whoever finds wisdom finds life

This morning I was singing to the LORD a song by Misty Edwards called “I Give It All.” I was repeating the verse, “You have my love, You have my heart. I give it all to You, I give it all to You,” when the LORD replied: “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” I was awestruck, and still am to be honest. For so long I considered this scripture (Luke 6:38) only in regards to finances, but it’s so much deeper than that. If you look at the scriptures prior to and after this verse, Jesus was teaching on how to treat one another. He talks about not judging others, not condemning others, forgiving others, not putting yourself above others (as in superior or better than them), and so much more (Luke 6:37-42) There’s something interesting about the greek words used here for “judge” and “condemn” that I want to high...

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead. So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:1-3) What does it mean to minister to the Lord? Most people think “to minister” is to have a preacher, a pastor, or an evangelist speak into your life. Many consider ministry in the form of church services, tent revivals, or missions trips. But there is so much more to ministry than that. There is a ministry that is far above serving one another. There is ministry that is to the Lord. The first mention of man ministering to God is referenced in Exodus 28:35 when God gave instructions regarding the Levite priesthood. He said to Moses: “Now take Aaron yo...

“Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” God said, “Who told you that you were naked?...” (Genesis 3:7-11) I don’t know about you, but when I think of NAKEDNESS I almost immediately think of SHAME . Shortly afterward follows the thought “Why am I ashamed of nakedness?” Well some people may reply “You’re just a prude!” or some other much more salacious term I will not speak much less write. And it’s so easy to come back with ...

I was in my prayer room earlier today, when suddenly my daughter called out for me. Now, you must know, my child is aware that when I step away to my prayer room, I’m going with the intention to meet with the LORD. She also knows not to disturb me unless it is absolutely necessary. And so, here I was laying before the LORD, calling out to Him, when I heard my child call out for me to come to her. And I thought “Why does she always expect me to come to her? She is fully capable of getting up and coming to me?” And I heard in my spirit “That’s how you are towards Me.” I immediately got teary-eyed as I realized that was exactly how I was treating the LORD in that moment. I was calling out for Him to SHOW UP because I NEEDED HIM . I needed to hear His voice. I needed to see His face. I needed to be in His presence, BUT I wasn’t seeking Him wholeheartedly . Like my daughter towards me, I was calling out to God with expectation for Him to come to me. How many of you know that M...

“Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today].” (Romans 5:9-10) What does it mean to be SAVED ? Several Christians can answer this question without hesitation. They may say something along the lines of “Jesus, the One and Only Begotten Son of God, suffered and died on a cross to pay the price for my sins. He then rose from the grave conquering sin and death. Through Him I am a new creature and I have the promise of eternal life with Him.” And all of that is ABSOLUTELY GREAT! But I am willing to venture that few Christians will say “This same Jesus has saved me from facing the wrath of God.”...

“Out of the mouth of eagles, out of the mouths of His prophets comes a roar of power and strength crying “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory.” With their beaks they tear down, but they can also build up. With their wings they go to and fro, carried by the wind (Spirit). With their talons they pluck up and uproot. Strength and Power are theirs. With their eyes they see far, far beyond all others. The snakes slither on the ground and cannot hide from the eagles for they are far above the ground. Nothing is hidden from their sight.” In prayer this morning, this word came to me from the LORD. For the church, I believe it is a word of both comfort and warning. God is raising up HIS prophets, that are called by Him, chosen by Him. Since they are His prophets, they will have a mighty call full of power and strength and they will exalt God above all things. They will declare the Holiness and glory of God. And their power and stre...