Follow Friday

It's Follow Friday time again! Do you know who David Bernard is? If you don't I encourage you to Google him. He is an exceptional bible scholar and prolific writer. I chose him for this week's #FF because he explains the deity of God so well. Check out this short video about understanding God's word.

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The Pearl of Integrity

There was a bus driver who collected a man's fare and gave him back too much change. As the man was leaving the bus he counted his change and went back to the bus driver. "You gave me too much change," he said. The bus driver replied, "I did it on purpose. I saw you preach yesterday and wanted to see if you walked what you talked."

What a story and great example of the definition of honesty and integrity.

"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."

~Ephesians 4:25

Why do you think God expresses Himself so strongly about lying? I honestly had to sit for a minute and think about that question. I mean shouldn't we lie if we don't want to hurt someone's feelings? Or what about when we don't want to get in trouble? Little white lies are okay, right? No.

Lying only hurts you and those you are lying to. AND when you start lying it's like you can't stop! You lie to cover up the first lie and then comes the domino effect.

Honesty and integrity protect us. Proverbs 19:5 tells us that a false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Proverbs 19:9 takes it a step further by saying he that speaketh lies shall perish. GEEZ!

Some people lie to get gain. What happens to them? The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death (Proverbs 21:6). Something to think about, huh?

Do you know the story of Ananias and Sapphira (read Acts 5:1-10). Basically they sold a possession and were supposed to give the money to the apostles'-all of the money. They kept part of it thinking they were just lying to Peter, but they were really lying to the Holy Ghost (God). Eventually they both gave up the ghost (died). Let's not find ourselves in that situation.

Living an honest life and one of integrity begins with recognizing that God is omipresent. He is everywhere and he sees and knows everything. Remember, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It's also the beginning of living a honest life.

Integrity is what is demonstrated when nobody is watching. Allow me to close my eyes for a moment...what are you doing?

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The Pearl of Humility

Oh boy! Today's pearl is humility...

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
~Proverbs 11:2

[To humble yourself means to keep a modest opinion about yourself and behave accordingly.]

Humility is something we all want to achieve, but it's hard to measure. Even if you proclaimed, "I am a humble person" it would sound a bit proud. Striving for a spirit of humility is an awesome goal, however. Your first step should obviously be humility toward God.

If you read my post about The Pearl of Fear this should not be hard for you to comprehend. Before you can humble yourself before God you must fear (revere) Him. There are some wonderful examples in the Bible of people who humbled themselves before God: Moses (Exodus 3:1-6), Job (Job 42;1-6), Agur (Proverbs 30:2-4), John (Revelation 1:10-17), and the 24 Elders (Revelation 4:9-11). I encourage you to read those scriptures and notice what each person's response was when they were in God's presence.

Our opening scripture says the lowly have wisdom. What does lowly mean? Does it mean poor? Destitute? I think not! Lowly simply means humble. If you remember my post about The Pearl of Wisdom you'll remember that wisdom is the ability to discern. If we are humble God will give us discernment. OUTSTANDING!

Once we understand humility toward God it is important to be humble with regard to ourselves. That basically means recognizing that it is because of God's grace that we have what we have and are what we are. I encourage you to read I Corinthians 4:7, Isaiah 26:12, I Corinthians 15:10, Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Proverbs 25:6-7, Proverbs 27:2, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, James 14:11 and James 4:10. What do these verses teach you?

Jesus Christ was our supreme example. He is God and even HE practiced humility unto death (Philippians 2:3-11, Matthew 20:26-28).

Isn't it interesting that understanding humility can be quite difficult, but its antithesis, pride, is prevalent in society today? The bible has some direct things to say about pride. Pride is sin (Proverbs 21:4). Pride leads to punishment and it is an abomination (Proverbs 16:5, 6:16-17). Pride brings shame (Proverbs 11:2). If you want an example of what happens to those with prideful hearts read Daniel 4:28-37 and Acts 12:20-23.

A few important scriptures:

1. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ~Romans 7:18
2. Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 18:3-4
3. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our rightheousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. ~Isaiah 64:6
4. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. ~Colossians 3:12

Have a humble day!

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Patience & Faith

During my prayer time this morning I thought about my best friend Amanda. She has been trying to purchase a home for what seems like an eternity, and finally yesterday (on her birthday) she received the keys to her brand new home! I could just cry thinking about it. I remember receiving pictures from when they broke the ground, built the foundation, built the frame, put the windows in, etc. I also remember the phone calls I received when she was frustrated about how long the process was taking. There were two things we needed to hold on to: Patience and Faith.

The reason I thought about her when I was praying is because I am going through a frustrating period right now. For those of you in graduate school you know how agonizing the PhD process can be. I'm trying to transfer to The Ohio State University because my advisor is taking a position there and they have more resources for the research I'm conducting. Classes start on September 19th and I haven't heard back from the school as to whether I've been accepted or not. I need to let my landlord know if I'm leaving, and I need to find an apartment in Columbus. I feel like my life is at a stand still and it's so FRUSTRATING!

The saying goes, "He may not come when you want him, but he's always on time." It's hard to remember that when you are going through a trial, isn't it? The best thing for me to do is dig into my word. 

Here are a few scriptures about patience and faith. I hope you're encouraged by them.

Romans 5:3-4

...And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope...

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

1 Timothy 6:11
...follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 

Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 

James 1:3-4

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

James 2:17 
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Lastly, you need to read Hebrews 11 (AKA "The Faith Chapter).

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The Pearl of Fear

I stand, I stand in awe of you.

I stand, I stand in awe of you.

Holy God to whom all praise is due.

I stand in awe of you.

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Poem

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious-Thy great name we praise.

To all, life Thou givest-to both great and small,

In all life Thou livest-the true life of all;

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

And wither and perish-but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, 

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All praise we would render-O help us to see

'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!

~Walter Chalmers Smith

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Music Monday

I'm stealing from Twitter again. Every Monday I will post my favorite gospel music songs. I love worship music. Foot stomping, toe tapping music is great, but there's nothing like a nice worship song that brings tears to your eyes. My friend and fellow brother in Christ sent me this YouTube video of Lawrence Flowers and Intercession. It's such a great worship song. I hope you enjoy it and surrender to Christ today...give Him more! Enjoy this #MM!

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