Thirsty Thursdays: God's Wisdom,Your Choice

 

One of the great gifts God gave to mankind is the power of choice (free will). To fully enjoy the abundance of blessings God has for his people we need to make lifestyle CHOICES that align with HIS will for our lives. Our values and decisions should coincide with HIS word.

Proverbs, as we read in yesterday’s great post, is wisdom literature. Chapter 11 provides us with more knowledge and wisdom, explaining the benefits of different characteristic traits, which can help us make the RIGHT CHOICES/DECISIONS.  “2. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” We read how time and time again Pharaoh allowed his pride to prohibit him from submitting to God’s will, thus allowing for many plagues to come upon the Egyptians. “5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness…8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.” When living righteously and following God’s will for your life, progression and blessings are constant. When doing your own thing, living immoral and evil lifestyles, we get caught up in a cycle of disappointment and chagrin, tripping over our mistakes and wrongdoings. “19 Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death…21…the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. 22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion...25 a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed…27whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it."

This whole chapter is full of gems to help us improve as individuals and grow in Christ. It provides us with the benefits of righteous living as well as warning us about being wicked and immoral. Reading this made me think of a powerful saying, “Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become character. Watch your character for it becomes your destiny.” Be conscious of what you say/do and use your God given ability of free will to build a better relationship with others as well as God, thus building the kingdom.

 Stay Thirsty My Friends

Thirsty Thursdays: Ron

Warrior Wednesdays: Got Wisdom?

In Matthew chapter 2 we are introduced to the story of the wise men. These wise men travelled thousands of miles following a star to worship the new king. When they found him, they were joyful, they worshipped him, and gave him precious and expensive gifts. This approach is extremely different from the way many look at God today. Many people expect God to search for them, explain himself, prove who he is and give them gifts. Wise people seek and worship God, not for what they can get, but for who he is.

The wise men demonstrated true worship. They honored God for who he was and were willing to give up valuable possessions. We should worship God because he is perfect, just, the creator of the universe, and worthy of the best we have to offer.

After the wise men found Jesus and worshipped him, they were warned by God  not to return back through Jerusalem as they originally planned. Finding Jesus may mean that our lives need to take a different direction, one that requires complete obedience and prompt responsiveness to God even when it may alter our current plans. Are you willing to let God change your plans and lead you in a different direction?

If you would like to learn how to become wise the book of Proverbs is a good place to start.  The book was written by the wisest man in the world, King Solomon. Proverbs Chapter 10 gives instruction on how to become wise.

"The wise in heart will receive commandments." 10:8

"In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found..." 10:13

"Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction: 10: 14

"It is the sport of fools to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom."  10:23

"The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out."10:31

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney

Transforming Tuesdays:Recognize Your Purpose Driven Life

Finally we are in the book of Matthew, which talks about the birth of Jesus the Messiah! I cannot wait until we get deeper into this book.  In Matthew Chapter 1, we see the lineage from Abraham to Jesus.  The story of the birth of Jesus in itself is absolutely amazing.  I remember learning this story in Sunday School, but reading it today, I was able to grasp the full concept of who Jesus is and what he represents. 

The Bible says that Mary and Joseph were basically scheduled to be married, but before that happened she found out that she was pregnant with the Holy Spirit.  Now I don’t know about you, but I know that I could not even fathom going to my parents claiming to be a virgin, while with child.  However, the thought of this doesn’t matter because God didn’t choose me to conceive Jesus.  Just as my previous thought process, Joseph could not understand how Mary was pregnant and the Bible mentions that he had secret plans to divorce her.  Now when I first read this I felt so bad, but honestly how many times do we see broken families because spouses refuse to raise children that aren’t their own??? Sadly it happens far too often.  How many of you would raise a child that is not yours if you were told that the child would be GREAT?  I bet that changes things.  This too changed things for Joseph because an angel visited him in his dream where he was told not to leave Mary and that her son was conceived from the Holy Spirit.  From there the angel told Joseph to name the baby Jesus because he will deliver the people [us] from their sins.  Thank you JESUS!  Joseph was obedient and from there he took Mary as his wife. 

Do you know what purpose means? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as: something set up as an object or end to be attained; intention; resolution; determination.  Jesus was born with a purpose driven life.  The beauty in this is that we are all born with purpose driven lives.  Now none of us are born from virgins but when God created us, he did so with purpose in mind and I pray that we all fulfill our purposes before he wants his angels [us] back.  Jesus had the task of saving us from our sins, which meant that he would have to die a brutal death all for you and me.  Although I am not a parent, I consider myself THE WORLD’S BEST/GREATEST AUNT (my nephew & neice tell me that) and I could not imagine the thought of them being subject to pain because of the actions of others, especially if those same people refused to acknowledge who they are.  I will just let that thought sink in because I don’t want to address future reading.  With that being said Jesus was born with an ultimate goal where he proved to be the ultimate sacrifice.

I feel like we, as Christians get a little confused with purpose.  I say this to say that we often forget that with purpose comes direction, and with direction comes rules and guidelines that we are all subject to.   Exodus 20-21 illustrates the furtherance of Moses’s purpose through the Ten Commandments.  This was the first time that we see God enforcing a law system.  These commandments offer guidance and direction for spiritual living and moral conduct.  They are as follows:

1.     Thou shalt have no other gods before me.


Only trust in God

2.     Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.


Don’t worship idols

3.     Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Respect God and the things of God

4.     Remember the sabbeth day, and keep it holy.

Take time to reflect and pray

5.     Honour thy father and thy mother.


Respect your elders

6.     Thou shalt not kill.


Don’t kill and respect all life, because God created them

7.     Thou shalt not commit adultery.


Respect sex and marriage

8.     Thou shalt not steal.


Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you, and be honest

9.     Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.


Be true and honest even if you have to stand alone, because God is by your side

10. Thou shalt not covet.

Only desire what God wants for you

These commandments we put in place after the Israelites were freed from slavery and wondering into the wilderness under the direction of Moses.  If you violate one of the Ten Commandments, then you have committed a sin [we all have].  However, you are encouraged to repent for those sins once you do; and remember that every sin carries the same weight in the eyes of God.  It is man that places different levels of punishment on humans.  For instance, if I were to lie and my neighbor were to kill, to God that is the same thing.  Unfortunately, society places a higher punishment on someone who chooses to kill.  At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, God’s law governs. 

Are you living your purpose driven life?  Do you know what purpose means? Do you know your purpose?  Are you seeking direction and guidance?  Are you following the rules and guidelines?  I can promise you that if you don’t know what your purpose is, that if you seek God you will find out exactly what it is.  It’s okay not to know now because a lot of us don’t know, but as long as you let God use you just as Joseph, Mary, Aaron, and Moses, God will deliver his end of the bargain.  

FIND YOUR PURPOSE GREATNESS IN THE LORD AWAITS YOU :) 

Transforming Tuesdays: Jamera

Melinda Watts - Purpose Driven Life

Also if you are looking for more guidance in living your purpose driven life, please check out a book titled, "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. It is absolutely excellent and I was first introduced to its impact when I would attend a Bible Study given by my Uncle with numerous other young adults. It is truly powerful.

Merciful Monday: Family Fellowship

Take a moment to stop and think about the most important people in your life. Most of you probably have a few family and friends in mind. Now think about how many of those people know God. I’m sure that there are some people close to you that do not know the Lord, and it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to tell them.

Today, we read about Jethro's (Moses’ father-in-law) visit to wilderness after the people of Israel left Egypt. The Bible states “Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles” (Exodus 18:8). And after telling this story Jethro came to a realization. He said, “I know now that the Lord is greater than all other Gods” (Exodus 18:11).

This is a simple example of how important it is to tell people about the goodness of God, especially those close to you. All Moses did was share his personal story, and I’m sure he didn’t expect this reaction from Jethro, but it touched Jethro in such a way that his life was changed forever. It caused him to believe and to acknowledge God.

We need to follow Moses’ example. If you value those close to you, you should be concerned about their spiritual well-being. Don’t you want all of your family and friends to join you the fellowship of Christ?! When sharing, remember to be sincere, honest, and humble because you never know how your testimony will affect them! And don't be discouraged if your words do not get through to them as easily as it seems Moses' words reached Jethro. Just continue to remind them about God and pray that one day they will understand.

Watch the funny video below to figure HOW NOT TO tell your friends about Jesus:

 And read this article to get some tips on HOW TO lead a friend to Jesus: http://www.theencouragingword.org/lead-a-friend-to-jesus

Merciful Mondays: Jael

^“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.” Deuteronomy 4:31

Salvation Sunday: Are you running with patience?

When there are physical races, the person who always wins is the one who finishes first. This is interesting because spiritual races are to the ones who endure to the end and not necessarily to the fastest runner.

In this life, Christians are basically running a race trying to get heaven. Our goal is to stay chasing after God and the final destination is to be with Him in heaven. Now, many times we have distractions which will come in and take us off course. These distractions can be job wise or it can be temptations. Now, the reading in proverbs talked about a particular temptation. In proverbs, the writer is talking about watching out for harlots or promiscuous women. I believe that this also goes for men as well. Basically, you cannot listen to that temptation and you have to look to Jesus for help and strength. It's not going to be easy because it's life but with God it's a whole lot better. But that right there is only one temptation. There are many others depending on your walk with God.

Now, when you're running the race, you might get tired or discouraged. You may be wondering where Jesus is because He said He will never leave you and He said that you won't give you more than you can bear. You may feel like you can't go any further or that you are stuck. You may feel that you are not going to be able to finish the race. I just want to encourage you to hold out and keep pressing forth because God has you. You just have to seek Him. The Israelites we're in the wilderness for an extremely long time. And as any human would do, they started complaining about the lack of food and water. They realized that they had everything they needed in Egypt besides the freedom aspect. So, the Israelites came to Moses and gave their complaints and issues. So, Moses came to God and cried out unto God. God confirmed that He heard their cries and spoke to Moses about how their supply would come. And as always, God's promises came to life. Now, with this race, you will have ups and downs. But, that's the time when you have to go to God and talk to Him. You may have to cry out to Him. When Jesus was at the garden of gethsemane, He cried out unto God before dying on the cross. He told God to take this from me because I don't want to do it. And mainly that was the flesh speaking and also fighting with the devil. And Jesus also said on the cross, my God my God why hast thou forsaken me. So crying out unto God is not the issue. Actually, God wants you to cry out to him. He wants you to tell Him your troubles. But, He also wants you to trust Him. The thing is He doesn't want to you to take the situation into your hands.  When you do that, it says that you don't trust Him. You don't trust that God can bring you out. This also goes into running the race with patience. Hebrews 12:1 really got me on the patience aspect of running the race. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with PATIENCE the race that is set before us.". God wants us to run this race with patience. He wants us not to rush through it for a couple of reasons. First, you'll miss out on the miracles that God has for you. In addition, there are people on the way that God is going to want you to pull them in the race. And God wants you to trust Him ALL the time. He wants you to trust Him because He knows the right time for your blessings. We can't rush order our blessings because God may not want it rush ordered. He may want it delivered a couple weeks later, when He knows that you will really need it.  So, we  have to be patient and we have to trust God.

So, as you're running the race, I encourage you to run with patience and trust God. He will bring you through it and He will bless you right on time. Don't give up and keep running because the race is to the one who endures to the end. Continue to run your race until you finish it.

Have a blessed Sunday!!!
Salvation Sunday: Steven Gable

Saturday Sacrifice: Don't Give Up, Keep the Faith

Just like my big bro Chris said, by faith we believe

that God’s miraculous power back then is still

present and available now.

Think about it… All those times you thought you

couldn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. God

 would show up just in the nick of time!

You didn’t give up, you kept the faith. I encourage

 

those who feel like giving up, and feel like God isn’t

working out your situation. Keep the faith, persevere,

continue to seek the Lord, God will definitely show up

and show out!

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keep your faith in action! Believe that God is, and

 that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
 
 

FAITH ACTION VERSE:
 

⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

Just by continuing to seek the Lord, you are keeping your faith in action. Even though you don’t see the answer to your prayer yet, you believe that he will come through. You’re still asking, you’re still seeking, you’re still knocking…
 

FAITH ACTION VERSE:

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ~ Matthew 7:7-11

 

Quick vid about THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH...Do you know it??...

 

 

 

 

 

Stay in peace, not in pieces =)
 

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah

Friday Felloship: Today Get your Hands on Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for”.  Stop in the verse there, substance is the key. Substance is something tangible. Next part of the verse says “evidence of things not seen.”

We use faith in these situations as hope is needed in them and there’s no evidence of actuality.

1.      Uncertain situations

2.      Unknown situations

3.      Against all logic situations

In Exodus we find God’s people in an uncertain situation, will pharaoh destroy them?

 In an unknown situation how will they escape?

Against all logic Moses told the people of God to fear not and watch the salvation of God, will they trust God in the face of destruction?

Maybe, I lost you lets update our questions. In uncertainty, will I get that job I just interviewed?

When faced with unknown, will I make it through the week with my finances being extremely limited?

Against all logic, God does he speak to us and is prayer effective?

When you’re faced with these situations this is what you do…..

GET YOUR HANDS ON FAITH

Hebrews 11 stresses accomplishments of people that got their hands on faith:

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

¹⁸ Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

¹⁹ Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

When you have faith, your imagination is activated. The scripture in blue, demonstrates this. Abraham went to offer his son as a sacrifice believing God would raise him from the dead, despite never seeing it done.

God is pleased By faith as mentioned in Hebrews. Please God today and activate your imagination of God regarding wherever you are. Use these people as your example and this format.

To the unemployed person By faith go before God in prayer and claim today at 10am I’m receiving a call with the job I desired.

To the person that’s frustrated with the same thing all week By faith go to God in prayer and claim now in the name of Jesus I receive the peace of lord that passes all understanding. I’m not leaving prayer or ceasing to call your name until my peace comes.

To the person in school worried about their studies and grades,  say to yourself By faith I’ve done my best and I will do Great as I am favored by God because Jeremiah 17:7 says

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” By faith I believe this scripture applies to my education.

Hebrews 13:8 says
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” By faith we believe this and know God’s miraculous power then is still present and available now.

By faith we please God. What are you changing or receiving By faith?

Thirsty Thursdays: Seek and Submit

Pride can be defined as a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.  Having pride when it comes to self esteem and self worth is a good thing, we should be proud of who we are. On the other hand too much pride can be a very bad thing, making us stubborn, hard headed and unwilling as well as vain and conceited. Along with having pride we should also have humility so we may understand our rank or importance so to speak and be able to submit to authority. 

Exodus 11 continues to show the arrogance and excessive pride of Pharaoh. Even after all the other plagues God brought upon Egypt, Pharaoh still did not want to listen or submit to God and allow the Israelites to go free. Each time another plague came upon Egypt, Pharaoh “hardened his heart” instead of humbling himself, thus having God send another plague. Life could have been a lot smoother for Pharaoh and the Egyptians if only he had submitted to Gods will and released the Israelites as Moses instructed him to do.

I myself can sometimes be a very prideful individual (Shocking I know). It is something I have come to notice (first step in fixing a problem is realizing there is one) and now try to work on. As my relationship with God grows, he deals with me more and more and helps deliver me. The support of others also helps me improve and grow spiritually. "24 and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another..." Hebrews 10:24-25. My bible study group, small group, church family all have truly been a blessing to me and my walk with Christ (love ya). We serve a mighty and all-powerful God; there is nothing he cannot deliver us from, nothing he can’t fix. God performed the ultimate sacrifice for us, for our sins, so “persevere in faith”. “22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart, and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:22-23. We all have shortcomings and mess up, but God can restore us. Come unto him, repent and believe in faith, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” Hebrews 10:36. God will always be there for you, just seek him out. 

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Thirsty Thursdays: Ron 

Warrior Wednesdays: The Power of the Pen

The story of the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt is a powerful demonstration of God's extensive power. It is one of the stories that is taught in every Sunday school class, it has been depicted in movies and reenacted throughout time to tell of the glory and power of God. Thus fulfilling what God said "..that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how I am the Lord." Exodus 10:2. Can you imagine if this story had never been recorded? 

Plagues of blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock dying, boils, hail, locuts, total darkness, and death of all firstborn. With 10 plagues there is no doubt that some of these plagues would have been forgotten or messed up when retold if they had not been written down. I know it can be easy for me to forget something that just happened. The event may have been great at the time, but over time the details become hazy. If this story had never been written it may have been told to a few generations, but would have probably died out. Many of us would have never had the oppurtunity to hear about the greatness that God showed to both the Hebrews and the Egyptians.

Like the author of Exodus, Moses it is important that we write down our spiritual journey and mircales that God has done for us so we may pass it down to future generations.

Below is an excerpt from Rick Warren's book, A Purpose Driven Life explaning the importance of writing down your journey. I challenge you to begin a journal today:

Write down our progress in a journal – The best way to reinforce our progress in fulfilling God’s purpose for our life is to keep a spiritual journal. This is not a diary of events, but a record of the life lessons we don’t want to forget.

Writing helps clarify what God is doing in our life. Our life is a journey, and a journey deserves a journal. I hope you will write about the stages of your spiritual journey in living a purpose-driven life.

Don’t just write down the pleasant things. As David did, let’s record our doubts, fears, and struggles with God. Our greatest lessons come out of pain, and the Bible says God keeps a record of our tears. Whenever problems occur, remember that God uses them to fulfill all 5 purposes in our life: Problems force us to focus on God, draw us closer to others in fellowship, build Christlike character, provide us with a ministry, and give us a testimony. Every problem is purpose-driven.

We owe to it to future generations to preserve the testimony of how God helped us fulfill His purposes on earth. It is a witness that will continue to speak long after we’re in heaven.

Pass on what we know to others – If we want to keep growing, the best way to learn more is to pass on what we have learned. Those who pass along insights get more from God.

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney