 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (Proverb 29:23)
As this proverb is being read, most readers will give an Amen even before they have finished reading all its context. This may result in keywords being overlooked. One's 20/20 spiritual vision could become blindness, resulting in the heavy suitcase of pride being added to the already overwhelming weights of this life. A carefully look at the beauty of this gem; brings us to the undisputed fact that everyone has pride!Humility is not a state of mind, but a practice in the spirit, one's character. The apostle Paul advises this, what can man boast of that God has not given him? Or what can you or I give to God that he hasn't given to us first? When we not only realize this, but also live its reality day by day; then pride can never find its residence here. Only the humble in spirit can occupy this neighborhood; whose streets are paved and upheld with God's honour and love.
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 For a just man falleth seven times, and raiseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. (Proverbs 24:16)
The very thought that a just man or someone seeking to be pleasing in God's eyes falls, seems to be contrary to all our natural thinking. Shouldn't God paved every street with gold for a just man? Shouldn't the Almighty God of all creation yield to a just man's earthly labors and never once allow the heaviness of earthly challenges to forbear? Some years ago while visiting Wales in the United Kingdom (England); Father God had me to Minister to one of his servants. It seemed that all his prayers, efforts and seeking had failed. The inevitable was to happen. The Lord seemed unwilling to alter the course at hand. This man had hit bottom and became quite angry. Upon receiving a private time with him, Jesus spoke comforting words through me that aided, comforted and fueled the fact that God would raise him up again out of his situation. The unavoidable happened! Along the journey of time, he came out for the better. Much better! How faithful Jesus is! So you see, it's not so much the fall we take that should receive all the attention; but the very thought of whose hand it is that will raise you up again!  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26)
Today in some cultures the celebration of Mother's Day is at hand. Encircled with mixed emotions, all mothers will receive different recognitions of honor. Does not the holy Scriptures command to honor thy father and mother? (Matthew 15:4) Yet, when Jesus was informed that his mother and brethren were awaiting him outside, while he was holding a meeting; Jesus immediately address the salutation this way, "who is my mother, or my brethren?" (Mark 3:33) Beloved, when God imparts into a life, using this term, "born again," there must be a mother somewhere. Unlike Jesus' mother from without, this mother calls from within. A spiritual mother, parenting a spiritual child. Engraving an image upon our hearts and minds of eternal life. Vacating the premise of separation from God to an occupancy being filled by His Spirit. Yes, the Jerusalem which is above is more than just an expression, but a reality of mother and child.  And Jesus said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Acts 1:7)
We seem to be living in a time when questions like these surface frequently: what do all these world events mean? Why are there more and more bad things happening? Is the end near? And so on. There once was a man who had two sons. He was very gentle in character and believed in rewarding instead of punishing to promote discipline. He had purchased a brand-new car and realize that his garage needed cleaning. So he started to clean and move items himself. One of the items he found in the garage was an old "for sale sign." He had a thought. He placed the for sale sign by the front of the garage. Calling his two sons he said, "boys, some day this garage and all that is in it will be yours; but first I need it cleaned so I can put in the brand-new car I have purchased. He then divided the workload up giving each boy the responsibility of half the garage. As he left to go and pick up his purchase, he shouted out, "I'll be back around evening with the new car." Both boys started their tasks. As items were moved back and forth passing the "for sale sign" thoughts filled their minds. Needless to say only one boy was ready when the new car arrived. Don't be misled by signs! Just do what your Father God has already said through Jesus, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) |
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January 2019
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