WE ARE MARVELOUSLY MADE

 FORMED BY THE MOST AWESOME GOD IN OUR MOTHER’S WOMB

CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

“Oh yes, glory Halleluiah, thank you Heavenly Father; you shaped me first inside, then out; YOU FORMED ME IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am MARVELOUSLY MADE! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm 139:13-14 (MSG)

All that I am and all that I will ever be, God is. God created me in his own image, and likeness. Everything about me God knew before I was even formed in my mother’s womb. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that I am MARVELOUSLY MADE.

Now when we look in our Bibles, we see a picture of just how God begin the process in Genesis chapter 1 verse 2. In the (a) verse the Bible says this “let us make man in our own image, according to our likeness.” This is a very important statement, because God spoke with His team before we were created in our mother’s womb, how he would design His most important creature, and then bring them into the physical realm of life.  How awesome, a God this is, that we now serve.

GOD CREATED THE WORLD INSIDE OUR MOTHER’S WOMB (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

When I think about how MARVELOUSLY MADE you and I really are, I see a picture of a newborn baby, in my mind’s eye. This baby is in his mother’s womb. In a speck of watery material smaller than that over the dot of this i, all the future characteristics of this child are programmed, the color of his skin, eyes and hair, the shape of his facial features, the natural abilities he will have. All that the child will be physically and mentally is contained the in germ form in that fertilized egg. From it will develop: …60 trillion cells, 100,000 miles of nerve fiber, 60,000 miles of vessels carrying blood around the body, 250 bones, to say nothing of joints, ligaments and muscles.

Lord I thank you because you formed my inward parts; you covered me while I was still in my mother’s womb. Today Lord I give you the praise, the glory, and the entire honor, because without you there will be no me. All glory belongs to you and you alone, thank you Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you, for you deserve all the praise and glory that my mind can muster up. I am just a small part of this great universe.

Today, as I look towards the heels, from which all my blessings flow, a think of the marvelous creation that you accomplished in my mother’s womb. While I was in my mother’s womb, you formed my inward parts; each one a marvel of divine engineering. I think of my brain, for instance, with its capacity for recording facts, sounds, odors, sites, touch, pain; with its ability to recall; with its power to make computations; with its seemingly endless flair for making decisions and solving problems.

When I think of who I am and what I am in this vast universal, I know without a shadow of doubt that I am a marvelous created man. Sometimes I stop and think of God’s careful planning in the creation of my spirit, my soul, and body. How precious, are his thoughts, his attention to the minutest detail. Each cell almost without exception knows its role in carrying out design a purpose for which the welfare of the body as a whole is so marvelous made.

Now in conclusion, I refer you to Psalms 66 verses one through five, which reads as follow. Make a joyful shout to God, all the Earth! Sing out the honor of his name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, how awesome is your works! Through the greatness of your power, your enemies shall submit themselves to you. All the Earth shall worship you and sing praises to you; they shall sing praises to your name. And see the works of God; he is awesome in his doing towards the sons of man.

Truly I say to you, these powerful words that keep rolling around in my head; what an AWESOME GOD we serve, thank you Heavenly Father for I know that I AM MARVELOUSLY MADE!

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THE TIME IS NOW TO EXAMINE YOUR ENERGY FIELD

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

GOD PROVIDES OUR SOURCE OF ENERGY (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

OUR GOAL IS TO LISTEN AND LEARN WHAT THE ENERGY SOURCE IS COMMUNICATING TO US:

 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

 When is the last time you missed out in EXAMINING YOUR ENERGY FIELD?  Your ENERGY FIELD should be connecting at all points and at all times, of-course the unexpected will happen usually when least expected. So if our lives are going to be connected to the ENERGY SOURCE we must be on watch for interruptions, disconnect and/or total blackout; examining your ENERGY FIELD allows space for tune-ups and recharging.

 Keep vigilant watch over your heart, it’s where life starts, avoid gossip and evil ; you will soon learn that those who take to gossip causes much trouble, they’re restless and constantly seeking ways to make other’s lives miserable by doing so, one may ask the question, are you taking time and opportunity to examine  your ENERGY FIELD? When saying and doing things that causes others harm, in some way you’ve allowed yourself to venture off course.

Keep your eyes straight ahead, ignore those tactics that can cause you to lose focus of the source that gives your life sustaining ENERGY; EXAMINING YOUR ENERGY FIELD helps you to realize you need to refocus and get back on course. In your journey, watch your step, the road will stretch out smooth before you and keep you on course.

Now many may wonder, “WHAT IS AN ENERGY FIELD?” It’s the interconnection between your SPIRIT and GOD’S SPIRIT that dwell in your earthly body. The difference is, God is the giver and sustainer of life, so he knows when we break from him, and he watches over us. We are given the opportunity to reconnect and fill our SPIRITS with the GOD given light, the choice is ours.

WORDS OF WISDOM give directions for life, words that encourages you to consider the importance of EXAMINING YOUR ENERGY FIELD. Gods’ words are like a beam of light on a dark path, when we commit our way to him. Ponder his teachings, watch your step and avoid detours by living in obedience and respect for God; learn to live life in expectancy. Keep God’s words close to your heart, follow his instructions and live in freedom of grace. By EXAMINING YOUR ENERGY FIELD you are in constant awareness when default occurs.

Many would like to know the MIND OF GOD and how it works, but that is the beauty of the mystery, the source of all ENERGY FIELDS, he designed it that way before human nature came into existence. He is the source of power and strength that alone should encourage our hearts when we feel lost or disconnected.  Examining your ENERGY FIELD helps you be reminded that there is a “STATION” for repairing and replenishing so why not tap into the source? Are you looking for blessings, fulfillment, and joy, peace of mind, strength and power? Tap into the SOURCE, you will find that by taking time to EXAMINE YOUR ENERGY FIELD, you’ll find the place to reconnect, thus reap the benefits.

THE BIRDS OF THE SKY DEPENDS ON GOD FOR THEIR SOURCE OF ENERGY (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

God is the maker and creator of all elements of the universe and is the point of all existence; therefore, taking time to get to know the source gives each of us a chance to share in “all” he has to offer. We are able to relate to each other because we are connected in such a way that in a human state we are not able to understand the magnificent gifts of all we are blessed to share.

He launches his promises earthward–how swift they are to come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes; he broadcast hail like birdseeds–who can survive his winter! Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter–suddenly its spring! (Psalm 147:12-18, MGS). The awesome power of God is at work, at all times.

Now I encourage you to think deeply on these things, for they are truly the mysteries of God that opens the doors that connects us to the source of all Energy in the Universe.  We live in the present and the oneness of all that God provides for us to gather unto ourselves at any moment in time.  Then He allows us to use our deep imagination to travel through space in time powered by the greatest Energy Source ever known to man.  When we take the time to fully engage our Minds with the Spirit that lives within, we are re-connecting and re-powering our fuel cells with the Energy Source that no man can give to us.

Know that you and I are marvelous made and we function in this Universe as Energy, because God made us that way.  However, in order for our bodies and minds to always function at the highest level possible at all times, you and I must take time to RE-EXAMINING OUR ENERGY FIELD!  Now listen to what the word of God says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 ESV)

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SEEK THE SWEET AROMA OF WISDOM (PART ONE)

THE BEAUTY OF LADY WISDOM AND HER COMPANION KNOWLEDGE

The Wisdom of God makes all things Beautiful (Photo by Pastor Davis)

 We begin today’s lesson by studying one of two very important precepts.  One is wisdom and the other is knowledge.  In today’s lesson, we will focus our attention on Lady Wisdom, and we begin by asking the simple question, “WHO IS LADY WISDOM?”  She is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energy or thought. She is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge, and then produce the desired results. Lady Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

Her Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, or insight. Lady Wisdom often requires control of one’s emotional reactions (the “passions”) so that one’s principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one’s actions.

Sweet Honeycomb 001

She is beautiful and delightful to the soul in every way. She is as sweet as honey to the mouth as wisdom is to the soul.  The Bible says, “My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.”  (Proverb 24:13-14 AMP).

She is elusive:  She is so elusive, that she seems to be in very short supply.  Some people are crafty and shrewd, others are well-informed and highly educated, but few of us manifest the quiet depth of wisdom.

What are her secrets and the source of her wisdom?  Listen to how the Bible tells us about her Secrets and the Source of her Wisdom. It begins by asking a series of questions.  ”But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom?  Where does Insight hide?  Mortals do not have a clue; have not the slightest idea where to look.  Earth’s depths say, ‘It’s not here’; ocean deeps echo, ‘Never heard of it.’ It cannot be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it.  Even famous Ophir gold cannot buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires.

Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry cannot touch it.  Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets—why bother?  None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom!  Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can’t hold a candle to Wisdom.

“So where does Wisdom come from?  And where does Insight live? It cannot be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. If you search through the grave yard and question the dead, they say, ‘We’ve only heard rumors of it.’

“God alone knows the way to Wisdom; he knows the exact place to find it.  He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven.  After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning, He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready.

Then he addressed the human race: ‘Here it is!  Fear-of-the-Lord—that’s Wisdom and Insight means shunning evil.” (Job 28:12-28 MSG)

This concludes part one of this great subject; “SEEKING THE SWEET AROMAS OF LADY WISDOM!”  In lesson two, we will discuss with you the effect Lady Wisdom has upon our ability to provide great leadership within our families.  Therefore, we encourage you to come back tomorrow for the conclusion of this powerful study.  May you be ENCOURAGED in the Lord as He pours His many blessings out upon you, in Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

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LADY WISDOM IS WAITING

WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DISCOVER HER BEAUTY-KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWER THAT LIVES IN LADY WISDOM?

LADY WISDOM TRUTH-BE ENCOURAGED (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

In our lesson today, we will allow the scripture to set the table for LADY WISDOM as she invites you to sit down and join her in a powerful discussion as she attempts to provide you with knowledge and understanding, as to why you need her in your life daily.

Now listen carefully as LADY WISDOM speaks truth to power.

 LADY WISDOM goes out in the street and shouts.
At the town center she makes her speech.
In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand.
At the busiest corner she calls out:

 “SIMPTOMS, How long will you wallow in ignorance?
CYNICS! How long will you feed your cynicism?
IDIOTS! How long will you refuse to learn?
ABOUT FACE! I can revise your life.
Look, I’m ready to pour out my spirit on you;
I’m ready to tell you all I know.
As it is, I’ve called, but you’ve turned a deaf ear;
I’ve reached out to you, but you’ve ignored me.

 “Since you laugh at my counsel
and make a joke of my advice,
How can I take you seriously?
I’ll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
What if the roof falls in,
and your whole life goes to pieces?
What if catastrophe strikes and there’s nothing
to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
You’ll need me then. You’ll call for me, but don’t expect
an answer.
No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me.

 “Because you hated Knowledge
    and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
Because you wouldn’t take my advice
and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
Well, you’ve made your bed—now lie in it;
you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it?
Don’t you see what happens, you SIMPLETONS, you idiots?
Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
First pay attention to me, and then relax.

Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.” (PROVERB 1:20-33 MSG)

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REASON CAN COMMAND AN ENTIRE ARMY TO WAR OR IT CAN COMPEL ALL NATIONS TO PEACE AND HARMONY.

Beautiful Fall Colors in Sautee, Ga. (Photo by Pastor Davis)

God has created all things perfectly by His own reasoning and in His own time.  Therefore, who are we to question what is, is?  God commands us to remove all doubt from our minds and understand the things of the universe, and then perhaps we can develop the wisdom and knowledge to discern why the reality of God’s reasoning is what it is. Now listen to what the Bible tells us to do, it says, “Get skillful and godly wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 4:4-6 AMP)

Now understand that Faith comes by hearing which means perception, and perception by the Word of God. The Word is Logos, which means Reason. Reason or awareness directs your perception and determines your knowing.

To know as much of the Word of God is to know as much reason as possible. All wisdom, understanding and knowledge are for you to be convinced about the truth because you are aware of all the reasons that define it. To have absolute faith is to be totally convinced about the truth.

Reason or logic is what runs the entire universe. You need as much reasons as possible to do well.  Reason is what causes others to act and it determines how they act. The programming logic runs the program. If you want to move yourself or others to take a certain action, give as much reason as possible whether logical or emotional, conscious or subtle to persuade, direct and motivate them. Reason can command an entire army to war or it can compel all nations to peace and harmony.

God himself has perfect reasoning and total understanding of all there is. When we are lacking awareness about something but are clearly guided by him in a certain area, that is when we should trust in God with all our heart and not lean towards our limited understanding. God’s reason is the higher reasoning compared to ours. To reason against reason is treason. However, God still wants us to grow in awareness and understanding so that we may reach his level of reasoning and be of one mind with him.

Now I encourage you to Incline your ear unto understanding. Seek to know the reason of a thing. Seek to know all the reasons there are to know about it. Open your heart to the understanding so that you may receive the truth of a matter and not block it out of perception. You need understanding in order to do what is right.

Understanding gives us strength because it makes us bigger than our situations. Knowing all the explanations and reasons of a thing allows you to see it in a definite way. Faith is having certainty.

Some of us have the idea that faith and reasoning are in conflict with each other. They think that if you have reason, you do not need faith, and if you go by faith, you cannot go by reasoning. This paradox has caused the biggest problems in all religion and spirituality. The truth is that faith and reason are the same. In order to have faith about something, you need to know it as true. You cannot know something as true unless you have a reason for it to be so. Faith is reason and reason is faith.

Now in closing, I encourage you to know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE. (John 8:32)  Think globally and work locally allowing your mind to be filled with the truth of God’s word.  May the grace of God rest and abide in you now and forever, in Jesus name, I remain your brother, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher!

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MAKING INSIGHT YOUR PRIORITY

The Beauty of Fall-Sautee, Ga. (Photo by Pastor Davis)

CHILDREN OF GOD, and all of My Good friends, today I am encouraging you, take to heart what I’m about to tell you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding That’s right—if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

So now you can pick out what’s true and fair, find all the good trails. Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.  Good Sense will scout ahead for danger; Insight will keep an eye out for you. They’ll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions.  Of those who are lost themselves and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed, These losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
Traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.

Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress—that smooth-talking Seductress
who’s faithless to the husband she married years ago, never gave a second thought to her promises before God. Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell.  No one who joins her company ever comes back, ever sets foot on the path to real living.

So—join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths.  It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last there. The corrupt will lose their lives; the dishonest will be gone for good.  (Proverbs 2:1-22 MSG)  It is so important that each of you learn the ART OF LISTENING, that you may discover the truth in MOTHER WISDOM and her many hidden treasures, and in doing so, you will soon know, that the “Fear-of-God will be yours; and you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.”

Now in conclusion,  let us understand that under the Law of Moses, men of integrity—the upright and the blameless—were rewarded with a secure place in the land of Canaan.  When we come over to the New Testament, these material blessings in earthly places give way to spiritual blessings in the heavenliest.  But the fact remains that righteousness and decency are rewarded in this life as well as in the life to come.

It is equally true that the wicked will be cut off from the land of blessing.  There is no lasting inheritance there for the treacherous.  Therefore it is the up most important for each of us to practice daily ways in which we can MAKE INSIGHT OUR PRIORITY!

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WISDOM UNLOCKS THE DOOR TO SUCCESS

The River of Life (Photo by Pastor Davis)

BY SHIRLEY RHODES

CHILDREN OF GOD, take heart in the lesson I am about to teach you this morning, as you begin collecting my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the World of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.  God gives Wisdom free; it is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He has a rich mind of Common Sense for those of us who learn to live well. Now you are about to discover, “HOW WISDOM UNLOCKS THE DOOR TO SUCCESS!”

This is the day that God has blessed for you to begin your new life, climbing the ladder of success in all that He has purposed for you.  It all begins with this one word, “WISDOM and it is the biblical term for this on earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living.  Jesus taught his disciples to pray this prayer when they asked him to teach them to pray as John also taught his disciples: And he said to them, “When you pray, say, Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one Luke 11:2-4 KJV.

Words of Women Walking in your Shoes

WISDOM is the art of learning to live content and skillfully in whatever state we find ourselves, the way we think and respond to God is the most practical thing we can do, nothing comes before God. Paul says” not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me” Philippians 4:11-13.

Many may describe Wisdom as what we’ve learned while on this journey but it is far deeper than that, how we live moment by moment, our attitude, thought and love relationship with each other matters, Jesus gave us these words to live by (his command), “Love one another, in the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples–when they see the love you have for each other ” John 13:34-35.

WISDOM teachings keep us on course and centered in where Christ wants to take us; it gives us the ability to live life in a skillful manner.  Of course, we all know or may think that living in a world that often operates contrary to Gods’ way is not an easy task but learning how to apply Wisdom to our lives certainly makes us aware that such words as choice and chance are indeed real.

In the Book of Proverb, the message is clearly stated: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand and be able to know the difference between right and wrong. It is about instructions, knowledge, judgment, equity, understanding and fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of knowledge.

So where does Wisdom come from? Where does insight live? It can’t be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. God alone knows the way to Wisdom; he knows the exact place to find it. He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven. After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, arranged for the rain, and set off explosions of thunder and lighting, He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and ready. Then he addressed the human race: ‘Here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord–that’s Wisdom and Insight means shunning evil.’ Job 28:20, 23-28.

Now know this, MOTHER WISDOM is a personal bodyguard for the candid and sincere.  He keeps his eye on all who live honestly and pays special attention to his loyalty committed ones.

Finally, Children of God, I encourage you to Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen to God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the only one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Proverbs 2:1, 6-8 (Mgs)  Keep your eye focus on the prize, because the race is not to the strongest nor to the swift, but to those who process WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, PATIENCE and UNDERSTANDING.  Wait upon the Lord, wait I say God.

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HOW GREAT IS THE MAN THAT CAN MANIFEST ENERGY AND POWER THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

The Cosmos of Space and Time

When God created man, he did so for his own purpose.  He created man in his own image and likeness.  Then he endowed him with his own character and he manifested him in such a way that man may become a part of the energy and power source that makes this world continue to grow and expand itself in the great cosmos.  He fully equipped man with an imagination that man could develop all the knowledge, power and wisdom he would need to propel him to be a king in the Cosmos.

The entire Universe is nothing more than energy, and everything that is in the Universe is a part of that energy source.  That energy source is never standing still; it is always in motion and expanding!  Never tiring, inexhaustible, and apparently eternal in its operation, it moves in the atoms and in the stars, always informing the fleeting shapes of time with its restless, glowing, and pulsating power.

Man is a portion of this creative energy, and in him it manifests, through a combination of mental faculties, as affection, passion, intelligence, morality, reason, understanding, and wisdom.  He is not merely a blind conductor of energy, but he consciously uses, controls, and directs it.  Slowly, but with certainty, is he gaining control of the forces without, and is making them do him obedient service; and just as surely will he gain control of the forces within—the subtle energies of thought and direct them into channels of harmony and happiness.

Man’s true place in the Cosmos is that of a King, not a slave, a commander under the Law of Good, and not a helpless tool in the reign of Evil.  His own body and mind are the dual dominion over which he is to reign, a Lord of Truth, the master of himself, the wise user and controller of his store of pure, eternal, creative energy.  Let him walk the earth unashamed, strong, valiant, tender, and benign; no longer prostrate in self-abasement, but walking erect in the dignity of perfect manhood; not groveling in selfishness and remorse, and crying for pardon and mercy, but standing firm and free in the sublime majesty of a sinless life.

Long has man regarded himself as vile, and weak, and unworthy, and has been content to remain so; but in the new era which has just now burst upon the world, he is to make the glorious discovery that he is pure, and powerful, and noble when he rises up and wills; and the rising up is not against any outward enemy; not against neighbor, nor governments, nor laws, nor spirits, nor principalities, nor powers, but against the ignorance, folly, and misery which beset him in the dominion of his own mind.  For it is only by ignorance and folly that man is slavish; by knowledge and wisdom his kingship is restored.

Now I conclude with this final thought; let them who will, preach men weakness and helplessness, but I will teach his strength and power.  I write for men, not for babes; for those who are eager to learn, and earnest to achieve; for those who will put away (for the world’s good) a petty personal indulgence, a selfish desire, a mean thought, and live on as though it were not, sans craving and regret.  The Truth is not for the frivolous and the thoughtless; the Life Triumphant is not for triflers and loiterers.  The Bibles teaches us this one valuable lesson; when we come into the full knowledge of the truth of all things and know the truth, the truth will free us from the prison that has kept all things hidden from our minds.

Now may you be blessed with much ENERGY and POWER to comprehend the truth in this message, and then allow it to manifest itself into reality, and then you will know just “HOW GREAT IS THE MAN THAT CAN MANIFEST ENERGY AND POWER THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM!”   We bless this message to you this day in the name of Jesus, who said that if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.  AMEN!

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Men Who Care Global ‘A group of godly men’ … (Photo credit: ImagePros)

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH OF GODLY FAMILIES (INTRODUCTION)

This is an introduction to the series, which we will be teaching for the next seven days on the above topic.  We hope you mark your calendars and plan to study with us daily on this very important topic.  Our first lesson title, “WHY IS THERE AN INTERGITY AND VALUE CRISIS IN OUR LEADERSHIP?” will be posted on line after midnight today.  Please study this subject carefully, and post your thoughts, questions and are comments.

We know that God created man and placed him as the head of the family.  However, the family in America today is in deep trouble because the man has failed to be the leader God wants him to be.  Therefore, throughout this week and leading up to Father’s Day on Sunday, we will be discussing this very important topic.  This is because; we have come to the realization that the father’s failure to take responsibility and leadership in the home has created a valueless, unhappy, fractured home and society. This failure has had a devastating effect on our children and has spawned a multitude of wicked societal problems including delinquency, sexual promiscuity, drug use, and violence.

In Mark 10:42-45 we see that Christ taught that spiritual leadership is just the opposite of worldly leadership. Those verses tell us, “But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom many.”
. . .
Spiritual leadership is serving others and helping them grow to spiritual maturity so that they become reproductive Christians. Peter shared this same thought in I Peter 5:1-3 when he wrote, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

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“A bird of bad moral character” (Photo credit: Teresa Stanton)

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF A TRUE BIBLICAL LEADER?

When we examine this question in its totality we only have to look at the example Jesus set when he chose His twelve disciples as his core team.  The most important trait that Jesus was looking for in selecting his team was the heart of the men he chose, and the heart is the man’s Character.  Jesus was selecting the men that would have the CHARACTER to first follow him and then be trained by him to become great leaders in their own right, Jesus knew that each of these men had the heart to become a great leader and he would provide them with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. 

However, those possessions do not come without a price.  They require the kind of dedicated and patient labor exercised in mining for gold and silver. Today’s Leaders must diligently “search” for the wisdom that is buried within God’s Word like treasure covered by layers of earth and rock.  That means using the right tools and exercising patience and diligence as we spend time immersed within this life-changing volume.

As we dig, we must ask God to provide us with insight and understanding.  Ultimately, only God can open our eyes to see spiritual truth and then enable us to apply that truth to our lives (Ephesians 1:18).  As God fills our minds with wisdom, our character will develop so that we will possess the ability to make right choices – choices that are just, fair and moral.

As we seek to possess God’s wisdom, we will be able to move beyond simply expressing the vision and values of a leader.  We will possess the kind of character from which lofty visions and values flow.  Our character will be truly godly, so that others will delight in following us.

The Biblical model for leadership is “servant leadership.” The ultimate model is the suffering servant! Pastors and church leaders seeking to bully or dictate God’s will to their people will never be as effective as those who out of love, compassion and a commitment to God’s will seek to lead their congregations to know and do God’s will.

Servant leaders understand that people matter. People are the “bottom line.” No holy agenda warrants mistreating or manipulating people. The servant leader is willing to sacrifice himself or herself for those they lead. It is the commitment, integrity, compassion, and vision of the leader that causes people to “choose” to follow a servant leader. Who are the people you choose to
follow? What are the characteristics of their leadership style? If you having difficulty leading maybe the place to begin is an examination of your leadership style—your approach to leadership.

Ultimately, when God is leading me and I am leading myself, I can lead other people. After all, as the old saying goes, if no one is following me, then I am not leading; I am merely going for a walk alone!

A leader must know him or herself and then seek self improvement. That means a humble recognition that the leader does not have all the answers. In addition, after self-examination identifies weak areas, the leader will demonstrate the traits of INTEGRITY, JUDGMENT, and UNSELFISHNESS. The leader must be of upright character, truthful and honest, to himself and to others. He must strive to make sound, well-informed, and Scripturally-based decisions. This requires the leader to be unselfish with his or her time and talents.

And finally, the leader must SET THE EXAMPLE. “Passionately proclaiming the Good News of JESUS CHRIST” requires BEARING, COURAGE, ENDURANCE, and ENTHUSIASM. In particular, in today’s America, a Christian leader must expect that he or she will come under attack from both without and within the MAN-MADE boundaries that seek to define “the CHURCH.” Those without May heap scorn and derision upon the Christian leader, Be prepared to take charge and move forward no matter how many road blocks are laid in your pathway.

Now in closing, let me leave you with the word from (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  It says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  You are running in the race to be a “TRUE BIBLICAL LIEADER!”

Now I encourage you to think globally as you work locally to help bring salvation to those that are lost in Christ.  I remain your brother in Jesus Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher!

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CALMNESS OF MIND

This article is taken from JAMES ALLEN book title, “AS A MAN THINKETH,” the last chapter in this book title, “SERENITY!”

SERENITY (Photo by Pastor Davis)

All week long we have been teaching on “CALMNESS OF MIND,” this piece is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever encountered.  I encourage you to read it, study it, copy it, and carry it with you and at every opportunity for the next 90 days pull it out and read it again.  This is truly one of the Master Keys to opening up your mind to wisdom and providing you with peace and serenity.  The more relax you become, the more creative you become, and what you are going to find is, the most productive people in all walks of life are those that are relax.  CALMNESS OF MIND is a beautiful jewel of wisdom.

Now here is what the author, “James Allen” teaches us.  He says, “Calmness of mind is one of the

Cover via Amazon

beautiful jewels of wisdom.”  It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control.  Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.

A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a Thought-evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.

The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him.  The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.  Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greate self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable.

The strong, calm man is always loved and revered.  He is like a shape-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.  “Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life?  It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm.  That exquisite poise of character, which we call serenity, is the last lesson of culture; it is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul.  It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold—yea, than even fine gold.  How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life—a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the Eternal Calm!

“How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character, and make bad blood!  It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of self-control.  How few people we meet in life who are well-balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!”

Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passions, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt.  Only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.

Tempest-tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under  whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this—in the ocean of life the isles of Blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming.  Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought.  In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep; wake Him.  Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power.  Say unto your heart, “Peace, be still!”

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REASON CAN COMMAND AN ENTIRE ARMY TO WAR OR IT CAN COMPEL ALL NATIONS TO PEACE AND HARMONY.

The Burning Bush (Photo by Pastor Davis)

God has created all things perfectly by His own reasoning and in His own time.  Therefore, who are we to question what is, is?  God commands us to remove all doubt from our minds and understand the things of the universe, and then perhaps we can develop the wisdom and knowledge to discern why the reality of God’s reasoning is what it is. Now listen to what the Bible tells us to do, it says, “Get skillful and godly wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 4:4-6 AMP)

Now understand that Faith comes by hearing which means perception, and perception by the Word of God. The Word is Logos, which means Reason. Reason or awareness directs your perception and determines your knowing.

To know as much of the Word of God is to know as much reason as possible. All wisdom, understanding and knowledge are for you to be convinced about the truth because you are aware of all the reasons that define it. To have absolute faith is to be totally convinced about the truth.

Reason or logic is what runs the entire universe. You need as much reasons as possible to do well.  Reason is what causes others to act and it determines how they act. The programming logic runs the program. If you want to move yourself or others to take a certain action, give as much reason as possible whether logical or emotional, conscious or subtle to persuade, direct and motivate them. Reason can command an entire army to war or it can compel all nations to peace and harmony.

God himself has perfect reasoning and total understanding of all there is. When we are lacking awareness about something but are clearly guided by him in a certain area, that is when we should trust in God with all our heart and not lean towards our limited understanding. God’s reason is the higher reasoning compared to ours. To reason against reason is treason. However, God still wants us to grow in awareness and understanding so that we may reach his level of reasoning and be of one mind with him.

Now I encourage you to Incline your ear unto understanding. Seek to know the reason of a thing. Seek to know all the reasons there are to know about it. Open your heart to be understanding so that you may receive the truth of a matter and not block it out of perception. You need understanding in order to do what is right.

Understanding gives us strength because it makes us bigger than our situations. Knowing all the explanations and reasons of a thing allows you to see it in a definite way. Faith is having certainty.

Some of us have the idea that faith and reasoning are in conflict with each other. They think that if you have reason, you do not need faith, and if you go by faith, you cannot go by reasoning. This paradox has caused the biggest problems in all religion and spirituality. The truth is that faith and reason are the same. In order to have faith about something, you need to know it as true. You cannot know something as true unless you have a reason for it to be so. Faith is reason and reason is faith.

Now in closing, I encourage you to know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE. (John 8:32)  Think globally and work locally allowing your mind to be filled with the truth of God’s word.  May the grace of God rest and abide in you now and forever, in Jesus name, I remain your brother, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher!

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ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS CONDEMING AND JUDGING OTHERS?

ENCOURAGEMENT

Please understand this one truth, and that is, there is always a right way and a wrong way of doing anything.  When we lift a brother are sister up and provide them with a word of encouragement instead of sticking a knife into them, God will bless you abundantly.  God has given you the power to make the choice, how you use that power will determine your destiny in this world.  Now listen to what God commands you to do.

He says, “Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, and his Royal Rule, which takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?” (James 4:11-12 MSG)

While a man is involved in sin he will condemn others who are likewise involved and the deeper and greater his sin the more severe will be his condemnation of others.  It is only when a man begins to sorrow for his sin, and so to rise above it into the clearer light of purity and understanding, that he ceases from condemning others and learns to sympathies with them.  But this ceaseless condemnation of each other by those who are involved in the fierce play of the passions must needs be, for it is one of the modes of operation of the Great Law which universally and eternally obtains, and the unrighteous one who falls under the condemnation of his fellows will the more rapidly reach a higher and nobler condition of heart and life if he humbly accepts the censure of others as the effect of his own sin, and resolves henceforward to refrain from all condemnation of others.

The truly good and wise man condemns no one; having put away all blind passion and selfishness he lives in the calm regions of love and peace, and understands all modes of sin, with their consequent sufferings and sorrows.  Enlightened and awakened, freed from all selfish bias, and seeing men as they are, his heart responds in holy sympathy with all.  Should any condemn, abuse, or slander him he throws around them the kindly protection of his sympathy, seeing the ignorance which prompts them so to act, and knowing that they alone will suffer for their wrong acts.

Now in closing, I will leave you with God’s final word in hopes that it will lift you up out of your sinful nature of Judging and Condemning your fellowman.  Here is what God has to say to you, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”  (James 4:7-10 MSG)

Now I say to you, “ENCOURAGE SOMEONE IN THE LORD TODAY.”   Think globally as you work locally in your church and community to help bring about a change in someone’s life this day.  We minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.

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THE BEAUTY OF THE YELLOW ROSE by Pastor Davis

WHAT IF YOU CALLED OUT TO LADY WISDOM AND SHE COULD NOT BE FOUND?

Have you ever been in a situation where you were always giving and the other person was always taking?  Have you tried to please a person and for whatever reason they never seem to be satisfied with what you were doing?  Have you ever tried to provide council to a person and they just laugh, and joked at your knowledge?  You say, this is foolish, why am I wasting my time with such a person?  Knowledge say it is because you are wise and Lady Wisdom lives within you.

Know this as truth, LADY WISDOM cries out to the simple, the scorners, and fools.  The simple are naïve, impressionable people who are open to all kinds of influences, both good and bad; here their instability seems to be leading them in the wrong direction.  Scorners are those who treat wise counsel with contempt; nothing is sacred or serious to them.  Fools are those who senselessly refuse instruction; they are conceited and opinionated in their ignorance.  My Mother would say, they are people who have a hard head and will never understand the wisdom of God, so why bother with them.

I try to find reasoning in My Mother’s words, because I convinced myself that at some point LADY WISDOM will surely show up and they will discover the truth in the power of LADY WISDOM.   Therefore, I such through the scriptures and this is what I found.

Now I encourage you to pay close attention to the words of LADY WISDOM as she speaks truth to power for your edification.  This is what LADY WISDOM had to say, “Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance?

Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism?

Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?

About face! I can revise your life.  Look, I’m ready to pour out my spirit on you; I’m ready to tell you all I know.  As it is, I’ve called, but you’ve turned a deaf ear; I’ve reached out to you, but you’ve ignored me.

“Since you laugh at my counsel and make a joke of my advice, how can I take you seriously?
I will turn the tables and joke about your troubles!  What if the roof falls in, and your whole life goes to pieces.  What if catastrophe strikes and there’s nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes? You will need me then. You will call for me, but do not expect an answer.  No matter how hard you look, you will not find me.

“Because you hated Knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God, Because you wouldn’t take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you, Well, you’ve made your bed—now lie in it; you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it?  Don’t you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots?  Carelessness kills; complacency is murder. First pay attention to me, and then relax.  Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.”  (Proverbs 1:22-33 MSG)

One of the greatest tragedies of life is the crass rejection of Wisdom’s gracious entreaties.  It called forth the lament of lost opportunity from the summit of Oliver, “I would but you would not.”

Wisdom sorrows over people who brush aside all her wise counsel and who will have nothing to do with her constructive criticism.  Now I ask you, what makes people stubborn refusal so irrational?  I have pondered this question in my mind for quite some time.  Therefore, I tell you this truth, God’s commandments and warning is for our own good, not for God’.  Here is one thing that we should know, and that is if we as a people continue to persist in our refusal to listen to LADY WISDOM, that rejection will inevitably bring disaster and ruin.  Then it will be Wisdom’s turn to laugh.  “I also will laugh at your calamity, not because it is funny, but because of your continual refusal to observe the wise counsel LADY WISDOM has continue to offer you.

Now let me leave you with this final thought from the book of Psalms 27:14 KJV, it says, “ Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  I say if you will do this and allow him to speak to your heart, I guarantee you LADY WISDOM will show up and you will be totally amazed.  Today, I minister to you from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

I encourage you to think globally and work locally as you SEEK THE SWEET AROMAS OF WISDOM AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HER SOUL.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE by Pastor Davis

THE EFFECT LADY WISDOM HAS UPON OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE GREAT LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE FAMILY.

 In order for a person to be a great leader in any calling, that person first must have WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE.  The two fit together like hand and glove.  James said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NIV).  When you have acquired the knowledge of who she is and the sweetness of her aromas in your life, you now have obtained the power to begin building greatness in your life.  Because when you have rubbed shoulders with LADY WISDOM, you have been given the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the greatest results.  I can assure you that without the knowledge and power that LADY WISDOM provides you, success in any calling will always elude you.

In our role as leaders, our first and most important priority is the leadership within our own family.  As a father, we seek to provide the type of leadership for our children to succeed in life.  Especially when a son is involved, the father will make every effort to teach his son the truth of who LADY WISOM is in his life and the effects that LADY WISDOM can have on his future providing he adhere to her teachings.  Now listen to the advice given to a son from the book of Proverbs.

This message begins with a concrete no holes barred advise.  It starts with a command to gain the attention of the listener.  He says, “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.  I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.  For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.  Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.  I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Hold on to my instruction; do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.  Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. (Proverbs 4:1-15 NIV)

Now let us understand the message that this father was teaching in this lesson, if there was one thing that this father wanted for his son to acquire in life it was truly wisdom and the knowledge of LADY WISDOM.  As this father saw it, if the son were to posse’s wisdom, he would find life, safety and honor.  This father was single-minded.  Rather than urging his son to pursue success and recognition, he exhorted him to: “get wisdom;” not forsake wisdom,” “esteem” and “embrace” wisdom.  Carrying out his father’s ideals would no doubt require serious effort and diligence.  But if the son did acquire wisdom, the benefits would flow from it like water from a cup.

Now please allow me to conclude lesson two with these final words from Matthew.  “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV).

You are truly the master of your destination, now seek out LADY WISDOM, and allow her to stir the beauty that lies asleep in the depths of your soul.  She is only a thought away, awaken her and “SEEK THE SWEET AROMAS OF WISDOM AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HER SOUL.

Now let me encourage you to think globally and work locally.  Use the powers that have been given to you, to remove lack and limitations from your life, and allow LADY WISDOM to enter in.  You are truly an amazing creature. NOW, begin to express yourself as such.  Your new life begins right NOW, by embracing LADY WISDOM.  I minister to you this day from a position of peace, purpose, power and prosperity.  THIS IS YOUR LINK TO GREAT TEACHING:

http://www.vineandbranchworldministries.com

I remain your brother in Christ, Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

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SEEK THE SWEET AROMSA OF WISDOM AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HER SOUL (PART ONE)

Who is she?

Wisdom: She is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energy or thought. She is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, or insight. Wisdom often requires control of one’s emotional reactions (the “passions”) so that one’s principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one’s actions.

She is beautiful and delightful to the soul in every way. She is as sweet as honey to the mouth as wisdom is to the soul.  The Bible says, “My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.”  (Proverb 24:13-14 AMP).

She is elusive:  She is so elusive, that she seems to be in very short supply.  Some people are crafty and shrewd, others are well-informed and highly educated, but few of us manifest the quiet depth of wisdom.

What is her secret and the source of her wisdom?  Listen to how the Bible tells us about her Secrets and the Source of her Wisdom. It begins by asking a series of questions.  ”But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom?  Where does Insight hide?  Mortals do not have a clue, have not the slightest idea where to look.  Earth’s depths say, ‘It’s not here’; ocean deeps echo, ‘Never heard of it.’ It cannot be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it.  Even famous Ophir gold cannot buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires.  Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry cannot touch it.  Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets—why bother?  None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom!  Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can’t hold a candle to Wisdom.

“So where does Wisdom come from?  And where does Insight live? It cannot be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, ‘We’ve only heard rumors of it.’

“God alone knows the way to Wisdom; he knows the exact place to find it.  He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven.  After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning, He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready.
Then he addressed the human race: ‘Here it is!  Fear-of-the-Lord—that’s Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.” (Job 28:12-28 MSG)

This concludes part one of this great subject, SEEK THE SWEET AROMAS OF WISDOM AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HER SOUL (PART ONE).  I remain your brother in Christ Pastor Davis/Master Teacher.

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WORDS OF WISDOM TO LIVE BY (PROVERB 1:7-9, 3:5-7, 4:5-7, 23, 27)

⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

⁸My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

⁹For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

⁷Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

⁵Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

⁶Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

⁷Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

²³Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

²⁷Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

May God add a blessing to the reader, hearer and doer of His Holy Word, in Jesus name.

1

JESUS TEACHES US THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH

HE LIVES

Jesus permitted Himself to be crucified

Man, in his lack of knowledge, his vague understanding of the justice of a loving Father, has made the grave a darkened sepulcher, a thing to be dreaded, and an end to all his aspirations and his ambitions. For ages he has feared this ending of physical existence and has made of it a time of intense mourning, a period filled with tears. BUT, this Great Spirit who had power over life and death permitted Himself to be crucified; He came to this Earth for that great purpose. But the question may be raised: If we claim that Jesus the Christ had power over His life, then why did he permit the great indignities and cruelties which were perpetrated upon Him and why did He not save Himself from this undignified and cruel death? In the parable of the sheepfold in John 10, Jesus tells His hearers, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” We find another statement given by the Christ after the crucifixion, after He had suffered death on the cross–when He had come back from the spiritual world to commune with His disciples. In the twenty-eighth chapter of Matthew, the eighteenth verse, He again claims the same power. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in Earth.”

Jesus’ Victory over Death

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

“Christianity,” said one writer “is a religion of the open tomb.” Keep that thought in mind as you study this journal on the resurrection. The founder of Christianity could not be kept in the prison house of death. An angel rolled the great stone from the door of Joseph’s new tomb, and the Son of God came forth triumphant over death. “I am the resurrection and the life,” He said (John 11:25).

The apostle Paul argues that the Christian faith stands or falls upon the fact of the resurrection of Christ.

“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:13, 14).

Our hope of deliverance from sin in this world (see Romans 6:4, 11, 12) and the reality of life in the next (see 1 Corinthians 15:17-23) are dependent upon the resurrection of Jesus. The incarnation of God’s Son, His sinless life and vicarious death, would have availed nothing if He had been kept a prisoner of death. The saints of all ages would remain in their graves, sealed forever, if Christ had not broken the power of death and come forth to immortal life. And Christians would have been “false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised” (1 Corinthians 15:15)

There is Life after Death

Jesus came to this Earth to teach mankind a particular lesson; and if He was destined to become the Savior of mankind, then the greatest lesson which He could have taught man was that of faith; faith in his God and faith in a life after death. By His very death Christ Jesus must bring to man faith, and the belief in a LIFE AFTER DEATH. He preached immortality, and to further impress this fact upon humanity, He must go through the throes of death in order to return to life and bring to man proof of an after death life. To accomplish this He appeared to His beloved disciples in His spiritual body. In I Corinthians, 15:6, Paul says, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once: of whom the greater part remains unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” He walked and talked to them so that they might believe that what He had preached, the immortality of the soul, was a fact and that after man has laid aside his physical body, he still lives in a finer and more ethereal body.

Our New Spiritual Body

Paul also brings man much hope in a life after death in the fifth chapter of II Corinthians, verses 1, 2: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.” In the fifteenth chapter of I Corinthians, Paul again preaches to those who have no faith in the life after death. This wonderful chapter is used by the majority of ministers to bring comfort and faith to those who have been bereaved by the loss of their loved ones. “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

During the old dispensation and all through the Old Testament, man had very little hope in a life after death; to him the grave ended all. We find such discouragement when we read the ninth chapter of Ecclesiastes, the fifth verse, where the statement is made, “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”

We are made in God’s Image

Man is an immortal Spirit, made in the image of God, for are we not told in the 26th verse of the first chapter of Genesis that God said, “Let us make man in our image?” Now if God is Spirit and man is made in His image, can we no longer deny that man cannot die, or that if he did that a part of God would die? Can one imagine a Great Spirit which would create a being like man in His own image and then permit him to die? Could such a being himself become a creator as God had destined him to do if one Earth life were all, and if, when man had lived his three score and ten years, he should pass out of existence with no further chance to become as his Father in heaven, perfect? If he but stops to reason this thing out he cannot but be convinced that man, too, must go on evolving, learning, in order to become all wise as his Father in heaven is wise, and that this cannot be accomplished in the few years of one short life. To learn these lessons on the Earth over which God gave man dominion, he must return again and again, and in each embodiment he must take up his cross of matter (his physical body).

It is through the physical vehicle that man must learn to become a creator like unto his Father in heaven; it is the toll which he uses in his efforts to master the numerous lessons of life so that he can be recognized by his Father in heaven as a son. This tool (the physical body) becomes tired, wears out; and it is necessary that the Spirit be given a time to assimilate and digest all the experience gained on Earth. Therefore, God has arranged that the Spirit step out of this worn-out old robe and function in its spiritual body.

When this occurs, man with his limited vision, grieves over this change; to him it appears as a final parting from a loved one when this worn-out garment disintegrates and the loved one is permitted to function in a finer and a more ethereal robe, or body, one in which the individual is not limited by distance, nor can physical matter obstruct him in his progress. This is the spiritual body of which Paul tells us in II Corinthians, a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. In this vehicle our loved ones can visit us, and while we in our blindness may not have the spiritual eyes with which we can see them, yet they are none the less very near to us. They are still interested in our welfare, and when we need them they do not fail us; they encourage and help us more often than we realize, though by our very grief we may hinder their progress in this new life to which they have been called.

When a man enters into a sound sleep and his physical body is inert on the bed then he is awake and active in the realm of the spirit. He is no longer hampered by a physical body. However, he is tied to this vehicle by the silver cord which leads him back again to his body upon awakening. During the unconsciousness of sleep he is in the land of the living dead and if he will he can communicate with his loved ones who are ever near him.

The Spiritual Minded student has this assurance of his nearness to those who have passed over in what is commonly termed death and does not grieve as do others who have no hope.

TODAY’S MAXAMIZED SCRIPUTURE FOR FAMILIES

“[Buy Wisdom, Education, Insight] [16] Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don’t neglect her. Buy truth—don’t sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!” Proverbs 23:24 MSG

SCROLL OF THE PSALMS

HOW TO GET GOD TO ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS (PART 2)

Follow Christ’s example and God will answer your prayers.

You can know God’s will by studying His Word. The Bible contains more than a thousand pages and 750,000 words of God’s expressed will. If you study it daily, replacing your thoughts with His, you can understand what God wants.

For example, notice Jeremiah 9; “Thus says the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glories glory in this,” “that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says the Lord” (vs. 23-24).

Do your prayers reflect loving-kindness (mercy, out-going concern for others), godly judgment (wisdom based on true biblical understanding), and righteousness (obedience to God’s laws; see Psalm 119:172 and 111:10)?

Have a humble, yielded attitude: The carnal mind is deceitful—even to itself (Jer. 17:9). It is naturally hostile to God and His spiritual laws. It cannot obey Him (Rom. 8:7-8).

This world’s Christianity does not understand this. Its religionists, teachers and leaders do not preach it.

Yet the Bible teaches that God will only listen to those who are teachable, humble and yielded to Him. Notice Isaiah 66: “Thus says the Lord, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that You build unto Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things has My hand made, and all those things have been, says the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word” (vs. 1-2).

Jesus used a parable to teach a valuable lesson to “some who trusted in themselves” (Luke 18:9):

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican [tax collector]. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You, that I am not as other men are, extortionist, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (vs. 10-12). The Pharisee “knew” that He was God’s gift to mankind.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (vs. 13). The tax collector saw himself from God’s perspective and humbled himself.

Christ continued, “I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted” (vs. 14).

God will not listen to the prayers of the proud and arrogant.

Keep God’s Law: To begin to understand God’s will, you must obey Him, David wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments” (Psa. 111:10).

The more you obey God, the more understanding He will give you. Moreover, the more you receive, the more God expects you to obey Him.

When you do this, God promises, “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not”—because we deliberately choose God’s way of life and stop sinning— “then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (I John 3:21-22).

God listens to those who obey Him. It is that simple.

When Jesus lived on earth, He knew that God would always answer His prayers. Here’s why: “And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father has not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

If you follow Christ’s footsteps and obey God, your prayers will be answered!

Consider this: “He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Prov. 28:9). If you do not listen to (and obey) God, He will not listen to you!

Approach God with a clean conscience: When you sin—break God’s laws—He cannot hear you: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2).

In Psalm 24, David asked, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (vs. 3-4).

He also wrote, “If I regard iniquity [sin] in my heart [mind], the Lord will not hear” (66:18).

Confess your sins before God. Repent and ask for His forgiveness. Christ’s blood will cleanse you.

Some people fall into a dangerous pattern: When they sin, their guilt gnaws at them. They feel too ashamed to approach God in prayer. And God cannot hear a prayer that is never uttered. Because they have not confessed their sins and repented, their sin grows. Soon they are trapped in a cycle of sin. If they do not turn to God soon, their conscience will be seared. They will end up sinning without feeling guilt, shame or fear.

Do not let this happen to you!

The Bible states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

God has seen men commit every sin imaginable. Your confession cannot shock Him. But it will set you free from the deadly cycle of sin, pain and, ultimately, death.

Be bold: This world’s Christianity pictures Christ as a helpless weakling nailed to a cross.

But the Bible clearly shows that Christ is in heaven, actively working on behalf of His servants: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God; let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:14-15).

When we pray to God, we do so by the authority of Jesus Christ. His shed blood allows us to enter the most holy place in the universe—God’s throne!

That is why, when we pray, we are commanded to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).

God expects our prayers to be bold, full of confidence—in Him, not self.

If we come before God wavering and full of doubt, He will not listen (James 1:6-7).

Pray in detail: Some have reasoned, “Why should I pray? Doesn’t God already know everything, including what I think?”

Yes, He does. In fact, God knows you better than you know yourself, down to the number of hairs you have on your head (Matt. 10:30; Luke 12:7).

God knows everything you need even before you ask Him (Matt. 6:8).

He knows your inner thoughts and desires: “I the Lord search the heart [mind], I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his doings” (Jer. 17:10).

Yet God wants you to pray to Him. Here are five reasons why:

(1) God wants you to draw close to Him and show Him where your heart is (Matt. 6:19-21).

(2) He wants you to express out-going concern for others. Praying for others is an opportunity to do this.

(3) He wants you to prove and test Him by claiming His many promises (Mal. 3:10; I Thes. 5:21).

(4) He wants you to submit your will to Him. If you believe God’s Word and pray from the heart, God’s thoughts will saturate your mind. You will come to think—and act—like Him (Eph. 1:17-19).

(5) Like any good parent, God wants to know His children. Specific, highly detailed prayers please God.

Consider this scripture: “And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb [Christ], having everyone of them harps, and golden vials full of odors [incense], which are the prayers of saints” (Rev. 5:8).

TO BE CONTINUED IN LESSON 3.