Knowing God - The Lord Reigns

Psalm 96:10

Say among the heathen, “The Lord reigneth”…..

The Lord Reigns

                                                                                     

The Lord reigns.  What does this mean?  It means that the Lord is ruling.  This means that the Lord is actively involved in the affairs of men and even the spiritual realm.  We are told to tell those who don’t believe in Him, that He reigns and rules.  We are instructed to tell the non believer that, regardless of whether they believe in the Lord or not, He is the final authority on matters.  We can let them know that His rules and commands are legitimate and truly the final call.  We can let them know that He is able to rule over the mess they might have made in their lives.  What a privilege to tell someone who doesn't know God that, not only is He real but He is powerful and a King, inviting them to yield to His authority in their life.  When non believers chide you about trials and problems in your life, have mercy on them and declare this truth about your God, “The Lord reigns!”

Proverbs - Don't Love SIN!

Proverbs 17:19-20

                                                                     

He loveth transgression that loveth strife:

and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Being attracted to sin and choosing to do it will lead to strife in our lives.  We will face conflict and tension associated with that sin that causes our lives to be weighed down unnecessarily.  If we find ourselves loving a sin more than loving the Lord strong enough to stop it, we will experience inner and outer tension that the Lord does not want us to have.  As women who desire to have a quiet spirit within us; hating sin is one way to nurture this type of inner peace.  Facing the sin and asking the Lord to give us a hatred for it, will help us be women who have the peace of God ruling our hearts as opposed to the deception of sin.  Eve was deceived when she partook of the forbidden fruit and as a result we have strife between our old sinful nature and that which is born of God.  Choosing to obey the Lord in boundaries He has set, strengthens our new man which is created after Him in holiness and true righteousness.  When we give in to sin, our old nature is fed and the strife between the two grows fiercer.

Exalting our gates is a term used for self confidence.  In bible times there were gates to the cities that controlled what went in and what went out.  A wall surrounded the city and these gates had to be strong enough to keep the enemy out when closed.  If we are women who boast in our own abilities to resist sin and keep things out, we are exalting our gates.  God says that if we do this, we seek destruction.  A haughty spirit comes before destruction.  It is so important that we strengthen gates and seek the Lord for the right filters for our lives, but it is quite a different thing than trusting in these precautions.  Our dependency has to be on the Lord and that He is guarding our lives.  Unless the Lord keeps the house, we work hard with nothing to show for it.  Unless the Lord is our watchman we will not have the resources to come against those unexpected attacks from the enemy of our soul.  Let us boast in the Lord, seek to hate sin and trust that He desires to protect us from strife and destruction.

Proverbs - Co-signing

Proverbs 17:18

                                                                     

A man void of understanding striketh hands, 

and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Becoming surety for someone is basically being a co-signer for someone.  It is taking on the responsibility of the other person in case they fall through.  We lack understanding when we step up and make this sort of commitment with someone we are friends with.   Our relationship may very well suffer as a result of this type of financial agreement.  When we deal with money with someone we change the relationship.  This type of financial agreement puts you in a position of providing for your friend if they don’t keep their word.  If your friend does not follow through on their word to you, you will find yourself having a much harder time working through the forgiveness process because you will become the source of payment for their sin. 

We can do this if we understand that we are not really going to become surety but consider the loan our own and we must be willing to pay it out of love for our friend.  We cannot come alongside a friend financially with contingencies and expectations without asking for a breeding ground of suspicion and bitterness.  If we are unable to lend without expecting repayment, we should not lend.  We should not be a co-signer.  We should help with what we can give; no strings attached, and then put them in the Lord’s hands for their financial dealings.  We lack understanding by shaking hands on this sort of arrangement with a friend if we fail to assume to the role as a giver rather than a co-signer. 

When someone asks you to participate in this sort of financial arrangement, seek the Lord.  Do not say yes because it is your friend.  You should pray even more about it because he or she is your friend.  If you lack peace or consider yourself unable to pay the loan on your own without resentment if they fail, do not enter into such an agreement.  Explain that you are not comfortable with this sort of arrangement and help them as the Lord leads.  He loves them and He will take care of them.  Perhaps their idea of a solution is not the Lord’s. 

Knowing God - He is the God of Peace

1 Thess 5:23-24

 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

God is the Very God of Peace

Our God is working on us.  He is working on our spirit, souls and bodies.  What is motivating our God in this process of setting us apart from those who don’t know Him?  The fact that our God is the very God of peace.  This means that whatever He is doing in our spirits, souls and bodies to change us is being directed by a God who desires peace for our lives.  Sometimes when the Lord calls us on something, we can feel anything BUT peace.  We might even feel shaken, confused and find ourselves in a bit of a struggle.  Peace comes through surrender.  Yield to His work in your life.  Trust that the eventual outcome your God of peace desires for you is peace.  Whatever He is speaking to you and I about changing will bring about a peace that passes our own understanding.   Sanctification is intended on bringing us peace from the very God of peace. Second Peter 3:14 says, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Perhaps some sort of restlessness or conflict within you is a direct result of resistance to what the God of peace is asking you to do even now.  Ask the God of peace to have His way with you.  Thank Him that He has good plans for you resulting in the peace that only He can give.

Knowing God - He Makes and Places

                                                               

Jer 27:5

 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

God Made and God Places

                                                               

God is speaking here and explaining something to us.  He is telling us that He has made the earth, man and beast.  He is explaining that by His great power and outstretched arm He gives His creation to whoever He thinks seems appropriate in getting it.  In this section of scripture, the Lord is telling His people that the king they really didn't like has become king because God has purposes behind it.

 In this chapter the Lord explains that He has sent this pagan king and was not sending the prophets that were prophesying.

We must move cautiously when accepting things that have the right outward package and yet the message is not from the Lord.  We must move in a cautious way, respecting the authority structures around us even when they might seem godless and in a ‘wrong package’.

 Sometimes we can become discouraged because the enemy tries to tell us that he has final authority.  Here, we learn that the Lord is in charge and He chooses how to divide up countries, put people in charge and is powerfully involved in the environments in which we live.  Knowing this should produce in us a great dependence upon our Maker, seeking Him for His leading no matter how we feel about the authorities in our lives.  Thank Him for those who rule over you and thank Him that it is by His great power and outstretched arm that things are the way they are at the moment.  You can then trust Him to give you the wisdom, reverence and ability to work within the authority structures He currently has you in.

Proverbs - What is a friend?

Proverbs 17:17

                                                                     

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

This world has cheapened friendship.  It is portrayed as mere companionship meant to enjoy the frivolities of life and is to stay distant enough not to meddle or get involved.  It is the lighthearted relationships defined by a mutual interest or hobby that provides social connections and laughter.  The Lord has quite a different definition and function for friendships as He sees it.  If we are a true friend we step up conspicuously during times of adversity and make the burdens others are carrying our concern.  We should seek how we may help bear these burdens and desire to be a vessel of the Lord’s loved and assistance in the person’s life. 

Yes, friendship can be fun and lighthearted but the true strength of the relationship is found in times of trouble.  We need to love at ALL times.  The friendships the Lord would want us to enjoy should step up to being a sibling of the one we love.  We have history and we anticipate a future with them.  We trust that we have been placed into people’s lives by a sovereign God who desires to use us to help and support them. 

Our prayer lists should involve adversities that our friends are going through and we should seek to hear from the Lord any sort of scripture or insight we can give them.  Our worlds should not be self defined but include the burdens and seasons our friends are in.  When we do this we fulfill the law of Christ and have the same care one for another.  This shows the world that we are His disciples by our love for one another. 

Knowing God - The Lord Takes Away Our Reproach

Josh 5:9a

                                                               

 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you…

The Lord takes Away Our Reproach

Here we learn of a wonderful trait of our God.  He rolls away our reproach.  Reproach is another word for shame or disgrace.  Israel was treated like slaves by Egypt and they had been beaten down.  It had been many years since God’s people had left Egypt but now was the day that the Lord was to roll this shame away.  The term ‘rolled away’ is used in other places of scripture to describe moving heavy stones.  Shame and disgrace are heavy stones in our lives.  We can get flashbacks about our choices and even sins committed against us that seem too weighty to ever be removed.  Our God rolls this shame away.  When the women went to the tomb they questioned among themselves,

“Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” (Mark 16:3)

  Who shall roll away the stone from the sepulcher of our past? Does your past seem overwhelming to you? The Lord can roll this weight away.  When the ladies arrived at the tomb

“….they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. “ (Mark 16:4).

Maybe you are anticipating the weight of your shame to be there. 

The Lord can roll this weighty burden away.  He is the one who, this day, can roll away the reproach of your Egypt.

Proverbs - Heart For Wisdom

Proverbs 17:16

                                                                                     

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, 

seeing he hath no heart to it?

To gain wisdom in our lives there is a price to be paid.  Oftentimes it is the price of going against what is natural or convenient in order to understand and follow the way of wisdom.  Wisdom is the higher road and takes focus and intent to stay on it.  Voices within and voices without,  will attempt to dissuade us of the wise way of living in order to make us into the foolish women that tear down their own homes. 

We must ask the Lord for a heart that desires to choose the wise way in order to be willing to pay the price.  Anything worth anything has a high price tag.  In order to enjoy the life that is ordered by wisdom we must be women who are willing to pay the price of self denial, self control and waiting on the Lord.  We will enjoy the benefits of a life that reflects the wisdom God has led us in.  Our finances will be ordered, our eating habits will result in a good weight, our homes will be in order and our relationships will be free of foolish entanglements.   Sure, there is a cost but the results are worth it.

Knowing God - He Moves Upon Empty Places

Gen 1:2

 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The Lord Moves Upon Empty Places

The earth was already created here and we learn that it wasn't filled with life or order.  The Spirit of God moved upon the darkness of the deep waters.  The Spirit of God moves when there is darkness and lack of life.  The darkness didn't ask for the Lord to move upon it and yet the Spirit of God moved upon it.  Is there darkness in areas of your life? Do you sense an emptiness and lack of creativity?  Is there an existence you have slipped into that seems without form and void? The Spirit of God is moving and desires to speak life, order and color into your life.  Sense His presence.  Invite the Holy Spirit to move upon your life and begin to make something good out of things that seem lifeless and empty.

Proverbs - Warning

Proverbs 17:15

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.

There are two things we are being warned about here.  The first is that the Lord hates when the wicked are justified.  This is when actions or motives that are evil according to the Lord are justified by human reason or thought.  The Lord hates this.  It is an abomination.  Whether it is a psychologist’s assessment or a friend’s hearty agreement, if anyone is justifying what God calls wicked, it is an abomination.  If it is a documentary on television or a scientific study, if they justify sin, God hates this.  If we, ourselves, justify what we have done when, in fact, the Lord says it is wicked, it is an abomination.  We must be cautious when giving reasons that we do not justify wickedness nor believe those who do.

Secondly, the Lord hates it when the just are condemned.  It is an abomination to declare a righteous deed as wrong when the Lord declares it to be righteous.  How often those who are doing His will are condemned and judged evil by this modern day standards!  How often those who are seeking to please the Lord are labeled and declared extreme and misfits of society!  If we are judged as such, we should remember that the Lord considers this an abomination and so were the prophets before us judged.

The Lord is our judge and when He says something is evil, it is evil.  When the Lord says something is right, it is right.  Let us never justify the wicked or condemn the just.

Knowing God - The Lord is a Living God

Josh 3:10

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail

 drive out from before you

the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites,

 and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

The Lord is a Living God

                                                                              

God is a living God.  A God who doesn't just exist – but lives!  How will we know that this living God is among us?  By the fact that He will WITHOUT FAIL drive out from among us those enemies in our lives that threaten us and posses areas of our lives that He has given to us to possess.  The children of Israel were told to go in and drive out these enemies.  This was not to be done in their own strength.  The Lord would go before them – but they needed to proceed in conquering trusting the Lord to drive them out.  What sorts of Canaanites are in your life?  What habits, attitudes, fears or sins are occupying a life that has been purchased by the blood of Christ?  Turn and face them.  Move towards them with the confidence that God is among you and, without fail, will drive these things out from before you.  He wants you to know that He is the living God that knows how to make our lives worth living.

Proverbs - Contention and Conflict

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Whenever an argument takes place, it has to start somewhere.  The scriptures tell us here that the beginning of strife is like letting a little water out of a dam.  Sure, it just trickles at first, but there is a great body of water behind it that is ready to follow and pour out on all that is in its way. 

We must recognize when the ‘water’ starts to trickle, when we are a bit bothered or disagreeable.  If we can get the picture of a dam full of the water of contention, we might be a bit more guarded at the beginning of potential conflict.

The Lord tells us to leave this contentious state before it gets out of control.  He is our rock and He is able to hold all of it back.  We mustn't be careless with attitudes and responses so as to avoid a devastating flood of words and actions that could follow.  

Knowing God - The Lord Will Break Our Pride

Lev 26:19

 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:

The Lord Will Break Our Pride

The Lord is personally involved in the transformation of our personalities.  We are His people and He is our Father.  If we experience discipline from our Father it means that He loves us and desires to see us become all that Christ died and rose for us to become.  If we resist the Lord, He will break the pride of our power.  Our power is unreliable and often hurts and damages ourselves and those around us.  It is His power that we need and His authority we must put ourselves safely under.  The weightiness we feel sometimes might really be the exalting of ourselves to positions the Lord never intended us to walk in.  Perhaps your heavens feel like iron and the earth feels cold as brass.  Humble yourselves under His mighty hand.  He will break the pride of your power that you might experience His perfect power and your environment becomes safe and warm.

Proverbs - Rewarding Evil

Proverbs 17:13

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

When a kindness is shown to us, it would be wise for us to take note of it and be sure to guard our future responses to that person.  Sometimes the enemy can whisper suggestions of ill intent about someone who has done good to us.  He will question their motives.  He will offer suggestions of evil intentions in order to sow discord among the brethren.  If we are not careful we might follow his suggestions and reward evil for good.

 The Lord warns us here that if we do this, our homes will be plagued with trouble.  Consider who you might have gossiped about or been unkind to lately.  Apart from this being wrong in and of itself, are the subjects of your actions people who have been kind to you?  Be aware of your adversary’s plot to have you reward evil for good.

 How about your pastor or ministry leaders who are seeking to bless and equip you?  Have you criticized and torn them down in the midst of their love and concern for your walk with the Lord?  How about your husband who is seeking to take care of you and provide for you?  Are you discontent and demeaning to the one who is growing in his calling as a husband and father? 

May we take note of good shown to us and be guarded against rewarding evil for this good.  This will protect our home from unnecessary trouble and we will not cooperate with the accuser of the brethren and author of confusion.

Knowing God - The Lord Wants to Show His Power

Ex 9:16

 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The Lord Wants to Show His Power

The Lord was speaking through Moses to Pharaoh in this verse.  The Lord is telling Pharaoh that he has been put in authority to show the Lord’s power and that the Lord’s name will be declared throughout all the earth.  Pharaoh exalted himself and would not let God’s people go.  The Lord knew Pharaoh would do this.  This gave the Lord the wonderful opportunity to display the fact that He is King of kings.  The Lord’s Word is greater than any other word, no matter what powerful place speaks them.  When we are faced with authority resisting God’s ways in our lives, we must not be frustrated or angry.  We must realize that those situations are great showcases for the power and authority of God.  If you have authority over you that seems to really be not cooperating with the Lord’s plans, be strong in faith, giving glory to God.  God may, in fact, have allowed that person to make those unreasonable decisions to display His power and authority in your life!

Proverbs - Angry Bears

Proverbs 17:12

                                                                       

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

According to wikipedia.com, “For the most part, bears are shy and are easily frightened of humans. They will, however, defend their cubs ferociously if a situation calls for it.”  This means that a ferocious, unrestrained reaction will proceed from a mama bear when her cubs are in danger.  The Lord is equating this same violent rage in a person who is facing the obvious repercussions of foolish choices.  If the person is not open to learning and repenting, the apparent consequences of their own foolishness will make them unreasonable and ready to lash out at anyone within close proximity.  If someone around you is living foolishly and seems ready to blow up at you for no apparent reason, they may be meeting their folly.  Endure the reaction and pray that they will admit their sin and foolishness and come to the God who has wisdom for their lives.

Knowing God - The Lord is Good to All

Ps 145:9

The LORD is good to all:

and his tender mercies are over all his works.

The Lord is Good to All

The Lord is good to all so we ought not to be disgruntled when we see something good happen to someone wicked.  It is God’s goodness that leads a person to repentance.  He loves unconditionally and is willing that none should perish but ALL come to everlasting life.  Let us join Him in praying blessings upon those that have done evil to us and let us do good to those who have not been good to us.  Our God’s goodness is consistent and without regards to any person’s character.  God is who He is and His goodness is to be relied upon.  Lord, reveal your goodness to us today!

Proverbs - Rebellion

Proverbs 17:11

                                                                     

An evil man seeketh only rebellion:

therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

                                                          

If we are a person who is always thinking how we can get around boundaries and authority we are being evil.  Rebellion is like witchcraft, the scriptures say, and allude to a demonic element within rebellion.  Rebellion is associated with being stubborn and self-willed.

When we make decisions against the leading of authority in order to do our own thing we invite conflict and angry relationships into our lives.  The spirit of rebellion is rooted in pride.  When we are pleasing the Lord we don’t have to do our own thing, we are seeking to please the Lord.  It pleases the Lord when we seek to come under authority in our lives in order to honor Him.  When we obey the ordinances of this life, we honor the Lord and prove that we trust authority has been placed by Him.  This will protect us from cruel messengers with messages of anger and revenge. 

Knowing God - The Lord Protects Us From Predators

Ps 124:6

Blessed be the LORD,

who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.

The Lord Protects Us from Predators

We have predators all around us.  Predators are lurking around and we need protection.  This verse tells us that the Lord, Himself, will protect us from the predators in our lives.  You might not even know what is lurking in your environment that is waiting to pounce on you.  The Lord does.  He is keeping watch over you and me.  He sees through those camouflaged places where predators dwell.  He is our protection and takes the role as the One who shields us from those who would want to devour us.  We don’t have ANY idea how many times He has delivered us from the mouth of the devourer.  Perhaps it would be good to pause even now and bless the Lord.  Thank Him for delivering you from the teeth of your adversary.

Proverbs - Reproof is Welcomed by the Wise

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man

 than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Listening to a bible study or looking into the Word of God should cause us to be reproved and corrected.  The Lord would want us to be reproved by words more than the ‘stripes’ of consequences.  When confronted on an action or attitude, do we find ourselves defensive and stubborn?  We might find ourselves facing ‘a hundred stripes’ instead.  Wouldn’t we rather let the Word of God or the reproof of a godly friend work a work in us rather than needless wounds and repercussions of foolish choices?

We should ask the Lord to make us wise women who desire to be corrected and caught on things that are foolish.  We should embrace God’s standard and continually be open to His correction and challenges.  We should allow reproof to enter deep into us producing lasting change.

When was the last time you heard the voice of reproof?  Have you considered these reproofs and had them enter into your soul.  Have they become a part of your character and produced boundaries you now embrace?  Ponder these things and let reproof enter and stay in your identity as wisdom from Your Maker.

Knowing God - The Lord Wants a People for Himself

Deut 29:13

 That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers,

 to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

The Lord Wants a People For Himself

The Lord is the same today, yesterday and forever.  He wants to be unto us a God and establish for Himself a people.  As He spoke to the nation of Israel, so He speaks to those who, in Christ, are now sons and daughters.  The things He does in our lives are motivated by His great love and desire to have children who know Him and love Him.  Do you know of this love?  Do you walk in His love?  Do you face the day confident that, through the finished work of Jesus Christ, you are his child and He is your God?  Are you still trying to earn His favor?  Sister, He LOVES you!  He demonstrated this through Jesus on Calvary.  Nothing else has to be done.  You are His child and He wants to be YOUR God.  Enjoy this relationship today.  This brings Him great delight!

Proverbs - Cover Transgressions

Proverbs 17:9

                                                                     

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Sometimes when we are sinned against we want to pull others into our pain.  We are told that we are to cover a transgression if we are to seek love.   When someone sins against us we should commit it to the Lord and seek Him for His heart of grace and forgiveness.  We must be careful about who we repeat it to even after the offense has been forgiven.  Telling others about a sin can separate close friends.  We can often leave out some details or present the situation in a way that the hearer is shocked or appalled and leave them in a place where they have to work through it.  In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking.  When we begin to talk to a friend and recount some story involving sin, we should stop and not bring attention to the sin.  We can share a general account that an offense was made and the Lord healed the relationship without repeating the matter.  We don’t need to give a play by play account of what our adversary has done.  He doesn’t deserve the air time.  We should rather repeat, detail by detail all that the Lord has done and magnify Him with others.

 If we need godly counsel, seek to recount the matter to one who is in some sort of spiritual authority in your life or perhaps is a bit removed from the knowledge of the offender.  This would be still seeking love because you are attempting to cover the sin and only bring it to the light in the appropriate environment.  When we forgive we can choose to not bring things to remembrance.  This will make us like our God who remembers our sins no more.

Knowing God - He is the Head of ALL Power

Col 2:10

And ye are complete in him,
which is the head of all principality and power:

He is the Head of ALL Power

Jesus is the head of all principality and power.  He is over all that comes our way in demonic or angelic influences.  We must remember this so as not to cower in fright and intimidation.  Jesus Christ is the head and NOTHING takes place without His knowledge and allowance in His disciples’ lives.  He is BIGGER than we have yet to comprehend.  If we truly apprehended this truth we would be in quite a place of rest and security.  This truth should free us from taking the victim role.  This should cause us to maintain a close intimacy with Jesus, seeking His counsel and leading in dealing with spiritual warfare and spiritual onslaught.  Lord, thank You that I am complete in You.  You are the head of ALL principality and power and I am Your child.  You want to guide me in these things that are too high for me. 

Proverbs - Gifts That Prosper

Proverbs 17:8

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it:

whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Whatever we have received from the Lord is to be valued and seen as given to us for His purposes. When we consider the fact that all we have has been given to us, we might consider more seriously the purposes for which He has entrusted us with these resources.

Your home, car, spiritual gifts, marriage, husband, money and time, these are a few of the things that are meant to prosper wherever they are yielded to Him and used for His glory.  Sometimes depression can set in when we are living and using what He has given us for our selves and not for Him.  We can feel empty and unsuccessful in the inner man.

Take a moment and commit all you have to Him.  Ask Him to use the gifts He has given you in the way He desires to.  Watch your days take on a successful and prosperous feel as you see each gift as a valuable jewel meant to be used for purposes far greater than the obvious.

Knowing God - The Lord Is Our Authority

Ps 118:9

It is better to trust in the LORD

than to put confidence in princes.

The Lord Has the Authority We Need

Our trust will always be placed in someone or something.  The Lord is much more powerful and influential than any sort of earthly authority.  We have a friend in high places.  He is God!  He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond all that we ask or think.  He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  The Lord is able to do more than we can even imagine.  Do you trust Him?   Are you looking to that boss?  Are you finding your hope in your husband?  Do you believe that doctor more than the One who made your body?  Are you trusting in that which someone in authority can do for you more than what the Lord God Almighty can do?  Truly it is BETTER to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in ANY authority.

Proverbs - Words

Proverbs 17:7

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Our words are very much an evidence of who we are.  Here we see that just as much as hearing a foolish person speak words of wisdom would catch us off guard, so, too, lying lips don’t fit on a prince. 

A prince has authority and is esteemed as someone who is concerned for his father’s kingdom.  We are to be those princes wanting our heavenly Father’s kingdom to be furthered and to rule in people’s lives.  Lies are not becoming on us and we must be cautious when answering anything to represent things in the most accurate way we are able to.  This requires having the fear of the Lord and being slow to speak.  We can always answer “I am not sure”, when we are not sure.  We can answer “I don’t want to share that information with you”, when we don’t want to give some sort of information.  Truthful lips are controlled by the ‘Spirit of Truth’ and show forth a life that desires to walk in truth.

 Be careful about how you answer people today and be cautious in disciplining your children or communicating with your husband.  You must speak truth, not exaggerations or minimize what God says is important.  Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” 

Knowing God - He Helps Us Through Others

Ps 118:7

The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

The Lord is with Those Who Help Me

When people help us the Lord is actually working with them and through them.  Whenever someone comes alongside of us in our trials and troubles we can be confident that the Lord is in this action.  Receive their help and be sensitive to the Lord in it all.  It is the Lord who loves us and moves upon others to be vessels of His love, encouragement and support.  It is much nobler than just human concern.  To the child of God, help given by men is help given by God.  Thank the people, but thank the Lord that He is moving upon those around you to help you.

Proverbs - Crowns

Proverbs 17:6

                                                                     

Children's children are the crown of old men;

and the glory of children are their fathers.

A crown is something that shows influence and authority.  The crown signifies that a person has some sort of authority over all he or she oversees.  When we were raised by our fathers, the Lord intends many of those things to be passed down to our children.  Even if our earthly fathers were poor examples, we learned from their bad examples as well and they serve as a warning to our children.  Perhaps the heritage you have is not being valued enough in making decisions for your children.  Consider what sort of influence your father should have when making decisions for you children.

Secondly, we must stay in prayer for our husbands and draw attention to their strengths in the sight of our children.  When we praise our children’s fathers to them, we help them shine.  When we are driving along in the car with them we can start a conversation about what we admire about them and why we love them.  When our husbands do something for the children it would be good to point it out to them. Children can often be ignorant in their self absorbed ways of what their fathers are doing for them.  We are called to reverence our husbands and one way to do this is to bring attention to those things worthy of praise in our children’s fathers.

If we don’t have any children, we can certainly influence other children to see their fathers in the light of praise.  We can talk to children after church or send a card to a nephew or niece telling them what we admire about their fathers.  We can be a part of building up a Christian home so that when the enemy comes in we will be part of the standard that the Lord is raising up.