WISDOM WEDNESDAY: Excercise Your Conscience

" For bodily excercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things having promises of life that now is, and of that which is to come." I Timothy 4:8

When the weather gets warm and less clothes we put on suddenly we begin to pay attention to all the muscles we have been neglecting. I'm definitely guilty of this but as I broke out the Tae-bo DVD and worked up a sweat this morning I could hear a gentle urging of the Holy Spirit, "Bodily exercise profiteth little."

This is not to say that the body is not important but the Spirit within you must not be neglected. While you're running, crunching, sweating be sure to get your spiritual workout on like Paul, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Acts 24:16

On this Wednesday be wise and exercise your faith in Jesus believe on Him for all things.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise meekness and humility at work and at home.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise mercy towards those who have offended you.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise patience towards your children and the elderly.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise your arms and your lips by lifting them up to worship the Lord thy God and you're conscience will be void of offence toward God and men.

A Thought For Thursday: Who Ya With?

We’ve all heard the little saying “birds of a feather flock together”. Well, that saying is not just a golden nugget of knowledge that you share with your kids or younger siblings when you catch them hanging with the wrong crowd it is applicable to the life of the believer. The company that you keep determines whether or not you are blessed, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1

When you have a problem and you seek counsel will you receive wise and righteous counsel from those still doing foolish things? If you’re wondering why it seems as though God is holding back from you consider this who ya with? Are you with those who eat the word, heed the word, live the word and encourage you to do the same? Or, are you still among them from whom he called you out of?


“And what accord has Christ has Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:“I will dwell among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:15-17


Though it may seem like you’re giving up a lot what you’re giving up a lot your friendship with the world cannot be compared with what the Lord is offering you- membership to a family, a holy family, a royal family, an exalted family, a prosperous family whose name shall endure throughout all the land. “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:18 When Jesus was with sinners he was compelling them to repent and be saved. Are you doing the same or are they encouraging you to turn away from Christ? They may not say it boldly with words, but their actions, the activities they ask you to participate in, and the conversations that they have may be contradictory to the life the Lord has commanded you to live.


This Thursday check yourself and then check them? Do you want to live the blessed life of a wise man or the cursed life of a fool?


Blessed is the man who walks in not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall also not wither: and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:1


Here’s a thought for this Thursday it’s time to let go of the way that shall perish and cling to Jesus whose way is full of life everlasting.






Be Blessed Beloved, in the might, power, and strength of the Lord!


-Nigeria

Wisdom Wednesdays: Honour The Lord With Your Firstfruits

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Proverbs 3:9-10

The Lord requires obedience not sacrifice. If you are looking for your blessing on this earth, check yourself and see if you are being obedient to the word of God. That sounds like a given but that is one of the main reasons that we are unable to receive the blessings that God has in store for us. We block our own blessings. Many of us are feeling squeezed by the current state of the economy and are looking up to the heavens hoping that Jesus opens one of the windows and pours out a blessing just for us but the truth is it's high time you display the wisdom given to you by God by fulfilling your half of the word.

Stop being stingy and stop placing God last. You wouldn't be standing there looking at the collection plate contemplating giving God your last dollar had you done what the word says, give him your firstfruits. He will make sure you have what you need(to obey these words definitely requires you to activate the measure of faith he's given you, so you better check yourself).

Stop thinking about how precious your dollars are- think about the precious work that the Lord is urging you to invest in. Invest in the kingdom where a return is guaranteed, "So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." and the only thing you lose are the things that you don't need, you don't have to worry about Bernie Maddoff. The Lord wants to give you back everything that the devil stole from you.

When you enter the church don't you want to see bibles? Don't you want oil for the preacher to anoint you, bread for communion? Don't you want the lights on and toilet paper in the bathroom? Well, none of that stuff is free and God was so kind of enough to ask you to participate in the building and maintenance of his church (he doesn't need you and when you refuse he will certainly raise up another to do the word and receive the blessing) you are too wise to join in and too worried about what the preacher is doing with your money.

Be wise and obey the Lord. Let God deal with the man of  God if he is misappropriating funds, but you be wise and obey the word. You, be wise and be blessed so that when God is dealing with you can be blessed both in this earth and in eternity.

Wisdom Wednesdays: Is The Joy Of The Lord Your Strength?

Beloved, I know that I said our Wisdom Wednesdays postings would come from the book of Proverbs but today it's coming from Nehemiah. Having wisdom and using it to live your life wisely are two very different things and many of us are not doing it. The word of God is wisdom and cannot be contested in any arena but often we don't take that wisdom and use it as a springboard to jump into the day with.

For some your day is winding down and for many you, who like me may have kids, or a second job- your day is really just beginning ask yourself: are you going through it with a bounce in your step or trudging through your to-do list. Be wise today and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Let the fact that there is nobody greater than your Jesus, your Lord, your Saviour, your Redeemer, your soon coming king, whom you will one day marry, carry you through the day.

Stop letting life's little hiccups serve as a hinderance. Instead draw on your strength, the joy of the Lord. A christian should not be living their life in misery, depression, anger, or anxiety. A christian should be joyous.

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink, the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

When Nehemiah said this to the children of Israel they had just spent the whole day reading the law and when they saw their trangressions they began to weep about it the but the Lord used Nehemiah to tell them to rejoice, you have passed from the darkness into the light; now that you know the word, rejoice that this great God is your God, live the word, and share this joy with your neighbor. So, whatever is hampering you today be like the children of Israel, be wise this Wednesday- put it down quickly and pick up your joy.

Further Reading: Nehemiah chapter 8

God Bless You!

A THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY

When People Look At You, Whose Wisdom Do They See?

Beloved, I have been busy throughout this week-- I am so sorry that I didn't post anything for Wisdom Wednesday and in lieu that post I have A Thought for Thursday.

Where does wisdom come from? From God. How are we able to attain wisdom? Through our faith in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son. Now, how do we shew forth that wisdom. People should see us and recognize that we are wise by the way that we live our lives.
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." James 3:13 

Not only will the wisdom of God cause you to do good works but you will also do it meekly and humbly, not boasting, as did Jesus. After he healed someone he didn't walk around proclaiming and glorifying himself; he glorified the Father who used him to do the work. The wisdom of God flowing through you should bring peace to those around you,

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:18

How do you make people feel when they're in your presence, what kind of fruits are you bearing, are you riled up easy, are you quick to forgive? If your answer to any of these is no,then the wisdom and the works that you have shewing forth is from the devil,

"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth [stop patting yourself on the back and stop lying. if you're not living right you're not serving right] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:14-16

This Thursday, think on this: When people look at you, whose wisdom do they see?

FURTHER READING: James 3:13-18

WISDOM WEDNESDAYS: THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE

Every scripture has a divine and intended purpose for each one us. Some are directly aimed at us and some serve a learning tool but all are given by God so that we will profit and grow in the grace and fear of God.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3:16-17

Today we will focus on the scriptures the Lord provided us via Solomon in Proverbs. Much wisdom can be garnered through reading the bible but in Proverbs the Lord is making an attempt to spell it out for us as plainly as possible, what is wisdom and how can it be acquired. This is the purpose of Proverbs. They were designed to give knowledge to us simple folks, they are instructions for living a just and prosperous life. Knowledge doesn't just spring up from reading the word but from the fear of the Lord. Satan knows the word yet he is not wise because he has no fear in his heart for the Lord.

This fear is not terror, or the kind of fear the seizes you when you walk down a dark street, but a reference, a love, a respect, so strong that you would be afraid to displease your Lord, you would be afraid to break His heart. This fear is the beginning of knowledge.

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1-7

But the wisdom is not imparted to you just by reading the words but like all of the word it must be eaten. So, sit down and grab a bite, knosh on it, meditate on it and prove that you are wise, only fool.s despise wisdom and instructions. If are you are wise the word will cause you to increase in learning.

TODAY'S FORECAST: SLIGHTLY CLOUDY WITH A POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORM

The firmament, it's one of those things we neglect in life. Sometimes we don't look at the sky until it's changing colors. When the sun goes down we admire all the shades of orange and pink we've never seen in a box of crayola crayons. When our bright blue sky turns into a dismal grey we glance up with every step we take waiting for a beam of sunshine to break through the clouds.

There's a storm headed this way; directed at each and everyone of us. Instead of looking to the Lord while the sun is shining many of us (myself included) wait until the skies that line our life turn grey, we don't seek out Jesus' face until we are immersed in complete darkness. By then it's too late to escape the storm in one piece. All of us will take a beating but the only ones who will make it out unscathed are those who are wise enough to be rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus.

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth these sayings, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell not for it was founded on a rock." Matthew 7:24-25

This wise man's house did not fall because it had a sure and stable foundation. What about you? Do you find yourself leaning on the rock one day then walking away from it another day. Then he is not the foundation of your heart. Jesus said he would liken the those who hear his words and do them unto this wise man. It's time for us to come out of mediocrity and let Jesus be the rock he said that he was going to be. First, by becoming not just hearers of the word but doers also. (James 1: 22)

Jesus can only serve a foundation for you if your house is built upon him and established in his word. Once a house is built does it move? No, of course not, it is fixed in that one spot. Let your heart become a house, allow Jesus, the solid rock to serve as the chief cornerstone so that you will be able to bear the storm headed this way.

WISDOM WEDNESDAYS: Every Wednesday The Carpenter's House will focus on the wisdom found in the word of God

What Is Wisdom and How Can I Get Some?

Wisdom. Everyone wants it. We all would like to be perceived as wise. We all want people to think that we possess some kind of knowledge that they don't have but how can we when we don't even know what wisdom really is? Or who wisdom?

Who is wisdom? Is it possible for wisdom to be a person? How absurd of me to make such a claim, but it is true. Wisdom is a person, a supreme being, the deity of all deities: Wisdom is Jesus Christ. Just look at the definition:

Wisdom–noun
1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
2. scholarly knowledge or learning: the wisdom of the schools.
3. wise sayings or teachings; precepts.
4. a wise act or saying.


Jesus is all of those things and more. He has knowledge of what is true and right because he is the truth, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." John 14:6. He executes fair judgment with discernment and insight that no one else has. You know the wise saying, "he who is without sin, cast the first stone"? Well, that was Jesus. That was the judgment He decreed when the scribes and Pharisees presented the case of a woman caught in adultery.

"They say unto him, Master this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:4-7

Now, by no means was Jesus saying adultery is acceptable behavior, when he was done he commanded the woman, to sin no more but he did not condemn her nor did he allow her accusers to.

Everything that Jesus said was wise, is wise and applicable to life no matter what stage of life you're at or what you are facing. When Jesus went into the temple he taught. "And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them." John 8:2

Jesus is wisdom, come down to man. Now how does one acquire wisdom? By seeking Jesus by searching the scriptures. and living your life according to the word. By accepting Jesus for who he says he is, God and letting him be Lord in your life. That truly is an example of a wise person.

Next week, if it be the will of God, I will begin discussing wisdom from the book of Proverbs.