The Fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom

'The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

Proverbs 15:33

Did you know that a soft answer will turn away wrath? Did you know that correction is grievous to a person that is forsaking the way of GOD? How about, a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance or a word spoken in due season is good! All of these and so many more instructions for a successful life can be found in this short 33 verse proverb. I have been reading a Proverb a day for several years but this year, I have done it off and on, so when I read Proverbs 15 this week, it was if I had read it for the first time. If we could only live as the LORD commands, we could have such rich and free lives. If you haven’t read Proverbs 15 lately I would encourage you to read this Proverb TODAY!!! The Proverb tells us everything to do that our carnal nature would rather us not do, such as: Giving a soft answer in an angry situation, and you may ask, “why would I want to do that…I’m mad!!” well because, soft answers turn away wrath and grievous words or words of contention, stir up anger. GOD’s word is so practical for living, if we would adhere to it, but GOD’s instructions are so contrary to what our flesh want’s to do. We want to get even, have the last sarcastic remark and we just don’t want to hear or heed wise counsel. Did you know that this Proverb says that he that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Why won’t we just listen? Well the only explanation that I can think of is that we just want to be unhappy and in a state of confusion and turmoil all of the time. Some people may feel that The Word of GOD is outdated; that it’s just not practical for today. When we refuse to heed GOD’s instruction, He is far from us. The Word of GOD says, “The LORD is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” It’s all here packed into one short but powerful Proverb. If we could just put into practice all of these intructions from the LORD, He would consider us a wise person. Many times in order to reach such a level of wisdom and contentment we will be required to become humble. The verse I used to title this message says, : “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” And when you really meditate on that verse in comparison to the Proverb as whole you will see that it takes humility to hold your tongue, or to accept reproof, correction and instruction. It takes humility to accept being poor in a worldly since and rejoice in being rich in the LORD. I truly appreciate the wisdom of Solomon for writing these inspired Words by GOD. I am sure that many of these wisdoms where probably lived out in his own life making this Proverb beautiful, heartfelt and strong.

Whatever state that you are in right now, this Proverb will speak to it. If we can just get to a level of understanding and trust in the LORD we would need less secular counselors and less medicating drugs. Instead of drowning out the problem, we can face it like soldiers of the Cross. I encourage you today to live in the wisdom of the LORD and trust fully in Him. As I have said before and will again many times over, that there may be times that you must Trust Him until it Hurts!!!

I pray GOD’s blessings upon you and that the SON of Righteousness Shine on you this day!!!

An Invitation To Rest

When is the last time you have experienced a true Sabbath? A time of just you and the LORD? Does this sound strange or archaic to you? To make sure that I am not being too presumptuous I would like to extended a "Praise the LORD" to those of you who actually do practice a Sabbath. I can’t remember the last time that I have practiced a Sabbath, I hope I have and maybe it just slipped my memory, but I doubt it. I will just say that as of last Sunday, November 2nd I actually rested in the LORD, all day long! It was an exciting time, one of the best days I have had with the LORD. I did'nt even plan on it in advance, I wanted the opportunity to take myself by surprise. You know how you can make big plans and then what happens? Well, they go awry of course! Well, as I said ,I hadn't planned on it, I just did it. I started early in the morning before anyone woke up and I had a beautiful time of prayer with the LORD. I sort of felt separated from everyone, it was a strange feeling, but I later I realized it was a type of sanctification. I didn’t quarantine myself from everyone or anything like that, I just had the mind of keeping my heart turned towards the LORD. We had services at the nursing home that Sunday and it was wonderful time of singing, preaching, praising and worshipping the LORD. When we got home, I continued my Sabbath by reading the WORD of GOD and I read and studied all day long. It was amazing, I was resting in the LORD and resting in HIS WORD.

You have know idea ( if you haven’t done it ) what the LORD will do when you yield yourself totally to HIM. I am currently writing a message that the LORD has laid on my heart and as I was continuing to write, the LORD gave me clarity of thought, he opened my understanding and my fingers could hardly keep up with my thoughts.

Here is the Challenge, as we are beginning to start our weekend ask the LORD to give you the desire to consecrate a day to Him this coming week and see if you will not be blessed beyond measure. WARNING!!!! The Flesh and the Devil DO NOT want this happened and will do anything within their power to stop it. The flesh just wants to have fun and seek after pleasures and desire for itself and Satan, well he just plain hates our Father and detests anything associated with HIM, therefore he knows the closer we get to the LORD, the stronger our armor will be and the hold he continually tries to have on the saints will grow weaker. Remember Ephesians 6:12,13 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

You know what? I enjoyed my Sabbath so much I think I'll do it again. Join me and be blessed!

As Always,
Simply Trusting
Tammy Martinez

New Month New Beginning

One of the most common challenges I hear from many of my Sister's - In - Christ is that they don't have time to study and then when they do have time they don't know what to study. My recommendations has frequently been to read a Proverbs a day and I have most recently added, reading 5 Psalms a day (1 Proverb & 5 Psalms.) Now if you really want to be challenged in a positive way add journaling to you daily reading. You can journal about each daily Proverb that you read and write down what that Proverbs means to you. One thing that I have done is to pick out a theme such as: find certain verses in each Proverbs that talks about Love, Child rearing, Wives, Enemies, A Foolish person, there are so many subjects that you could focus and write about. Psalms and Proverbs are such blessings but your study time should be considered more of a blessing and devotion time with the LORD than work. So today is still young and it won't even be late tomorrow, the key is to just get started. Once you commit yourself to doing this, you may find that continuing each month will yield a great amount of wisdom to your mind and growth to your spirit.

" Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

Psalms 37:4,5

Blessings,

Simply Trusting
Tammy Martinez