Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12 AMP

Paul spoke these words to Timothy, but they are true for all of us, who are disciples of Jesus Christ. A disciple is one who has been trained by God’s word and by His Spirit; someone who has grown up in the Lord over time; not a brand new believer or a baby Christian. As with natural children, spiritual children grow and mature. As our children mature, we expect more of them. As we mature, God expects more of us. We must not behave like a spiritual baby or make excuses for it. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should not sin or make excuses for sin. We have no grounds for excuses. The blood of Jesus not only washed away our sin, but it deprived sin of its power over us (Romans 6:6-7).

Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). 1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP

Paul obediently submitted himself to the Word and Spirit of God, following the example Jesus set, not for his own benefit alone, but as an example, or a pattern, for us to follow. Jesus is our ultimate example. We are to follow Him and be an example and pattern to others of His love, humility, grace, and purity. Even if we are young in age, we can still walk in the wisdom of God and His righteousness, earning the respect of others. God expects us to be a good example to other believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

In speech:
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.  James 3:2 AMP

The person who can control his mouth is a person who is mature in God and who has submitted himself to God’s word and His Spirit, to the best of his ability. This person is wise in his speech, gracious and loving. Ephesians 4:15 says that we should speak the truth in love. Colossians 4:6 says that our speech should at all times be gracious, as if it were seasoned with salt.

In conduct:
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Titus 2:6-8 NKJV

God wants us to show a pattern of good works – integrity in word and deed. That means it should be a habit for us; a way of life.

In love:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 NKJV

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV

The love of God manifested in our lives demonstrates two things: that we know the Lord Jesus Christ and that we are disciples of His. This means that we have allowed God to do a work in us so that He can work through us. We are conformed to His image and we obey Him in all things.

In faith:
We ought and indeed are obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly and the love of every one of you each toward the others is increasing and abounds. 4 And this is a cause of our mentioning you with pride among the churches (assemblies) of God for your steadfastness (your unflinching endurance and patience) and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up.  2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 AMP

Faith is manifested in two ways: belief and commitment (faithfulness). Because we believe in the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and His Word, we obey Him and therefore we stand firm through all kinds of persecutions and difficulties. This is an example and encouragement to other believers.

In purity:
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  2 Timothy 2:22  NKJV

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9 AMP

The Word of God tells us to flee everything that is impure and fix our thoughts on those things that are pure. Just as Jesus and Paul are our examples, our models, so we should desire and strive to be a good example to others so that they too can live a godly life and experience the joy and the blessings of obeying and serving our wonderful, gracious Lord and Savior!

The king [David] shall joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah [pause, and think of that]! 3 For You send blessings of good things to meet him; You set a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked life of You, and You gave it to him–long life forever and evermore. 5 His glory is great because of Your aid; splendor and majesty You bestow upon him. 6 For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence. Psalms 21:1-6 AMP

Because King David obeyed and honored God, God greatly blessed and favored him. We are also blessed through David—through David’s Seed: Jesus. If God does it for one, He will do it for all. If God made David blessed and a blessing then He has made us also blessed and a blessing. All we need to do is to obey and honor God, like David did, believe that God’s Word is true for us personally, and act like it is true! If God says that we are blessed and a blessing, then that means that our children are also blessed and a blessing!

Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock.  Deuteronomy 28:4 AMP

God promised that many blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God. The fruit of your body are your children. One of God’s promises to you is that He will bless your children.

For He has strengthened and made hard the bars of your gates, and He has blessed your children within you.  Psalms 147:13 AMP

Your children are blessed even before they are born. This is a promise that you can hold onto—that God’s hand of protection and provision will be upon your children even in the womb. Some people treat their children like they are a burden or a curse, but God calls them a blessing! You must see your children as God sees them—blessed and a blessing!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them! They will not be put to shame when they speak with their adversaries [in gatherings] at the [city’s] gate.  Psalms 127:3-5 AMP

Children are a heritage and a reward from the Lord. If you love and obey God, you can stand on this promise and ask Him for children! You are blessed if you have a bunch of them—not cursed. Also, God promised that if you do things His way, your children will grow up to be both good and godly and that they will contribute to society, not be detrimental, to themselves or others, or be an embarrassment to your family. Children have a way of fulfilling their parent’s expectations. Appreciate and value your children as gifts from God and expect them to have the right attitude and to do the right thing. Most importantly, you need to lead by example.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. 2 For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your children shall be like olive plants round about your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord. 5 May the Lord bless you out of Zion [His sanctuary], and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life; 6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!  Psalms 128:1-6 AMP

If you worship and obey God, and teach your children to do the same, He will bless your whole family. Your children will be solid, secure, and prosperous. Even your grand-children will be greatly blessed and you will live to enjoy their company.

If your children will keep My covenant and My testimony that I shall teach them, their children also shall sit upon your throne forever.  Psalms 132:12 AMP

Children are a precious gift—too precious to spoil. You are not a blessing to your child if you are neglectful or abusive, but neither are you a blessing to them if you give them everything for nothing and make them think that they are the center of the universe. They must learn to respect authority—yours and God’s—and they must learn that the most important thing in life is that they learn to always please God and obey Him. In this way, your children will always be blessed of the Lord.

When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. 27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].  Ephesians 4:26-27 AMP

Anger is defined as “a strong feeling caused by an injury.” Anger, by itself, is not bad. When you feel angry, you know that there is an issue that must be dealt with. It may be something in your own heart and life that needs to change; it may be something that someone else is doing that needs to be confronted. Anger can motivate you to make the changes that you need to make in your life. Hence, the phrase “be angry and sin not.”

The Bible way to deal with things is to confront it. If it is an issue with another person, confront them with a view to resolving the situation, not to exacerbate it or escalate it. Some people just like to pick a fight and have a fight, while others will do whatever they can to avoid confrontation. You must confront with a humble attitude, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring correction to all parties involved. People avoid confrontation for various reasons: they have been taught that it is wrong to disagree with another person; they don’t want people to not like them; or they are afraid of their disapproval. Some people won’t confront anyone else because they are afraid to confront their own issues. They don’t want to acknowledge that they may be the one with the biggest problem. Some people just like to blame others for everything.  

We see that anger can be your friend, however, the Bible tells us that if you get angry, and you don’t deal with it and work things out, and you allow that anger to continue into the next day, that you are leaving room for the devil and giving him a foothold in your life – an opportunity to have his way in you. Anger, not dealt with, turns into resentment, then unforgiveness and ultimately, bitterness. Bitterness is a slow-acting poison, destroying the life of many people, most especially the bitter person!

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.   2 Timothy 2:22-26 NIV

When people are quarrelsome, they are not walking in the peace of God or the Truth of the Word. They open themselves up to the devil’s traps and are taken captive by him. Then he can have his way in their lives. If you want to be protected from the devil, you must submit yourself to the Word and not be argumentative over it. People who are quarrelsome and argumentative are people who want their own way all the time and they want to be right all the time.  1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP says that. “love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”

But if someone [the one among you who committed incest] has caused [all this] grief and pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure, not to put it too severely, [he has distressed] all of you. 6 For such a one this censure by the majority [which he has received is] sufficient [punishment]. 7 So [instead of further rebuke, now] you should rather turn and [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage [him], to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow and despair. 8 I therefore beg you to reinstate him in your affections and assure him of your love for him; 9 For this was my purpose in writing you, to test your attitude and see if you would stand the test, whether you are obedient and altogether agreeable [to following my orders] in everything. 10 If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah), 11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.  2 Corinthians 2:5-11 AMP

God wants us to always work to bring restoration and peace in relationships. We must deal with sin in ourselves and others, when it rears its ugly head. We must confront, repent, turn around and walk the other way and continue to serve God with all of our heart. Remember: you are responsible for yourself, alone, and not others, but you are responsible to others. We make up our minds to forgive our brothers and sisters and love them like Jesus loves us, because we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices and how he tries to divide and conquer us. We give no opportunity to him!

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited with His disciples to the wedding. 3 And when the wine was all gone, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no more wine! 4 Jesus said to her, [Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? [What do we have in common? Leave it to Me.] My time (hour to act) has not yet come. 5 His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it. 6 Now there were six waterpots of stone standing there, as the Jewish custom of purification (ceremonial washing) demanded, holding twenty to thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. So they filled them up to the brim. 8 Then He said to them, Draw some out now and take it to the manager of the feast [to the one presiding, the superintendent of the banquet]. So they took him some. 9 And when the manager tasted the water just now turned into wine, not knowing where it came from–though the servants who had drawn the water knew–he called the bridegroom 10 And said to him, Everyone else serves his best wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then he serves that which is not so good; but you have kept back the good wine until now! 11 This, the first of His signs (miracles, wonderworks), Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory [by it He displayed His greatness and His power openly], and His disciples believed in Him [adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him]. John 2:1-11 AMP

The first miracle Jesus performed after being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit was to turn water into wine at a wedding. His mother told the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” The servants did not know what Jesus was about to do, neither did they understand how He did it, but because they obeyed and did not argue or question Jesus’ command, the miracle took place. Jesus did not touch the water pots, He only gave the instructions. The servants poured water into the pots, the servants drew wine out of the pots, and the servants took it to the superintendent of the feast, who proclaimed it to be the best wine of the feast.

Jesus also wants to use us to do miracles, but it will not happen unless we are obedient. We cannot argue with Him or question His judgment; we must simply commit to obey what He tells us to do. Many Christians want God to use them in a mighty way, but they are too full of opinions, questions, reasonings, and arguments! They say that they have faith, but they really don’t because they will not make a move without an explanation. They want to understand everything before they do what God is telling them to do. They want to give God their opinion. They want to tell Him why it won’t work!

The greatest demonstration of your faith is when you simply believe that any word God speaks to you is true; when you trust God enough to do what He has told you to do without expecting Him to reveal everything to you first; when you trust God enough to do what He has told you to do without needing to have it all figured out in your head. The things God asks you to do may not make sense to your carnal mind and they don’t need to. God may not be hiding anything from you, He may just be hiding what He is about to do from the devil! He hid the plan of salvation in plain view. When we look back in the word, we can see it proclaimed, but until Jesus was crucified and raised up, the whole plan was not revealed. Otherwise the rulers of this age or world would have perceived and recognized and understood the plan, and if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).

In time you will see the wisdom of obedience and you will understand why God told you to do a specific thing, but for now you need to simply trust Him.

In John 9:1-7, Jesus healed a man who was blind from his birth. Jesus spat on the ground and made clay, or mud, with His saliva and spread it like an ointment on the man’s eyes. Then He told him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man went and washed his eyes in the pool and received his sight.

In Luke 17:12-14 AMP it says, “And as He was going into one village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance. And they raised up their voices and called, Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us! And when He saw them, He said to them, Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cured and made clean.”

 

If the blind man had not believed Jesus when He told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam or if the lepers had not believed Jesus when He told them to go show themselves to the priest, none of them would have received their miracle of healing. Make up your mind today to humble yourself before the Lord, to hear what He is telling you to do, and to obey Him without an argument. You will see the blessing of God on yourself and the unfolding of His wonderful plans for your life. Trust Him today; believe Him today; obey him today; be a conduit of His anointing; be a vessel to do His will today; be His hands, be His feet, be His mouth today. Walk in His blessing today!

 

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

 

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

 

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

 

17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

 

18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

 

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

 

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.

 

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.

 

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.

 

23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

 

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

 

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

 

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

 

27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

 

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

 

29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

 

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV

 

The master in this story goes on a long journey leaving his servants in charge of His goods and affairs. He gives one servant five talents, another two talents and the third, one talent. He gave them talents according to their abilities. Obviously the two, who received five and two talents, respectively had already shown themselves responsible and faithful in the past, but this was the first opportunity of the one who received one talent to prove himself and show what he was made of. The master leaves and immediately the servants spring into action—the first two servants begin to trade with their talents, but the third runs to bury his.

 

When the master returns he asks for an accounting and is happy to hear that the servant with five talents has doubled his investment and now has ten talents and the servant with two talents has also doubled his investment and now has four talents. However, when he hears what the third servant has to say, he is furious! Not only did the servant do nothing with the one talent he was given, but the first words out of his mouth contain both excuses for himself and blame and insults for his master! He has the audacity to say to his master, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.”

 

He calls his master a hard and harsh man (Amplified) and claims to be “afraid” of him. So now it is the master’s fault that he was fearful and lazy and wasted his talent! This statement speaks volumes—not about the character of the master, but of the character, attitude, and perspective of the servant. The fault was not in the master’s character, but in the character of the servant. The master was a fair man, who rejoiced in his servants’ success, as we can see from the way he rewarded them. If he was an unfair man, he would not have given them the talents in the first place, but expected them to find their own talents and he certainly would not have shown appreciation for their efforts. He would have only expected results for no reward. The third servant was just that—a servant—not a slave. If the master was so bad, why didn’t he get a job somewhere else? The master did not need to give him any talents when he left—the master was giving him an opportunity for a promotion and he blew it!

 

The third servant was wicked and lazy, blaming others for his failures. Basically, he was just a liar—he did not have the guts to tell the truth and take responsibility for his own poor administration of his talent. If he was too afraid to risk the talent, he should have at least “buried” the money in the bank, so that his master could receive his money back with interest. He was unfaithful—if you can’t be faithful with that which is another man’s, who will give you that which is yours (Luke 16:12)? He was a procrastinator; he made excuses instead of owning up and apologizing; he was fearful and selfish; he was unproductive; he was earning a paycheck that he did not work for—he did not do even the minimum that was required of him; he was slack and sloppy with his master’s property; he was disloyal; he expected a reward for no effort on his part!

 

There is no excuse for what he did with his one talent and his punishment was appropriate, just as the reward was appropriate for the other two servants. With all this in mind, and knowing that Jesus is your Lord and Master and will one day ask you to give Him an account of your talents, the question you need to ask yourself now is, “Which servant am I?”

 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

God did not give us a spirit of fear – God is not the author of fear – God is love and perfect love casts out fear! All fear comes from the devil. Not one kind of fear comes from God. The devil sows fear into people and then uses their fears to control and intimidate them. Faith is complete and absolute trust in the living God. Fear manifests itself in the absence of faith. There was no fear in the Garden of Eden until trust was broken and sin and guilt entered in through temptation and disobedience. We open the door to fear when we start to believe the lies of the enemy. You could say that we have faith when we believe the word of God and we have fear when we believe the word of the devil.

Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death–that is, the devil–15 And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.  Hebrews 2:14-15 AMP

Fear is paralyzing and keeps people in deep bondage. The strongest fear people have is the fear of death. Jesus came to die and rise again, defeating the devil and taking back the keys of death, hell, and the grave. Now, if you believe what Jesus has done for you and receive him as Lord and Savior, you lose your fear of death, because you know that even when this physical body dies, you will continue to live on. Eternal life is yours from now on, into eternity. If the worst thing that can happen to you is dying, and you no longer have a reason to fear death, then why should you be afraid of anything else or anyone else, ever again? Jesus told us to not be afraid of man – those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. He told us rather to be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). God is the One we should be in awe of – not any man, nor any devil. God is the One whose opinion counts; He is the One we should respect; He is the One whose word will never pass away.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid What can man do to me?”   Hebrews 13:4-6 NIV

The only way to get rid of fear is to apply the word of God and your faith to the situation. Faith comes through the knowledge of God and His word – no other way. God said He would never leave you or forsake you. You can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” If God is for us then who can be against us? If God is on our side there is nothing that can touch us and no one who can harm us (Romans 8:31; Psalms 118:6). His word tells us that he has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. God gives peace of mind in the midst of chaos.

God has given us a spirit of power. We have power over the devil, power over fear, power over temptation, and every other evil thing that comes our way on a daily basis.

God has given us a spirit of love. Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Fear brings with it the thought of punishment, but when we have a revelation of God’s love for us, and His mercy and forgiveness; we have no fear of what He might do to us. Only those who don’t know the Lord are afraid of Him – or they should be.

God has given us a spirit of calm and well-balanced mind. Fear does not need to rule your mind! When you know what God’s word says, you can and should take authority over your mind. Take authority over your thought life. Take authority over your will and your emotions. Your mind is like a child. If left to its own devices, it will run wild. You need to take charge of your mind and tell it what to think. As a sinner, your mind was programmed with all kinds of junk and fear. As a believer, you have a responsibility to yourself to kick all that junk and fear out and reprogram your mind with the life-altering principles of God’s word.

God has given us a spirit of discipline and self-control. Fear does not need to rule your life! You can take authority – by the power of the word and the Holy Spirit – over fears that manifest themselves in and through your body. You can speak peace to your body. You need to tell your body what to do – not the other way around. You can walk victoriously in this life through the power of the word of God!  

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12 AMP

Life is like a road. There is not just one road – there are many roads – and you make the choice of which road you go down. There is a right way to go and a wrong way. If you make a bad choice, you place yourself on a road heading for death, but if you make a good choice, you place yourself on a road to life. This scripture says that there is a way that seems right and appears straight, but obviously it is neither right nor straight, because the end of it is the way of death. How can you know which road is the right road; the road to life?

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.  Proverbs 16:9 AMP

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalms 119:105 AMP

Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life).  Proverbs 12:28 AMP

There is no way we can find the right road on our own. We need a guide. We need the Lord. He is our light and His word goes before us to show the way. You can try to think ahead and plan your way, but only God can direct you on a path that is straight and smooth and sure. If you choose righteousness; if you look to the Lord, honor Him and follow Him; He will lead you in the right direction and onto the right way that leads to life – eternal life; life more abundantly – both here and now, and in eternity!

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.  Proverbs 12:15 AMP

The fool thinks he knows everything and he is not willing to listen to counsel or take advice. The mere fact that he won’t listen to anyone else is a sign that he is a fool. Some fools do listen, but the problem is that they listen only to other fools – unrighteous, dishonest, and ungodly, people – that’s not very smart either. In contrast, a wise person knows they don’t know everything and they are open to counsel and instruction. If you know you need wisdom – take the first step – open your heart and mind to listen, and to receive, instruction in righteousness. Then you will find yourself walking on the road to life.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. 4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God]. 6 For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).  Psalms 1:1-6 AMP

Don’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly, don’t stand in the path where sinners walk, and don’t sit down where the scornful and mockers gather. Delight in the Lord and desire Him alone. Keep His word in your heart, your mind, and your mouth. Then you will be fruitful, productive, prosperous, and long-lived!  The Lord is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish. It will end in ruin and come to nothing. The fool will have nothing to show for his life. In all the many things he did and said, his life had no eternal purpose, no eternal value, and in the end there is no eternal life for him either.

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.  Psalms 16:11 AMP

Proverbs 14:12 says that the end of the way, which seems right to a man, is death. That ought to give you hope. By God’s grace and His power – at any time while you are still on that road – you can look for God’s way, call on Him in faith and follow Him onto the right road – the path of life – where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore!  

There is a way that seems right and a way that is right. Choose the right way – God’s way – the way of life!

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. Genesis 2:21-23 AMP

Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Colossians 3:18 AMP

God created man and out of Adam He took and built Eve. Eve comes from Adam and is created to complement him and complete him. He needs her femininity and she needs his masculinity. They are never as effective alone as they are together. The two once more become one. The husband is required by God to love and protect his wife. The wife is blessed with the ability to adapt to her husband and it is her responsibility to do so.

Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-24 AMP

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. 33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. Ephesians 5:31-33 AMP

Wives, as you submit and adapt yourself to the Lord Jesus, submit and adapt yourself also to your own husbands. Nowhere in the word of God does it say that all women should be submitted to all men, but it does say that wives are to be submitted to their own husbands.

In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, 2 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]. 1 Peter 3:1-2 AMP

The greatest mistake many wives make is to try to change their husbands, especially by nagging. This is counter-productive and ineffective. You need to let God change him. God gave women an ability to influence their husbands and it is important that they use this power for good and not for selfish or evil motives. The Lord says that men will be won over, not by discussion, but by the godly example of their wives. Wives, have faith in God to minister to your husband and to take care of you and your needs – don’t give way to hysterical fears or let anxieties unnerve you – trust the truth of His word and obey His leading. He will work with you and in you.

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. 6 It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]. 1 Peter 3:3-6 AMP

God is not opposed to make-up, jewelry, or nice clothes, but He wants you to know that your appearance is not the most attractive thing about you. Your true beauty comes from your heart – the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up – this is very precious in the sight of God.

The greatest need of a wife is to be cherished by her husband and the greatest need of a husband is to be respected by his wife. Wives – always respect and reverence your husband; notice him; regard him; honor him; prefer him; venerate and esteem him; defer to him; praise him; love and admire him exceedingly; appreciate, prize, and adore him; admire him; praise him; be devoted to him; deeply love and enjoy your husband.

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Ephesians 3:17-19 AMP

It is one thing to be born again; it is another thing to have Christ, through your faith, making His permanent home in your heart. If you want Him to settle down and abide in you, you have to allow Him to have His way in your life and you have to be submitted to His word. You need to obey Him and live your life speaking and doing what the word tells you to. Father God wants you to be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. How do you do this? You do this by choosing to walk in love, every day, in every situation. He doesn’t want you to just know about His love, He wants you to experience His love for yourself. Knowing the love of Christ practically, through experience, for yourself, far surpasses mere knowledge without experience. It is one thing to talk about the love of God, it is another to actually be a doer of the word and walk in it.

God is love – they are one and the same – you cannot separate them. The more you come to know and experience God’s love, the more you are filled and flooded with the fullness – the very richest measure – of God Himself!

Now about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature]. 2 If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary. 3 But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 AMP

Mere knowledge on a subject is not enough. You need to have the experience of that subject for it to do any good in your life. Mere knowledge causes people to be puffed up and prideful, to carry themselves arrogantly, and to think of themselves more highly than they ought. Pride is like a huge wall that stands between you and God. Pride is self-sufficient; pride elevates itself above others; pride stands in judgment over others. However, God has not given us this place or this right to elevate ourselves to sit in the judge’s seat nor to judge others – that is Jesus’ place alone – and even He has chosen not to judge us, but to receive us and forgive us instead! Are we better than He? I think not! When we judge others, we are lifting ourselves up even as we are tearing them down. However, love humbles itself even as it builds others up. When you walk in love, love will build you up too.

None of us is perfect, neither do we have the ability in ourselves to be who we are meant to be, but the love of God sees who we are and who we can be. Love believes the best and expects the best of us. Love covers, and forgives, and chooses to forget our sins and imperfections, and instead, edifies us, builds us up, and encourages us to grow up into our full stature in Christ. When we are confident in our own resources and abilities, that is arrogance, but when we are confident in Christ alone, Who lives in us, we are simply bold!

You can call yourself a Christian, you can know the scriptures inside out, and off by heart, in your head, but if you do not embrace the love of God, receiving it for yourself and then allowing it to flow out of your heart toward others, you do not understand the first thing about God or His word or His nature or His character! In other words, you don’t know God! God’s word must drop down from your head into your heart. It must touch the core of who you are. You are the only one who has they key to your own heart and you need to receive God’s word personally, not just intellectually, or it will never profit you. You will be like the religious Pharisees who make the word of God of no effect through their works program and their religious tradition (Mark 7:13).

These are the hallmarks of a person who has had a revelation of the love of God and who is a doer and not merely a hearer of the word: they love God truly with affectionate reverence, they are prompt to obey Him, and they daily acknowledge and are truly grateful for all of His blessings. Before you judge another person, look deeply into your own heart and ask yourself if you are doing these three things. As soon as you make the adjustments in your own heart and life, you will begin to walk in a liberty you have never experienced before!

He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? 13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely). 14 Now the Pharisees, who were covetous and lovers of money, heard all these things [taken together], and they began to sneer at and ridicule and scoff at Him. 15 But He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of God.  Luke 16:10-15 AMP

 

The Pharisees, religious leaders, appeared “holy” on the outside, but, in reality, their hearts were far from God. They were covetous and lovers of money, therefore, they were offended at Jesus’ words. They loved mammon more than they loved God.

 

If you read all of Jesus’ words taken together, you will see that He never says that you cannot have or enjoy material possessions. He does make it abundantly clear that material possessions should not have you!  You cannot serve God and mammon, and every person must make their own choice for God or material possessions. God must be more important to you than your possessions – after all, everything you own is His first. Only when you recognize that your blessing comes from God, and not by your own power alone, can you truly enjoy the things He gives you.

 

If you pursue God and put Him first in your life, trusting in Him and depending on Him, He will pursue you with blessings. You will not ever need to worry about whether or not you will be taken care of. However, if you put things first in your life, trusting in them and depending on them, you will spend all your time and energy on trying to acquire them and protect them, with no time to just enjoy your life.

 

Jesus says that if you want the blessing of God on your life, you should be faithful in three areas.

 

You must be faithful first in small responsibilities

The principles of faithfulness remain the same, whether in a big thing or a small thing. If you are faithful in very little things, you will also be faithful in the bigger things, and if you are dishonest and unjust in very little things, you will also be dishonest and unjust in the bigger things. It is not possible to suddenly be faithful in big things if you have not already been faithful in the small things! You always begin small, therefore, you must be faithful in small things; things that seem little, too easy, insignificant, unimportant, menial, not noticed, not obvious, taken for granted, expected, not valued by others, or “beneath you.” Only then, will you be given responsibility for bigger and more important things.

 

You must be faithful with money

Who would have thought that the way you handle your money would determine how you handle spiritual things – the true riches? Jesus says that the two are inseparable. You prove that you will be faithful with the things of God – His Word; His call; His anointing; His gifts – by how faithful you are with plain, ordinary money. Covetousness corrupts. If you are covetous, then you will allow your greed and selfishness to determine how you handle the things of God. You will put yourself first and you will manipulate people for your own ends, instead of lovingly serving them as Jesus did. You will do things for a selfish money motive, not allowing the Word of God or the Holy Spirit to lead you. You won’t be submitted to the Lord – you will set your own agenda. How should you show your faithfulness with money? Put God first where your money is concerned. Work, be a giver, be a person of integrity, do not take that which is not yours, and always pay what you owe. 

 

If you want to be a good boss you need to be a good worker

Before you are given your own authority and responsibility you will be asked to take responsibility for that which belongs to another. Only when you have taken responsibility for someone else’s stuff and proven your faithfulness, will you be given your own responsibility and authority. Your integrity and faithfulness is what causes you to be promoted, in due time. The natural realm carries into the Spirit realm. The way you treat another man’s things is an indication of how you will handle God’s things. If you are faithful when you are under authority, it follows that you will be faithful when you are in authority. Even then, any authority you have is given by God and you are still responsible to Him. Every gift, talent, call, and anointing you have is God’s and is given to you for His glory – not yours!

 

If you make the decision to put God first in your life, before mammon, you will not find it difficult to be faithful in these areas, and you will be rewarded by the Lord in your due season. Remember – nothing you ever do for Him will go unnoticed or unrewarded!