God specializes in the impossible. It is in God’s eyes what always matters most! “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practice deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord.” Can you tell if something is of God or of man?

You must know in your heart of hearts that God is the ultimate Father. His Word tells us that “He will be a Father to the fatherless.” It tells us that “sound judgment and discernment will preserve you.” This does not mean that unfavorable things will not happen. Preserve means to conserve, safeguard or protect. Studying God’s Word daily is just as important as eating. God’s Word is food for your soul. Yet, most important we must learn to actually apply His Word to our lives daily. That’s wisdom! God is so good! I am so glad to be a child and friend of God. Hallelujah! I Peter tells us, “Dear friends do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal or even as a meddler. However if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. But praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the out come be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will be become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

Here is a good example of why you need to know how to determine if something is from God or man. Watch this video, Eddie Long crowned a King?? This is absolutely ridiculous and not in accordance with God’s Word.

Was that from God or man? Read “Contending For The Faith“.