The Fruitbearer

 

JOHN 15:5

“I am The Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." 

    What is a fruitbearer? A person who testifies about God's redeeming grace through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. If only one person receives Christ into their hearts through my actions, then I am a fruitbearer. It might not look like my little branches are heavy with fruit, but if that one person shares Jesus with another person, then that new person is added to my fruitfulness. And I want to be fruitful. Which means I'm not going to stop sharing the love of God in Christ with everyone. 

    Proverbs 11:31 tells us, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." I want to be a soulwinner for Jesus. I want to tell you that once I lived a selfish, self-centered life; living only for the moment and the thrill. Once I thought I was living the good life, but it was only a shadow life. For the good life is only available through Jesus reckoning on the cross, through the blood He shed for us: He atoned for our sins, that we who believe would be forgiven when we repented. And repentance is an absolute must. 

    When Jesus began to preach the gospel, His first words were, "Repent, and be baptized." (Matthew 4:17) That same message came to and through each of His disciples. For example Peter states in Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in The Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of The Holy Spirit." 

    What is this gospel message which we are compelled to share with everyone we interact with? Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, given to the world to save each person in it, if they would believe that He is Lord and follow in His ways. (John 3:16-18). Repentance is to make a conscious decision to deliberately stop living a sinful life and learn to live a holy life according to God's Word. 

    To be baptized in water is to make a public confession of the faith we are now professing; speaking aloud the Word of faith which is in us. (Romans 10:8-11). To be baptized in The Holy Spirit is to understand that without The Spirit living in us as well, it is impossible for us to live a righteous and holy life that we must endeavor to live after receiving Christ into our hearts.  We need both baptisms. 

    Even now, I urge you, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please come to Jesus today. Your soul is in immortal danger, for the soul exists forever: some will exist in hell and after hell is destroyed the lost souls will exist in an eternal lake of fire from which there is no escape. Some souls will exist in heaven, in the eternal presence of God forever and ever, praising God and singing with the angels. But the decision must be made this side of eternity. There are no do-overs after we die. 

    COME TO THE ALTAR

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART

    GIVE ME JESUS

WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT 

I Am Christian-The Weight of A Good Name

 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, 

and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1

I AM CHRISTIAN

    I've been blessed with so many studies over these past few years I wasn't sure what I would be doing or where I would be going in The Word at the end of this year and into the beginning of the next. After pondering this for some time now ( it is why the studies have been few lately), The Spirit brought to mind an old Reader's Digest story line called I Am Joe's Body and it talked about how Joe's anatomy worked. Was really well written by J.D. Ratcliff and became one of their most popular series. I still remember reading it even now. 

    This series is about the body of Christ. And to day I'm talking about her name. For the body of Christ is the church, the bride. A bride is always a her. When the bride joins with the Bridegroom the two become one and none can tear them apart or break asunder their bonds of love. 

    I am Christian. A name once spoken in mockery to the first followers of Christ: His disciples and those who believed the gospel message they spoke. The early Greeks and Romans labeled the believers as such and the name has stuck through a couple thousand years now. We are still held in contempt by the unbelieving person. But as long as we remain faithful to the full gospel message of the cross and the resurrection, our witness will remain strong and our name will be bound in Christ's name. 

    I am Christian. I live my life in the Way of Holiness, sometimes stumbling but always getting back up to continue moving forward, not looking back with regret but learning from past experiences that my faith may grow. I don't need to see the whole picture: I just need to hold The Artist's hand and believe The Maker's Voice. If I ever see the whole picture, it will be from the realms of glory. But if I never see the whole picture which God is putting together, I'm good with that, too. That takes faith; faith in the goodness of God and trusting that God knows best. 

    This faith journey is at times difficult and treacherous: leaping from one ledge to another requires great faith if I only concentrate on the gap beneath my feet. But if I am following The Shepherd, then I don't even see the gap. I am not graceful. I am Grace-Filled. I am Christian and I follow Christ. 

    

By Your Spirit - Kim Walker-Smith

Nothing Else - Cody Carnes

The Lord Is - - October 2023

 

YASHA

(pronounced yaw-shah')

SAVIOR

Isaiah 60:16

You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

SAVIOR: Deliverer

Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ The Lord.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Acts 5:31

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

1 John 4:14

And we have seen and do testify that The Father sent The Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Jude 1:25

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

    Given to everyone to be Savior, but the decision to believe so and receive Him as such must be made on an individual basis. The Lord is MY Savior. Sent to be The Savior of the world and WHOSOEVER believes will be saved by Him. 

    Romans 10:8-10, 13

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. ..... for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

    

    MAOZ

(pronounced maw-oze')
STRENGTH

Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the Strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

The LORD is Safety, Protection; a Fortress to be reckoned with but which none can tear down, nor overthrow. He is Stronghold and Defense. Why should I be afraid of anyone or anything when I have The LORD and He has me?
Remember, God is a personal God. Therefore the believer can rightly say, "my" when referring to Who God Is. MY Light. MY Salvation. Strength of MY Life. I became His when I believed His Word and accepted Him by Faith in His Word. I am His and He is mine.
And He's coming back to get me, get all His people, soon. Are you one of them? 

OZ MIGDAL 

(pronounced oze mig-dawl')

STRONG TOWER

    

Proverbs 18:10

The Name of The LORD is a Strong Tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe. 

Exodus 3:14, 15

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 

God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, The God of your fathers—The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, and The God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

MY ROCK

2 Samuel 22:3

My God is my Rock, in whom I take Refuge, my Shield, and The Horn of my Salvation. My Stronghold, my Refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence.

MY FORTRESS

Psalm 144:2

He is my Steadfast Love and my Fortress, my Stronghold and my Deliverer. He is my Shield, in whom I take Refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

MY REFUGE

Psalm 61:3

For You have been my Refuge, a Tower of Strength against the enemy.

The Lord Is Ever Present

 

Psalm 139:7-10

Where shall I go from your Spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. 

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

2 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of The LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. 

Ezekiel 1:15-21 speaks of the four wheels within wheels, covered with eyes, that goes where The Spirit goes. 

Jeremiah 23:24

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? said the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? said the LORD. 

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.

Job 34:22

There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

Revelation 6:16

And they said to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb."

Colossians 1:15-17

The Son is the image of The invisible God, The Firstborn over all creation.

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

God even sees us when we are being created in our mothers' wombs. He is with us from the beginnings of life to the end of life.

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. 

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be. 

Nothing Else - Cody Carnes 

Storm (All Around You) - Jon Thurlow @Forerunner Music

Spirit Lead Me - Michael Ketterer 

The Lord Is Strength to The Upright

 

Proverbs 10:29

The Way of The LORD is Strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Who are the upright? and What is this Way wherein is our strength?

THE UPRIGHT 

    To be upright is to be a person of integrity. Such people are not given to hypocrisy. What they speak, they also live. The intent behind their actions is neither malicious nor malevolent; it is love which motivates them. 

      To be upright is to live a life of good reputation. It is to be known even without knowing those who hold us so. The Bible tells us that a good name is better than riches. Proverbs 22:1. 

        To be upright is to live in wisdom, the wisdom of The LORD. Proverbs 1:1-7; 10:8,9. 

    Uprightness is righteousness. Righteousness is gained when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior to us; only then is His righteousness applied to our hearts; only then is He covering us with Himself, for Christ Jesus IS Righteousness. Therefore the upright are they who believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son; that He died on the cross; that He rose from the dead and walked out of the grave and ascended into heaven forty days later. (for it was fifty days or seven weeks after the Passover feast that the disciples of Christ were gathered together in the upper room to receive The Holy Spirit). 

These are the upright. 

THE WAY OF THE LORD

    What is this Way of The LORD which is our Strength? He is The Way. John 14:6 'Jesus said to him, “I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." The Way is a His life applied to our life, which is an undertaking we cannot do alone but The Holy Spirit of God can, which is why we need both Christ and The Spirit working in us. 

     The Way is life. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am The Resurrection and The Life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies."

    The Way of The LORD is a lifestyle change. It is a spiritual road which takes us to our final destiny: eternal residence in God's kingdom. Isaiah 35:8 (the road) and John 14:2 (the destination). 

    

    As The Holy Spirit of God works in our lives, changing us and molding us into the pattern of holiness which God has prepared for us, we walk The Way of Holiness. It is the sanctification process by which we are changed from a carnal nature to a holy nature; from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.

     I'm not perfect, nor do I consider myself a 'holier-than-thou' person. I am walking in The Way of Holiness and The Way of Holiness is living in me. 

A Crucified Life - - Enriches Others

 

2 Corinthians 6:10

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

Rich: to cause to abound, enrich

From the Greek word 'ploutizó' (pronounced ploo-tid'-zo): to bring fullness, to bring abundance.

    This is not a monetary wealth which the believer blesses others with, nor is it meant to be. This is a wealth far greater than mere money.

    From Acts 3:1-10 we read of the lame man who became whole, complete when he received from Peter and John a perfect healing, which not only healed his feet and ankles, but his hungry soul. Acts 3:6 "But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Acts 3:16 "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence."

    In John 4:1-26, the woman at the well got more than water. She came to the community well to gather water for herself. But after meeting and speaking with Jesus, she received the Living Water and ran back to her neighborhood, telling everyone that she had met the Messiah. Her enthusiasm caused all who heard her voice to come near to her and run to the well themselves.

    Have you met Jesus? Have you spoken with Him? And, having done so, have you run to preach the Good News to your community? your neighbors? Come, let us tell everyone we meet and all whom we know, the Lord is near, for I have seen Him! 

    1 Corinthians 1:4-6

I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge, because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

    In Christ we are enriched in every way. 1 Corinthians 1:7 tells us that we lack nothing. And verse 8 reminds us that Christ is our Sustainer -- our Security, our Guarantee -- that we will be blameless in the day of the Lord. We are, indeed, quite rich and as His followers, we encourage everyone to receive Christ and live in His, as well.

    The psalmist wrote, in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my Strength, and my Redeemer." 

    Our words have power, for in the tongue is the power of life and the power of death (Proverbs 18:21). Therefore, we need to watch what we say and how we say it. I would that my words would be healing words, encouraging words, strengthening words; words to raise you up and not bring you down. Words to give you life and not death. 

    I am accountable to God for not only the words/Word I speak to you, but for my thoughts toward you. The psalmist included that in his prayer, too: the meditation of my heart. My thoughts must be pleasing to God. Knowing I am speaking with many brothers and sisters in Christ, let me remind you that your thoughts must be acceptable to God, as well. 

    These are encouraging words, calling you into His presence to seek His face and believe His Word; that your bodies and minds, too, might receive from God what He has prepared for you today. 

    Do you require healing? Turn your face to the Healer and raise your hands in faith believing that you will receive. Do you require saving? Turn your face to the Savior and ask that you may receive. And be baptized into Him. 

    Are you seeking love? God is Love. Turn your hearts to God in prayer and in His Word that you may receive His Love into you, and that you would learn His Way and His Will, in order that you could Love yourself and others with His Love. 

    Whatever it is you are looking to receive, God is ready to give it to you. By faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, they who desire to please God must first turn to God in Christ, before they can receive the gift(s) which God has prepared for them for that day.

ENRICHING OTHERS 

O Come To The Altar - Elevation Worship

The Well - Casting Crowns

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

Jesus, Friend of Sinners - Casting Crowns

All My Hope - Crowder

Able - Ryan Stevenson

Walking Free - Micah Tyler

Rescue Story - Zach Williams

Mended - Matthew West

Maybe Midnight - tobyMac

Priceless - 4 King & Country

Fill My Cup - Andrew Ripp

  

Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Blessing

 

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of The LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 6238

Enriches: to be rich, to become rich

From the Hebrew word 'ashar' (pronounced aw-shar'). 

    In this verse the word 'enrich' means 'to make rich'. Therefore, the blessing of The LORD makes rich the person He is blessing. Having a right relationship with Him is all the riches I need. 

    So just what is the blessing of The LORD that I should desire it? 

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

>Prospers the one being blessed (Proverbs 3:33)

>Is on the wise (Proverbs 2) 

>Is Life Eternal (James 1:12)

>Is Abundant Grace (1 Timothy 1:14)

>Is with they who seek with and  walk with Him 

(2 Chronicles 17:3, 4)

>Is on His faithful (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

>Is a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)

>Multiplies (Leviticus 25:21)

>Is on His people who persevere in The Name of The Lord 

(James 5:10, 11)

ENRICHES

    Not for personal gain nor to increase one's own finances or bank account, but to prosper in the ways of The Lord. God's blessing is on His faithful: faithfully following His Word, faithfully hearing His Word, faithfully living in His Word. 

    1 Timothy 6:9, 10 Self-Enrichment

    God's blessing is NOT on the unfaithful. Their riches are by their own hand for their own glory. When men (and women) enrich themselves, they praise themselves and are praised by others. 

    1 Timothy 6:11 Godly Enrichment

    When God's hand is the source of the enrichment, then God gets the glory and praise. The blessing of The Lord is "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

   

    Let us receive the blessing of The Lord by seeking Him out and meeting with Him in private {prayer}, by surrendering ourselves fully to Him (submission) and by faithfully living a life that honors God in all His ways (surrender). Let us have joy in the God of our salvation, who showers us with His grace, His mercy and His compassion. 

GUARDING OUR BLESSING

    1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Fight the good fight of the faith. Hold onto the eternal life we have been given and confessed before many that we have. 

    Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own."

I press on. I persevere. I endure. With His grace. With His help. In His strength. In His love. In Him. 

GUARDING OUR BLESSING MEDLEY 

All To Jesus I Surrender - Robin Mark 

I Surrender - Hillsong 

Submission - Piano & Song Cover

At Your Feet - Casting Crowns

Find Us Faithful - Steve Green

Guard Your Heart - - A Heart That Honors God

 

Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart with all diligence; for out of it flow the issues of life. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.5341

Guard: to watch, to keep; to watch over, to protect

From the Hebrew word 'natsar' (pronounced naw-tsar'): to guard the way of the heart.

OUR HEARTS

 Luke 6:45

 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

    To Guard our hearts is to be careful of what goes into our hearts. It is our treasure box, treasure chest: whatever we put into it, we will pull out of it. Like a child keeping all his favorite things in a shoebox, hiding it under the bed or in the closet and pulling it out to finger and gaze upon all his treasures, we too, should be examining our hearts, choosing only the best treasures.

    Our hearts are fickle by nature. We change our minds as often as we breathe or blink. According to the Smithsonian, in their science and nature category, our eyes blink about 15 to 20 times per minute. We blink so often we are not aware of it. But we need to be more aware of how often our hearts can deceive us because of their nature to wander away from the focal point we try to maintain: specifically, our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

    I walk through a garden and want to smell every flower, to inhale the sweet perfumes. But not every flower should be smelled. There are weeds, some of which stink. There are bees, some so small you can't see them unless you open your eyes. There are spiders and all manner of insect activity in the garden. 

    Our hearts need to be open to the Lord and closed to the devil. Closed to the devil's deceits and cunning ways of distraction. Closed to his deliberate lies and prevarications (distortions, exaggerations, lies, fabrications, evasions, misrepresentations). Satan is a liar and the father of lies: John 8:44. 

    The heart of the Christian must be aligned with the Word of God in order to live a successful life, a life that honors God. Being a successful Christian does not mean the road is paved with gold; it does not mean we will always have money in the bank. Nor does it mean we will always be happy and not know turmoil or pain. With God success is being obedient to Him in a way that is honorable to Him.

A HEART THAT HONORS GOD

    The Book of Proverbs gives great Wisdom from God on how to have a heart that honors God. Today we are focusing on Proverbs 3:1-12 which speaks on teaching our hearts to obey God. 

• Remember His commandments in our hearts
• Keeping His commandments lengthens our days & gives peace to our lives
• Bind mercy and faithfulness around our necks, write them on the tablets of our hearts
• Then we will find favor with God and with man
• Trust in the Lord with all our hearts, lean not on our own understanding
• In all our ways we are to acknowledge Him: He will make our paths straight
• Don't be wise in our own eyes; fear the Lord and turn from evil
• Doing this will bring healing to our bodies, refreshment to our bones
• Honor the Lord with our wealth, the firstfruits of all of our harvest
• For only then will our storehouses be overflowing 
• Reject not the discipline of the Lord, for He only disciplines the ones He loves and delights in 

    That's how we train our hearts to be obedient to The Word of God. We start with love, the pure love of God which is extended to us through His Son Jesus Christ, through the cross, through the blood which was shed by His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, through His grace, His mercy, His forever lovingkindness. 

    John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

    1 John 4:8, 9

8. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

9. This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

    That's successful living. A heart that loves like God loves has Jesus Christ living in it. As this new year begins, let us love one another with guarded hearts which have Christ living in them. 

SHEPHERD OF MY SOUL  by Rivers & Robots

LOVE IS KIND by John Lucas

(I WILL) WAIT ON YOU by Hillside Recording and Diana Trout

 

 

 

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- Spiritual Discernment

 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21

Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4394

Prophecies: the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth; divinely-empowered forthtelling (asserting the mind of God) or foretelling (prediction)

Forthtelling is speaking what is current. Foretelling is speaking what is to come. 

Discernment Is Godly Wisdom

Isaiah 8:20

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:7, 8

For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.

The Benefit of Prophecies

1 Corinthians 14:3

But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:12

It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1381

Test:  I put to the test, prove, examine; I distinguish by testing, approve after testing; I am fit. By implication, to approve. To show something is acceptable (real, approved); put to the test to reveal what is good (genuine). Allow, examine, discern. 

If the word(s) being spoken lines up with the Word that is known and received by the Spirit as Truth, then that prophecy or prophecies is to be accepted as fact. What builds the church up spiritually and draws us closer to God in Christ is going to be prophecies. What tears the church down and apart is not always from God, but from the enemy of our souls, the devil, Satan. 

Test All Things (Spoken)

1 Corinthians 14:29

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

In order to know whether or not the word(s) being spoken is from God, we must first know the Word of God and be hungry for it. Therefore, we must read our Bibles every day and seek to know what the Word means. Praying and asking for the Author's disclosure to us of godly wisdom, godly discernment (more than just knowing right from wrong, but Good from Evil). Praying for retention of knowledge (what we learn) and allowing the Word to grow in us, that we may become ever more fruitful in our service to God.

Hold Fast To What Is Good

Romans 12:9

Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from every form of evil.

Proverbs 3 

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;

for they will add length to your days,

years and peace to your life.

Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will find favor and high regard

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

This will bring healing to your body

and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;

then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD,

and do not loathe His rebuke;

for the LORD disciplines the one He loves,

as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,

the man who acquires understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver,

and her gain is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire compares with her.

Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

All her ways are pleasant,

and all her paths are peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,

and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

The LORD founded the earth by wisdom

and established the heavens by understanding.

By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open,

and the clouds dripped with dew.

My son, do not lose sight of this:

Preserve sound judgment and discernment.

They will be life to your soul

and adornment to your neck.

Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

Do not fear sudden danger

or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the LORD will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from the snare.

Do not withhold good from the deserving

when it is within your power to act.

Do not tell your neighbor,

“Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—

when you already have the means.

Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

for he trustfully dwells beside you.

Do not accuse a man without cause,

when he has done you no harm.

Do not envy a violent man

or choose any of his ways;

for the LORD detests the perverse,

but He is a friend to the upright.

The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,

but He blesses the home of the righteous.

He mocks the mockers,

but gives grace to the humble.

The wise will inherit honor,

but fools are held up to shame.

Intelligent Worship -- Honor God -- Part 6

 Intelligent Worship Brings Us Into The Presence of God. We Honor God. 

How do we Honor God? 

Proverbs 3:9

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest. 

In the Berean Study Bible the word 'wealth' is used. In the King James Version, the word 'substance' is used. In the New King James Version it says 'possessions'. They all mean the same thing. 

The word 'harvest' can also mean 'crops, income, revenue.' What do we learn from this? God requires us to willingly and obediently give Him the first portion of our income. We call this tithing. 

Leviticus 27:30, 32 “One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy. --- Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD." 

This is where we get that ten percent that we give to our church. A mere fraction of what God has given us. But we don't have to stop at just one tenth of our income. When the Spirit moves over the heart, we become more generous with our wealth, our possessions, our income. This is called a "Love Offering" and can be given to one's church and/or given as a donation into another's ministry: such as Missionary Support, or a nonprofit that also honors God with their works. 

How else do we Honor God? 

Malachi 3:16

At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.

We Honor God's Name when we think about Him. Philippians 4:8 tells us how to think about God:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Psalm 10:4

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 94:19

In the multitude of my thoughts (anxieties) within me Thy comforts delight my soul.

First we see the results of not thinking, not honoring, God with our thoughts. Then we see that as a result of thinking about God, we remember His Name in our troubles and He comforts us with Himself. 

The Lord Is, indeed, My Shepherd. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

How do we Honor God with our bodies? 

Romans 12:1, 2 is a good place to start.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable (logical) service. 

And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you to prove what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. 

Here we learn that we are to give more than mere possessions and the wealth of our bank accounts; we are to give God our bodies: willingly, obediently to His service. When we do this, and we may have to do it often for we fail Him at times, we give God all of what makes us who we are. 

We Honor God when we give Him our talents and abilities, the very things He has blessed us with and created within us. We Honor God when we give Him our desires, our self-will and our me attitude. These things get converted into His desires, His will and embrace His mercies into our thoughts that our attitudes submit obediently to His Word. 

His Word is Honest, Faithful, True. His Word is Alive. His Word fills our souls and overflows within us. His Word strengthens us in our weaknesses. His Word. We Honor God when we read His Word, study His Word, take His Word into our hearts and minds and souls. We Honor God when we believe His Word, trust His Word, embrace His Word. 

We Honor God with the works of our hands. We Honor God with our feet, choosing wise destinations. We Honor God with our eyes, endeavoring to see what He wants us to see. We Honor God with our ears, hearing and listening to only what glorifies Him. We Honor God with our every being, reaching out to Him and following close behind Him, that we not lose our way. 

We Honor God. And God is glorified with our honor.