Proverbs 27: 23-27
“Riches are not forever”
Modern day glamour and display of wealth focus on man-made comforts and technology. The presence of money in hand or electronically in bank accounts are seen as security.
But the experience of 2020 with covid19, and wisdom from the book of Proverbs warn us not to put all our eggs in the electronic basket. Instead, we are advised to be more in touch with our animals and their ability to supply us with food and clothes.
And just in case money is needed you can sell a few of them.
You don’t have to quit your job altogether, but it would be wise to see what measures you can put in place knowing that riches are not forever.
How are you getting back to the benefits of the farm life?
Matthew 6: 1-4
“Thy Father seeth in secret”
Walking with God is often like walking a tight rope. It requires a lot of balance.
Although we are called to let our light shine before others so they will see our good works, there is a balance to that.
Our complete focus must always be kept on God. Our intention must be towards being found pleasing to Him. That means when God examines our hearts, all He should see is a desire to please Him, not to be seen by others, whether or not others do see our good works.
In fact, if we take from the example of Jesus, we should seek for less fame and acclaim and more of God’s approval.
Deuteronomy 26: 1-11
“Remember your journey”
One of the instructions given to the children of Israel was that they should offer a first fruit in the temple on their arrival in the Promised Land. Interestingly, as part of the act of giving, they would be required to confess and orally rehearse their history before God.
This wasn’t about dwelling on the past in a negative or bitter way, but rather an acknowledgement of how gracious, faithful and good God had been to them.
They were commanded to keep in mind where they used to be and what God did for them.
Take the time today to remember your journey and give God thanks for who He has been to you!
Luke 4: 1-2
“Fasting fortifies the spirit”
If we look at the temptation of Jesus through only natural eyes, it would seem that Jesus set Himself up to be weak by being on a fast.
Actually, it was quite the opposite. It was the spiritual strength He gained through fasting that helped Him to overcome the Devil!
Have you fasted since you have started the new year? Maybe there is new strength awaiting you from the Lord.
Psalm 113: 1-3
“The Lord’s name is to be praised.”
Praising God is sometimes left up to how we feel. When we feel vibrant and happy, we are quick to shout a praise or dance a jig.
But what if we don’t feel energetic? What happens to our praises then?
I have found it very helpful to realise and to accept that giving praise to God is a COMMAND.
That means I now treat it as something I have to do, like “Thou shalt not kill” or “Thou shalt not steal”.
When you view giving praise to God as a requirement that is right up there with the other 10 commandments, it helps you take it more seriously.
Philippians 1:11
“Fruits of righteousness are by Jesus”
Desiring to be righteous and to do right things are noble aims. God wants that for all of us. There is, however, a big problem when we try to attain righteousness on our own – without any external help from the God who set that requirement in the first place.
First of all, that makes no sense. Second, this Scripture points us to our source of righteous fruits – they only come BY Jesus Christ.
Next time you read a righteous requirement in the Bible or feel nudged to repent of something, remember to seek help from the only Source who can help you to grow that fruit!
Don’t go in Different Directions!
I’ve shared this post from my LinkedIn feed that I have found inspiring and wise.
Power point from this lady:
“You’ll get where you need to go when you don’t jump in every direction.”
SOLID😮
Here’s the link👇🏾 (More good stuff there!)
1 Timothy 6:15
“The Blessed and only Potentate”
The word “Potentate” refers to a ruler whose power is not limited by others. Jesus is described as the blessed and only Potentate.
Think about how majestic He must be. Consider all the implications of this unlimited power!
Now let’s take a few minutes and offer praise to this mighty Being.
Matthew 6:1
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
Righteousness is much deeper than just an outwardly visible act. True righteousness is what God approves of, and only that will He reward.
In other words, it is possible to do a range of religious-looking activities but still end up not “impressing” God.
Why?
Because it was done with the wrong motive of looking for man’s applause and praise.
Pray with your family and discuss how to do the right things in the right way and for the right reasons.
Zechariah 3: 3-4
“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
We have all made mistakes. Each of us can recall a time when we wish we could turn back the hands of time and undo some things we did and said.
Joshua the high priest in the text was in that position. He was guilty before the Devil and God alike, and no excuse could save him. His garments were filthy, and judgement loomed up ahead until God’s mercy spoke for him. Though he was truly sinful, God’s power to forgive reached out to him and allowed him to get a clean slate – God clothed him with a change of raiment.
As you begin this new year, humbly admit all your filth to the God who already knows your state. Don’t pretend or sugar-coat your transgressions but rather confess them. Cry out to the same God who was merciful to Joshua and who took away his filthy garments from him.
Don’t start the new year with guilt.
Proverbs 22:3
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
God’s grace and power may not always stop what is bad or evil from happening. But He offers wisdom and foresight to us so we can be spared.
Let us delve into the insights of the Scriptures to learn how we can be prudent.
Let us also pray earnestly to be granted a prudent spirit that will allow us to discern any evil on the horizon, and to know the right action we should take to escape it – for ourselves and our families.
Prayer for wisdom:
“Lord, You are the God of wisdom. Grant me the discretion I need to make good decisions so I can walk in the blessings You have for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
1 John 5:3
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
Loving God is more than just an emotion. It involves active obedience to His instructions and leading.
Sometimes we are fearful of surrendering to God because we are worried that we might not like what He has for us.
But it’s not about us, and the good news is His commandments are not grievous.
He really does truly love us and is always giving us His best (which is Himself!)
Maybe what we need is a change in our perspective of the will of God. It is not coming to harm us.
Tell yourself that – God’s will isn’t coming to harm me!
Reposted from my LinkedIn feed 🙂
As a new year approaches, I hope these thoughts will inspire you all. Getting older and working for someone else aren’t always a barrier to your own successes!
Ephesians 5: 15-17
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
One of the most important uses of our time is in teaching our children.
There are 66 books in the Bible, and only about 16 years of legal time we have with our children. How many books can we guide them through each year?
How many have you already taken them through?
Conclusion: we don’t have much time. Let us make a decision to maximise our time of righteous influence on our children!
Psalm 112:1
“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”
Our actions and attitude towards God are the best inheritance we can leave for our children.
Fearing God and having great delight in His commandments are the sure way to secure generational blessings.
Let us seek to have the fear of the Lord.
Let us pray earnestly to develop a love for God’s words and for doing what He says.
Our children’s future depends on it!
Isaiah 55:2
The world is full of busy people, but how much satisfaction are we really obtaining from all our activities?
This Scripture reminds us that true achievement comes from God and being OBEDIENT to His words.
Let us prioritise relationship with God in our homes and families. Let us teach our children that it is in this they will live a full life!
Genesis 1:1-3
When our circumstances look gloomy, dim and dark, it is easy to go right along with them and be negative.
But instead of reciting what we see, let us declare “Let there be light!”
No matter how dark your family life may be, or how dark the community appears, God is greater!
James 4:6
“God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble”
Pride produces many problems. One of these is that it makes us a tad too self-reliant.
On the other hand, being humble allows us to see our need for God’s help, presence and leading.
When we see our need for God’s help we will seek His involvement in our daily lives. As a result, we are promised God’s grace – His favour and Divine enablement to help us through.
Don’t let pride rob you of this grace.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Pray without ceasing”
The Bible encourages us to have a prayerful life.
This does not mean you have to stay physically on your knees all the time. Rather it is a reminder not to give up on prayer.
Let us keep bringing everything to God in prayer.
Whether God answers us the way we want or not, our duty and privilege of prayer should never be pushed aside.
Make prayer a daily habit!
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Our words have more weight and impact than we think. Words are so powerful that they were what God used in creation!
As we speak to our spouses and children, let us exercise self-control in what we say. Our children’s misbehaviour or something we don’t approve of must not be used as an opportunity to destroy each other with our words.
Let us PRAY that we will know how to answer every man!
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
We probably think of this verse as a child’s memory verse, but it is a key and a foundation for all that we do and how we think.
The universe, life on Earth and people are not random occurrences. God created all of us and all the world’s natural features.
Let us see the world and our lives through the window of God’s word. When we believe in God as our Creator, we become more conscious of our accountability and suddenly living a moral and holy life makes sense!
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Psalm 119:72
“The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
Loving God is not just about having mushy feelings toward Him. Our love for Him must be matched by a love for His words – His law, His commandments.
Let us pray and seek that this verse will become real in our hearts. May we truly be able to say that God’s law is better to us than all the gold and silver the world could ever offer.
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