Proverbs 1:1-6 ERV; These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel.  They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings.  They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair.  These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned.  Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems.  These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.

We have available to us an entire book in the Bible that will teach good morals, equality, wisdom, problem solving skills and how to apply them to life, but the majority of people have never read the book of Proverbs. Personally, I feel that this should be taught in schools, but definitely parents should teach this book to their children. Shoot, most parents need to learn right along with their kids. I know I needed these words when I was raising mine. Many of these were quoted to me by my mom and dad, their favorite one was Proverbs 22:15; Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. Many of can quote that by heart.

Proverbs 1:20-33 introduces us to Wisdom and shows what happens when we refuse to listen, to have a teachable attitude. Verse 32 & 33 says; “Fools die because they refuse to follow wisdom. They are content to follow their foolish ways, and that will destroy them.  But those who listen to me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear.” I encourage you to read the entire chapter and choose a verse to think on all day long. Continue reading it each day of the month in various translations until you get a firm grip on what it’s like to have a soft and pliable heart toward God. Read the next chapter and meditate that for a month. By the end of the year, see how much your life and attitude has changed.

Father, I long to know you and all of your wisdom. Cause me to be teachable so that I may always sit at your feet and learn. Forgive me for hard heartedness and stubbornness, for I know that those things only hurt me. May I be open to you and your Words as you lead and guide me into all truth. I give you all the glory and praise for you alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

James 1:2-3 AMP says; Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

Wholly joyful! Entirely, totally, completely joyful. From the top of your head to the tip of your toes joyful. That’s a whole lot of joyfulness! And he wasn’t talking about it when you get something good, something you’ve been waiting for a long time. No, he’s referring to the times when you bump up against trials or fall into temptations. He’s asking us to be joyful at the most difficult of times! Why do you think that is? Because on the other side of that trial or temptation, that ‘proving of your faith’, brings out the very best thing of all; endurance, steadfastness and patience.

I believe what James is instructing us to do has everything to do with faith. Seeing things that are not, as though they are. Not seeing the trial as the end, seeing the thing you’re hoping for as the end. He’s saying, don’t look at what you’re going through right now, this will pass, look to the end. Like training for a marathon, you’re going to have some pain, you’re going to face some obstacles, but keep your eyes on the goal you’ve set before you. Work your way through your pain. Stay the course. The end is where you receive your prize.

I’m so thankful for the times I pushed through the pain of my circumstances. I did not allow what I was going through to define my life or become the place I jumped off. When friends left, I knew they were a part of my past not my future. If they didn’t fit into the plans and purposes God had for my life, I had to trust that it was a good thing they were gone, not a bad thing. I chose not to sit and think on how much I missed them or grieve over a lost friendship, I thanked God for what I experienced, what I learned through our friendship and searched for the next person who needed what I had in me and who would help me toward my finish line. That wasn’t meant to sound cold or bitter, it was meant to show that God always has your future on his mind. Some people are only meant to link arms for training, not for the long haul.

Father, I thank you that you have ordered every step. Even my missteps you have purpose for, that is to build up my endurance so I may finish the race and reach the prize. My eyes are on you. My hope is in you. As I press on, give me the exact amount of patience I need to push through. I need to hear your voice, to feel your breath on the back of my neck as you tell me which way to turn and where my next step will fall. I will joyfully praise your Name. I will laugh at my time of deepest need because I see your hand taking me through it. You will never allow my feet to be stuck when you firmly hold my hand. I give you glory for all of this, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Proverbs 29:18a; Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Last year was a year that satan tried to steal our visions and dreams and make us consider that the circumstances we were in would never change. I was personally attacked in almost every area of my life until I became extremely discouraged. Almost daily, I would begin my day by thanking the Lord for provision, spirit, soul and body, but day after day, I would get slammed down with this or that until I felt my very ability to dream was stolen from me.

Regardless of how I felt, I continued to do what the Word said. I refused to allow the enemy access to the promises God had given me. I committed my way to the Lord because ultimately, if He gave the dream to me, He would be the one to make it happen or open the doors for me to walk through. There were days I didn’t ‘feel’ like writing. There were days I didn’t ‘feel’ like worshipping. There were days I didn’t ‘feel’ like encouraging others when all I needed was an encouraging word myself. But how many know that God is always faithful?

At Christmastime, we didn’t hang one decoration or buy each other gifts. We decided we were going to go walk at the park and spend quiet time before the Lord because we needed an answer. God asked me one question; “Do you still want that dream to happen?” I said, “Yes, Lord. You gave me that dream and I want it to honor and bring glory to You.” This was his reply to me, “Ok then, I will do it.” Wow. That had to be the best gift I’ve ever received in my life. That very day, God showed me what it looked like and where it would be. I got my dream back.

It didn’t mean that I never got discouraged again, but it did mean that my hope was restored and my ability to dream was back. Something happens to the human spirit when they dream. Creative ideas. Plans for the future. Hope, joy and peace. You can be broke as a stomped on cookie, but when you place your hope in Gods ability and not your own, that pulls the trigger for faith to shoot out and hit it’s target. Oh how fearfully and wonderfully made we are. God doesn’t want us to hope in ourselves, He wants us to hope in Him.

He always takes the least and makes them great, the poor and makes them rich, those who are foolish confound the wise. He takes the little we have to give, blesses it and gives us more than enough left over. God is able to move on someones heart to give you what you need. I recently heard a story of a woman who had been crying out to God for a desperate financial need she had. At 2:00 in the morning, the unsaved man in the apartment 2 floors up, knocked on her door. When she answered it, he shoved an envelope in her hands containing $2000.00 and said, “Here! Now tell your God to leave me alone!”

Nothing is too difficult for God! He will move heaven and earth to take care of us and bless us, just don’t lose your confidence in His ability.

Father, I thank you that through everything I’ve been through, I’ve learned to trust you more. My faith has grown exponentially with each trial, each tribulation. You always take what satan meant for my demise and smacked him up alongside the head with it! He just never learns. I love you Lord. I depend on your wisdom to guide me each step of the way. Don’t allow me to let doubt and unbelief hinder what you have in store for me. I give you praise and glory in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Galatians 5:16-18 ERV; So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants. The sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self. They are always fighting against each other, so that you don’t do what you really want to do.  But if you let the Spirit lead you, you are not under law.

This is a very foreign thing to many people, this life of being led by the Spirit of God. Many have become convinced that spiritual things don’t exist anymore because they don’t see Him at work in their lives, their churches, their cities or nation. What they fail to recognize is that we are spirit, we have a soul and live in a body which houses our spirit. The Spirit of God was given to us after Jesus went to be with the Father. He is the third part of the Trinity and His job is to lead us into all truth. John 16:13 says; “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

So you see, the Holy Spirit is sent for a very special assignment, but if we refuse to hear Him, if we refuse to allow Him to direct us and show us things, we’re simply walking like the rest of the world, blind, deaf and dumb. We are ambassadors of another Kingdom; the Kingdom of God. As Ambassadors, we live by a different set of laws. Those laws are found in Gods Word and we must read it to know it, hide it in our hearts and live them out on this earth. The Spirit of God protects us, covers us, stands behind us, shows us what to do, where to go, what to speak and shows us things that are coming. What an advantage we have because of the Spirit of God in us.

Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. You give the best gifts but this one, He is amazing. Holy Spirit, I chose to listen to you today and do what you instruct me to do, say what you instruct me to say, go where you instruct me to go. You’re my helper, my counselor, my financial adviser, my investment strategist, my healer, my deliverer, everything I need, anytime I need it. You’re more then a ‘good neighbor’, more then a ‘primary care physician’, more then a ‘thick juicy steak’, You are life to spirit and health to all my bones. So I take a step back and give you place in my life. Without you, I’m directionally challenged and emotionally led. I step aside so that you may lead me into the place you’ve positioned me for. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Isaiah 40:31 Amplified

A few years ago, I typed this verse in large print and pinned it to the wall above my desk. Each day I look at it and know it’s there. I’m familiar with what it says but rarely do I read it. This morning, I heard the Spirit say, “That’s exactly what my people do with My Word. They know it’s there, they see it, they’re even familiar with it, but rarely do they read it.” The greatest lessons in life come from the sweet teacher God sent to live inside of us. Not only did I read it this morning, but I read it out loud. Three times.

I love the Word, perhaps you can tell. One of my favorite apps is Biblegateway.com. When I’m at work and a verse pops into my head, I pull up the site so I can find it, read it and think on it. You may ask, ‘What good does that do for you?’ Plenty good. As you see above in Isaiah 40:31, it revitalizes us, makes us strong and productive. Reading and mediating on the Word amplifies God and minimizes the problems. Not only that, but it gives us the solutions to things we face at work, at home or just life in general.

My grandparents used to sit at the edge of the bed and quote a Psalm together each night. When I lived with them, they would invite me to join them and I would mostly listen. One of their favorites was Psalm 1 and I think it applies this morning;

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God.  But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper. But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind.  They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly. For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom.”

Father, I want this for my life. To always be found meditating on your Word and delighting myself in you and your ways. Don’t let me take your Word for granted, to become familiar with no relationship. Thank you for being my strength. As I wait on you this morning in the quiet start of my busy day, I ask that I would be acutely aware of you as you weave yourself into my life. I love being your daughter. You never disappoint me, you’re never too busy or make plans that don’t include me. I bask in your love, grace and mercy today. I trust you with my life and the lives of all I love. You take delight in the plans you have for me and order all of my steps that I may prosper in what you sent me to do. It’s in Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Luke 5:12-13; One day Jesus was in a city where there was a man covered with a serious skin disease. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground. He begged Jesus, “Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I want to. So be clean!” Immediately, his skin disease went away.

There is not one thing you face that Jesus doesn’t want to deliver you from. Not one thing! In fact, after Jesus paid the sacrifice for sin and included sickness and disease in that (Isa 53:5), His answer changed from “I want to. So be clean!” to, “It’s done. You’re clean!” Accepting His sacrifice is also accepting your freedom from sickness and poverty and exchanging it for health and more than enough. Romans 8:2 says it like this; For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Just like when the man with the skin disease saw Jesus and bowed before him, we also must humble ourselves before him and thank him for the blood he shed and the cross he carried for us. We must thank him for delivering us from sin, sickness and disease. We must believe that he really did what he came to do and begin to contend for what belongs to us. Our words must agree with Gods Word. We can’t say one thing and expect another. I know this is difficult to swallow, but if God places such value on words, we should as well. One cannot continue to speak what they feel out of one side of their mouth and out of the other side, confess healing.

What does the Word say? Mark 4:15 Jesus said; “And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” So we know there is a constant battle for what we’re standing for. If Satan can get us to speak something contrary to the Word of God, he has won the battle. In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us how to win this battle. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and come against every lie the enemy would have you believe. If it doesn’t measure up with the Word, cut it down! Don’t allow your mind to dwell on it. Don’t entertain it or reason with it. That’s what got Eve in trouble. If she had turned to the serpent and said, “That’s not what God said!”, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are today.

Don’t think it will come easy. The truth is, standing on the promises of God can take awhile, but with each victory, you’ll see that gap close. Your faith grows stronger, not in your ability but in His. You begin to believe that His Word is true, that He meant what He said. After a season, you laugh at the devils attempts to take you out of the game. The harder he pushes, the harder you push back, not in your own strength, but from a place of resting in His promised provision of deliverance.

Father, I love you and thank you for your Word that is alive in me. Your Word is full of stories of who you are and what you’ve done, I have so much to draw from. Bring your Word back to my mind each time I need to remember. Each time I face a ‘flesh’ battle, may I remember I overcome because of Jesus. Today, may I face my adversary with sword in hand. May you strengthen me to stand until he walks away with his tail between his legs. It’s in Jesus’ Name I give you praise. Amen

James 1:26 ERV; You might think you are a very religious person. But if your tongue is out of control, you are fooling yourself. Your careless talk makes your offerings to God worthless. 

I’ve met some pretty awesome people in my life. People of faith, men and women who are pretty anointed when they stand to lead worship or preach a message, yet I’ve heard them say things and wondered, wow, what are you doing? You lead my example and that’s not what the Word says. I know it’s easier to see and hear the wrong in others more than yourself, I also realize I am far from perfect. I’ve said some things and thought afterwards, “Yeah, you probably shouldn’t have said that!” James 3:1 says it like this; “My brothers and sisters, not many of you should be teachers. I say this because, as you know, we who teach will be judged more strictly than others.”

If your tongue is out of control, you are fooling yourself. Wonder why you’re not seeing results from your prayers, check your tongue. If you’re sick, stop saying you’re sick. You have a choice to believe the Word or your symptoms. You may feel awful, but begin to take communion, remembering the body of Christ who took all your sickness and disease and the blood that paid the price for sickness and disease. Be fully persuaded, Paul said, that the Word of God is true. If you can learn to put more trust in the unseen than the seen, you will get whatever you ‘say’ (Mark 11:24).

It’s time to work on this small instrument in our mouth that causes us so much trouble. Learn to speak as Jesus did; He only said what the Father said. If you know the Word (truth) it makes you free. The only time Jesus was angry or spoke harshly, it was to the religious folk, to the rest, he taught them and went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed by the devil and his deception. The problem most of us face today is that we don’t know the Words of our Father.

James 1:6-8 says this; “When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea.  A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.  A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything.”

Believe or don’t believe, but take control of your mind, keep it in the Word and on His promises. Sometimes you have to put blinders on so you’re not distracted by things around you. Sometimes you have to stay away from people who are ‘just concerned’ about you. They only want to hear all about your problems so they can give their opinion on the matter. The only opinion you need is God’s! Stop ‘sharing’! If you need to be encouraged in the Word, listen to some faith filled Word preachers or teachers on TV. Take notes. Ask the Lord to show you things that need to change in you so that you can stop being double minded.

Father, I ask that you lead and direct me into all truth. That you would sift out the bad that the good would remain. I want to create an atmosphere where faith will work in and through me. I want my shadow to heal the sick just as it did with the disciples after the Holy Spirit was poured out. You said we would do greater works, so prepare us for that day. We want to display your light, the light of your glory. May we keep our lamps trimmed and burning, filled with the fresh oil of your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Zechariah 7:4-5 ERV;  I received this message from the Lord All-Powerful:  “Tell the priests and the other people in this country this: ‘For seventy years you fasted and showed your sadness in the fifth month and in the seventh month. But was that fasting really for me?”

Christians everywhere are taking the first week or month of the new year to fast and pray. Each person is fasting various things, from all food to media. Some have fasted breads and sweets, others are doing the ‘Daniel’ fast. Each person has their own reasons for fasting. Perhaps you need to hear from God about something specific you’re believing for. Perhaps you need wisdom in a decision that’s up and coming. Whatever your reason, you may be surprised to hear that fasting, according to the Lord is never about you, it’s about Him.

Isaiah 58:6 tells us, “This is the kind of fasting I have chosen: Loosen the chains of wickedness, untie the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.” When Jesus went into the wilderness to fast, it was to prepare for just this. That period of fasting was doing what the Father has chosen; set the captives free. During his time of fasting, he communed with the Father, getting his plan, meditating on the Word. He didn’t take all the scrolls from the temple, no.  At a young age, every boy had to memorize the entire old testament. Some didn’t make it and were sent home to learn their fathers trade, but those who did became teachers. He had the Word of God hidden in his heart and that time in the wilderness was spent getting Gods plan.

What are you doing during your fast to get Gods plan for you. One pastor friend of mine from Nigeria said it so well; “Make sure you stay in the word and prayers during your fasting and prayers. If you don’t pray, you are just observing mere hunger strike.” Are you doing this for Him or for you? If it’s for you, go eat a meal and be satisfied. He doesn’t need your pity fasting, doing it just because others are doing it. He wants communion with you. Fasting allows us to put down our flesh and increase our spiritual sensitivity. It is primarily to tear down strongholds and release captives. Isn’t that what being a Christian is all about? Carrying on what Jesus started?

Father, I repent of fasting failures. I admit, I did this because I need to hear from you clearly on some very important decisions I need to make, but that’s not why you want me to fast. You are more concerned with others being set free and that’s where my prayers should be too. Father, I declare freedom to the captives, deliverance to those in bondage. I pray that Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Allow me to be your voice in the earth. Allow me to be your hands to those in need. Allow me to continue what you started. I thank you that when you start a good work in me, you are faithful to complete it. It’s in Jesus’ Name I ask this. Amen

Philippians 4:4-7 ERV, Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.  And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.

I love to laugh, but I really love making people laugh. Laughing is just so much fun to do and listen to. You can be in the foulest mood, but laughter just carries it away. Proverbs says that laughter is good like a medicine. Lately as I worship the Lord, I’m overcome with so much joy that laughter bubbles up inside of me and spills over. That is known as the joy of the Lord. I can be overwhelmed with problems, issues that may send some into a pit of despair, but His joy comes along and says, ‘Move over! You don’t belong in this vessel,’ and away it goes.

Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. Wow! There’s a mouthful right there! I believe that by the time you finish giving thanks, you’ll find your needs are small and your God is big. When you enlarge the right things, the small things simply disappear. Focus on God, glance at the problem.

I will leave you today in the way I begin everyday:

“Father, I thank you for your Name. It’s above every name in heaven and earth. At your Name, demons tremble. Every problem has to bow to Your Name. I exalt your Name, make it large and glorious. Your Name brings peace and washes all fear away.

“I thank you for the Blood that was shed for me. That Blood covers all my sin, every mistake, misstep and wrong decision is redeemed by that Blood.  When I watch you take all I’ve done wrong and drop it in a bucket of blood, I can no longer see it and neither do you. Thank you that it flows through my veins. As your daughter, I share your DNA so that everything in You is in me.

“Most of all, I thank you for your Word. It’s alive, powerful, sharper then a surgeons scalpel. It heals, it purifies, it delivers, it creates. Everything I need is found in Your Word. It always works. It always accomplishes what you sent it to do. Thank you that all my needs are met according to your Word. There is nothing that I have need of that you have not already provided. Because of your Word, I can come boldly to your throne of grace asking large things that my joy may be filled. I trust in your Word.

“Thank you that your peace that passes understanding, guards my heart and mind. I will stay focused on You and Your Word, pushing back everything in this world that disagrees with that Word. I will fill my mind with your Word, store it in my heart so that I don’t sin against you. I thank you that signs and wonders follow your Word and as I declare and decree what you say, you will back me up! Heaven and earth will pass away, but your Word will never cease.

“Now Father, everything I have is yours. My husband, my children, my family, my friends, my home, my things, my job and finances. Use me for your purpose. I surrender every care, I cast it on you. I won’t allow the things in this world to hold me back from doing and being all you’ve called me to do and be. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

I Peter 1:13-16 MSG, So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

What does it mean to be holy? One definition says; devout, godly or virtuous. How can we be holy as God is holy? There is absolutely no way we can be holy! Trust me, I’ve tried! Perhaps we’re going about it all wrong. God knew that there was no way we could do it, so he sent his son to do it for us. We don’t have to work to be holy, we simply fall back into the finished work Christ did for us on the cross. It’s the process of trusting that what he did was enough, that’s what makes us holy. Giving ourselves totally over to him to be his access point to the world, teaching us to walk in love, showing us a better way, that’s holiness.

We trust that Jesus made us clean. We don’t have to clean ourselves up, we just have to look to him. He took the clothes we were wearing and gave us a new robe called ‘His righteousness’. We know Jesus because we read about him all the time, we talk with him, we’re on a journey together and he’s taking us places where he can do the most good for His Kingdom. Jesus lived to do the will of the Father who sent him. We live to do the will of our Father who sent us into the world. We have merely picked up where Jesus left off. His love is our love. His compassion, our compassion. His mercy, our mercy. The more we give, the more we receive. Where we lack, Jesus more then made up for it by becoming an inexhaustible supply.

“As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.” Being a Christian should never be boring, never be hoarded, always in the giving and doing mode, focused on others, never on self. You’ve heard the expression, ‘Jesus, the gift that keeps on giving’? That’s exactly what he is in us. God has given us everything we need to live life and it’s found in Jesus. Still not convinced?

2 Peter 1:2-4 says it the best; Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.

Father, you made us in your image and likeness, designed us to love like you, create like you, have dominion over evil like you.  You’ve given us everything we need and we use so little. I want to step up into the position I was created to have in You. To step up, I must bow down. To rule, I must serve. It’s not something I can process with my human reasoning. It’s only by your Spirit that I will understand and be able to fulfill this great commission of yours. To be your disciple, to learn at your feet, to lay my will and desires down that you be lifted up. Yours is the Kingdom, the glory forever, Amen