House of Wisdom – by D. Ferrer

House of Wisdom: Sharing in the Trials & Triumphs of Family Life

“Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation]…” Proverbs 24:3^AMP

 Topic: I Hear Blessed!

Scripture: “Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied)…” Proverbs 31:28^AMP 

There are many hidden things that experienced parents fail to share with beginners.  (The list would be far too long to go through in this context, but I encourage you to share your insight.)  After 7 years and 3 children, I realize that such things must remain a mystery or else “be fruitful and multiply” would be just a pretty, unrealized cliché.  

 I would like to highlight one mystery in particular, what I call “the Invisible Dad.”  I was not forewarned that Dads have the supernatural power to make themselves invisible to their children.  It makes no logical sense that while we may both be in the same room, same house, same zip code, or same planet the young ones seem to overlook Dad and make a beeline for Mom. 

 Picture this scene: Mom is sitting on the couch in the living room. Dad is in the kitchen.  Child enters kitchen. Child leaves kitchen.  Child comes to living room where Mom is doing Mom things.  Child asks Mom for drink, as if he/she had just hiked through the desert.  Mom, in her calm voice, asks just one critical question: “Did you ask Dad who is in the kitchen?”

 We know all to well how the story ends.  Mom gets drink.  Child runs along.  Dad becomes visible again.  However, the purpose of this is really not about Dad’s misuse of his super powers or Child’s constant requests.  It’s about Mom embracing who she is.  It is no wonder that a King poetically penned Proverbs 31, based on what he was taught by his mom.  He clearly describes her capabilities and highlights her heroics.  Mom does have supernatural strength and power!  (Even Dad begins to boast about her.)   

 The King sums up that “Mom” translated, is blessed.  But, you cannot circumvent the process: the children have to rise up.  They grow up and remember how you did everything to make their birthdays special.  They mature and recall how despite not getting every material thing, you made sure they had great experiences.  They rise up and realize that you were there when they needed you, although you were consistently late picking them up from school. 

 The experienced parents know this.  More importantly, as an experienced child, I know: They don’t get it right away, but they rise up.  To be called Mom or any variation thereof, can sometimes feel like a nail on a chalkboard.  Take Courage. Begin to translate your name. 

I HEAR BLESSED!

To All My Single Ladies – Who Is Your Man? – by Deacon T. Rayfield

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to briefly pick up the new book by radio host and comedian Steve Harvey entitled “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.”  In this book Harvey shares some secular views on relationships.  His goal was to help women achieve success in an area that, at times, may appear to the human eye a difficult subject for many modern-day women to understand.  

I was able to read about 40 pages when in prayer, God convicted my spirit and told me to take the book back and get a Bible.  The Lord told me what I needed from the book I had already received.  Surprised, I immediately asked God, “Really?  Can you enlighten me on what that would be?”  He said, “Yes, I have identified to you Who Your Man Is.”  And He stated, “It is ME!”  In the book Harvey stated that when men are committed to you they will always do the three P’s: Profess, Protect, and Provide for you. 

God proclaimed to me, I AM YOUR MAN.  Day by day He does just what was noted in the book.

Profess – God professes to be my lover as in Songs of Solomon 7:10, “I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me.” He is the lover of my soul, the only one who has expressed His love unto death.  I experience the love He professes on a daily basis.  It has never been just words but His words become action in the next two statements.

Protects – He reminds me in Psalms 32:7 that he is my “hiding” place and he “protects” me from trouble.  His protection keeps me safe from all snares and dangers.  His protection fights my battles in the unseen realms and gives me a secure peace of mind that I never waiver from.

Provides – He reminds me that his name is Jehovah Jireh – God the Provider. Philippians 4:19 states, “my God will meet all my needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  There is nothing that He can’t provide for me.  When all looks bleak, His provisions are abundant.  He provides for me just what I need.  He provides when I’m tempted and he provides when I’m weak.  He provided for my salvation so that I can live eternity with the Man of my life.

So to all my Single Ladies, God is commissioning us in this season to recognize who our man truly is.  It is Him!  And as God opens up the door for the man of God to come into your life, remember that if he is coming in the image of God he will profess, protect, and provide for you because he is loving you as God does. 

Remember Lot’s Wife – by Deacon J. Hopkins

I remember when I was a child our family would have a traditional saying after we blessed our food.  Back then I was taught this one little phrase, “Memberlockswife.”  At the time that’s just how I would say it, not truly understanding what I was saying.  But it was a family ritual, so it became a part of my mealtime prayer.  It was not until I was much older that I realized that what my grandmother and mother were saying was, “Remember Lot’s Wife.”  The relevance of salt at the dinner table was used to instill a principle in my life.  This Old Testament Story is found in Genesis 19.  God tired of the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah and decided to destroy it and all it’s inhabitants.  Obviously this was a pretty evil and corrupt place.  One which was so void of spiritual life that God set out to destroy it.  But because of his love for Abraham, the Lord allowed Lot and his family to escape this judgment and flee to safety.  His only request was that they not look back, but go straight to their destination.  All of Lot’s family fled and followed the Lord’s instructions, except for Lot’s wife.

In Luke 17: 32-33, Jesus speaks of the last days and takes the time to call to remembrance Lot’s wife.  She loved her life so much that she turned back to it on her way to a greater destiny.  There at that very instant she was turned into a pillar of salt which has become a memorial for all of those who cherish their past lives.  Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife!  Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”  This was not the only time that the call to a divine destiny was overshadowed by the desire for the familiarity of the past.  Israel also went through moments where they complained about their present state.  In their complaining they glorified their days of bondage.  In Numbers 20:5, they asked Moses, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place?”  Even though they are now free, some would have preferred the bondage of Egypt.  They would have traded walking freely in blind faith, to being enslaved by the Egyptians who hated them and tried to destroy them.

We also have those times where our past lives seem more attractive than pressing through the call God has on our lives.  This call is no joke, it is serious!  You will have wilderness moments where you have to trust God to see you through.  At times you may hear the enemy’s whispers  of, “Wasn’t it easier when you just did what you wanted?”  But when you’re honest with yourself, the answer is NO!  How can slavery have ever been better?  As a slave you work for the gain of others who don’t have your interest at heart.  But as a free child of God, you are promised an inheritance and a protection like no other.  Too many times we forget what being a slave who was in bondage to sin actually felt like.  We recreate a glorified picture of that past life.  But remember the helplessness and hopelessness of those times when you had no direction and no peace of mind.  Do you truly want to go back to that life?  Do you want to turn around and go your own way and experience the loss of fellowship and the loss of protection from the Savior?

Have you had moments when your “Egypt” looked more attractive than the future promises of God?   Don’t get so frustrated in the wilderness moments that you turn around.  Don’t allow the enemy to deceive you into returning to bondage.  It is in our pressing that we see the promise.  All God has for you is ahead of you!  Just continue taking the steps towards your destiny today.

Scriptures for Meditation:

Luke 9:62      Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5: 1            It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 

2 Peter 2: 20-22

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. ²¹ It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ²² Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Dying to Self – by Minister C. Ferguson

Mark 8:34

And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

Most times we keep ourselves from the promises of God.  Why? This is because we refuse to deny ourselves from the pleasures of the world.  God has a lot to say about the pleasures of this world. What did Jesus mean when He said, “whosoever would come after me”?  I believe He used these words knowing that some would not follow.

To follow Christ means dying to yourself daily, taking the focus off of you, and putting it on Jesus Christ. I can remember when I was younger I would follow the wrong crowd.  This would only lead to later getting into deep trouble that would cause all my privileges to be revoked by my parents.   If only I would have followed their counsel and deny myself the pleasure of the party life, I would not have received those consequences. God has called each one of us into covenant relationship with Him.  Will you accept the call to come, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever more. (Heb 13)  Whether you make the choice or not, His word will remain the same.

Repent and believe the Good News (Mark 1:15)

In the end your refusal to deny yourself leads to death.  Remember, He has given us our deliverance.

You are my help and deliverer (Ps 40:17)

When you begin to deny your own self, food, alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy relationships, you will begin to have withdrawals from the very things you let go of.  But rest assured, our Father is waiting for you to take up your cross today and follow Him. He knows and understands all of our struggles.  His Word will give you the tools you need to persevere.  If you make the right choice today, a greater glory awaits you……..

How do we deny ourselves from the pleasures of this world?

 –We must create healthy environments for ourselves and remember there is a greater reward and that reward is eternal life in heaven.

Fatal Feelings – by Minister J. Ferrer

 

Scripture Observation Application Prayer

 

S  1 Samuel 13:11-12 – “And Samuel said, “What have you done” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash then I said, “The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.  Therefore, I felt compelled and offered a burnt offering”

 

O  Saul’s fatal response here is that he made a spiritual decision from a soulish position.  His response here is reminiscent of the mistake Eve made.  She also made a fatal decision after she saw soulish factors.  It was three-fold; the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.  This is the three-fold attack against our faith.  Especially as you become closer to God, the attacks will become more strategic.  One sense is no longer enough to get me off track.  Now, the enemy must hit me with combinations, cross-referencing the pleasurable feeling of one sense with the next. 

 

A  Our feelings will destroy us, if not put in their proper perspective.  Feelings were never meant to govern our lives-the spirit was.  Feelings were intended for us to experience all the abundance that life has to offer as we move on the right decisions made from our spirit. 

 

P  Father, this passage and understanding jumped out at me for a reason.  I have much to consider and change about the starting point for my reasoning and decisions.  I repent of any ill feelings, words or even actions.  Your word is truth and can not be denied.  Thank you for taking the time and allowing me time to work out my salvation.  In Jesus name!

The Danger of Discontentment – by Dea. J. Hopkins

What is discontentment?  The dictionary states it is to be dissatisfied, to have a restless desire or craving for something one does not have. It is synonymous with uneasiness, restlessness, displeasure, and a longing for something better than the present situation. 

If you are like most, I am sure that you have experienced moments of discontentment in your life.  But what happens when the discontentment with your present situation becomes so overwhelming that it begins to affect everything.  This is when you start questioning why?  Why am I in this marriage? Why can’t I be rich? Why can’t I have children? When will my happiness come? As you ask these questions, you become increasingly unhappy with what you have and begin to long for something more, something different.  It becomes harder for you to fathom or accept that God has you on this path for a reason.

Although discontentment can spur a person to action to change their situation, it can also be a dangerous place in which to dwell.  Every coin has two sides and there are always two extremes. What can discontentment lead to? Depression, seeking one’s own will over God’s direction, falling prey to temptation, cessation of one’s personal progress, it can be a doorway to the influence of other spirits, and lead one to ignore the Lord.

The bible is filled with people who became so displeased with their present situation that they strayed from the path God set them on.  We see these examples in Eve (she dwelled and fellowshipped with God, but was not content with mere humanity, she wanted to know as much as God), David (could have anything he wanted, but chose another man’s wife and end up committing murder for his sin),  and Jezebel (It was the covetous spirit of her husband Ahab that propelled Jezebel to murder Naboth for his vineyard).

Even when you don’t understand why, take time to seek God for answers.  But you must be prepared that this may be part of your process.  It may be a place of trial to test your faith and strengthen you spiritually. Isaiah 55:8 states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”  It is in this place that you will learn to have faith in God’s plan, learn patience to endure the trials, and learn the humility as one of God’s sheep.  We can learn a lesson from Paul who states in Phil 4: 11-13, “ ..for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Scriptures for Meditation:

Phil 4: 6-7, 1 Tim 6:6, 2 Cor 12: 9-10

Which Report Will You Believe? – by Min. J. Ferrer

It was recently announced that fourth-quarter GDP(Gross Domestic Product) is the worst in 26 years.  Gross domestic product, which measures the output of goods and services produced in the United States, fell at an annual rate of 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008.  It was the largest drop in GDP since the first quarter of 1982, when the economy suffered a 6.4% decline. “Things are just terrible out there,” said one director of macroeconomics at a respected institution.  Does this type of pessimistic report sound familiar?

            The book of Numbers chapters 13 and 14 plays out a similar drama.  God instructed Moses to identify top leaders from each tribe of Israel to spy out the land of Canaan, which ‘I am going to give to the sons of Israel’.   The report they brought back was as follows: “we went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.  Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak(giants) there.” They chose to promote fear, in essence saying ‘Things are just terrible out there’.  However, the land did indeed flow with milk and honey.

            Although the word recession strikes fear into the hearts of people, economic recessions actually heal the economy from unrealistic developments and create opportunities for investors.  Recessions correct economic imbalances and help the economy return to a healthy, realistic, and sustainable rate of growth.  In fact, recessions can make you better and more skilled because they force you to be more resourceful.  I believe God’s purpose for sending spies was so the people would know what they were up against, sharpen their skills and ready them for the challenges ahead.

            If you are like me, God has made known some things he is going to do in your life.  During these challenging economic times we must stand on His promises and submit all reports to The Lord.  He will then give us His executive summary telling us how we should navigate forward.  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world (1 Cor 1:20)?  The problem with man’s expert facts is that it will export our faith if we allow it. Which report will you believe?

A Lesson from Charlotte’s Web – by J. Hopkins

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.  - Eccl 3:1-8

 One day as I was doing my daughter’s hair, we were watching Charlotte’s Web.  It was at the point in the movie when Wilbur first met Charlotte, the spider.  She was explaining to him about her unusual feeding habits of eating insects, which grossed Wilbur out.  Charlotte explained to him that if she didn’t eat the insects the world would be overrun with them.  Wow, I had never thought of that!  That spider has a purpose.

A Natural Lesson

When I thought about that, I had to pause the movie for a moment to teach my daughter a lesson.  Everything that God has made, perfectly works together.  Not only that, but everything has purpose.  Even something as gross and annoying as a spider has a purpose.

A Spiritual Lesson

In our lives we will face hard and rough times and they too have purpose.  We may not understand why and we may not understand God’s plan, but there is a purpose.  God uses these storms, trials, times of lack to grow our faith.  Sometimes He wants to break strongholds off of our lives or for our tests to be a witness to others about His grace and power.  No matter the reason, the Word says that there is a time for everything.   Just as we thank God for the times that are good, we must learn to also thank Him for the times that try our faith.

Prayer

Lord help me to trust in You.  Help me to have faith in the process no matter how hard it seems.  Your word says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)  Because I understand Your ways are higher than mine, help me to humble myself and trust that there is purpose in all I go through.

Loneliness vs Solitude – E. Smith/L. Dillard

People often confuse loneliness and solitude.            

• Loneliness:  the feeling of being detached, isolated
• Solitude: the choice to be alone

 

Examples: 

• Moses
• Jesus (Mark 1:33-37; Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:11-12)
• Paul (Galatians 1:11-18)

 

The purpose of solitude:

1. To spend time alone in fellowship with God and letting God fellowship with you.

2. We are the only part of creation capable of interacting with God.

3. We were created for the purpose of God loving us. (2 Corinthians 5:16-20)

The results of solitude:

• More productivity
• Save time
• Divine energy
• Protective knowledge
• He will surprise you with His promises

 

How do you turn loneliness into solitude?

• Look at it as a gift from God
• See it as a wonderful opportunity to get to know God.
  
  
  - E. Smith
  
  
  Thank you for the opportunity to share as well. 
  
  
  As I shared during vacation bible school last month, there is the 1% reality which is connected to this physical realm of what we can see, touch, taste, smell, and see, and then there is the 99% reality which is hidden often times from what we physically experience but is connected to the spiritual realm.  One produces darkness and one produces light.
  
  
  Loneliness is connected to the 1% reality which is often times associated with darkness.  This is were we find depression, suicidal tendencies, and the place where we are most vunerable to the attacks of the enemy.
  
  
  Solitude is connected to the 99% reality.  In Mark, and Luke with the examples of Jesus, Moses, and Paul, these were conscious decisions made to seek the light.  To seek the voice  of the Creator.  They all chose to go away.  Their motivation was not to leave and find a place where all their focus and attention was on themselves (darkness), but they went away to reconnect to the Light that they may gain wisdom, knowledge, and insight to continue to lead God’s people, heal God’s people, restore God’s people.
  
  
  So, as we move along this journey, step by step, our focus should be how can I have more of you, Jesus.  How can I have more light in my life that I might share with others?  How can I look more like God, be more like God?  Because in choosing solitude, it draws us closer to the light, closer to the Creator, that he may impart more wisdom, more knowledge, more insight into how to share more with His people that they will look to Him to meet their every need and not we ourselves.
  
  
  Amen!  Be Blessed!!!!
  
  
  - L. Dillard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Jesus, Is My Spiritual Nutrient” (A Teen Leader Perspective)

John 6:55-58

 

55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.

 

When looking at this scripture I realize that Jesus is the reason for our lives and without Him we have no life.  Just like we get our nutrition from physical food, our spiritual nutrition comes from Jesus.  How does He supply our spiritual nutrition?  His word is our protein, His love is our vitamins, and His mercy is our minerals.

 

People who choose to live off of unhealthy junk food face the consequence of an early death.  There are people who make the same bad spiritual choices.  They choose to live by the world’s rules and mirror their lives by the way the world works.  Sadly, their consequence is not only having a less than wonderful life, but they also can die and end up in hell.

 

In the same manner, there are people who decide to live physically healthy lives who eat healthy foods and workout.  They have a healthier life and are able to do so much more than those who live the opposite way.  Just like we need healthy food for our survival, we also need Jesus to survive.  If you depend on Jesus for your spiritual nourishment you will have a good life and end up in heaven.  Who would not like that, right?

 

As I apply this scripture to my life I will eat off the Lord daily by doing my soap, praying, and paying attention in teen church.  I will also always try to do my best to grow closer to the Lord every day. 

 

Lord, I thank you and praise you for this day and I thank you for being my daily spiritual nutrition.  In your name I pray, Amen   

 

-Vanessa Reed