Word to the Wise

A wise son hears his Father’s instructions. He attends his ears unto wisdom and resists folly. He has formulated a plan for his life and operates according to his plan. He will not allow anyone or anything to alter or interrupt the plan. Hear ye sons (daughters) your Father’s instructions. Proverbs 13 (paraphrased)

Teaching has been an integral part of my existence: at home, school, ministry, and on the job. I have talked to many individuals who love to teach and would not enjoy doing anything else. For me, teaching is a difficult task. It is difficult because the teacher always becomes the student. For every question I ask, I, too, must have an answer. Oftentimes, my answers cause others to question me more deeply.

If I am permitted to be perfectly honest, teaching forces me to deal with issues I’d like to forget. Many of these issues involve self reflection which is difficult and uncomfortable, but necessary for personal growth as I become all that God would have me to be.

I have accepted the reality if teaching is God’s ultimate goal for me, then erase the blackboard and let the instruction begin.

Since our last encounter, I have been involved in some intense study. I study so that I’m able to give an answer to anyone who ask me " What is the hope of your calling?"

Through study, I am discovering some things about myself that are in need of a transformation. While they are not sinful, they are obstacles or weights, as Paul would say, that could hinder my spiritual growth.

As believers, we must be willing to transform our thoughts, ideals, and beliefs so that we can walk in the destiny set for us before the worlds were formed. One idea I had to tackle was my perception of prosperity.

I lingered for years in gloom because I felt that I was not prospering. My dear friends, having this world’s goods does not equate being prosperous. A man’s life consists NOT in the abundance of the things he (or she ) possesses. While many individuals base prosperity on quantity, the scripture declares quite the opposite; "A little that a righteous man has is better that the riches of many wicked." So, we can be prosperous with little, but we should not be satisfied until we get all that God has purposed for us.

The Lord wants us to have things, but He does not want things to have us. Christ died to give us "life and that more abundantly." The abundance to which I am referring is not wrapped up in things.

In addition to having things, we must also enjoy an abundance of love, joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, and more importantly, righteousness. If we seek the Father’s righteousness and remain steadfast, the world will be ours.

Why would you worry about having things if you have a personal relationship with the Creator of All things? As a believer, I had to learn this life-altering reality: Having God means having everything you will ever need.

Another discovery I’ve made is in order to become an effective teacher, one has to be able to accept rejection. Oftentimes, our messages of hope and restoration will neither be believed nor received. Our job is not to make anyone believe, but to be persistent, in season and out of season. We must say what the Lord instructs us to say and keep reaching forth for that Higher call. It is a calling not found in man’s philosophy, but in Christ Jesus. It we seek Him, he will supply what we need.

In my Christian experience I’ve had no trouble embracing this truth: "As long as the earth remains, there will be seed time and harvest." If I continue to sow seeds through instruction and example, I will reap a harvest of all that God has. I cannot allow myself to be satisfied with the status quo. I must keep reaching.

This attitude of reaching forth, must be a propelling force for not only me, but every believer. Regarding reaching forth, there is a point I would like to make. In the process of moving forward, we must be willing to look forward also. While looking forward, we must be mindful of the things that might alter or hinder the effectiveness of our message and be willing to strip it off. For some, it may be an idea, for others, it might be a belief. But whatever your obstacle may be, you must be willing to strip it!! Our minds must be clear to give and receive instruction.

This renewal must take place on a daily basis: not on Wednesdays or Sundays but each and every day. We must examine ourselves and look into the mirrors of our souls as we ask God to create in us a clean heart and renew within us the right spirit.

Getting back to the topic at hand, my word to the wise is HEAR !!!!! ye sons (and daughters) your Father’s (God) instructions. There is no time to slumber. We must awaken and be about the business of teaching and witnessing.

There is a new day dawning and we can’t afford to let it pass us by. It’s not just an ordinary day, but a day that will begin a new life for those willing to hear. Through grace God is warning us now, but these warnings are not going to continue. They are preceded by actual destruction. We don’t want to receive the same fate as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. God didn’t spare those who would not hearken to the voice of the prophets, and He won’t hesitate to destroy us also. If you are wise, you will listen and receive His message. Trust in His Words today, for they are truth and they are life.