How to Live

"The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."
(Proverbs 18:11-13, KJV)

A strong city and high wall is a rich man's wealth and conceit. How easy it can be for a rich man to become conceited and caught up in his money and it blocks him from others, or from the truth and/or from heaven. I would rather my strong tower by the name of the Lord where I can run and be safe!

When you become haughty is before destruction. You can't have true honor without having humility. If you have a solution before you hear the problem, or if you make up your mind before you hear the end, it is a folly and a shame to you. 

Do not be puffed up with pride. Don't build upon your wealth or intelligence. Be humble and build upon the Lord, realize that you are nothing without Him. Do not claim to know it all or have all the answers or know what someone did or didn't do. Hear both sides of a story, hear the whole story, and learn before making up your mind. You are not better than other people and if you act superior you are heading down the path to your destruction. Now that you are only where you are because of the Lord or you will never have true honor. Be humble and realize that you are a sinner too and can't make it on your own. Do not look down upon others and lift up your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Strong Tower

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

(Proverbs 18:10, KJV)

What a comforting verse. The name of the Lord is a strong tower! Oh, how mighty is He!

The righteous can run to the name of the Lord and be safe. We are so blessed as Christians as we have a great and powerful Lord who has a name that is a strong tower that we can run to for refuge!

Just Don't Say It!

"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

(Proverbs 18:6-8, KJV)

Fools often walk about as if they know what they are saying or talking about. Many words does not a wise man make. Just because someone can talk a lot does not mean he/she has a clue what he/she is talking about. The mouth can often tell you things people don't want you to know. How many times do people say exactly what they mean when they try not to?

"I don't mean to sound rude..." then they go about being rude.
"I don't mean to be mean..." then they are mean.
"I don't mean to get involved..." then they get involved.
"I don't mean to stick my nose into this..." then they stick their nose into it.
"I don't mean to influence your decision..." then they tell you something to influence your decision.

If you don't mean to get involved or influence the decision, don't. Be quiet. If you feel the need to throw an "I don't mean" in there you probably know you shouldn't say what you are about to say, so don't. It is often a lot more difficult to be quiet than to say many words.

I actually had to look up what a talebearer is, it is a person that gossips. Their words are as wounds! Words are weapons! Remember that!

If you have to say things such as, "Don't tell anyone but...," "You didn't hear this from me," or "Keep this a secret," then you probably shouldn't be saying it at all. Our conscience often rears up in an attempt to correct us and the words slip out because we know we aren't suppose to be doing something. Sometimes we say "I don't mean" or "You didn't hear this from me," as an attempt to curb the feelings of guilt. Just don't say it. I am guilty of it myself. You can be hurting more people than you realize in worse than you know in more ways than you know. It's a trap. Don't get ensnared but maybe instead next time, just don't say anything at all.

You don't always have to offer your opinion.

Heartily

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

(Colossians 3:23-24, KJV)

Do whatever you do heartily, don't grumble and complain or do it for show but go forward with sincerity and do it with all your might!

Do it unto the Lord who knows your heart. Don't do it to look good or for others but do it with honesty and out of love for Christ. If you are doing it for the right reasons then you will receive the reward of inheritance for ye serve Christ and not men or men's approval. If you do it for praise, you are not doing it for God. If you do it to seem righteous, you are not doing it for God. If you do it to make your family happy, you are not doing it for God. 

Do it for the Lord!

Sweet-Smelling Savor

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor."

(Ephesians 5:1-2, KJV)

Follow God as dear children. You are the Lord's child if you are saved through Christ and He is your father. A dear child that trusts his/her father will follow them in blind faith and trust, oh if we could learn to follow the Lord with that same faith and trust! With the kind of faith and trust that makes you think there is no way anything bad could happen to you if you follow your parent because they care for you and love you so much.

Also walk in love as Christ loved you though you can't do anything to deserve it. He offered Himself as a sacrifice when we were sinners and made himself as a sweet-smelling savor to the Lord. Walk in love for others as even though they might not deserve love, neither did you.

According to the Will of God

"Likewise the Spirit also heals our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."

(Romans 8:26-28, KJV)

The Holy Spirit heals our infirmities. He prays for us as we should be prayed for, not necessarily how we think we need prayed for. We don't even know what we need but the Spirit does and he prays for those needs we actually have!

And Christ searches our hearts and know the mind of the Spirit as they are three in one and he makes intercession for us! Christ makes intercession for the saved!

All things will work together for good if you are saved and love the Lord! Can we give a Yes and Amen?!

The Peace of God

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

(Philippians 4:7-9, KJV)

Think on the things that are honest, pure, lovely, good report! Do the things that you have heard of the Gospel! And the peace of God will be with you. Keep your mind focused on the Lord our God. Have His peace that passeth all understanding and your minds and hearts will be kept through Christ!

Perfect Peace and Everlasting Strength

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:"

(Isaiah 26:3-4, KJV)

When do you have peace around a person? When you trust in that person completely. When I am running to and fro it helps to get my mind back on God and realize He has control of the situation. Not only do you have to put your mind on God though, but you also need to trust in Him, that's what truly gives you peace. When I think about how God has control, I still need to trust Him that He will do what's best for me even if I don't see it at the time.

He has always pulled through for me and watched out for me and given me things I didn't even ask for before I knew I needed them. Not only is this great and wonderful but these verses go further to give you comfort with the knowledge that in our God, Jehovah, is everlasting strength. He never fails, He never falters.

It's the same as when I was a child and scared of the future and I ran to my parents and they held me and comforted me and I had peace because I trusted them. It's like that but the peace is so much greater and lasting because my parents, like every human, are fallible and have limited power, but the Lord isn't. He is perfect, omnipotent, and has everlasting strength.

Hallelujah! What a great God we serve!

Become As A Little Child

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

And whoso shall receive on such little child in my name receiveth me."

(Matthew 18:3-5, KJV)

Little children. What a joy. They are so curious, they ask questions and they trust and follow. And they don't assume to be better than you, they are little children. (Now, when they become teenagers, that's a different story.) So become humble and as a little child. Do not profess to know it all or brag that you have all the wisdom but be humble and seek knowledge and truth. Be converted to the truth. Only then can you enter into heaven. 

Fullness of Joy

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

(Psalm 16:11, KJV)

Continue forward with the Lord and He will show you the path of life.

Have you experienced the joy of the Lord? It's a deep down joy in your soul. Not a face value "I'm happy" but a joy that remains with you. Have you been in his presence in prayer? It's incredible to feel the joy and peace that floods your soul in the presence of the Master.

"And at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore." You just cannot beat the love and joy of God. He is wonderful and mighty and His love knows no bounds. As His child you can experience such love, joy, and peace that you won't be able to contain it.

No Other Name

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

~Acts 4:12, KJV

That seems pretty simple to me. There aren’t multiple names or different gods you can be saved under. There is only one name given to us that we can be saved by. 

I’m sure people will always find a way to argue but I cling to the Holy book that was divinely inspired as the foundation of my faith and way of living and it says there is no other way. So I fully believe that going under the blood of CHRIST specifically is the only way to be saved.

When Ye Fast

"Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and was thy face. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

~Matthew 6:16-18

Don't put on a show. This isn't about looking good in front of others or your pastor, it's about looking good in front of God.

Fasting is not a show for other people, it's between you and your heavenly Father. If you put on a show, then you already have your reward by all the people looking. If you do it for the right reasons just between you and God in secret then you shall be rewarded openly.

I know the Father's gifts will be much greater than any praise or recognition or reward that man could give me.

They Shall Be Afraid Of Thee

"The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou wettest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways. And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee."

~Deuteronomy 28:7-10

Everyone has enemies, especially as a Christian you will have enemies and they will rise up against you. and the Lord shall cause those enemies to be smitten. And even if they come up and attack you together they will flee seven ways from thee. 

If you keep the commandments of the Lord and hearken unto His voice (the earlier portion of these verses are in my last post) then he will bless thee and do these things for thee. And all the people of the earth shall SEE that thou art called by the name of the Lord, and they shall BE AFRAID OF THEE. Everyone will see that you are called by the name of the Lord. EVERYONE will see. That's pretty awesome. And people will be afraid of you because of your Great God. How awesome and wonderful.

Hearken Unto The Voice Of The Lord

"And all these blessing shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of they body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out."

~Deuteronomy 28:2-6, KJV

If you hearken unto the voice of the Lord, these blessings will come and OVERTAKE thee. What a great and wonderful God we serve.

You shall be blessed in the city and field, and your body and animals and your store will all be blessed. You will be blessed coming in and going out. Just hearken unto the voice of the Lord, of your wonderful Father.

Vengeance Belongs To The Lord

"Be of the same mind one toward another. mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as leith in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

~Romans 12:16-21, KJV

Provide things HONEST in the sight of ALL men. 

Avenge not yourself, but give place unto God's wrath. If you want revenge do not rush out and get in the way of the Lord. Rather, let Him deal with it and He will repay. We are His children and if we lash out then it will get in the way of Him dealing with those who trespass against us. It is like us humans with children, if our children reacts and does something petty if they are wronged then it makes it hard to discipline the one who wronged them because they themselves need discipline.

Do not get caught up in vengeance and evil so much that you do evil yourself. Do not let evil overcome you but do good so you can overcome it and let the Lord deal with those who hurt you.

Professing Themselves To Be Wise

"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,"

~Romans 1:20-22, KJV

They are without excuse because they glorified Him not as God when they knew God. How many today especially glorify Him not and neither are they thankful but they have become vain in their imaginations? And even more how many profess and declare that they are so wise and know so much and in so doing become fools? 

Oh, the plight of man! I wish they would all hear and listen to and accept the truth!

Who Is Righteous?

"There is none righteous, no not one:"
~Romans 3:10, KJV

Don't forget your life and who brought you out of the mire. Your sins are forgiven and forgotten but you are precious and pure only because of His blood. Don't forget and remember that you are not righteous because of what you do but because of what the Lord has done in and for you.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

~John 10:27-28, KJV

Follow the Master, he is the great Shepherd. If you follow Him, you shall never perish no shall anyone pluck you out His hand! 

Oh, to be so safe and so loved as to be in the Shepherd's hand!

Do Not Forget

"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord or lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name."

-Deuteronomy 10:17-20

Oh, is not the Lord wonderful, and great, and mighty? Do not forget who you serve! Do not forget who it is that is behind the spinning of the earth, and the rising and setting of the sun! Do not forget who it is that sent His son to die for your sins!

And do not forget who you are. Do not forget that you have sinned. Do not forget that you are human and need a savior. Do not forget that we are all foreigners and as Christians, our homes are not here on this Earth but that we will one day be going to our heavenly homes!

Watch and Pray

"And He cometh unto the disciples, and fainted them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

-Matthew 26:40-41, KJV

Sometimes as Christians we want to do good. We try to do good but yet how often is it we can't even make it an hour?

Perhaps the disciples aren't so alone in this story, I can't say I haven't been in the same place. Wake up early to pray? A whole hour? Even an hour after work. It can be difficult but nothing compared to what Christ gave.

Indeed the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We need to watch and pray! So we do not enter into temptation.