Good morning people who do not delay on what God says to do now.

Proverbs 14:23 MEV In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

There is a reason that Paul writes about the work of the ministry in Ephesians 4:12, because ministry is often hard work.

But the work of the ministry is not fruitless or futile work. When done in God’s will and in God’s timing, there is always much fruit. We might not always naturally see the results that we expect, but God is working when we are truly and humbly working with Him.

Today’s verse tells us that mere talk leads only to poverty. This word poverty means deficiency, impoverishment, lack, need. Let’s lean in my friends.

For some who are reading this today, I feel that Father is highlighting the things that Father has called you to do. While there is the future timing of God to some of what He says, there is also the reality that we can delay what Father has called us to do now.

Sometimes we talk about what we should act upon.  

When we delay what we should obey now, we will live in deficiency and lack. Think about this. Sure, it may be easier not obeying God now, but it’s never better. There is always available grace from God to do what He calls us to do, when He calls us to do it.

Are there some things from God that He wants you to move from mere talking into profitable labour?

May we all keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

Good morning people who rely upon the Spirit of wisdom and revelation for godly living.

Proverbs 14:15 MEV The simple believes every word, but the prudent man considers his steps.

I hear the Lord say, “A bit more wisdom is required in your walking.”

I am reminded of what the Lord has said to me many times over recent years: “Not everything that gets your attention should be given your attention.”

Oh, how true both of these statements are!

We are not called to explore every matter that gets our attention. Because we are interested in something is not enough reason to chase after it, search it our or to believe it. While the internet can be a great source of helpful information, many times it is a sewer of harmful nonsense (was that clear enough?).

It is the simple person – the foolish and naïve person – who believes everything that they hear. We really need to talk about this more today. Not everything that sounds convincing should convince us.

It is the prudent person – the sensible person – who considers their steps before they take them. The word considers here is the all-important word. to separate mentally; to distinguish. We have talked about this before, and we will talk about it more and more. It is a game-changer in our world today; the ability to separate and distinguish between truth and lies, between light and darkness, and between right and wrong.

God is truth and God’s Word is truth. And as we live carefully through listening to both, we will walk under the smile and in the favour of God.

Good morning people who do not measure your life part way through your journey.

Proverbs 14:12 MEV There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Too many people judge and conclude a matter part way through. Like the verse that we read yesterday, people often measure by the size of their house now, and not by the mansion that Father is preparing for us in eternity.

Many people believe a lie as if it were the truth. This, by its very definition, is called deception. It is very dangerous and it is very common.

Self-interpreting what is right and wrong is not the biblical way. In fact, putting every thought, word, action and decision through the sieve and authority of God’s Word is the only right way to live. This might not always seem right to people, but it is the only way that leads to life and life more abundant.

There are many people today who are pursuing a way that will end in destruction. This is hard to write because it is so confronting. I wish it were different, but then again, this would only add to the problems that we see all around us.

The world’s way is wrong. Man’s way is wrong. God’s way is right – it always has been, and it always will be.

Are you living now for now, or are you making decisions now from the priority of eternity?

Good morning people who measure according to what is important to God.

Proverbs 14:11 MEV The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

I love how God’s Word can speak to us on multiple levels. God can speak to the crowd and to the individual similataneously. God can speak one truth to one person, while at the same time, speaking a different truth to another. Our God is very good at multi-tasking!

Today, I see something very insightful in this verse, and it is found in the words house and tent.

As I read this verse, I’m drawn to the reality that a house is normally larger than a tent, and a house is more permanent than a tent. For most, a house is better than a tent.

And that got me thinking. Isn’t it true that often we can feel that things seem to go better for some who don’t know Christ, while it can be a struggle for many who do. It can also appear that some wicked people are “flourishing”, while many believers are more familiar with less.

Paul himself talked about the times when he was well-fed, but also times when he was hungry. He talked about seasons of having plenty, but also of being in lack. Maybe you relate to Paul’s confession. But this same Paul said that he had learnt the secret of being content in any and in every season.

How could he do this?

Because Paul absolutely knew that this life is but a vapour and a mist; it is fleeting and it is passing. Therefore, it’s not about the size of what we have here and now, but rather, it is about what we are living for and building for.

Sure, the house of the wicked might look flashy while you are living in a tent, but their house will be overthrown. Your tent will flourish as you set your heart to live according to the righteousness of God! You win!

Good morning people who are willing to walk through mess to see God’s will be done.

Proverbs 14:4 MEV Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

The Christian life is more synonymous with a battle ship than it is a cruise liner. The unfortunate reality is that most of us would understandably prefer the cruise liner to the battle ship.

The imagery seen in the verse today paints a vivid picture. The setting is an agriculture one where you have some oxen. The purpose of the oxen is their strength in what they do. They can achieve a lot more than a person could by themselves. As the scripture says, there is much increase by the strength of the ox.

While the results are wonderful, the process of keeping oxen is not so pleasant. Living things produce mess – literally – and this mess is not nice to clean up. Personally, I have a very weak stomach. Certain smells are offensive to my nose (can anyone relate?).

But without the guarantee of the mess, you cannot have the guarantee of the increase.

We have signed up to the kingdom of God. We are part of the family of God, and families can be messy. We are called to walk worthy of our calling, and at times, this walking is through the valley of the shadow of death.

And then there is the mess that is not so much about wrong things being done, but about all the requirements associated with extending the kingdom of God. Whether it be running or involved in a church, a business or a ministry, increase comes with the much that needs to be done.

So, my prayer today is this:

“Father, help us to rightly see what is needed in order to walk in Your intended increase and fruitfulness. May we have Your grace and wisdom in order to keep in step what Your Holy Spirit.”

Like Jesus, may we also keep our eyes on the joy that is set before us.