GOD GAVE SOLOMON WISDOM AND VERY GREAT INSIGHT,
AND A BREADTH OF UNDERSTANDING AS MEASURELESS
AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE.
( 1 KINGS 4:29 *NIV )


Today let us look at "How To Succeed In God's Eyes."
Through the Wisdom of Solomon, we will learn the qualities
that promote success and a good reputation, which should
be the goal of every Christian.

*God's Children should live a righteous life:
"RIGHTEOUSNESS GUARDS THE MAN OF INTEGRITY,
BUT WICKEDNESS OVERTHROWS THE SINNER."  
(PROVERBS 13:6 *NIV )

*We should hate all that is false:
"THE RIGHTEOUS HATE ALL THAT IS FALSE, BUT THE
WICKED BRING SHAME AND DISGRACE."
( PROVERBS 13:5 )

*Committing all your works into God's Hands:
"COMMITT TO THE LORD WHATEVER YOU DO, AND YOUR
PLANS WILL SUCCEED."   ( PROVERBS 16:3 )

*Restrain your words, and keep from losing your temper:
"A MAN OF KNOWLEDGE USES WORDS WITH RESTRAINT
AND A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING IS EVEN-TEMPERED."
( PROVERBS 17:27 )

*Seek wisdom and understanding:
"HE WHO GETS WISDOM LOVES HIS OWN SOUL; HE
WHO CHERISHES UNDERSTANDING PROSPERS."
( PROVERBS 19:8 )

*Always be truthful:
"A FALSE WITNESS WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED, AND
HE WHO POURS OUT LIES WILL NOT GO FREE."
( PROVERBS 19:5 )

*Be humble and revere the Lord:
"HUMILITY AND THE [*FEAR] OF THE LORD BRING
WEALTH AND HONOR AND LIFE."   ( PROVERBS 22:4 )
[*Fear as used here means reverence!]

*Always be willing to confess and renounce sin.
"HE WHO CONCEALS HIS SIN DOES NOT PROSPER,
BUT WHOEVER CONFESSES AND RENOUNCES THEM
FINDS MERCY."   ( PROVERBS 28:13 )

Other verses that deal with one's reputation,
as found in the Book of  PROVERBS, are 11:10 & 16;  14:3;
19:10;  22:1;  23:17;  18:24; 13:14.

Removing Hindrances

"But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:18-19).
I was in another country and had just completed a teaching on how spiritual strongholds (2 Cor 10:4) can hinder us from fulfilling our destinies. A woman approached me at the end of the meeting and asked me if I could join her and her friend for lunch so that she could learn more. I just happened to be available, so I agree to join them. I noticed the woman was slightly overweight and exhibited extremely high energy and was aggressive.
Before she began asking me questions I asked her to tell me about her relationship she had with her father. "Why in the world would you ask me such a question? What does that have to do with spiritual strongholds?" I pressed her for the answer to my question.
"I have an awful relationship with my father. He says I'm fat and that I'll never amount to anything." I responded gently to her statement: "Jennifer, you have a generational stronghold of rejection. You try to mask it by trying to be successful in business. Your aggressive nature is rooted in a fear of failure because you've lived your whole life trying to win the approval of your father through performance. I want you to know you are totally loved and accepted by your Heavenly Father. You can stop trying to win his favor."
Immediately, she began to weep in the middle of the restaurant. Her friend was intrigued by what was I was saying. "No one has ever told me this but what you say is true." We prayed for God to destroy the stronghold of fear and rejection in her life through the blood of Jesus Christ.
She walked out of the restaurant that day with a new sense of love and acceptance.

IT IS WRITTEN, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD 
ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS 
FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.
( MATTHEW 4:4 * NKJV )

Just as we need food to sustain our human body,
we also need spiritual food to sustain our Spiritual
body as well!

Now a good meal should consist of vitamins and
minerals, and perhaps a dessert.  So today we will
look at Biblical Vitamins for our Spiritual well being.

When Anxious, take vitamin "A"
ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO
THOSE WHO LOVE WHO LOVE GOD, TO THOSE
WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
( ROMANS 8:28 )

When Crushed, take vitamin "C"
CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM, FOR HE 
CARES FOR YOU.   ( 1 PETER 5:7 )

When Depressed, take vitamin "D"
DRAW NEAR TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR
TO YOU.   ( JAMES 4:8 )

When Empty, take vitamin "E"
ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING,
AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE.  BE
THANKFUL TO HIM, AND BLESS HIS NAME.
( PSALM 100:4 )

When Fearful, take vitamin "F"
FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU, DO NOT BE 
AFRAID, FOR I AM YOUR GOD.   ( ISAIAH 41:10 )

When Greedy, take vitamin "G"
GIVE, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; GOOD 
MEASURE, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER,
AND RUNNING OVER WILL BE PUT INTO YOUR
LAP.  FOR WITH THE SAME MEASURE THAT YOU
USE, IT WILL BE MEASURED BACK TO YOU.
(LUKE 6:38 )

When Insecure, take vitamin "I"
I CAN DO ALL THING THROUGH HIM WHO 
STRENGTHENS ME.   ( PHILIPPIANS 4:13 )

When Lonely, take vitamin "L"
LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END 
OF THE AGE.   MATTHEW 28:20 )

When Restless, take vitamin "R"
REST IN THE LORD, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR 
HIM.   ( PSALM 37:7 )

For Dessert
WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH
BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!   ( JOHN 3:15 )

Now, it is my hope that you have enjoyed
this meal of Spiritual food.  Remember that you may have 
all you want, for it is guaranteed to be non-fattening!

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us. 

Be blessed in Jesus name ...