Increase Your Faith

The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NET)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

The greatest gift anyone can give is forgiveness. Without a doubt, we all need it, but equally without doubt, we can all give it. The only sin Father God refuses to nullify in life of the New Testament believer is unforgiveness. Forgiveness is sacrosanct and absolutely required for everyone who names the Name of the Lord.

Forgiveness means that once an offense is abrogated it is never to be spoken of again. If I’m still talking about the hurt or the offense, I am not operating in the spiritual force of forgiveness. We must forgive others the way Jesus has forgiven us. Once forgiven, He never reminds us of out shortcomings. He casts our sins in the sea of forgetfulness to remember them no more.

So, give the gift of forgiveness today and move on with your love life. Give and it shall be given to you pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall men pour into your bosom.

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The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 (NET)

Pastor’s Commentary:

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)

How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust…Psalm 40:4 (NASB)

The Blessing of the Lord is released in our lives when we completely trust in Him, not the other way around. In other words, we cannot obtain the Blessing, and based on the results thereof, determine that we can trust God. So many people think that’s the way to success and prosperity. They believe they can live any kind of morally deficient life, rebel against God and His Word, and still enjoy the fruits of the Blessing.

But, trust (faith) comes by continually hearing the Word of God until we have confidence to obey and act on it. It’s the acting on or obeying of His Word that is, in essence, the Blessing. Moses said, “Carefully obey the Lord your God, and faithfully follow all his commands that I’m giving you today. If you do, the Lord your God will place you high above all the other nations in the world. These are all the blessings that will come to you and stay close to you because you obey the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 GWT)

Determine today that no matter what you feel, see, or hear that is contrary to God’s promises, you will completely trust in the Lord. For the Scripture says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5 NASB) Selah!

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Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. Proverbs 14:7 (NET)

Pastor’s Commentary:

The one who associates with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NET)

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! Psalm 14:1 (NLT)

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:21-23 (NLT)

The Law of Association is an immutable and permanent principle in the Universe. As spirit beings, we are all influenced by it.

In essence, the law says we become what we surround ourselves with. The longer we are around people of any ilk, we eventually become just like them. The Lord asked Amos, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (Amos 3:3 NLT) The answer is a resounding no. Therefore, people who associate with fools are, at some level, endorsing foolishness as a way of life.The old adage that “birds of a feather flock together” is quite true.

The Apostle Paul instructs us in Scripture saying, “Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols?…” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16 NET)

Likewise we may ask, what does a wise person have in common with a fool? Absolutely nothing! Foolishness is not just an evil that Jesus put in same category as adultery and murder, it is a spiritual and psychological contagion. The longer you put up with foolishness the harder it will be to hear the Voice of the Lord, who is the embodiment of Wisdom.

If you ever discover that you are having a hard time comprehending scriptural principles, it may not be an issue of reading/listening comprehension. Look around your life carefully. There may be a fool in your midst. If so, leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. And remember: a companion of fools suffers harm.

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Too much pride brings disgrace; humility leads to honor. Proverbs 29:23 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. (1 Peter 5:6 NLT)

Biblical humility has nothing to do with self-deprecation and low self-esteem. It has everything to do with complete, unquestioned obedience to God and His Word. As far as God is concerned, a person of few means who speaks softly and never boasts on himself, but lives in disobedience, is proud and stiff-necked. By contrast, the boisterous and flamboyant person who strictly obeys the edicts of the Lord is considered humble. This is quite the opposite of the way the world views things. Obedience is more important to God than any other quality known to men.

Biblical humility always leads to honor. The word honor in ancient Hebrew has the connotation of that which has great weight or heaviness, hence of great importance. The Scripture tells us that people who humbles themselves before God in utter obedience will have great weight and importance placed on them by none other than the King of kings Himself. God will take note of that man or woman and promote them. Biblical humility is the way to sustained and secured promotion.

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A curse you don’t deserve will take wings and fly away like a sparrow or a swallow. Proverbs 26:2 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13 NLT)

According to today’s Wisdom verse, any curse you don’t deserve must must take wings and fly away from you. Praise God! Because of Christ Jesus, there’s no such thing as a deserved curse for the believer. Jesus became the curse for us at Calvary so that no aspect of the curse, in any way, shape or form, could legally attach itself to the New Testament Disciple.

If any manifestation of the curse of the law (see Deuteronomy 15-68 NLT) attempts to attach itself to you, tell satan to take it back in the Name of Jesus Christ and resist it based on the Word of the Living God. You are blessed beyond every curse! Say “Amen” to that.

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If you stop learning, you will forget what you already know. Proverbs 19:27 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

There is nothing more important than the constant study of the Word. It’s the only way we can learn (know and understand) the ways of God.

When we stop learning, we lose everything we had previously mastered. That’s why the Scripture tells us that faith comes by hearing…not by having heard. Jesus said, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Mark 4:24-25 NLT)

Don’t let satan rob you! Spend time everyday studying, meditating, and learning the Word of Almighty God. It’s the only way to protect the level of faith and understanding you have attained.

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Fools have no desire to learn; they would much rather give their own opinion. Proverbs 18:2 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. Matthew 7:6 (NLT)

Let the Holy Spirit lead you in witnessing and sharing the Gospel. Sadly, there are many fools and nominal Christians who only want to engage in philosophical debates and frustrate you. Never get in an argument with certified fools over the Word of the Living God. They would much rather give their own opinion as opposed to hearing the Truth and being saved.

Ask the Holy Spirit daily to lead you to people He has prepared to hear the life-changing Word of God.

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If you obey the Lord, you won’t go hungry; if you are wicked, God won’t let you have what you want. Proverbs 10:3 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Do what the Lord wants, and He will give you your heart’s desire. (Psalm 37:4 CEV)

But if you remain in Me and My Words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! (John 15:7 NLT)

To Him Who by means of His power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of… (Ephesians 3:20 GNT)

What a contrast! God let’s the righteous have WHATEVER he or she wants. Meanwhile, He frustrates the desires of the wicked; they never get what they pursue.

It pays to be holy and righteous! Doesn’t it?

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Obey me, and you will live! Let my instructions be your greatest treasure. Proverbs 7:2 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Obedience is the key to success in Christ. God prizes nothing more because obedience is proof of our trust or faith in Him, and it is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6 NLT)

Listen to the Prophet Samuel’s take on the subject. He said, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22 NLT)

If you truly want to submit a worthy sacrifice to the Lord, obey Him in everything He commands.

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When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it— But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out. Proverbs 28:2 (MSG)

Pastor’s Commentary:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT)

Remember to pray for your country and its leaders today!

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