Words of Encouragement - Archived message

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. Proverbs 12:1-2



The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. Proverbs 12:5-6

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. Proverbs 12:13-14


The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:19-22


This entire chapter 12 of Proverbs is comparing two types of people. The first is a righteous man (or woman). Let's list the characteristics of the righteous person.


1. Loves instruction - Means that not only will you take instruction but you have a great desire to have instruction, even if it hurts to take it. Because you know that the reward for taking instruction is knowledge from God about godly things.


2. Right thinking - Means that you are conforming your thoughts to be godly. What would God have you to do in any given situation? Because the reward for right thinking, is godly living or holy living.

3. Speak words of deliverance - Means that the word from your mouth are to encourage, to correct when correction is needed, to speak truth at all times. Because as you do this, you will help those that need deliverance from sin or what keeps them down. And your reward is that you bring about the work of God in your life.


4. Delivered from trouble - This means that as you follow God, He will deliver you from the snares and traps that the enemy tries to set for you. And your reward is being in the safety of God.


5. Your words of truth shall last - When you speak the truth of God, it will not go to nothing. For God's truth is eternal. Your reward is that you can be established in God's word.


6. No evil shall happen to the Just - God will reward you with His peace and His joy, to those that follow Him. The just are a delight (pleasure) to the Lord. He is the protector of those that obey Him. Your reward is you can be secure in God's power and in His will.


Now the other person listed in this chapter is the wicked man. Let's see what happens to him.


1.Wicked are comdemned - When a person refuses to except God's instruction, he is refusing to follow after the things of God and his lot for this action is condemation. That also means even as you walk this life, your action will not be blessed by God. So you are condemned here in this earth, as well as condemned eternally.


2. You are deceitful - If your thoughts and actions are pure and truthful, you are being deceitful. You are planning ways to trick or misprepresent something. Scripture says that you are lying in wait to take blood. Well even if you are not killing in the flesh, you can be killing the spirit, or killing the name. This will bring to you, God's disapproval. For He knows what you are doing and He knows the heart of man.


3. You are caught in your lies - Scripture tells us that those that deceive or lie, will be caught in their own lies. Yes a person may go a long time and not be known, but God knows from the very moment that the thought is formed in your mind. You will receive for this action, God's judgement. For God is all knowing and all seeing. He knows all that we think or do. And God's truth will shine light on the lies of the lips.


4. You will be filled with mischief - As I read this scripture it struck me two ways. First the wicked will have in their hearts mischief (conduct that annoys or vexes, trouble, damage, harm). They will do things that destroy, bring about trouble, annoy people, or as the older generation said, vex people. Damage relationships and harm people. So the scripture says they are filled. The other thought that crossed my mind is that just as the righteous is filled with peace and joy because of obeying, then the wicked is filled with trouble in their own lives, they are damaging themselves and their relationships with others, the are doing harm to themselves spiritually and vexing their own spirit. So the resolute of this behavior is no peace or joy in their lives. They are filled with worry, and trouble.



So what is this scripture telling us. That their is no behavior that goes unnoticed by God. He rewards those that are faithful to Him, and he punishes those that disobey Him. He gives us warning and if we make the decision not to follow, then we choose what we will receive, punishment or promises.


So today, let's check ourselves and make sure we are on the right side of this Proverb so that we can receive God's promises and not God's punishments.


Prayer: Lord help us to live righteous, holy lives. Help us to live in a way that is pleasing to you and in doing so, we become avenues for others to see your work in his people and in the world. Help us to flee from any unrighteousness that would cause us harm and harm to our witness. This is our prayer, Amen.

The Week in Review

Psalm 133 - a Psalm of Harmony

Notes from the Show Yourself Friendly Retreat - February 21, 2009 (Part 2)

Harmony – agreement in feeling or opinion, accord.

This harmony means we are united. We are united in our purpose, which ultimately is pleasing to God. He calls us to love him, first and then to love one another. We are also in agreement with the plan of God. We want to walk together in brotherly love and share in the mission of Christ together. We have the same feelings one for the other. That feeling is love. Which in this context is more than feeling but a choice we make to love.

We are on one accord in our purpose. This means we seek what is best for the other’s welfare; we promote one another, and we delight in each other’s accomplishments. That means I don’t get jealous because you achieve success or something good in your life. In fact I learn to rejoice with you when you rejoice and I feel your sorrows when you are sorrowful. However, there are things that stand in our way of living out this mandate to be harmonious in our lives one toward the other.

What are some things that destroy harmony?

Quarrelling (Proverbs 17:13-15; Proverbs 17:18-20; Proverbs 13:9-11; Proverbs 25:17-19; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 20:3; Proverbs 21:9, 19; Proverbs 22:10; Proverbs 25:24; Proverbs 26:17; Proverbs 26:20-21; Isaiah 58:4; Isaiah 45:9; 1 Cor 3:3; 2 Tim 2:23-24; Titus 3:9, James 4:1-2)


If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both. – Proverbs 17:13-15


You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? – 1 Corinthians 3:3

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife… Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 21:9, 19


Devouring one another (demolish, destroy, consuming each other with our negative emotions) – Exodus 15:9; Psalm 83:4; Proverb 11:9; Proverbs 11:11; Galatians 5:14-16

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. – Galatians 5:14-16

With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape – Proverbs 11:9

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. -Proverbs 11:11


Lying about each other (false witness) – psalm 5:6, psalm 10:7; psalm 62:3-4; psalm 119:69; proverbs 6:8-9; proverbs 19:9; Deuteronomy 19:17-19, Proverbs 14:5-6


A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. – Proverbs 14:5-6


How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. – Psalm 62:3-4

Let me give you a footnote here. We often want to defend ourselves against the lies told against us and it is hard not to try and stop the rumors. Yet, we must take comfort in these next scriptures about what God will do to the liars in your life.

the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. – Deuteronomy 19:17-19


You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. – Psalm 5:6

Envy – (resentment, jealousy, spite, desired what he had) proverbs 14:30, Mark 7:21-23, Mark 15:10; Galatians 5:21, 26; Philippians 1:14-16; Titus 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:3-5; James 3:14-16; 1 Peter 2:1-3


knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. – Mark 15:10 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God… Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. – Galatians 5:21, 26

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy (greed/jealousy/spite/resentment) and rivalry (competition), but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. – Philippians 1:14-16

-------FINAL POINT--------


We’ve looked at the negative influences that keep us from being in unity with one another. Let me ask you a few question before we move on.


===Do you have control of the person that sits next to you in church?


===Do you have control of your husband?


===Do you have control of your kids, friends, co-workers?


===Do you have control of yourself?


The point to these questions is, you and I do not have control over what anyone else will do. We really don’t even have control over ourselves without the help of the Holy Spirit helping us to do what is right. The point? At some pivot moment we have to acknowledge these negative behaviors from others but we cannot allow them to keep us from doing what is right.


Come back next week for the next installment

The Week in Review

S A L A V A T I O N

                                                                                                                                S Is for the sin that you are washed clean of

A Is for the almighty, who forgave you from above

L Is for the love he showers on you

V Is for the victory given so true

A Is for always the Lord stands strong

T Is for how he turned your pain into a song

I Is for the innerman he has blessed

O Is for on his strength I can rest

N Is for the new creature, doing God’s best


Written by Min. Jewel D. Williams

Words of Encouragement

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; - Psalm 98:1-4

As I read this scripture I began to think of how the writer expresses his love for God.  The writer first tells us to sing a new song unto the Lord. What should be in this song? And why should we sing it?

It should express our gratitude for the great things God has done in our lives. One of those wonderful things that God has done is given us the gift of salvation. God did not stop there.  He offers salvation and then he makes it known to the world.

This song expresses how God remembered his promises to the people of God (Israel).  It was through this promise that God used the one nation to bless the many. It was through the people of Israel that he sent out to be the light to the nations.

God has always been a sending God. He sent his one and only Son for the many to become his sons and daughters. This is what this song we sing should be about. That God has a plan for us to be in a right relationship with him. He sent Israel to show the world what it was like to be the people of God. He sent his Son to show us how to become the people of God.

Now he wants to send you and I into the world to be the light of one for the many that are still lost in darkness. He wants us to share the light of his Son in us and then he will draw them unto himself. When we are willing to be sent to tell the world of God's blessing we help others to be able to then sing this new song.  This song of salvation and this song of deliverance.

This week I challenge you, who will you be willing to show the light of Christ to?  He is God sending you to?  And when you go, go singing your own song of deliverance and salvation.

Prayer: Lord today we are thankful for your gift of salvation. We are thankful that you were always seeking us to be in a right relationship with you.  Help us to do things your way and when we do, we can be the light you want us to be to the darkened world.  Help me this week to share the good news to someone that is in need of you. This I pray, Amen.

The Week in Review

Psalm 133 - a Psalm of Harmony

Notes from the Show Yourself Friendly Retreat - February 21, 2009

Psalm 133 (New living translation)

(1) How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (2) For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. (3) Harmony is as refreshing as the dew (4) from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. (5) And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

To live in harmony means we are one in purpose, feeling and action. We have chosen to love in spite of what the situations, circumstances or surroundings look like. We have decided to follow the example of the triune God on what it looks like to be in harmony.

The Triune God shows us that we must be:
One in purpose
Uniquely different, but uniquely blended
One is not greater than the other
They all work for the fulfillment of the other



Jesus said when you see me, you have seen my Father. So when you see me, you should also see the Father in me. I cannot be in harmony with you, without first being in harmony with God. This scripture says it is wonderful and pleasant to live together in harmony this is so because this is what pleases God. He mandates it so we have to learn to live it.


Scripture tells us harmony is like precious oil. The precious oil...

· Is Fragrant – you can smell the fragrance and it is pleasant. We should be a sweet smell first in the nostril of God but then our love for one another should be a sweet smell to others.

· Is Plentiful –it was so much oil it ran down Aaron’s head. Our love should be like pouring sweet oil over someone so they are completely covered in our love not our bitterness and backbiting.


· Is Consecrated / Holy - The priest had to be set aside first with the anointing of oil. We cannot be set aside until God’s anointing is upon us and then we can go forth and live in harmony, which is to show forth the love of God to others.

· Is Costly – It was a great price to prepare the oil. Yet this was God’s requirement. It had to be done his way. It cost Christ a great price to present us with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Yet it is God’s requirement so we can be his vessels of honor to show his love to each other.

· Is Empowering - Aaron did not have the ability to stand before God before he was anointed with the oil and had followed God’s procedures. When we follow God’s way and allow his love to dwell within our hearts we are empowered to love, to forgive, to seek the best in others and live in harmony with one another. If we are not empower and cannot live with each other, do we need to check ourselves and see just where we stand before God.


Scripture tells us that living in harmony is like dew
…Harmony is as refreshing as the dew…

· Is Abundant – the dew falls in multiple droplets, so many we cannot count them. Therefore we are to seek to live with one another without number. We should not keep account of how often we have to forgive a brother or sister. We do it from the abundance of love within our heart.

· Is Refreshing – Like a cool mist that cools you on a summer day, we should be that refreshing element to those situations that would cause others to be “heated”. We don’t go into situations causing havoc instead we come in and bring the cooling effect so that we can live in harmony in the situations.

· Is Fruitful – The dew causes that which it falls on to grow. Our love should be that which allows others to grow. We become the water to the seeds in each other’s lives. Our gifts are not for ourselves but to help equip others for the work God has for them.


…as the dew from the Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion…

Dew of Hermon - a common hill – This is brotherly love in our civil, everyday lives. This is our relationship with friends, the gossiping co-workers, how we treat people we meet, and the nasty neighbors. If we are willing to show ourselves friendly in our common areas we become like dew that pours off the Mount Hermon (our common places) and it falls on the mountains of Zion. What does that mean?


Mountains of Zion represent A holy hill – In scripture we see often how the writers say this is the place where God dwells. So this means when we show ourselves friendly first in our common areas that dew that was poured out there can contribute greatly to the fruitfulness of sacred relationships. We are called to show ourselves friendly so that we can be like dew upon the unsaved, that they may shift to being our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to love both those in our churches but also those that are not part of the family. God requires this because then we become what he wants us to be, reconciling others to him. It is important to understand that both Hermon and Zion will wither without dew. If we do not live in harmony both the relationship in our common places and our sacred places will die, they need watering.


Finally, Living in harmony brings blessings.

…And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting…

If we want to receive blessings from God we have to be willing to do things his way. His mandate is for you and I to live in harmony. First with him and then with each other. Let us say together, How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

The Week in Review

Where He Goes I’ll Follow

I said to the Lord “This road I do not know
Where does it lead, where will it go?”
Can its destiny to me you please show.


And in his voice of wisdom he spoke,
“Do not fear,
be ye of good cheer.

I will never leave you alone.
The way to you will be shown.”


I asked him then,
“The way I am to go, you will tell me when?”


This is frightening, I must admit.
“Answer please my King”, my prayer I submit.


And answer he did.
He said, “Do not fear,
be ye of good cheer.

I am the way, the truth and the light.
I will show you what is right.


I will light your path. Now look down my child”
I looked down,
A set of footprints were before me on the ground

This way I had not walked before,
From the Savior an answer I employed,


“Whose footprints are these?”
This promise he gave to me
“Those are my footprints you see


Place one foot into mine
And you’ll be in line
to follow me.


Do not venture to the left or the right,
Walk with me in your sight.”

So go, for I am sending you.
You have my power to see you through.



You have my strength and you I will protect.
My will never neglect.


I am sending you, be of good cheer
Your way I will make clear


As I placed my first foot into his print
he said,
“Remember my child, you I will not leave
so to me you must cleave.


So Go!
For you are not alone.”



Written by Jewel D. Williams
In dedication to Rev. Al and Rev. Arnetta Ivy

Words of Encouragement

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" - Psalm 42:1-3

There is a song, actually two songs on a CD named "Thrown Room" by CeCe Winan that I truly love. The first song is Thirst for you and the second one, Come fill this thirst.  As I listen to these two songs I am reminded of my inability to make it without God.

I am reminded that I am like a deer that seeks for the water to cool the dryness of his thirst. We as humans have this terrible tendency to try to make it on our own.  Oh we don't think we are doing that until we find ourselves parched and unable to go own.  We often find ourselves hitting a brick wall and wondering why we can't go any futher.  We find ourselves in a dry land.

How do we get out of this dry desert we find ourselves in?  It is only when we recognize that our thirst cannot be met in ourselves.  I cannot figure it out or work it out. I have to simply come to the source of the water.  The deer was drawn to the edge of the water.  He begins to sniff the air.  He is seeking to use his senses to direct him to the water. In his thirst, he pants to conserve his energy and knows this is the only way that he will be able to keep pushing until he can get to the waters edge to cool his thirst, to fill his need for the drink of the refreshing water.

We must be like this deer. We must pant and use all our energy to sense with our spirits the place where we can go to meet God.  The psalmist ask, where can we go to meet you?  Where are you?

The beautiful thing is this, we need to only stop, stand still and call out and God will see about us.  He will come and fill our hearts that are dry from the heat of this life.  He will fill our lives and make our lives complete.  He comes to bring us real life, not a substitute but the real thing.  We must be like the deer panting for nothing other than Jesus.  We are waiting on you Lord to come fill our hearts.  You are the only one that can fill it.  That's the line from CeCe's song.

She says, "Lord I am ready."  Are you ready?  Are you ready to let go of it all?  Are you ready to let go of the trying and continually missing the mark?  Are you ready to have the hunger, the dryness, the need filled in your heart?  Nothing will ever do that but God. 

My heart breaks often as I see God's people fill their lives with "stuff" to try and fill their lives with something that will sooth their brokenness.  I know, I was one of those people.  But one day God showed me that nothing but him would ever bring me wholeness and joy.  I wouldn't find true joy in anything other than him.  Did you know we can't find it in relationships (even our marriages), in our careers, our churches or ourselves.  Those things often have a way of letting us down.

Jesus, however never lets you down and he is able to keep you in a place of peace and joy even when those other areas do.  This week I ask that you take the time to really ask God, are your seeking him as you should?  Ask God, have I become comfortable doing things myself and in doing so, I have placed myself away from your waters edge, away from the source that fills my thirst.

Let's pray: Lord this week I ask that whomever reads this will be touched by you.  Somebody this week will need to be reminded of who they can place their trust in.  Some one will need to be reminded that regardless of their situation and circumctances, you are the one that has come to release them from the prisons that would hold your people captive.  This week I pray a breakthrough in the life of your people.  May you touch the heart of someone that has come to the edge of giving up.  Draw them back to you.  Somebody that has had to face some things they don't think they can get over, draw them back to your waters edge.  This week God I ask you to fill the thirst of your people.  This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

"Be Filled"