“A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.” Proverbs 14:25 NKJV
Deliverance, integrity, truth – topics heavy in my mind lately and this short and simple verse speaks volumes into these concepts. As humans, these ideas are often bound and interchanged with a set time. This verse is set, continually, in the present tense – It is always for right now, so maybe it actually isn’t bound inside time we our thoughts often are.
Dear Heavenly Father – As always, please open eye to see and our ears to hear what you are saying! Lord – open our understanding that we may know you. Please do not let us miss out on what you want and need from us today. And please keep us and bless us and shine your face upon us and pour out grace over us and give us peace! Thank you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Today’s reading is from the book of Proverbs, chapters 13-15 (embedded below the image below for your convenience). Maybe we are reading too much wisdom lately. Maybe, because I am busy, I am just not thinking as sharply and wandering off into some vague areas. My plate is full lately and I am trying to do it all. Then my computer which is new and recently upgraded by an IT guy, crashes into a frozen black screen after 5000 (apparently) unsaved words – and what is already a challenge has become next to impossible.
I share this because – GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED. GOD IS GOOD.
I will come out of this able to witness that when I am weak He is indeed capable and able and not restricted by time as we are. And we shall be delivered from the oppression of time constraints just as we are delivered from all oppressions. What if this spirit of Busy is just lying to us?! And distracting us from what God has.
And what of these “Lies” in this opening verse?
Did I tell you I was at a deliverance service not too long ago? I geek out over deliverance just as much as grace (they are immensely connected). So, when the alter call was opened – of course I went forward. I want to be where God is moving! Besides, with the new business, the ministry, the living by faith, and all that I have going on – I could use all the prayer I can get!
The man, at first grouped me with the family next to me and he could not tell which of all of us had a specific sin. We all looked back at him confused. Not us.
So he went on listening to the voice which he listens to and listing sin after sin and left us all standing there looking at him blankly. He gave up and just prayed with the family – but the pastor stepped in and talked and prayed with the family.
The man came to me and things got very inappropriate – quickly. First, my pastor said this man with a deliverance ministry would only pray with each of us WITH OUR PASTOR. But our pastor was still with the family – so this man should be waiting. But it would be just as out of turn if I corrected him, so I did not. (but if not my pastor he should have called over a woman from my congregation to pray with us.) Second, he couldn’t get a clear word – so do not. Do not do harm and guess and confuse – chaos if NOT of God. He said I have a strong walk with the Lord and God hears me and we have a real relationship. (How many verses can we pull out of the gospels and Acts where Demons are in the presence of someone with the gift of discernment and knowledge and they are compelled to begin by acknowledging them? Spoiler alert – I am marked by my father and I am a force for demons to fear. I understand the authority given to me and I understand the process by which Jesus and the apostles delivered people. So, feel free to call me out, because all it does is confirm who you are.)
The man then spoke of my past sins – things I have been freed from so long ago, I almost forgot. In hindsight, this other family was being accused of sins that were also from that same (long long ago) time period in my life. I had forgotten. AND I KNOW MY FATHER HAD FORGOTTEN – because that is the kind of forgiveness He gives!
So who is this bringing up the past? Who is this calling me out? The man then accused me of sexual immorality. Well, it is true – there is a more recent sin which was also a sin back then. BUT I am a single middle aged church woman and he is a slightly older middle aged man speaking alone with me and wants to pray with me. Oh LORD! The level of out of order!!! I am about to lay hands on him and cast it out – but God tells me to stay in line. Keep His order. So I stay silent in tears – cause we all know I cry over everything!
So he asked to pray with me and during him praying he told me to stop praying and just receive. I don’t download onto my computer without an antivirus running – why would I download from the spirit world without my God filtering and protecting me?
I may have told you before – but since this happened, I have struggled with this “busy” and time oppressing me. Since I have boyfriend from that same past time period trying to reach out to me. (my only confirmation that what the deliverance man spoke over me is true is that of old repented of sins which no longer tempt me and men who are evil? This is not how my father works. I know my father’s voice and ways. ) So I am still bothered by such an experience happening in my church.
I also need to reiterate that there is a knowing that is – but it is not of God. Demons live in time and can tell you all that has been. They can guess about future events based on past patterned and the fact that they know more details about any given situation because they have a better information google than we humans do. Only God is timeless and all knowing. No demon can tell me my secret thoughts – but My God can.
So in the US where emails with truths are leaked and lies are exposed –
Where last week those who do not where a mask are looked at and questions for their integrity and people call Christians who are maskless and unvaccinated are called liars –
In light of the glorious truths, God has made a way for our integrity to no longer be in question but the true liar exposed. Again, I must reiterate with this opening verse.
IT IS TIME. Do not come to me with your prophetic dream and tell me of the work I have completed…. The word is not for me – I was in your dream, but it is time for you! Do not come and tell me it will rain in some prophetic concept when I stand here drenched in the spirit telling you to step out into it.
Is it God propelling me? IS it my own flesh, so sick and tired of being reserved? Where is the fire, God?! I know if will scare them, they aren’t ready. What about you, who read this daily?! Are you ready to call out the liar as being of the devil?! Are you ready to shine light on truths?! Are you ready to be a witness in truth?
Because they were warned that it was time and so were you – I said so repeatedly. If they did not jump on board and ready themselves as brides waiting for their groom, they will miss out. But I feel pushed forward in so many areas and I know what truth will do. I am too tired to play. There is so much work to be done.
God will send me a helper. Look beyond my flesh and this world. Look with eyes in the spirit. Oh it is time!
Most importantly – those who do not yet… it is time to have a relationship with God through Christ Jesus.
RELATIONSHIP:
Do you already have a relationship with a powerful God who cares about your every need because He loves you? Did you know my God can communicate with you and protect you – He has a plan for you to prosper if you just submit to His will and let His plan play out in your life!!! God wants a relationship with you and has already made a plan for your life. He loves you so much He sent His son to this world, to die as a sacrifice for your sins and rise from death with victory over sin and the ability to have a personal relationship with you.
“9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Here is a prayer for you to pray:
Jesus, I believe you are the way, the truth, the life, and the only way to the Father. I believe you are the son of God, you came to Earth and lived. That you died on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins, and rose again so that I may be saved from my sins and be able to get to know you. I declare: Jesus, you are Lord!
Therefore, I confess that I am a sinner and I ask that you forgive me of my sins and come into my life. Help me to turn away from my sins and transform me into what you have lovingly created me to be. Help me through a real personal relationship grow and accept your will for my life – that I may live in your blessings. Please walk with me, and talk with me – I accept a relationship with you and with our Father God, through you. In the name of Jesus I pray ~ Amen
MEMORY WORK: Mark 16:17-18 – This month is month two of the two for one special!!!
NKJV – “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
NAS – “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
ESV – “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
NLT – “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
NIV – “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Thank you for reading.
May the God of peace keep you and bless you. May you stay focused on Christ and covered in grace.
Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
BIBLE READING: Proverbs 13-15 NKJV
Wisdom Loves Righteousness
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding [a]gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who [b]disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 Much food is in the [c]fallow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is [d]waste.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him [e]promptly.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
The Ways of Life and Death
14 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the [f]trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie,
But a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,
When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at [g]sin,
But among the upright there is favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And the end of mirth may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied [h]from above.
15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But [i]the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [j]idle chatter leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness [k]delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is [l]impulsive exalts folly.
30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But the righteous has a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [m]reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.
A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A [n]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who [o]receives correction is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise [p]disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell[q] and [r]Destruction are before the Lord;
So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful [s]countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of [t]herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of [u]discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken [v]in due season, how good it is!
24 The way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may turn away from [w]hell below.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones [x]healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:15 gives
- Proverbs 13:18 Lit. ignores
- Proverbs 13:23 uncultivated
- Proverbs 13:23 Lit. what is swept away
- Proverbs 13:24 early
- Proverbs 14:4 manger or feed trough
- Proverbs 14:9 Lit. guilt
- Proverbs 14:14 Lit. from above himself
- Proverbs 14:20 Lit. many are the lovers of the rich
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit. talk of the lips
- Proverbs 14:25 saves lives
- Proverbs 14:29 Lit. short of spirit
- Proverbs 14:34 shame or disgrace
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit. healing
- Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps
- Proverbs 15:7 spread
- Proverbs 15:11 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:11 Heb. Abaddon
- Proverbs 15:13 face
- Proverbs 15:17 Or vegetables
- Proverbs 15:21 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit. in its time
- Proverbs 15:24 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit. fat
If Not For Grace 