by Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Proverbs 11:30
30 The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men--he gathers and receives them for eternity]. [Matt 4:19; 1 Cor 9:19; James 5:20.] AMP
You may never have fished a day in your life, but we see here that a wise person is one who wins souls for the Lord. You may say that you are shy, or you do not want to offend anyone, or that is just not your thing. Well, those things may be true. However, if the Word says that that is the sign of a wise person, and then it must be something that is attainable, something that God will enable, equip, and anoint us to do. We have to think outside of the box. Do not get stuck on walking up to someone and simply witnessing to them and winning them to the Lord. That is not the only way to win souls. But often we are not cognizant of how many people are actually being ministered to by our conduct and our lifestyle. Your walk will often preach louder than your talk.
As people are being handed pink slips on the left and on the right, what are you saying or doing that reflects your unwavering faith and trust in God that no matter what occurs your needs shall be supplied? As people gossip and talk about the boss at work, what are you doing that exemplifies the attributes of Christ? When you know that you have been mistreated or wrongfully accused, what is your reaction? When we are approached by others and they ask how we deal with certain things, our answer should be one that points them to the cross. If they never ask us a question, our actions should point them to the cross. If you never have a title, a position, a particular post, or recognition for man, God is looking to see how many fishermen are there out there reeling in the souls for Him.
You may not know what to say, where to start, how to react should you be approached or as you get that leading to approach others. Keep it simple. Just tell people what He’s done for you. When they see how your relationship with the Lord has personally impacted and is still impacting your life, it is not just a feel good story or some well put together sermon. Jesus connected with people because he met them on their level. We are strategically placed in our families, jobs, neighborhoods, organizations, etc., in order to be able to reach people with whom we can relate. Don’t pass up the opportunity to make a great catch for the Father. So, ponder the question, “How wise are you?” Make necessary adjustments and get your fishing gear out, ready to win souls for the Lord!
Prayer: “Father, I thank you for the determination to be wise, winning others for you. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 26, 2009
How Wise Are You?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Someone Is Calling You...Will You Answer?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Proverbs 1:20-27
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. 21 She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. 22 "You simpletons!" she cries. "How long will you go on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? 23 Come here and listen to me! I'll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.
24 "I called you so often, but you didn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you-- 27 when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you.
28 "I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. 30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 31 That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. 32 For they are simpletons who turn away from me--to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. 33 But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm." NLT
James 1:5
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. NIV
God loves us so much that He is always trying to impart wisdom into us about every area of our lives. Sometimes the answers are obvious, sometimes they are not. That’s why wisdom is there to help steer us in the right direction. Sometimes we do not embrace the answers because they are not what we really would like to do. We must make it our goal to listen for, take heed to, and act upon the wisdom God has available for us. The passage above paints an illustration of wisdom basically pleading with us to listen to what she has to say. We are not only warned about the results of not listening, but we are warned against becoming complacent. In that same passage we are told that if we do not take heed, there is calamity that awaits us.
I am not sure about you, but I do not want to live my life with regrets of not using wisdom when it is available to me for my benefit. I can ask God for wisdom without fear of being ridiculed or made to feel that I should already know the answer. I can expect wisdom to be present along the many paths of my life’s journey, attempting to direct me in the right way. I do not intend to have wisdom mocking me because of knowingly making wrong choices.
Perhaps you have made some wrong choices, ignoring wise counsel, and forging your own path. If you find yourself in that place right now take the time to repent, make a commitment to seek rather than run for wisdom, and allow God to ascend to the proper place in your life. He has a great plan for your life. Let His wisdom direct you to the path that leads to your destiny. Remember, someone is calling you… Her name is wisdom… Will you answer?
Prayer: “Father, I thank you for wisdom. I commit to listen and take heed. I choose to live in peace and safety, and unafraid of harm. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 19, 2009
Someone Is Calling You… Will You Answer?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Proverbs 1:20-27
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. 21 She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. 22 "You simpletons!" she cries. "How long will you go on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? 23 Come here and listen to me! I'll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.
24 "I called you so often, but you didn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you-- 27 when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you.
28 "I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. 30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 31 That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. 32 For they are simpletons who turn away from me--to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. 33 But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm." NLT
James 1:5
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. NIV
God loves us so much that He is always trying to impart wisdom into us about every area of our lives. Sometimes the answers are obvious, sometimes they are not. That’s why wisdom is there to help steer us in the right direction. Sometimes we do not embrace the answers because they are not what we really would like to do. We must make it our goal to listen for, take heed to, and act upon the wisdom God has available for us. The passage above paints an illustration of wisdom basically pleading with us to listen to what she has to say. We are not only warned about the results of not listening, but we are warned against becoming complacent. In that same passage we are told that if we do not take heed, there is calamity that awaits us.
I am not sure about you, but I do not want to live my life with regrets of not using wisdom when it is available to me for my benefit. I can ask God for wisdom without fear of being ridiculed or made to feel that I should already know the answer. I can expect wisdom to be present along the many paths of my life’s journey, attempting to direct me in the right way. I do not intend to have wisdom mocking me because of knowingly making wrong choices.
Perhaps you have made some wrong choices, ignoring wise counsel, and forging your own path. If you find yourself in that place right now take the time to repent, make a commitment to seek rather than run for wisdom, and allow God to ascend to the proper place in your life. He has a great plan for your life. Let His wisdom direct you to the path that leads to your destiny. Remember, someone is calling you… Her name is wisdom… Will you answer?
Prayer: “Father, I thank you for wisdom. I commit to listen and take heed. I choose to live in peace and safety, and unafraid of harm. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 19, 2009
Someone Is Calling You… Will You Answer?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Foolish or Wise?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Proverbs 1:7
7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. [Ps 111:10.] AMP
Proverbs 1:7
7 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. NLT
Some of us would be ready to fight if somebody stood up and called us a fool. Yet, there are areas that we may need to check to see if indeed we are being foolish or wise. With the vast array of venues available for us to acquire knowledge and insight about so many things, it is easy to sometimes get sidetracked and think we have all the answers we need concerning certain matters. We need to make sure that we are doing several things as we confer with others, run our internet searches, read our books, and attend our seminars.
One of those things is to measure that which we acquire against the Word of God. Does that information line up with what we say we believe and who we say that we are? We should also pray, even as we acquire that knowledge, for God’s insight and wisdom to show us what to do with it, how to apply it, or even if we should put it aside for a season before acting on it or applying it. One of the other things we should do is to make sure that grasping and embracing the information we received does not take us away from the things of God. In the long run, anything that takes us away from our time of corporate worship, our time of prayer and fellowship with the Lord, or our responsibilities to our families needs to be re-examined and adjusted. Finally, we should always be mindful of Psalm 1 and the outline we find there dealing with how to walk in the blessings of God. We are told that the blessed person is the one that does not seek and follow mere man’s worldly wisdom, but immerses himself in the Word of God. It says that he delights himself in the Word and meditates on it day and night. That then will take us to Psalm 37 where we find that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart.
Check yourself today. Don’t despise God’s wisdom and discipline in your life; embrace them. God is waiting for us to put ourselves in position to walk out our destiny. Don’t bypass wisdom and end up in the wrong lane and miss out on the wonderful things that are in store for you. Remember, the real knowledge begins with the reverence of the Lord. When we put Him in the proper place in our lives, we are setting ourselves on the right track, in the right lane, to run the right race. Do a self-check: Are you foolish or are you wise?
Prayer: “Father, I choose to embrace wisdom. I know that there is wisdom in your Word for everything that I am facing or will face in life. Thank you for loving me so much that you have provided the wisdom I need to live a life that brings glory to you. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 12, 2009
Foolish or Wise?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Proverbs 1:7
7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. [Ps 111:10.] AMP
Proverbs 1:7
7 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. NLT
Some of us would be ready to fight if somebody stood up and called us a fool. Yet, there are areas that we may need to check to see if indeed we are being foolish or wise. With the vast array of venues available for us to acquire knowledge and insight about so many things, it is easy to sometimes get sidetracked and think we have all the answers we need concerning certain matters. We need to make sure that we are doing several things as we confer with others, run our internet searches, read our books, and attend our seminars.
One of those things is to measure that which we acquire against the Word of God. Does that information line up with what we say we believe and who we say that we are? We should also pray, even as we acquire that knowledge, for God’s insight and wisdom to show us what to do with it, how to apply it, or even if we should put it aside for a season before acting on it or applying it. One of the other things we should do is to make sure that grasping and embracing the information we received does not take us away from the things of God. In the long run, anything that takes us away from our time of corporate worship, our time of prayer and fellowship with the Lord, or our responsibilities to our families needs to be re-examined and adjusted. Finally, we should always be mindful of Psalm 1 and the outline we find there dealing with how to walk in the blessings of God. We are told that the blessed person is the one that does not seek and follow mere man’s worldly wisdom, but immerses himself in the Word of God. It says that he delights himself in the Word and meditates on it day and night. That then will take us to Psalm 37 where we find that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart.
Check yourself today. Don’t despise God’s wisdom and discipline in your life; embrace them. God is waiting for us to put ourselves in position to walk out our destiny. Don’t bypass wisdom and end up in the wrong lane and miss out on the wonderful things that are in store for you. Remember, the real knowledge begins with the reverence of the Lord. When we put Him in the proper place in our lives, we are setting ourselves on the right track, in the right lane, to run the right race. Do a self-check: Are you foolish or are you wise?
Prayer: “Father, I choose to embrace wisdom. I know that there is wisdom in your Word for everything that I am facing or will face in life. Thank you for loving me so much that you have provided the wisdom I need to live a life that brings glory to you. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 12, 2009
Foolish or Wise?
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
Sunday, July 5, 2009
You Really Are On His Mind
by Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Ps 139:17-18
17 How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [Ps 40:5.]
18 If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.
AMP
If you ever feel that you are alone, that God does not have you on His mind, be reminded by the passage of scripture above. God’s thoughts towards and about you are so great in number that there is no way possible for you to even count them. No matter how you feel, no matter who has deserted you, no matter what disappointments you have faced or are facing, God has always been and still is thinking about you. David had an awesome revelation of this when this psalm was penned. Let’s get that same revelation.
You are important to God. Don’t let the enemy tell you otherwise. Whatever it is you are dealing with right now, whatever it is that is going on in your life, whatever developments have taken place, it does not matter. Rest assured God does indeed have you on His mind.
Prayer: “Father, thank you for the reminder that you are always thinking about me. When situations arise, I will remind myself that I am not forgotten and the current situation is a temporary situation. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 5, 2009
You Really Are On His Mind
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
EnlightenedPath@comcast.net
Ps 139:17-18
17 How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [Ps 40:5.]
18 If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.
AMP
If you ever feel that you are alone, that God does not have you on His mind, be reminded by the passage of scripture above. God’s thoughts towards and about you are so great in number that there is no way possible for you to even count them. No matter how you feel, no matter who has deserted you, no matter what disappointments you have faced or are facing, God has always been and still is thinking about you. David had an awesome revelation of this when this psalm was penned. Let’s get that same revelation.
You are important to God. Don’t let the enemy tell you otherwise. Whatever it is you are dealing with right now, whatever it is that is going on in your life, whatever developments have taken place, it does not matter. Rest assured God does indeed have you on His mind.
Prayer: “Father, thank you for the reminder that you are always thinking about me. When situations arise, I will remind myself that I am not forgotten and the current situation is a temporary situation. Amen”
The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
Week of July 5, 2009
You Really Are On His Mind
by Audrea Winbush Lott
Please feel free to copy or forward this to anyone you feel might benefit from a dose of the Word!
©2009 Audrea Winbush Lott
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