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Wisdom

Understanding God’s Plan And The Opening / Closing of Doors

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Something in one of the areas of my life I’m praying for took an unexpected turn that really hit me hard.
When I prayed about this God gave me 3 specific thoughts:
1) Trust God’s plan when you are not given the outcome you are expecting. God in fact may be sparing you from something that would be more than you could handle
1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
2) Know that when God does open a door for you that you should feel peace and contentment in your spirit about the decision to move forward
John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
3) Know that when God opens the door that is His will for your life that no force, spirit or being can stand in the way of it
Revelation 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

Valley Faith: Finding The Rose of Sharon

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God is the beauty and hope in unlikely times and unlikely places

Song of Solomon 2:1-3

2 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

The rose of Sharon is a large hibiscus shrub. It grows about 12 feet tall, has large three-lobed leaves, and a lovely rose, purple, white or blue flower. The uniqueness of the rose of Sharon lies in the fact that it blooms at an unlikely time and in unlikely places. The rose blossoms in the fall, when few other shrubs are in bloom. It grows well in unfavorable conditions and does not seem to be partial to the city or the country.

Unfavorable growing conditions? In our honest moments we sometimes marvel that the soil of our lives could produce anything beautiful. It is full of the stones of selfishness, the weeds of deceitfulness, and the acidity of our pride. Yet the Rose of Sharon persists, blooms, and grows, even when other plants are dormant.

The lily is a very noble plant in the East; it grows to a considerable height, but has a weak stem. The church is weak in herself, yet is strong in Him that supports her

While it doesn’t look like God is among you it is simple not in natural view. If you pray you will see him.

Hebrews 11:2-4

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

If we never endure the valleys we will not learn to hope when we are struggling to survive.

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Don’t Be Afraid To Lose

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100% of the opportunities that we have and do not take will be lost unless we take a chance on something will at least give you shot of making it. However we all know that from the popular cliche that we “can’t win them all”. I also heard another great saying that said that you win some and you learn from when you lose. Don’t be afraid to learn from your losses each and every day. Nobody has ever gotten better from winning them all.

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Don’t worry, for life is not like the NCAA tournament: there will always be another game or opportunity if you lose. There will be more opportunities to be better, wiser, and stronger. Nine times out of ten you will find that what you learned is actually what you really needed rather than always being the winner. God wants the best for his children (even when they lose from time to time). Don’t count a loss as failure but count it as a chance to become better to be able to win a harder game. Seek God sincerely in these wins, losses, and let the opportunities where you doubt your own abilities allow you to grow from what you have learned to do the best you can do. You may not win today like a lot of people you see making it but stop looking to only win. Winning isn’t everything! Remember that in life it rains on the just and the unjust. Just because we are the most talented and are the most qualified does not imply we will still gain victory. Sometimes the most difficult things come out of when we think we are so close to victory.

We must learn that sometimes you may lose but you should never lose the value of how far you’ve have come and endured and let God work in your life. As we all fall God is there to pick us up and help us to become exactly who He wants us to be and thinks ahead of us for the ultimate victory of righteousness. As God’s glory shines in you for others everyday learn to stay encouraged and let God walk with you in all your worries and trials of life. Live life to the fullest and enjoy it as God planned for you to.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Understanding The Wheat And Tares

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Matthew 13:24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

In the agricultural society of Christ’s time, many farmers depended on the quality of their crops. An enemy sowing weeds would have sabotaged a business. The tares in the parable were likely darnel because that weed, until mature, appears as wheat.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Just as a true wheat plant produces wheat, so will a true believer produce spiritual fruit consistent with the life of faith. The day will come when each person will be known for what he or she truly is.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Trying to perform an action to vindicate your life from an enemy before it’s time may prove that you uproot in the wrong place and may offend someone without your intention.

Trying to prove yourself before the time will only destroy the fruit you would have had if you had just endured instead.

Only when we wait for the appointed time can we begin to see what separates a Christian walking by faith and a non-believer acting as they do but with no fruit bearing.

Seed if sown and cared for will bloom and prove itself. Faith if kept by prayer, fasting and obedience will prove itself by the signs and wonders that follow.

Do not be alarmed at the presence of tares. Weeds want to thrive most where there is life most.

Matthew 13:36-43

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus is the one whom through His sacrifice at Calvary and His works through us shows the good seed. The field is the world and where we are to try and sow good things.

The tares are the works of the enemy and him through others. God wants to redeem all, even the one the enemy may work through at times. You must learn to see the enemy supernaturally and not looking at the person next to you as your enemy. Think of the word sowed in that regard!

In the end days God will separate the wheat from the tares when those who believe and endure shall be called up. And as tares would burn on earth so shall the unbeliever go to a furnace of fire.

The Open Invitation Of God: Come!

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  1. Come and rest

Matthew 11:28

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

There is rest for the one who is weary of everything. There is rest for those who are preparing for the unseen. There is rest for those who need protection. There is rest for the soul that cannot sleep for fear of where their soul may go should they go.

  1. Come and drink of the living water

John 7:37

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

If you are thirsty and need to be refreshed in your relationship with Christ He is ready to help you. If you are thirsty from wandering this life with what feels like no peace or closure about anything then Christ wants to have a relationship with you.

  1. Come and reason, let God give you wisdom

Isaiah 1:18

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

When others will not forgive and let go of things that are seemingly holding you captive from being happy inside God is ready to help you to let go of it all.

  1. Come without price and without money

Isaiah 55:1

55 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

When we would have had to pay a penalty or suffer the cost God saw fit to love us enough to make the way for us through Christ that we would not have to put together anything tangible good to be worthy to be in His fellowship.

  1. All say, come, and all are welcome

Revelation 22:17

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

If all are welcome that means not only us here but us everywhere. This single-handedly breaks down any barrier or excuse that we could ever make that would keep us from being saved.

  1. Come, for none will be rejected

John 6:37

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

This verse was made for me. If you were the kind of person that deserved to be rejected by everyone and everything then you should know that that God made it so that there could be no reason to ever reject His call for fellowship.

  1. Come, now

Luke 14:17

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

We do not have to wait any longer to receive Christ in our life. We do not have to wait until we are older or until we feel like we are good enough. We do not have to put off for a later time nor think we have to wait until we have everything together. Now is the time. Today is the day.

Finding Your Spiritual Identity

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I Corinthians 2:14-16

[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This was Paul’s message to the natural person. It was the type of person that Paul was most concerned over.

A Natural person

–        Has not been born again

–        Cannot understand spiritual things

–        Thinks the spiritual things are foolish

–        Turns away from the bible with thoughts and imaginations

The destiny of the natural human being without Jesus Christ is destruction. The need that all mankind has is salvation.

Romans 3:23

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

All people are naturally lost

John 6:37

[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

All people can be saved

Once we are saved we are no longer without hope. Something amazing happens!

I Corinthians 2:11-13

[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The Spiritual person

–        Was once a natural person

–        Salvation through faith in Christ has transformed them

–        Was once doomed, now delivered

–        Was once lost, now found

–        Was once bound for hell, now bound for Heaven

–        The spirit teaches the spiritual person

–        The spirit discerns (understands) all things

–        Sees the work of God in the world and in their personal lives

–        Spiritual things are not easily understood by others

Jesus warned of these things: John 15:18-20

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

V 16 – As we become spiritual we put on the mind of Christ

I Corinthians 3:1-4

[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
[3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
[4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Carnal person

–        Is confused

–        Knows what is right but does not do it

–        Knows the world is lost but clings to it

–        Is like Lot lingering in Sodom

–        Needs full commitment to Christ

The natural person lives for the moment. The spiritual person lays up treasures in Heaven. The carnal person tries looking in both directions. Finding the balance in your life is done successfully when the spiritual part of you leads.

The Difference

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What makes you different? What separates you from others? What breaks the mold of the world? Some are going to go to Heaven when they die and some will not. Some will be ready for Christ’s return and some will not. To better know who you are that makes you unique in this world you have to realize the difference that lives inside of you. Jesus Christ has made the difference in all of our lives.

Philippians 1:21-23

[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
[22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
[23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

We recognize that there are two different perspectives between the flesh that wants to work in this world for gain and the spirit that desires to depart this world and to be with Jesus. So we know that if we know Jesus then we are going to have a better place to go and not have to stay in this world.

II Corinthians 5:8-10

[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We also know that when we go to appear before Christ that the things that were once our hindrances will no longer hold us. We will appear so that we may be accepted. So what makes you different?

“If we believe that Jesus died and rose again”

The key to this is faith. We must believe by faith. To believe is to trust.

Acts 16:31

[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

As we believe we are saved. We believe and are then made sure by our confidence of Heaven. When people do not believe they do not possess that hope of Heaven; lost forever. To grow in God and be a witness for others you must learn to see and recognize the difference that has been made in you by God.