Wisdom For The Family

BY WISDOM A HOUSE IS BUILT, AND BY UNDERSTANDING IT IS ESTABLISHED - Proverbs 24:3

'ESTABLISHED' means 'to be set firmly, to be stable.'

PROVERBS OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS

1. A Parent is to Give DIRECTION:

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” - Proverbs 22:6

'TRAIN' means 'to put something in their mouth to be tasted.'  If we don’t give them a taste for the right things, others will give them a taste for the wrong things.  The message kids hear clearest is NOT the one we SHOUT OUT but the One we LIVE OUT!

2. A Parent is to Give CORRECTION:

PARENTAL KEY - They may not always RESPOND, but you STILL have to SAY it!

“A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away.” - Proverbs 22:15

“Discipline is the tool, to keep our children from becoming a fool.”

“If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them” - Proverbs 13:24

'PROMPT' means 'ready to act whenever necessary.'

The purpose of Correction is Reflection to get them back in the RIGHT Direction

The KEY is BALANCE: CORRECTION & DISCIPLINE AND AFFECTION & PATIENCE

3. A Parent is to Give AFFECTION: Prov. 15:17

Set an atmosphere in your home and take time to DISPLAY AFFECTION to your children with your time and with your talk.  Provide boundaries for your children your best and trust God to do the rest!

Wisdom - A Road Map

I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.  Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well! - Proverbs 4:11-14 (Message)

Don't get distracted from good advice.  Hold onto wisdom.  Say, "I want to stay on Wisdom Way"

What is wisdom?  WISDOM is knowing the right thing to do, what to do and then making the choice to do it.

WE ALL HAVE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED GOOD ADVICE

• We Think We Know Better
• We Want To Do It
• It Only Affects Me, It’s Not Hurting Anybody Else

If you walk in wisdom's way, were you are today is not where you'll stay!

RESULTS- Then we FIND OUT:

• We Really Didn’t Know Better
• We Might Have Wanted the Actions, But We Didn’t Want the Consequences to the Actions
• We Not Only Hurt Ourselves But We Hurt Somebody Else

When We Don’t Follow Good Advice – We Are Following the WRONG WAY

God Does NOT Want You to Live in a MESS; God Wants You to Live in SUCCESS!

HOW DO WE LIVE IN SUCCESS?

GOOD ADVICE

Proverbs 4:13 Hold Tight To Good Advice

• From Our Parents
• From Other Wise, Godly People
• From Our Pastors

GOD'S ADVICE

Proverbs 4:21 Keep My Message in Plain View at All Times.  Concentrate!  Learn it by Heart!

• Joshua 1:8 says: “…You Will Make Your Way Prosperous and Have Good Success”
• Psalm 1:3 says “In All You Do, You Prosper”
• Proverb 8:14 says “Good Advice and Success Belongs to Me”

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE IN WISDOM - Proverbs 2

We seek for things like more money (most make millions in a life time), more time (most spend 9 years of their life watching TV) or a better spouse (when we need to be a better spouse).  We should not seek these things, we should seek more wisdom from God.  We need wisdom in our work, our relationships, our family, our mouth and our money.

Proverbs 2 starts with ‘IF’. Promise and blessing is CONDITIONAL on our action.

1. Accept His Word – Proverbs 2:1

Accept means to lay hold of, to seize.  The bible is our handbook or manual for living.  We need to learn it and live (do what it says).  It makes sense that the manufacturer knows best what to put in the manual and how to operate the item.

2. Apply Our Will –  Proverbs 2:2

Heart is referring to your mind, your thinking, the determination of your will.  Wisdom does not happen on its own; we need to seek after it.  Why do we let other's decisions guide our actions?  We need to be determined to be wise and make good decisions.

3. Ask For Insight  – Proverbs 2:3

Insight is clear understanding of complex situations.  You don't need counsel on situations that are pretty obvious, but for complex situations, you can ask God for insight.  We don't need worldly wisdom but godly wisdom.  James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom.  He has a generous portion for you!

4. Actively Pursue  – Proverbs 2:4

Seek wisdom like it is a treasure!  Don't be casual in your seeking or you may not find what you are looking for.  What you need is already there, you just have to search for it.  It may be an inconvenience or put you out of your comfort zone.  When you are looking for treasure, you can't always look pretty; sometimes you have to get messy or get out of your comfort zone.  We need to realize there is value in being wise!

BENEFITS OF SEARCHING FOR WISDOM - Proverbs 2:5-20

• Knowledge Of God - Proverbs 2:5
• Victory And Protection - Proverbs 2:7
• Good Judgment For Living - Proverbs 2:9
  Discretion is forethought, foresight, caution in practical affairs - a word from God does not displace getting wisdom; in fact, in justifies getting wisdom all the more!
• Deliverance From Evil People - Proverbs 2:12
  'Perverse' means foolish or deceitful
• Empowerment To Live Right - Proverbs 2:20

We need to become treasure seekers.  The treasure of wisdom will empower us to live blessed and not stressed!

5. THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF SEEKING WISDOM IS THAT WE WILL GROW IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST!

In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden - Colossians 2:3

If we gain godly wisdom then the effort to actively pursue that wisdom was all worth it.  Wisdom is the beginning of Exponential Increase!

Wisdom - The Most Important thing

GETTING WISDOM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO! – PROV. 4:7

Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7

1. Prayer For Wisdom - Proverbs 1:1

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God..." James 1:5

1. Purpose of Proverbs - Proverbs 1:2-3

To Teach Wisdom and Discipline

• Wisdom is the ability to make good choices.
  If you know the right thing, you’re knowledgeable - if you do the right
  thing, you’re wise.  Don't equate knowledge with wisdom.

• Wisdom is the application of knowledge.
  You don't have to have a degree to be wise.

• Wisdom is the skillful use of knowledge.
  The book of Proverbs is not a book of promises, its a book of wisdom to
  help us skillfully use our knowledge to guide our lives.

2 Ways That You Can Get Wisdom:

• Trial and Error (knowledge)
  - personal experience

• Instruction of Others (wisdom)
  - benefit of learning from their experience

3. Pursuers of Wisdom - Proverbs 1:4-6

"Study to show yourself approved..." - 2 Timothy 2:15 - get into Proverbs!

Proverbs  Was Written For:

• Those who can be easily influenced – will increase in discernment
• Young People – will give them knowledge and good judgement
• Wise – will increase in learning
• People of Understanding – will receive increased guidance

We need to increase our capacity for wisdom.  Luke 2:52 tells us even Jesus grew in wisdom...

4. Prerequisite for Wisdom - Proverbs 1:7

A fool is one who acts without counsel and disregards Godly instruction. Characteristics of a Fool:

• Cannot receive instruction;
• A know-it-all;
• So strongly opinionated, you can't tell them anything;
• a talker and never a listener (a listener - engaged in process with right heart and attitude)

These qualities will hold you back from increasing in God.

Wisdom can be found in LIVING FOR JESUS and LIVING LIKE JESUS - "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Colossians 2:3

HOW DID JESUS LIVE HIS LIFE?  “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of Wisdom” Proverbs 1:7  Fear is reverent submission, to honour, to respect, to submit to.

The foolish person will live in a way that pleases himself and others but a wise person will live in a way that pleases God.

Put God First In Our Giving & Put God First In Our Living

CHALLENGE: To have the Courage to say that ‘I WILL put God first’ and the RESOLVE to make it happen!

'If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time!'  As a believer, when you make a resolution, you don't have to do it by yourself.  Philippians 2:13  God will help you when you rely on him.  I am going to rely on the Lord and resolve to live right.

4 Ways to Live Right: - Psalm 101:2-4

You will not accomplish any goal unless you have determination!  Four times in this verse, David states, “I WILL”.  He didn't say he would try or he might.  That means absolutely nothing.  There is no determination or intention whatsoever.  David was determined to
put first things first!

1. Live Right Among Others - I WILL behave wisely, in a perfect way

To 'behave wisely' means "to act circumspectly" - 'circumspectly' means "to encircle, to see or inspect something".  “The Perfect Way” is God’s way of living.  We are not perfect, but we are being perfected.  We are being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2

2. Live Right at Home – I WILL walk within my house with a perfect heart

At home there are many distractions that make it difficult to live right.  We let down our guard due to familiarity; but we can't let our flesh rule!  “Perfect Heart” (vs. 2) DOES NOT mean ‘without fault’.  It DOES mean ‘Completely Committed to Doing What is Right’.  "I'm gonna commit my life to doin' what's right, both day and night!"

QUESTION:  How do we walk with a Perfect Heart?

• Take time to pray each day! - Ps 119:147 Just pray - it's a great way to start your day.  It's the First Fruit of your day!
• Be quick to forgive one another! - Col 3:13 Allow people room to grow - not an excuse for bad behaviour, but grace to change.  We all grow at different speeds in different areas.
• Be quicker to admit when you’re wrong. - Isa 57:15; Eph 4:26,27   Don't let the sun go down on your wrath.  It will give a foothold to the devil and a foothold becomes a stronghold!

3. Live Right With Your Sight - I WILL set nothing wicked before my eyes.

'Wicked' mean 'worthless, unprofitable, unbeneficial'  Putting God first requires removing anything that qualifies as 'wicked' from your eyes.

• The Law of Gravity states “what goes up, must come down”
• The Law of Garbage states “what goes in, must come out”

What you look at long enough is what you think about, talk about and then live out in your life.  When you learn something by visual, you double your chances of retaining it.  That goes for both good and bad. 1 John 2:16  Impure visual images will stimulate impure thoughts and actions.

4. Live Right in your Thoughts - I WILL NOT know wickedness!

“I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil!” Psalm 101:4; "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

Sometimes we're sinking because of our stinking thinking!  When we change our thinking we can change our life! 

Scriptures on right thoughts: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:97-99; Philippians 4:8 These scriptures all come with a promise!

CHALLENGE: Have the Courage to put God first - and RESOLVE to make it happen!  Live right among others, at home, with your sight and in your thoughts.  This week, journal your journey with the Lord and reflect on what God is doing as you resolve to 'LIVE RIGHT'!

The Purpose of Firstfruits

"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him.  For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]."
- Hebrews 11:6

"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."
- Matthew 6:33

The word 'SEEK' means, 'to aim for or to strive after'.  In the year of Exponential Increase, we at HWC need to PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST!  "My first goes to You & I will trust You all year through!"

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-4, 8-11

'FIRST FRUITS' simply means 'the first and best part'.

PURPOSE OF FIRST FRUITS:

1. Offering of APPRECIATION – Deuteronomy 26:8

Proverbs 3:9 "Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (increase)."

We’ve got to give God thanks for where He’s brought us from and where He’s taking us to.  When you trust God and give Him your all, you can thank Him for where He's taking you because you know it will be good!

'BROUGHT OUT' means 'to move forward to something'.

2. Offering of ANTICIPATION – Proverbs 3:9

Your barns will be filled with plenty. - Proverbs 3:10

'BARNS OR STOREHOUSE' means 'a depository for goods, a warehouse'.

3. Offering of CELEBRATION – Deuteronomy 26:11

It is a time of teaching your children how you are thankful and how you celebrate God's faithfulness and goodness.

PROMISES OF THE FIRSTFRUITS OFFERING:

• A Blessing will rest on your house - Ezekiel 44:30
• Give God the best and the rest will be blessed! - Romans 11:16

What We Do With the First - Will Establish the Rest!!!

Get ready for:        BLESSING!  Ÿ  FAVOUR!  Ÿ  INCREASE!

YOU’RE SETTING THE PATTERN OF PROVISION...
FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR!

Increase & Multiplication

Exponential Increase is not something that we have to wait for. It’s something we simply need to activate by our faith!

3 IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT GOD'S BLESSING! - Psalm 115: 9-15

1. His Blessing is For You! – Psalm 115:12

MINDFUL – 'to mark something or someone for future purposes, specifically for recognition!'

People might be impressed with your performance but God is impressed with your obedience!

FEAR - 'to reverence to the point of obedience'  When you passionately put God first, it marks your life with blessing!

2. His Blessing Is For Now! – Psalm 115:15

God's blessing is not for someday; it's for today! It's more than just having stuff.  We are connected to an almighty God.  Sometimes we get distracted by what's happening around us and we get stressed.  We need to confess: I’m Not Stressed – I’m Blessed!

In John 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come to give you life to the full!"  When we confess stress, we loose our peace.  When we confess we are blessed, we don't allow stress to steal our peace.

3. His Blessing is for Increase! – Psalm 115:15

BLESSED – 'divine or supremely favoured by God'  You may know someone who has great connections, but when you are blessed of the Lord, you have the best connection in the world - God!  You can call in a favour any time when you have God's favour on your life!

This specific word BLESSED is always connected with increase and multiplication!  Reflect on these scriptures on increase: Genesis 12:2; Genesis 22:17; Psalm 67:6.  Get ready for increase and multiplication in every area of your life.

Isaiah 51:2 says, “Look unto Abraham.... for I called him and blessed him, and increased him”.  The word 'called' means  'set apart'; the word 'blessed' means 'God’s favour on your life';  the word 'increased' means 'every part of your life prospers'.  The first area God wants to increase us is spiritually! Matthew 6:33

CHALLENGE: In a society as busy as ours, it is so easy to get distracted.  If you get distracted, it can be very stressful.  In the year of Increase, it is important that you focus on the blessings of the Lord and not allow stress to distract you.  Meditate on today's word and ask the Lord to help you to stay focussed on His blessings so that you can experience increase & multiplication in all you do.

CONFESSION:
His blessing is for me, for now, for increase!  God has called me - I am set apart to obey God; God has blessed me - His favour is on my life; God has increased me - Every part of my life prospers; I am marked for blessing!

Exponential Increase: A Chain Reaction

NO LIMIT to what GOD CAN DO – IN AND THROUGH YOU!

1. God is a Covenant God

A covenant is a formal agreement or promise made between two people.  Both parties have a part to play.

GOD’S PART: (Psalm 115: 9-12)

• Provision  - He is your helper
• Protection  - He is your shield
• Increase  -  God will bless us

OUR PART:

• Obedience
• Trust

The Bible says we need to Fear God.  Fear in this context means "reverence to the point of obeying".

2. God is a God of Increase.

To increase is to move forward, to advance , to proceed, and to profit by the hand of God.  As much as God has done for you... He still wants to increase you more!  Are you ready for a Release of Increase?  Here’s HOW God wants to Increase you:

• EXPONENTIALLY
• GENERATIONALLY

Exponentially: MORE AND MORE - a repetitive, perpetual action.  An example of what happens when you experience exponential increase can be seen at this link: Folding Paper in Half 12 Times

God is going to remove the limits from your life in 2011!  You will know no boundaries in the year of Exponential Increase!

A video example of a chain reaction to your action can be seen here: Chain Reaction

Get ready for a chain reaction of God's blessing in your life.  Your capacity to receive is directly related to your obedience and action.  Set off the trigger of Exponential Increase in your life right at the start of the year by getting 'Under Cover'.

The word 'Capacity' means 'The maximum amount that can be contained'.  God wants to Increase our capacity in 2011!  In order to experience Exponential Increase in every area of our lives, we must increase our capacity in every area of our lives.  God has set everything up for us to experience Exponential Increase.  However, our action is required to increase our capacity to receive.  We have a part to play.  We've got to pray and lead the way!

Generationally: 'CHILDREN' refers to natural offspring AND spiritual offspring.  We're buildin' for our children!  God gives a Generational blessing of increase.  Your children will do greater things than you did. Ps 90:16 - "Lord, let our children see your glory at work."

CHALLENGE: In order to experience Exponential Increase in every area of our lives, we must increase our capacity in every area of our lives! We must increase our time spent in the Word; we must increase our time spent in prayer; we must increase our service in ministry and we must increase our giving. Where do you want God to increase you more and more? Spend time increasing your capacity in your walk with God and watch Him exponentially increase you, your children and your children’s children!
In 2011, you will truly know no boundaries.

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Mary, Jesus' Mother

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Luke 1:26-56

Today We Are Looking At The Life of Mary, Jesus' Mother.  What Took Mary’s Life from Ordinary to Extraordinary?

If there was anyone who was average, it was Mary.  We first hear about her when she is 15 years old and it was one of the most exciting times in her life.  It was normal in that culture, for a 15 year old girl to get married.

Suddenly God steps in and says to Mary, "I have better plans for you!"

LIFE LESSON #1: You May Have Plans, But God Has BIGGER Plans!

1. Character - vs. 30

FOUND FAVOUR - 'one's character is discovered and has attracted blessings.'

Mary made a choice to have godly character and it attracted God's Favour.  The Angel declared "God has seen your character and it has attracted His blessing.”

LIFE LESSON #2: We Don’t Live A Godly Life Because We Are Blessed By God; We Are Blessed By God Because We Live A Godly Life!

The blessing came on Mary's live simply because she desired to please God.

Seek God - His Favour Will Follow

2. Commitment - vs. 38

Mary had committed herself to God.

SERVANT - 'one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will'

Mary was His servant.  She said 'yes', no strings attached.

LIFE LESSON #3: When We Choose To Submit OUR Life, We Choose to Permit HIS Will!

We have to let go of our own will.  Some of us are strong-willed - and not only the outspoken ones.  Are you willing to say, 'not my will but thine be done'?  Saying 'Yes' to God will come at a high cost.  Mary being committed to God and being with child (out of wedlock) came at a high cost!

LIFE LESSON #4 When You Say “YES” to God Others Will Be Blessed.

CHALLENGE: Will You Say “YES” At Any Cost?

LIFE LESSON #5 Don’t Go To Just Anybody – Go To Somebody Who Has Wisdom & Faith

3. Continual Praise - vs. 46-47

LIFE LESSON #6 “In All Things Give God Praise”

When you are in the midst of a problem, let praise rise up within you.

CHALLENGE: When you are committed to God, He will use you.  But it won't necessarily happen the way you expected.  Your commitment will be tested.  Those around you won't have necessarily heard from God as you have.  A committed person says 'YES'; a committed person continues to praise Him - to rejoice in Him.  Even when those around you may not understand what God has said and is doing with you, stay committed and continue to say with Mary, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!".

God, I am committing myself to develop godly character; I will lift up a praise when things get challenging while doing your will!

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Joseph, Jesus' Step-Father

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Matthew 1:18-25

• Have you been in a dilemma you can't solve?
• Have you ever had a situation where you weren't 100% sure how to handle it the right way?
• Has someone ever let you down?
• Have you ever felt alone and didn't understand what's happening?

Then today's message is for you!

Today We Are Looking At The Life of Joseph, Jesus' Step-Father

Joseph was not just part of the supporting cast - he was hand-picked by God to handle the task of raising Jesus!  So what kind of man did God choose to raise His only son?  The qualities He saw in Joseph, He is looking for in every believer.

1. Righteousness - vs. 19
   
   RIGHTEOUS - 'desiring to observe the Laws of God'.  Righteousness is a characteristic of God.  The Word does not say that Joseph 'became' a righteous man; it says he 'was' a righteous man. The Bible records that Joseph was LISTENING and Not Speaking! It had nothing to do with what he said and everything to do with how he lived.
   
   CHALLENGE: If you never spoke a word, what message would you give to those around you?
   
   LIFE LESSON #1: God’s Not Listening for Rhetoric - but Looking for RighteousnessRighteous is not based on your ability to debate or persuade.
   
   
2. Slow to Act - vs. 20
   
   The text says, 'Joseph considered this' - What was Joseph considering?  He was
   considering that he didn't want to shame Mary!  Wow!  Now that's character!  How would we have responded in the same situation?
   
   CONSIDER - 'To Deliberate, to Carefully Weigh One’s Actions'
   
   LIFE LESSON #2: When you are Slow to React, You Will Stay On Track.
   
   When situations don't go right, we need to be careful not to react, but to stop and patiently think through the situation. Passionate people need to learn not to be impetuous - while keeping their passion.
   
   
3. Quick to Obey - vs. 24
   
   In Matthew 1:20, God spoke to Joseph through an angel, but in Matthew 2:13-15 and Matthew 2:19-21 God spoke to Joseph through a dream.  Either way, God spoke and Joseph obeyed.  It would have been easy for Joseph to make excuses or come up with his own interpretation of the dream, but because of his character, he obeyed God.
   
   LIFE LESSON #3: We Don’t Live By "What Feels Good, Do It!"; We Live by "What God Says, DO IT!"
   
   Joseph had an assignment to impact lives.  The same holds true for all believers.  People's lives are impacted by how we live.  Live Right - Follow God's Word!  Joseph had character that counts!  Character that allowed him to trust God!  Your life can be an open book when you have the character that Joseph had.

CHALLENGE: If you never spoke a word, what message would your life give to those around you?  If there was a 'wiki-leak' on your life and the things you did in private were exposed, would you have some things to answer for; would it destroy you and your witness?  If you could never speak another word, would your life lead people to Christ; to God's mercy & grace?  Ask God to help you to bring glory and honour to Him through your life, both in public and in private.

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