Sunday, July 01, 2007

Decisions

Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Prov 4:7 [KJV])

Sometimes we wander through life, wondering what our next decision should be. Should we take on that "fantastic" job? Should we marry that beautiful or handsome person that always manages to set our heart racing? Should we relocate or stay where we are? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. We are faced with them all the time !

The dictionary defines wisdom as "
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight." (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.) Simply put, wisdom is the ability to discern what the next decision in your life should be. It's not the ability to take "a" decision, but the ability to take the right decision that will ensure present and/or future profiting. Now I know that sounds really easy, but just imagine how many people have gotten this wrong and held up their lives and it will help bring things into perspective. Effectively, these people are living out of God's perfect will for their lives, and missing out on numerous blessings. Not a choice place to be, I tell you.

We don't have to get ourselves in a rut though when we are in this type of situation, wondering and worrying about what to do next. The bible provides us a way to ensure we make the right decision every time that will ensure both present and future profiting.


If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (Jas 1:5 [KJV])

Isn't that great? Our Heavenly Father knows the end of a thing from the beginning (Isa 46:10), and there is no searching of His understanding (Isa 40:28). He is a present help in time of need, and is near to them that call upon Him (Psa 91:15, Psa 145:18). What joy !

So when next you find yourself agonising or worrying over a potential life-changing decision, don't. Just find a quiet corner, look up to your Heavenly Father and ask Him for wisdom. He giveth to all men liberally, Hallelujah!

Take this confession of Faith with me:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the ability to come into your presence and find grace to help in my time of need. I receive your wisdom right now to take the right decision about this and walk in your perfect will. I walk in the confidence of your counsel, and my profiting is apparent to all. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Remember, don't speak the circumstance. Speak God's word, Speak Faith !


Monday, January 01, 2007

Watch Your Mouth !

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof - Prov 18:20-21 (KJV)

There are a number of sayings out there in the world that I have heard a couple of believers use in conversation with me. One of them is that "talk is cheap", and another is that "action speaks louder than words". In the natural, this seems common-sensical and thus appears quite succint and precise. Beware though - for you cannot always apply natural principles in the kingdom of God !

For starters:
1. Talk is not cheap. Proverbs 18:20 says pointedly that "A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled". If your belly is not getting satisfied at the moment, watch your mouth ! Some of the words you have spoken in the past may be responsible for your belly not being satisfied.

2. In the kingdom of God, action does not speak louder than words - action work in tandem with words - your words. Get this truth into your spirit - your life depends on it. Your words play a prominent role in your life in the kingdom of God. Remember, "with your mouth, confession was made unto salvation". Without your mouth, you wouldn't have been able to get saved !

Words cause wars; they also end them. Words spoken out of turn have been known to tear families apart for ages, and turned loving brothers into deadly foes. Words can tear apart, but then words can also reconcile. Words can build, but they can also destroy. Words can cause death, but they can also build life. Any wonder the Psalmist asked God to set a watch before his mouth (Psa 141:3 KJV) ?

Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. Think about that for a second. Your tongue has the power to speak death or life. Take stock of your life this minute - if your life is not where the word says it should be; if the abundant life that Christ came to provide is not nearer to you now than when you first believed, I beseech you to take a closer look at the words you are speaking each day - into your life and into the life of others around you, particularly your family.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear - Heb 11:3 (KJV)

As God's children, we inherited the ability to speak things into existence from God the Father. However, we are responsible for what we speak into existence in our lives - death or life, good or bad, success or failure. Your words are framing your future and that of those around you.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life - Prov 4:23 (KJV)

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith - Mark 11:23 (KJV)


The words you speak project the state of your heart - what you really believe. Remember that what you read or listen to the most will stay deposited in your heart and will in turn be reflected in your life. That's why Solomon enjoins us to keep our heart with all diligence. Your heart needs to be stayed on God's word at all times so God's word can become your default language regardless of the situation or circumstance you find yourself in.

In Mark 11:23, Jesus says you will have whatsoever you say - not what someone else says, but what you say provided you believe in your heart. Now if your heart is filled with failure and poverty thinking, and not what the word says about your needs being met in Christ Jesus, or you having good success and eating the good of the Land, then clearly your speech will be wrong ! You will spend most of the time talking about how hard things are, and how you have no money in your pocket or in the bank. And that will hardly make things better.

Supposing in Genesis 1:1 when God saw darkness all over; all He did was complain and talk about the darkness. How much better do you reckon that would have made things ? Supposing He spent half the first chapter of Genesis talking about how terrible and messed up things were, would that have helped ? I think not ! Rather than moan and speak death, your Father said, "Light be", and there was light. He spoke into being what He wanted to be in place. He spoke Life !

So my friend, get into God's word and understand your place in Christ Jesus. Then start speaking those words of life today. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, but choose to speak Life. You will eat the fruit thereof !

Speak God's word, Speak Faith.

For additional study resources that will help you in your christian faith, please visit the following websites:
http://www.creflodollarministries.org
http://www.kcm.org.uk
http://www.jsmi.org
http://www.jdm.org