In Boldness, Vigor and Great Style

Psalm 37:7-11......7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret--it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth. 
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  NKJV

Ever tried to hurry God in something you want or need to happen now? Has someone insulted you or ridiculed you in some manner that seems to be ongoing with no end to it? Are we wanting some uncomfortable face to face with someone to be over, yet know not how to handle it?

It is in waiting in prayer and the Word that we find, what some may overlook or not even discover, but is His peace. Being captive by something that overtakes our thinking, causes us to overlook, and to not see the benefit of waiting in God's presence and can send us to a place of turmoil and upheaval. He surely knows our wants and desires, but all are not of benefit to us. Surely He knows bills have to be paid and the children cared for, and He also knows the messes we sometimes get ourselves into while making this journey through life. It may be some conflict at home, or at the workplace. It may be someone who just does not like you, and makes every effort to get some peeps on-board with their thoughts against you. But God is greater and He will show us how to walk through the ordeal and to remain meek, but bold in the Lord!

I think of the times when our daughter at a young age wanted something desperately. She would think her life would be over if she did not get some little thing right now. At even a young age of six, she could debate the issue with the best of them. She could maneuver as the Stealth through quiet and low key questions as to why she could not have the "thing she wanted". Even today, she moves through as the Stealth, but she is moving in the power of God and through the Holy Spirit that keeps her under the radar of ordinary man, to minister at just the right time the life and truth of God's word to someone on her radar. She seeks their good in God's plan.

In showing her from a young age the importance of waiting and working toward a certain goal came quicker than she ever thought it would. She could turn her focus in being happy where she was at and what she was doing at the time, and continually be persistence to hold before her the truth that a new toy, a new bike or a car could come into her hands. She became diligent to walk toward that which she desired, keeping the goal, and helping others get to where they needed to go as well with their goals. She walked the talk about the new thing she desired.

Today, she and her husband show our grand-daughter the same importance of speaking God's word and sowing finances toward that end! Anytime our grand-daughter gets money, she is ready to sow some seed into fertile soil. She is ready to sow some toys, that are still good condition that another younger child might like. She is looking out to sow where she can, even her clothes when she outgrows them too soon.  It is seen in her life and her parents as well, the importance of sowing. When we do, it will surely come back to us in that which we have sown.

Jesus told us that the meek shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5....5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  NIV

Those humble, expectant, and with all gentleness shall inherit the earth. They shall be those who have been hurt by insults, ridiculed, or even far worse, and turned to give all gentleness back to the one who insulted them, to the one who ridiculed them. Gentleness will harbor no anger or resentment toward another when the other gets a new home, or a new car, or another trip to Hawaii or abroad. The meek shall speak out in joy for the one who has received maybe something they were believing for from God and are still waiting expectantly for it.

Whatever the injury to our person, we are to rise above to that peace in God that He is with us. He will show us the benefits of walking in meekness of heart.

We are told in:

Titus 3:1-8....3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 

NKJV

James 1:19-20.....19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

NKJV

We are to be those who speak evil of no one, but being gentle toward others, even those who may be haters and who live in a place of envy. We are to be eager to hear, and slow to speak, slow to wrath, for that wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:21-22.....21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.KJV

Receiving God's word protects us in the workplace and the world. Any place we may have to partake of, we have the choice to choose whom we will serve. Will we serve ourselves, or be ready to humble ourselves and let God take care of the injustices? In serving ourselves, we are actually serving our emotions. Man's first response to any insult or ridicule is to protect himself! But Jesus told us to turn the other cheek when having a face to face with someone who is against us, who has envy or hate toward us.

I really like the scripture verse from the Living Bible. It states:
James 1:21-27.....21 So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.

22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. 23 For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; 24 as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. 25 But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does.

26 Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much. 27 The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father's point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and who remains true to the Lord-not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world.     TLB

In our daughter's Junior High years, she had eczema over some of her body.  Some of the "kids" in school would make fun of her. But it was no fun for her. She had such a time of pain and itch. Her sheets would look like someone had bleed on them overnight. In those times, she kept her focus on her school work. She was given the award of Student of the Term three times in those two years. She kept a perfect 4.0 GPA in those times of pain and chaos.  With those new friends she made and kept, she gave them encouragement.
I remember our daughter in her first year of high school had a friend who had a car.  He would sometimes come by and pick her up for school so she would not have to ride the bus.  Some of those who ridiculed her in Junior High had to ride the bus everyday. So our daughter's friend, a young man who lived in our neighborhood would come by and they would go to school together. He would talk of his needing a paint job on his car. His car ran really well for an older model but he surely spoke correctly about the paint job. Our daughter believed with him for new paint. She did not complain about her "desires" at the time but only spoke of her friend. Well the young man got his paint job. He was so joyful about it and wanted to show everyone when he got his car back from the Paint and Body Shop!
We choose each day how we will act to any insult or ridicule made against us!
From scripture we see meekness as a Christian grace. In Galatians 5:22-23.....it is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23.....22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  KJV

2 Corinthians 10:1-9.......10:1 I plead with you-yes, I, Paul-and I plead gently, as Christ himself would do. Yet some of you are saying, "Paul's letters are bold enough when he is far away, but when he gets here he will be afraid to raise his voice!"

2 I hope I won't need to show you when I come how harsh and rough I can be. I don't want to carry out my present plans against some of you who seem to think my deeds and words are merely those of an ordinary man. 3 It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don't use human plans and methods to win my battles. 4 I use God's mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil's strongholds. 5 These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts' desire is obedience to Christ. 6 I will use these weapons against every rebel who remains after I have first used them on you yourselves and you surrender to Christ.

7 The trouble with you is that you look at me and I seem weak and powerless, but you don't look beneath the surface. Yet if anyone can claim the power and authority of Christ, I certainly can. 8 I may seem to be boasting more than I should about my authority over you-authority to help you, not to hurt you-but I shall make good every claim. 9 I say this so that you will not think I am just blustering when I scold you in my letters. TLB

Paul directed his letter to say, I plead with you gently as Christ himself would do. He wrote that others would say "that he was bold while far away, but when present with them, that he, Paul would be afraid to raise his voice."  In truth, being humble, does not look like the weak and the ordinary.
Paul stated that he was not using human plans or man's way to win the battles. Paul wrote that he used the mighty weapons of God to knock the devil's strongholds. Those weapons were breaking down every proud argument against God! Paul wrote that he could capture rebels and bring them back to God and see their hearts change to obedience to Christ. Paul stated in verse 7 that the authority was beneath the surface. He was claiming the authority he walked in was that given him by Christ Jesus. Paul said, " I shall make good every claim, not to hurt them but to show them the way in which to walk. Paul was exhibiting boldness and vigor in his letters. Paul wrote many letters and he always illustrated everything by his life. He always referenced Jesus in the things he wrote about. Paul knew of his trust in the Good News. He was held by the peace of God in knowing he had seen God do great things in and through him. He continued to walk in that place in looking out for others even when they rebelled against what he preached and taught!

I close with this:
In ministry, I found times like when ministering at the jail one of those places that was a delight but a hard place to give the Word. Not that the Word of God is hard to give, no, not at all. What I am saying is that you can face those who come to hear and face those some who just go to chapel to get out of the cell or out of the module.

 I found those who did not care for the Word of God, and would try talking during the message! If the chatter continued, all I had to do was walk back to the back rows of the chapel where the "chatter" was going on, and continue with the scriptures and the examples the Lord wanted me to give in that teaching. I would look them in the eye and continue to teach. I can tell you that the "chatter" would stop immediately. We need to know that being humble and meek, is being submitted to God, His plan and His Word. It is not appearing weak and sickly! No, He will direct our paths in boldness, when we look out for others. Ours was not to go into the chapel to cause problems, to cause others pain, but our's was to go in and minister life to those women in jail. Our hope was to make a difference in others lives as God had made in ours. And we certainly saw many continue to receive and walk in the Word and prayer to God for their lives. We saw great things that God did for some of those women in the jail. They would even show up coming out of the elevator with the guard and be singing songs of praise to our God! And this was before chapel began. Yes, it was awesome to see. We stood our ground with a boldness, vigor and a great style that comes through Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory!
Look out for others today and you will see God move on your behalf!

Father, thank You for the Word of God that has manifested in our lives. His name is Jesus and He is the way, the truth and the life to us.
We are told that those who are meek shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11)
We ask for help, Your guidance in keeping to a walk of being the meek man. Lord, we seek to be governed by the love of God. It is by faith that we clothe ourselves with the new man giving ourselves to the Word of God and to prayer. We know that we cannot do this by ourselves. It takes power of the Holy Spirit to direct us into that perfect love, to love others, as we work, as we play, and as we live with our families.
We loose the Holy Spirit to mortify our inner man purging out any insecurities, intimidation, and lusts that have hindered our lives.
We are looking to live by the Spirit and have the fruit of the Spirit that is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. (Gal.5:22-23)
Whatever the injury to our person,  help us Lord to rise above any insult or injury to our person, and invade us with the peace in God that He is with us. Show us the benefits of walking in meekness of heart and we will always give thanks. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV 

The Wise or the Foolish

Psalm 90:11-12..........11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. NKJV

When we read through the book of Proverbs we find a lot on the differences of the wise and the foolish. An individual, either male or female will have a disposition, a marked trait that points to their upbringing in a specific area and having qualities that make them distinct from other people. We have short hair, curly hair, blonde hair or even gray hair but that does not mean who we are as a person We grow up learning a certain language, the integrity or lack of integrity, a strength or bent towards having a heritage that shows in a respect to serving God, or lack of serving God in regard to whatever nation we are born.

I may resemble my dad more than I favor my mom. I may have his hair coloring, and shape of his face but my nose resembles my mom's nose. I may tell the stories my dad would tell when I was a child. I may favor him in many ways, but in truth, I am to look for truth, and it is seeking God's wisdom for my life.

We are either known by a reputation that proceeds us, what comes out of our mouths, and either we are at peace where we are positioned in life or outwardly always striving with others. Yes, we are known by our character.
Whatever that personality is and how one reacts to that around them, will certainly tell others a lot about them. If all hell is breaking loose, do we remain at peace in God or do we yell and throw things?
Is what comes out of our mouth glorifying God or ourself? Is what I say encouraging to others and their lives?
In my estimation, I believe the greatest gift besides our salvation in Jesus Christ is to have a heart of wisdom. We can turn on the evening news and find a lot of chaos, and we find those choosing to have it their way and kill others. We find others choosing to quarrel about something rather than sitting down and talking about the situation.
Proverbs 15:5 tells us that a fool despises his father's instruction, but he who that is yielding to correction is prudent.

My question is: are we foolish or are we wise?
Foolish: from the Greek word "Moros", which one who is stupid or dull.

Proverbs 12:15.....15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. NKJV

The scripture states that one who walks as a fool is doing what feels right in his own eyes. But to be wise according to this verse means that one is to heed counsel of the wise. God's word is filled with counsel to lead us into peace and a smooth pathway.
Psalm 27:11-12........11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence. NIV

If I follow after the wisdom of God, I stay on a straight path. When I heed His correction and teaching I stay in a safe place that guards me by His Word.

James 3:17-18....17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV

Always asking God for “the wisdom that comes from heaven [ which ] is first of all pure, peaceable (peace-loving), considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”

According to this scripture verse, God's wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy AND GOOD FRUIT!

Do our lives mirror this scripture?

Do we have the fruit that looks like a peacemaker, a wise man or woman who holds back our feelings? Or are we the hypocrite.............oh my!

Matthew 5:14-16………..14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

Jesus said that we are to BE A “light of the world”. Are men seeing our light shine for Jesus or ourselves……?

John 8:12…………….12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." NKJV

Jesus is the source of our “light”.

So is my “light” shining, flickering or just burned out?

Have we lost our purpose? Is life’s storm blowing like a “NOR' EASTER” against our “light”?

Have we neglected to keep that light shining for all to see?

If it is like a Nor'easter blowing against our light, we know that these specific storms can occur the year around, but are stronger and more intense in the months of September through April.

Problems can come and go in our lives. But trouble should never overtake us for we are to be overcomers according to the word of God.   1 John 4:4-6.................4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
NIV

What are some ways that God’s light shines through our lives?

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ……………4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. NKJV

His light is to shine in our hearts for it is God who commanded for light to shine out of darkness. When we renounce the shame, the dishonor, and receive His mercy, when we choose to walk in His ways that are right and are upright in the eyes of God, our hearts are no longer veiled. We see clearly to walk in His light and learn the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

If we can look into the face of our children, and learn their ways and know their good and bad traits………..surely we can know and recognize a good God. Surely if our focus will turn towards YOU our Father and read YOUR word and apply it to our lives, we can inhale YOUR presence and see YOUR wisdom in our daily decision making. For everything we do, in line with God's Word will show the world we are different. We will stand and pray for others when all hell is breaking loose.

We will not flaunt ourselves before the world, but raise the Word of God and expect to see His faithfulness in our lives and those we love and pray for each day.

Proverbs 4:7-9................7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor." NIV

No, we do not have to flaunt ourselves but it is God who will exalt us when we highly esteem His wisdom. Though it cost all we have, when we esteem and delight in wisdom, to embrace it and not let go, then we will see ourselves come to a place of honor as she sets a garland of grace on our heads and present us with a crown splendor.  We become the one whom the Lord delights in and the one whom the Lord brings honor to in His love and mercy for us. We are then, no longer the forsaken and the the one of reproach.

Proverbs 29:11...... A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. NKJV

When we refuse to believe that we are always right in our own eyes, but seek the counsel of God’s word we find more peace and wisdom. When we are willing to receive instruction then we become those who will hear, and not react but give time for God to speak and our prayers to work when we pursue the justice of God for any situation. When we choose to not strive with others, we become the peacemaker.

Father, today we have the choice of being a fool or the wise. I pray in Jesus' name, that we be those who will be the wise for we understand that any fool can start a quarrel. (Prov. 20:3) May Your Light shine in and through us this day and everyday. We renounce the shame and receive Your mercy. Today I pray that all would choose to walk in ways that are right and upright in YOUR eyes O'God. May we expect to see YOUR faithfulness in our lives and in those we pray for today and every day.Your Word God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.(Psalm 119:105)  I thank YOU today for godly Christian counselors, godly parents, godly pastors, wise friends and fellow believers that YOU our Father have placed around us when we see the necessity to make some major decisions for our lives. May our walk in YOUR wisdom be to YOUR honor and glory. May we always heed Your counsel and shun the advice of the world. Let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify You our Father in heaven. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV