Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Sunday July 26, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Proverbs, please read chapters 23-26 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2023-26&version=9

Today's Message: True Riches
While the world desires to be rich and famous, Christian's have true riches and fame by being a part of the Kingdom of God.
Solomon was the richest, wisest man of his day, much of his teaching came from David, whom he urged Solomon to follow God in all that he did. While he did build the Temple as David specified he really did not have a great relationship with God, in fact he is what you would call today a false Christian, on the surface, in front of the world he followed God and prayed, but behind the scenes he really had no interest in serving and obeying God at all. He did however, discover many things before he died, including how important it was to have God in his life. Many of the Proverbs Solomon wrote were warnings about desiring things of the world, including the riches of the world. “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” - Proverbs 23:1-7. Let's face it, Satan controls the world, he will stop at nothing to get us away from God, including tempting us with the things we desire the most. We are not to desire the things that are in the world, especially money as it is very deceiving. We think we are missing something when we see people who are rich and famous, but in reality, they are the ones missing out. In fact, take away the money and see how important thy are to the world then. This world is full of greed and many will stoop to shameful acts just to get what they want.

We even have to be careful of who we even accept a meal from, people are nothing of what they seem on the surface and once they capture you, it is very hard to escape. I will tell you that I could have avoided much pain in my life if I would have listened to this warning nine years ago. “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.” - Proverbs 24:1-5. For years I never cared about what the world had to offer, but once I got in it I began desiring the things that they had, I never cared about money, but I did want to have popularity. Oh boy, did I become popular and not in any way that I would have imagined. I ended up meeting a man who took me to dinner, he was charming and deceiving and I fell right into his wickedness, spending six years of my life doing wicked things to please him. I was a fool for a time, but thank God I became wise to him. I thank God every day for setting me free from that prison.

After what I had been through I could have become very bitter and sought revenge, but it would have made me no better than he was. In fact, for a brief time, I wanted to see him suffer and I did, but in the end, I was the one suffering even more. It seems normal to stand up for our rights, to fight back against those who treat us wrong or get even by inflicting suffering upon those who mistreat us, but, it is a serious sin to be delighted when an enemy suffers and seems to reap what we think he deserves. “Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked: For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” - Proverbs 24:15-20. Attitudes of bitterness, revenge, or hatred toward anyone are self-destructive and they are indications that we are not living nearly as close to Christ as we might think. Once I forgave Him and decided to live my life for Jesus all that spitefulness disappeared and now I am the one who has all desires I need. The desire to be with Jesus is greatest, most fulfilling life one can have, we truly are rich and even famous because we are apart of the Kingdom of God. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:

Dear God,
Lord, You grow and stretch our maturity through circumstances that don’t always reflect our choosing.  It helps us to gain needed perspective and experience in situations not of our own choosing, but to our overall benefit. Help us to be patient as we search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in our lives.  Align our desires with Your own as we submit our will to Yours. May we not be overcome by adversity, but ask You, Father, to use adversity as a tool by which You carve Your image and character deep into our hearts. We may make our plans but we realize that, as Your children, You will have the final say. In Jesus' Name.............Amen.
Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and week.
God Bless You,
Christina