Knowing God - He Fulfills Our Desires

Ps 145:19

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

We are told in this verse that we are to fear the Lord and we are to cry out to the Lord.  He will fulfill our desires and He will save us when we focus on this.  The Lord sees our hearts and our desires and knows us better than we know ourselves.  He loves for us to come into His presence with our concerns, dreams and desires.  He loves us and He loves to fulfill our desires.  When we fear the Lord our desires start to go in a direction that lines up with God’s heart and mind.  We start to value the things He values and deem worthless that which he deems worthless.  Sometimes we spend our efforts trying to fulfill our desires when we should focus on fearing the Lord.  He will fulfill our desires and we can focus on fearing Him and crying out to Him.

Proverbs - Righteousness and Prosperity

Proverbs 14:34

 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

A nation is made up of individuals.  A family is made up of individuals.  The stability of a structure is established by the integrity of the components within in it.  When individuals seek to live lives that please the Lord, the righteousness will exalt whatever entity they find themselves a part of.  To change the direction of a nation, the individuals must change direction first.  If we want our marriages and our families to stand strong we must focus on the individuals first.  We must pray for each child, for ourselves and for our husbands.  We must wash our children in the water of the Word, upholding God’s law as the ultimate standard for all aspects of life.  When individuals begin to follow the Lord and seek to honor Him, the entire family will begin to rise above the common statistics facing most families today.  Before we complain about our family, let us fight for each member with spiritual weapons.  “…Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Neh 4:14)

Knowing God - God Keeps Truth Forever

Ps 146:5-6

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

God Keeps Truth Forever

God is the creator of everything there is and He is the One who keeps truth forever.  We are happy when God is our help and when God is our hope.  Since He is the creator, He understands all things and all resources are at His disposal.  He does not change the truth to fit the scenario but delivers truth to confront, direct and counsel in the scenario.   When we seek God for answers and direction we can be confident that He will give us truthful answers that hold up under all kinds of stormy situations.  God is truth and He speaks truth.  When we are in a place of confusion and need help and hope, it is in the truth God has that we will find peace and sure footedness.  Our God keeps truth forever and is to be sought and trusted.

Proverbs - No Fear of Death

Proverbs 14:32

 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness:

but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Death is one of those things that, if you are reading this right now, you have not experienced.  We aren’t all looking forward to it and we do what we can to postpone our appointment with death as long as can.  We do need to be reassured, that if we have received Christ, we are no longer in bondage to the fear of death.  We have been declared righteous because His righteousness is now our clothing.  He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  We don’t have to look at death as the end or a hopeless experience.  Death has now been chosen as an usher to take us to be with Him forever.  We don’t have to like the usher or the door through which we travel, but we can have hope that we will be with Him forever.  The Lord tells us in First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 54-55 that:

 Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

 We don’t need to look hopelessly to this future appointment.  We can look at death square in its eyes, clothed in the righteousness of Christ and have hope even until the end.

Knowing God - God Warns Before Judgment

Jer 44:4

Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

The Lord is speaking through Jeremiah here in this verse and is revealing the inevitable calamity that will come upon His people as a result of hardening their hearts to God’s warnings.   God tells them here that He sent his prophets early and warned them way before the consequences became inevitable.  Our God is a God of warning and when His judgment comes we can be assured that God had sent warnings and commands with the hope of a turning away from the course of destruction and onto the path of healing and hope.  We must remain in a place of readiness and humility, hearing and heeding the Lord’s warnings.  They will come early.  He will send them.  Let’s listen, learn and live!

Proverbs - Care About the Poor

Proverbs 14:31

 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker:

but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

There are people who take advantage of the poor for their own gain.  There are many liquor stores in depressed areas knowing that the plight of poverty has driven many to drown their sorrows in intoxicating drink to forget their present state.  Drug dealers hoping to attract new addicts and dealers infiltrate the impoverished streets of certain areas knowing that a quick fix or quick money will be attractive to those who have the financial pressures that are well beyond their abilities to overcome.   Yet, in these areas, we find Christian ministry.  There are food banks and soup kitchens seeking to bring some sort of relief and aid to those who struggle.  When we seek to help those who are hurting we have mercy on the poor.  The Word of God tells us Proverbs 11:17 that “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul…”   Godly women are to be adorned with good works.  Is there some sort ministry to the poor that you are involved with?  Perhaps an opportunity will come up soon and you will have an opportunity to show mercy and do good to your own soul.

Proverbs - Envy Will Tear You Down

Proverbs 14:30

 A sound heart is the life of the flesh:

but envy the rottenness of the bones.

A heart that is resting in God’s goodness produces life and contentment that gives the quality of life the Lord gives.  A heart that is sound is thinking on God and thanking Him for all He is and does.  When we are stirred up to look at another’s lot in life with envy, our frame begins to suffer structural damage.  If our bone structure was weakened through some sort of disease, we would be susceptible to fractures and not be able to take the natural bumps and bruises of day to day life. When we become envious, little offenses can come in break us down to where we will not function well and end up with broken relationships and an inability to walk uprightly.  When envy comes in, all of our relationships suffer. We just can’t seem to enjoy anything. But a heart that is sound will help us function in a healthy way.  Let us pursue soundness by considering all He has given us and watch our life suddenly become rich and full.   

Knowing God - God's Voice Creates

Gen 1:3

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

God spoke and light was there.  This is a great truth about our God, His words and voice.  God’s words have creative power.  They can bring something into existence that wasn’t there before.  The same God that said “Let there be light:  and there was light”, is the same God who, through His word, can speak light into any situation that seems clouded, dark or dim.  As we approach His Word, listen for His voice and believe Him, we will see light come into a situation because He has spoken.  We are often people who think if we have more details about a problem, then we will see things clearly enough to work out a solution.  We need to hear from God in matters concerning those details.   He needs to speak and then the light will be on and matters will be understood with clarity and direction.  Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever and we need to be in a place where we trust that as He spoke and created light, He now speaks and creates light into relationships and situations that would otherwise be hazy and unclear.

Knowing God - The Angels Are God's Angels

Ps 103:20

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

The angels that serve the Lord are HIS angels.  He has them in rank and position to be about His business and hearken to the voice of His word.  The angelic beings that are on the Lord’s side excel in strength.  They are strong and they do the Lord’s commandments.  Many times artists portray angels and chubby little beings that seem dazed and confused.  This verse is letting us know that the angels bless the Lord by being strong, obedient and carrying out the Lord’s commands.  They do not bring attention to themselves.   They bring glory to God.  I wonder how many times they have been the vessels through whom God did amazing things and we did not recognize it.  We end up thanking God and not the angels and that is the way they would have it.  They desire their service to bless the Lord and I am sure that is what we often experience.  

Proverbs - Slow to Anger

Proverbs 14:19

 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding:

but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

We should be women who are slow to anger and not hasty in our spirits.  Our inner man should be meek and quiet, which in the sight of God is of great worth.  This takes discipline in pondering and cherishing within our hearts.  We must be women who have fellowship in the inner man with our Lord Jesus Christ.  We must let the Word of Christ dwell richly within us, so that, when we open our mouths we will be able to teach and admonish others rather than spill forth hateful and wrathful words.  The heart is to be maintained.  Our inner man is to be making melody to the Lord and as we have fellowship with Him within us, we won’t be hasty in spirit.  Our reactions will be able to be guided by the Lord’s leading as opposed to being triggered by circumstances or environment.  It is important to be aware of our inner man throughout the day and let the peace of God rule our hearts and minds.  If we are hasty of spirit we will be exalting folly.  This means that we will most likely say, do or encourage something foolish.  A foolish woman tears down her house with her OWN hands.  Ladies, our spirits must not be hasty but steadfastly settled in His grace and presence.

Knowing God - Death Has No Dominion Over Him

Rom 6:9

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Christ has raised from the dead.   Death has no dominion over him.  We can come to Christ with an impending death and know that He has authority over death and we can trust Him with such matters.  Death often intimidates us.  We have not gone through death before and when someone we love dies, we find ourselves processing such a loss with great grief and emotional upheaval.  We can come to Christ and seek His dominion and His rule over matters involving death.  Death has been our greatest enemy but Jesus Christ has conquered death.  Although we don’t like death and it has yet to be thrown into the lake of fire, we can find great safety in knowing our Jesus has conquered death and in Him we can face death without a sense of helplessness.  He has risen.  Death is not even a slightly equal contender against Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord Jesus for being the resurrection and the life!

Proverbs - Leading

Proverbs14:28

 In the multitude of people is the king's honour:

but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

When someone is given a leadership position God intends them to lead others.  There are certain characteristics in leadership that attracts followers and keeps them following.  The Lord Jesus instructed His followers in leadership as follows:

Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

                                                                           KJV            

If we want our children to continue to seek our counsel and leadership in their lives we must take heed to Jesus’ counsel.  We should serve our children in love and minister to them.  The counsel and directives we give should be motivated by love for them and a desire to honor God.  We should not make rules just to appease ourselves and make our lives easier.  This is the type of leadership that loses followers.  Seek the Lord for a heart to serve and establish leadership in a way that causes the multitude of those you influence to continue to learn from your example.

Knowing God - Contentment

Heb 13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Here we are told that contentment with the things we have is directly linked to the promise of God’s presence and help in our lives.  When we have a lifestyle that is rooted in getting more we speak of disconnect of the wealth we have in the Lord Jesus’ presence in our lives.  Although this statement is not recorded in the gospels, it is believed that Jesus Christ said this to His disciples when He was here on the earth.  Obviously the Lord left to go and be seated at the right hand of the Father.  His promised companionship and help was not linked in His physical presence and what they would see.  His faithfulness would be shown without having to see.  By His Holy Spirit He now dwells in the heart of those who have received Him and we are in a place where we can be content because He really is all that we need. He has the resources to help us.  He has the endurance to give us.  He has the joy with which to strengthen us.  He has the might to protect us.  He has the words to comfort us.  Whatever we may think we need to get through something always goes back to our Lord Jesus Himself.  He loves you and is committed to you.

Proverbs - The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 14:26-27

 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence:

and his children shall have a place of refuge.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

to depart from the snares of death.

The fear of the Lord enables us to be confident women.  When we are tuned in to pleasing Him and Him alone we can have our lives ordered in a way that is undaunted by the expectations of others.  We will not be swayed by the approval or disapproval of others.  Our children will have mothers who are confident and have decisions based in the eternal truths of our Creator rather than moods and cultural shifts.  When we wake up in the morning and present our days to the Lord, seeking to honor Him, our decisions should reflect an order and safety that comes from the Lord directing our lives.  Our children will have a place of refuge.  The truths from which their mother based her decisions will follow them throughout their lives even unto death.  The fear of the Lord will produce a fountain of life.  As we are concerned about His evaluation of our days, there will be new avenues of refreshing direction in our lives.  We will avoid snares that our adversary has set for us, finding refuge and safety for us as well.  Oh Lord that we would highly consider You and have the fear of You that produces a strong confidence within us.

Proverbs - Deceit and Lies

Proverbs 14:25

 A true witness delivereth souls:

but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

Our account of any given situation must be as accurate as possible.  We must be careful when repeating a matter or giving details that we don’t slant the facts to deceive.  This is not just exaggeration or leaving something out.  The Lord calls it lying.  Lying is sin and sin brings about death.  We must be true witnesses that will be used to deliver souls.  There are so many lies out there that so many that people have believed.  People are damaged and their souls are held captive by lies they have believed.  When we speak God’s truth and when we are gentle with words that hold accuracy, we will be used by the Lord to deliver people’s personalities from destructive deceptions.  The only way to be this true witness is to be women who graze in the truth of God’s Word.  When we stay in His Word and have His Word dwell in us, we will be sources of truth and deliverance for those we love.  Our children will hear the truth in the face of the myriad of lies their hormones, media and ungodly counsel is telling them.  They will be rescued and delivered from false roads that end in destruction and despair.  Our husbands will be delivered from the lie that success is defined by his position and possessions and they will walk with their heads up knowing they are loved and respected for their character and integrity.  Our friends will be safe in a friendship that holds no surprises and is steeped in truth and godly counsel.  We will deliver our own souls from inner voices seeking to pull us into deceptive paths of thinking by speaking the truth in our hearts.  Let us stay close to God’s heart and word in defining truth so that we will be true witnesses delivering souls that surround us.

Knowing God - To Him Belongs Dominion

1 Peter 5:11

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord deserves glory and the Lord deserves dominion.  Dominion means absolute sovereignty and the place of ruling over something.  The Lord is to be over our finances, our relationships, our sexuality, our time, our days, our bodies, our lifestyle, our future, our past etc.  When we yield control to the Lord we are giving Him what He rightfully deserves.  He deserves dominion.  When we choose what He says is right, worthy of our time or what He says is noble, we are giving Him dominion.  We praise Him by giving Him dominion.  He deserves dominion.  Perhaps you could take a moment to make a fresh commitment to His Kingship and dominion in your life!

Knowing God - Jesus Has Authority

Matt 21:12

 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Jesus is God.  Jesus is King.  The Father said to the Son, “Your throne, O God, will last forever”. (Heb 1:8)  Jesus has the authority over acts of worship and what He would deem appropriate conduct among His people that claim to be facilitating His worship.  Jesus went in and cast these people out.  He overthrew the tables that held the profit of those who were making money from people’s sincere desire to please God.  When the Lord set up certain things to facilitate a growing relationship with Him, He did not intend those things to become BIG business and Christian corporations strategizing on how to make money off of Jesus’ worshippers.  It doesn’t matter how ‘successful’ a CD or book is.  It doesn’t matter if a practice at a church brings in the money or multitudes.  The judge of the matter is Jesus Christ.  We must be open to Jesus coming into our lives, our churches and searching us.  We must embrace the times He turns things upside down.  His intention in turning things upside down is to make His people upright!

Proverbs - Wisdom Helps Financially

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their riches:

but the foolishness of fools is folly.

Wisdom helps us financially.  Wisdom tells us when to work and when to rest.  Wisdom tells us when to save and when to spend.  Wisdom tells us when to get to bed so we will be better employees and more productive.  Wisdom tells us not to spend and consume so much.  There is a correlation between walking in wisdom and having financial integrity.  Foolishness is equated with reckless spending and self-centered decisions.  Foolishness tells the employee that the expectations of her employer are unreasonable.  Foolishness tells the mother that her needs are to be first.  Foolishness tells us to spend because we deserve it.  Foolishness tells us to accumulate things to make us feel like we are worth something.  Foolishness tells us to put off the tasks that need to be done and do the things we want to do.  Sisters, let us be sensitive to the voice of wisdom and shun the voice of foolishness.  We want to be assured that if our financial status goes one way or another, our consciences are clear of any sort of wrong doing.

Knowing God - He Has Made Us

Job 33:4
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

The Lord has made us.  We did not come into this life on our own volition and He decided what time period, what country and what sort of conditions we would be born into.  His breath has given us life.  This should awaken in us a great sense of responsibility and dependence on our God.  The One who gave us life is the One by whom we must live this life.  He decided on your existence.  He should decide on what your existence should consist of.  Our God gave us life and it is the Spirit of God who made us.  He knows our weaknesses, strengths, personalities and inclinations.  Since He made us, He knows us.  Let us face this day looking to our Creator and trusting that He didn’t just create us to leave us to ourselves, but that He loves us and desires to lead us.

Proverbs - Words Don't Profit

Proverbs 14:23

 In all labour there is profit:

but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Women have the gift of gab generally.  We like to talk and communicate.  This is a great relationship builder.  We can get inside someone’s head and heart by talking with them and sharing a great heart to heart.  The problem is that sometimes our lips are talking when our hands should be working.  We are susceptible to staying on the phone when the dishes should be done.  We might stand outside our children’s school gabbing away, when we should be at the market getting things for dinner that night.  We might be instant messaging a friend of ours when the laundry ought to be tended to.  Here the Lord is warning us that if we always talk about what needs to be done we might end up in poverty.  This poverty might mean a day with nothing to show for it or even a lifetime of struggles and empty handedness.  The Lord gives us a great promise in this verse.  He tells us that in ALL labor there is profit.  If we just rinse that “sippee” cup or wipe down that mirror, we are already ahead.  Sometimes as moms we can feel if we didn’t complete everything to a certain standard that we are behind.  The Lord tells us in this verse that our conclusion is not true.  If we do any sort of labor, there is profit.  So, let us be careful about talking when we should be working and be reminded that whatever we do put our hand to do, we are profiting our household.

Knowing God - He Answers and Strengthens

Ps 138:3

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

When we cry unto the Lord, He answers us.  He will not ignore us.  He is attentive to our cry.  He is our Father and He loves us SO much.  When we take that purposed time to cry out to Him, He hears and answers us.  Not only will we get the answers we need but He promises to strengthen us with strength in our soul.  Only God can strengthen our inner man.  He has the access and resources to instill deep within us the strength that we need in those times of trouble.  Trials weaken us and it is God, Himself, that can give us the strength in our souls.  He gives strength to our emotions, our will and our thoughts.  He takes the part of us that is not body, not spirit but soul and strengthens it.  He infuses strength to us and our personalities regain composure and stamina for all we face.  Have you taken the time to cry out to Him?  Perhaps you are crying out to people or whining within your own frame.  Here, we are promised answers AND strength when we cry out to Him!

Proverbs - Don't Devise Evil - Devise Good

Proverbs 14:22

Do they not err that devise evil?

but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

God has given us creative minds.  We can devise and think up so many things.  Because of sin, our minds can be used to think up evil plans and schemes.  Many a mind has conjured up thoughts of revenge and plans to pay back.  Lustful minds have planned out sexual exploits and fantasies that are often encouraged by conversations or media input.  Covetous minds have pictured the riches and successes that one deserves creating discontentment and jealousy in the hearts of the devisor.  Embittered minds have thought of wicked calamities that fall upon those who have hurt or betrayed the one who considers.  The Lord warns us here that we will err if we are people who devise evil in our hearts or minds.  He also gives us the upside of using our imaginations and creativity for good.  Many a mind has conjured up creative ways to demonstrate the love that God has for an individual. 

Minds that desire to think through a solution to someone’s needs have discovered resources that the Lord has provided and how to put them in that person’s hands.  Minds that go towards a burden for the confused have received an answer or promise to deliver peace and direction to such a one.

Thoughts that are taken captive to the Lord Jesus are ordered by Him in directions that result in vision and plans to further the Lord’s purposes in all those who are touched by them.  Minds that consider the lost receive creative strategies in bringing the truth to those who have lived under a lie.  Minds that bring burdens about their children before the Lord begin to think with strength and angles about their children’s struggles and personalities often being refreshed and enlightened in training them in the way they should go.  Wives who consider how to love their husbands begin to receive perspective and ideas in how to build up their marriages and plant fruit that will remain.

Ladies, the Lord has given us a mind that was designed to love Him.  Our creative imaginations, when brought under His control, can be used to bring about mercy and truth in our homes and lives.  If you find yourself devising evil – STOP!  Confess such thoughts as sin to the Lord and ask Him to protect you from error.  Take your thoughts and turn them around, directing them consciously before the Lord, saying internally something like. “Lord Jesus, maybe you would have me do this..”, or “Jesus, I could bring in more money this way..”.  As you begin to take your thoughts captive to His obedience, your creativity will serve as a wonderful place in which to receive the plans He has for you – plans for good, not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs - Don't Evaluate People by Their Wealth

Proverbs 14:20-21

 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour:

but the rich hath many friends.

 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth:

but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

This verse catches us off guard at first.  Why would the Lord be pointing out that people like to be around others who are rich and don’t want to hang out with someone who is poor?  Well, He answers it by the following verse.  Despising someone due to their economic worth is sin. We must never esteem someone with money as better to hang out with than those who do not.  Sometimes we can favor the rich because of the apparent lack of troubles or the benefits we could gain from them.  This is sin.  Our value of other people comes from God’s standard of value and worth because they have been made by Him and for Him.   Every human being is to be valued – in the womb, on the streets, in the mansion and in the mental hospitals.  Our hearts must beat with a desire to love and treat others with a consistent respect and mercy.  Here we are told that we will be happy when we can love and enjoy everyone around us.  The Lord warns us about this tendency to favor the rich in the New Testament:

James 2:1-4  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

We don’t want to be ‘partial’ or ‘divided’ in ourselves.  We want our lives to be consistent sources of support and love to everyone we meet.  In our society, status can creep into our value systems without us even detecting it.  Let us sit before the Lord and these warnings and ask Him to cause us to value others based on their worth in His eyes and no other source of value.

Knowing God - The Lord Desires to be Desired

Luke 24:28-29

 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

The Lord Desires to be Desired

Jesus was walking with these two travelers and talking them through their troubled times regarding the events of the crucifixion.  He showed them in the scriptures how the Christ had to suffer these things.  They did not recognize Jesus at the time.  As they reached their destination they wanted more time with this wise and knowledgeable man.  Jesus acted like He was going to go on.  They insisted on Him staying with them.  This is when their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.  The Lord is seeking those who seek Him.  The Lord wants to reveal Himself to those who want Him revealed to them.  He is looking for those who hunger and pant for Him.  The Lord is found among those who seek for Him with all their hearts.  He wants to be wanted.  He loves it when people desire His presence.  He will open our eyes. 

Knowing God - His Glory Can Be Seen

Isa 60:2

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

God’s Glory Can Be Seen

When everything is pretty dark and ugly, the Lord will arise upon us.  We are told from Jesus that we are the light of the world.  This light is from God Himself and He wants those in darkness to come to the light.  He uses His people as beacons for those in the dark storms of sin and trouble.  The whole earth is filled with His glory and part of the way the Lord shows His glory is by having His glory be seen upon us!  When Moses came down from the mountain he had residual effects of having spent time with God.  God desires us to go out into this dark world with the illumination that only He can give.  Don’t be discouraged dear one at the darkness, trust that His glory will be seen upon you even more!  

Proverbs - Being Good Pays Off

Proverbs 14:19

The evil bow before the good;

and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

Sometimes when people are directly disobeying their Creator’s laws of life, they seem happy and successful.  We can even start to wonder whether keeping God’s Word really makes a difference.  Here we see what eventually happens.  The evil will bow before the good and the wicked bow at the gates of the righteous.  In Psalm 73, David started to be hypnotized and deceived by the apparent success of evildoers.  They seemed so happy and together.

                   

Ps 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

David was going by what he saw and his conclusions led him to envy.  The wicked seemed to be getting away with everything and enjoying life to the fullest.  Ladies, what we see and what is really happening in the hearts of men are often very far apart.  The Christmas card picture always looks like everyone is doing well.  When we meet up for the holidays, everyone is dressed their best, and presenting their polished presence.  In Psalm 73 we learn that David was in a “slippery place” and full of unnecessary pain by looking at others and coming to the wrong conclusions based on what he saw and thought.  Ladies, we are in a good place when we focus on obeying our Maker and doing what is right in His sight.  In the long run we will remain standing no matter how high and lifted up others seem to be.  In the same Psalm the Lord tells us that the wicked are in slippery places as well and that what may appear as success can be over in just a moment.

Ps 73:16 -19 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Once David went into the sanctuary of God, then he understood how things were going to end up.  We need to come into His presence and bring our observations before Him.  Our own evaluations could very well be rooted in partial truths and be used by our adversary to cause us to question our God’s goodness and truth.  Ps 37:3 says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good ; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

Knowing God - His Name is Exceleent

Ps 148:13

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

The Lord’s name is excellent and it is His name alone that is.  The Lord’s glory is above the earth and heaven.  There are many famous people, dead and alive.  A name is mentioned and people have a response of awe or wonder. Whether the person is a famous actress, historical figure, a revolutionary, a scientific genius or noble warrior; these all illicit a sense of respect and wonder in those who hear their names.  How much more should the name of Jesus bring about a sense of awe and impress us deep within?  His name ALONE is excellent.  His name represents who He is and all He has done.  A name is known by the reputation behind that name.  Our God’s glory is WAY above anything here on earth or in heaven.  Let us consider the One whose name alone is excellent and come to the place where ALL other name pale in comparison to who He is and what He has done.

Proverbs - Simple vs. Prudence

Proverbs 14:18

The simple inherit folly:

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

The Lord doesn’t want us to be simple women.  This word ‘simple’ means, not knowing anything.  It is equated with ignorance as a result of apathy and laziness.  A simple woman just exists and allows life, feelings and circumstances to blow her in any given direction at any given time.  This kind of woman will inherit folly.  She will make foolish decisions and reap horrible, complicated situations as a result of having the course of her life at the mercy of any number of variables.  This often results in confusion or anger and perhaps drug or alcohol addiction to numb her and help her cope with the myriad of situations she has allowed herself to fall into. 

The Lord wants His daughters to be crowned with knowledge.  Knowledge and understanding help us wear the crown of rulership over the events and circumstances that blow into our lives.  We become the ones who can decide what to do with them rather than have them come in and redirect our lives in the way they would naturally direct.  If we are wearing the crown of knowledge by being prudent, thoughtful and purposeful in our lives, we will make decisions that are guided by the Lord and our lives will reveal what a wise and holy God we serve.  Let us not sit back and inherit folly through our own aimless existences but rather wake up in our inner man seeking the Lord for His judgment on matters.  Let us make our choices of how we handle our lives with discretion and prudence given by Him and the wisdom He promises to give liberally as we ask.  If we lack some sort of life skill, let us rejoice that Jesus is the life and will give us everything pertaining to life and godliness.  Let us rejoice that He is our Teacher in all things and He will crown us with knowledge.  

Knowing God - Our Father Sees Our Works

Matt 6:3-4

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Our Father Sees Our Works

We see that God is watching all we do.  He is the our overseer when no one is around and when we do works in secret He is with us and we have fellowship with Him as we serve.  We are not to be murmuring or complaining.  We need not feel isolated in any work we walk in.  God our Father is watching and our works are to bless Him and bring about His plans and purposes on this earth.  We should not do things to be seen by men but let our works be a sweet offering of devotion and honor to God.  These ‘secret’ times create an intimacy between us and the Lord that no one else shares.  This strengthens that first love relationship with Christ.  We need not post all we do on a social media sight, nor do we need our friends to do works with us.  There is a time to be a quiet servant devoting our actions to the One who sees in secret.  Let us make sure that when we do those things in secret, we remember that our Father sees what is done is secret and will reward us openly.

Proverbs - Being Easily Angered

Proverbs 14:17

 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly:

and a man of wicked devices is hated.

We are reminded again and again that a foolish woman will tear down her home with her own hands and prudent wives are from the Lord.  God is so good to define what foolishness is so that we can move away from that and towards the new man which is created after Him in true righteousness and holiness.  Here we are told that if we are women who are easily angered we deal foolishly.  It is important for us to be in touch with the disposition we might find ourselves in due to a variety of factors.  If we are tired from being up with a colicky baby or perhaps financial pressures are getting to us, we must know that our fuse could be running a little short and we must avoid situations that would want to get the fuse burning.  We must not make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.  We must know that the state we are in is a very dangerous one indeed and not allow ourselves to go with what seems to be coming naturally.  For every temptation there is a way of escape.  If we sense ourselves becoming angered easily we must confess this and seek the Lord to show us the way of escape and anything we can do to renounce this sort of response.  It is not acceptable and it misrepresents our God who is not easily angered.  Moses was not allowed  to enter into the promised land because his anger got in the way and he misrepresented the Lord.  Sister, seek the Lord for His patient love.  Cry out to Him to fill you with it.  Ask Him what you might do to avoid unnecessary factors that could be contributing to your short temper.  And always apologize to the Lord and to those who felt your anger when and if you fall short.  Let us not miss entering into all the land that the Lord has promised us.

Knowing God - God Cares When We're Sad

Luke 24:17

 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

God Cares When We’re Sad

Jesus drew near the two that were walking to Emmaus that day and asked them about what they were talking to each other about and why are they sad.  Apart from the incredible fact that the resurrected Jesus was walking and talking with them, it is so comforting to note that Jesus mentioned that He had observed that they were sad.  Our God cares when we are sad.  He wants to draw near and question us about our sadness.  These questions are not intended to inform Him, for He knows all things, but He knows that talking through things will help bring us comfort, especially talking through these things with Him.  Jesus then takes them to the written word of God to make sense of the recent events and their impact on these two and their emotions.  Jesus will often direct us to the written Word of God to make sense of the seemingly nonsensical events that occur around us.  How precious that our God cares for us when we are sad and wants to walk and talk with us and bring us comfort!  Are you sensitive to this fact today?

Proverbs - Spiritual Fear and Spiritual Ears

Proverbs 14:16

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:

but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Our days should be those in which we are sensitive to the fact that we do not obey the Lord naturally.  We naturally go our own ways.  This should produce in us a fear – hesitancy and caution when dealing with our natural responses.  We must know that we have the opportunity to destroy and tear down all that the Lord is building in our lives.  This will cause us to take our steps purposefully and with a spiritual ear inclined to His voice.  If we are women who taste of the forbidden fruit of self-confidence, we, like Eve, will hand death and destruction to all those around us.  Ladies, there will be snares and traps your adversary will put before you today.  When we fear the Lord, we depart from evil.  We understand that our days are before us and only our God sees clearly enough to give us the wisdom and direction we need to avoid and depart from evil.  Lord, help us be women who fear You, depart from evil, do not rage and renounce any sort of self-confidence.