LUST: IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW YOU USE THE LETTERS PART 1

Let me start off by saying it’s good to be back. I have been under attack by the enemy. It hasn’t been easy but God has gotten me through. Last time we concluded the study of Solomon for the time being. I hope it blessed you enough to apply what you have learned into your life. God has now switched me toward an epidemic that’s happening. It seems like every day the media is talking about it. The epidemic is called lust of the sexual type. Today we are going to look at definition of lust.

Every time you turn on the news you hear about sexual lust. From coaches, athletes, politicians, teachers, people in ministry even a former president, it has touched all walks of life. To understand better what we are dealing with, let’s get a definition of lust. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary “lust is an intense or unbridled sexual desire. To have an intense desire or need; crave specifically to have a sexual urge.” Lust is the works of the devil. It usually doesn’t come on at once. It works slowly into your spirit were you may not notice how much damage it’s causing. You will say to yourself “I was just joking or it’s not causing any harm. All we are doing is having a conversation. We just had a business lunch. I can control it.” We all kid around with people and have fun. We all are going to interact with people. This is to be expected. God wants you to enjoy life and he understands we interact with one another. However, you have to be aware of your behavior and when the enemy is trying to sneak in. Always remember the enemy is more crafty then any beast in the field. A lot of times you can start off innocent. You had no intent in trying to get with this person in a lustful kind of way. We say it just happened. There’s always a beginning or spark that lights this fire. Make sure you put it out before the fire gets out of control. What is the God You Said Verse of Today?

Here’s how the bible defines lust. In Job 31:11 & 12 NLT it states “For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.” This is a very powerful and direct message. God is saying lust is a sin. It’s a crime and shameful. You can also expect some type of punishment to be administered. Look some of the headlines for proof now and in the past. Penn State University and the Sandusky case.  School teachers having a lustful relationship with a younger students. Priest being accused of sexual abuse.  The trial that went on in Atlanta about someone being shot at a daycare because of lust. The person who committed the lustful act is put to shame. They are exposed along with everyone who’s associated with them. Depending on the circumstances it can be a crime. Once prosecuted, you will be punished for the lustful act. You may not be prosecuted by the judicial system but you will by someone. Your life as you knew it will be severely damaged before you go to the court room. Even if your found innocent, in most cases your life will never be the same. You could lose your freedom, your spouse, family, friends, reputation and it goes on and on. Lust is fire that consumes and destroys. It can wipe out everything you own. Your finances, property your career etc… You will be in hell on earth. You can’t control it. It’s not meant to be controlled. If you’re committing a lustful act with anyone this is your wake up call. You need to stop now and pray. If needed, seek professional help with this problem. If you see someone doing a lustful act with someone, you need to report it. We need to pray for the victim of the lustful act. It’s a long road to recovery for the victims. We will continue to study lust to get a better understanding on what it is. Also, I’m going to use the letters in lust to form phrases. Here’s your phrase for today.

L-leads       

U-u       

T-to       

S-shame      

 

 

L-leads

U-u

T-to

S-sin

I got so much that God has put on my mind about what’s under attack in our walk with him. I know I will be talking about lust again but I don’t know exactly when. So next time, I will talk about wherever God guides me to. Until then, may God continue to bless you and keep you.

 

Walt GP

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 7

Last time we continue to talk about the fall of Solomon. The results of his disobedience were he had part of his kingdom torn away. However, God tore part of his kingdom away from his son instead of Solomon himself. Solomon’s son inherited some of the punishment for his father’s disobedience. Today, we’ll see the other results of Solomon’s disobedience.

Let’s review and go back to 1 Chronicles 22:9 New International Version. It states “But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.” However, since Solomon started worshipping other Gods, this was no longer the case. In 1 King 11:14 New International Version it states “Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.” This was the first adversary that God raised up against Solomon. The second adversary came in 1 King 11:23 New International Version. It states “And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.” In 1 King 11:25 New International Version it states “Rezon was Israel’s adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram and was hostile toward Israel. According to the Merriam-Webster one of the synonyms for adversary is the word enemy. God allowed these enemies to cause trouble with Solomon. Also, Solomon no longer had peace and rest from his enemies.

What’s the God U Said It Verse of the day? Let’s look at Job 12:13 New International Version. It states “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” This is what God gave to Solomon. In most people views, Solomon had it all. God gave him wisdom, power, knowledge, wealth and respect. However, because he took his attention away from God, he began to go down the wrong path. Does this sound familiar even today? How many times have you heard about people having it all only to lose it in the end? You have to keep your focus on God. Be obedient and continue to build a strong relationship with God. God will protect you from your adversaries. There are many distractions and situations that will ruin you if you’re not careful.

This concludes our study of Solomon for now. I hope you got a better understanding on who was the main author of Proverbs was. Solomon has left us with his timeless wisdom and knowledge from God. There’s a great deal that we can learn from Solomon and Proverbs. Next time we are going to start studying about the epidemic that’s happening that needs to be addressed. Until then may God continue to bless you and keep you.

Walt G.

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 6

Last time, we continue to talk about the fall of Solomon. He was warned and commanded by God to be obedient. God was very specific about what he wanted Solomon to do. However, Solomon continued to disobey God’s warnings and commands. Today we’ll look at part of the results at the results of Solomon’s disobedience.

In 1 King 11:11 New International Version it states “So the LORD said to Solomon, Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.” God is going to tear the kingdom away from Solomon. However, look at 1 King 11:12. It states “Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.” His son was the one to take the punishment for what Solomon has done. In 1 King 11:13 it states “Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” The subordinate that was to be given the kingdom torn away from Solomon was Jeroboam.

In 1 King 11:26 it states “Also, Jeroboam son of Nebat rebelled against the king. He was one of Solomon’s officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah.” In 1 King 11:28 “Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the tribes of Joseph.” Solomon promoted the person who was going to take most of his kingdom away from his son. From 1 King 29 through 1 King 39 it talks about Ahijah, who was a profit, told Jeroboam everything God told him. He was going to receive 10 kingdoms from the son of Solomon. In addition, he told Jeroboam about what Solomon did to have the kingdom taken away from his son. God also commanded Jeroboam to be obedient to God’s decrees and commands just like he commanded Solomon. This is part of the results of Solomon being disobedient to God.

What’s the God U Said It verse of today? Let’s go back to 1 King 11:12. It states “Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.” You may have been disobedient to God and feel like I got away with it. However, it could affect your family, friends or children. You may have passed down a negative inheritance on to them. Before you disobey God ask yourself “Who else might suffer because of my disobedience?” God sees and knows everything. Don’t have something torn out of your son’s or daughter’s hands because you were disobedient. I said this before: it’s not always about you. You’re not getting away with anything. Next time we’ll continue to look at the results of Solomon’s disobedience. Until next time, may God continue to bless you and keep you.

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 5

Last time, we started to talk about the fall of Solomon. He allowed his wives to turn his heart after other Gods thus changing his I.D. When Solomon was younger he was taught not to have other Gods. God himself warned Solomon that this would happen. We will continue to study the fall of Solomon. Today we’ll study how Solomon started to be disobedient according to what God commanded and warned him about.

In 1 King 11:9 New International Version it states “The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.” God was angry with Solomon because he commanded and warned him to be obedient. The command came in 1 King 6:12 New International Version. It states “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.” God commanded Solomon to keep all my commands and obey them. The warning came in 1 King 9:6. It states “But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you[and go off to serve other gods and worship them.” God even went as far to warn Solomon what the results would be if he didn’t obey. In 1st King 9:7 it states “then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.”
Solomon was also warned about having relationships with strange women. The wives of Solomon were the women God warned Solomon not to marry. In 1 King 11: 2 New International Version it states “They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.” Once again God warn him about what the results would be if he didn’t obey. However, Solomon chose to hold on to these women. This further contributed to the fall of Solomon.
What’s the God U Said It Verse of today? Let’s go back to 1 King 9:7 and the part of the verse that says “Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.” Are you saying to God, “I know you have warned me about this but nevertheless I’m going to hold fast in love.” What are you holding on to in love despite of all the warnings you have been given? Do you love that person so much your willing to put up with the abuse? Do you love to get high despite of all of the warnings about drug abuse? Heed to the warnings that God has given you and turn your focus to him. God commands and warns us about certain issues because he loves and cares about us. God knows what’s best. Next time we’ll look at the results of Solomon’s disobedience. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you.

 

Walt G.

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 4

Last time, we talked about what happens when you let the Lord I.D. you. People will start to hear about your I.D. God has given you. In most cases, someone will come see for themselves. They may test you to see if what they said about you is true. We are going to start studying about the fall of Solomon. Solomon allowed people close to him change his I.D. with God. Also, this situation triggered the beginning of the damage to Solomon’s relationship with God. Today, we’ll study how Solomon started to be disobedient according to what he was taught.

Solomon was taught by David to obey God. In 1 King 2:1 New International Version it states: “When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.” David is getting ready to tell Solomon a command. In 1 King 2:3 New International Version it states: “and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” What I want to focus on in this verse is “commands” and “as written in the Law of Moses.”

The word “commands” and “as written in the Law of Moses” in 1 King 2:3 is referring to the 10 commandments that God wrote and gave to Moses. One of the commandments is in Exodus 20:3. It states: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Solomon was taught that he should not have other gods when he was younger. This was before God started to speak to Solomon directly. However, when Solomon became older he disobeyed this commandment. In 1 King 11:4 it states: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” In 1 King 11:5 it states: “He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.” Solomon allowed his I.D. to be changed by his wives. This action was a factor in the fall of Solomon because he didn’t do what he was taught by David.

What’s the God U Said It verse of today? Let’s refer back to the 1 King 11:4 and 1 King 11:5. You have to be careful about letting people turn your heart away from God. It could be your spouse, relatives or your friends that is turning your heart away from God. What are some examples of worldly Gods: The God of lust, God of greed, God of money God of envy, etc… Your heart will be perfect with those other worldly Gods instead of the true God. Just like Solomon, you have been taught to have no other gods before him. Today, start obeying the commandments of our God. Next time we’ll look at the warnings and commands that God told Solomon. Until then, may God continue to bless you and keep you.

 

Walt G.

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 3

Last time we talked about Solomon’s I.D. God told Solomon’s father David who Solomon was going to be. God gave David’s son an I.D. before he was born. David instructed Solomon on who he was and what was expected by his actions and words. Later on, God spoke to Solomon to test him and to ensure that he knew what his I.D. was. Now the nations wanted to check and test Solomon’s I.D. Today we are going to examine what happens when you let God I.D. you. Also, what happens when you keep a relationship with God?

In 1 King 4:34 New International Version it states “From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.” Now let’s focus on the last part of this verse: “who had heard of his wisdom.” The kings of the other nations wanted to find out if what they say about Solomon is true. If they’re willing to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, it means they were seeking knowledge and answers to questions. They wanted to find out how they could have what Solomon had. I’m also sure that they wanted to test Solomon by asking questions just to see if he knew the answers. Some of the questions were probably challenging or difficult question that most people probably wouldn’t know the answers to. In essence, they wanted to check his I.D. In fact, there was a person in royalty who had to find out the answer herself about Solomon.

In 1st King 10:1 New International Version it states: “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.” Sheba came to Solomon in person to test Solomon’s I.D. She has heard the reports about Solomon. She figured the only way I can find out if this true is to come and see for myself. Let’s take a closer at what the kings have heard about Solomon compared to what the Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon. In 1 King 4:34 New International Version the last part of the verse states: “who heard of his wisdom.” According to the verse, the kings at this time only heard about his wisdom. Now in 1st King 10:1 New International Version it states in the 1st part of the verse “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord.” In 1st King 10:6 New International Version it states in the 1st part of the verse “She said to the king, the report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.” Also in 1st King 10:7 New International Version it states in the 2nd part of the verse “Indeed not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” According to these verses, the queen at this time heard about Solomon’s fame, his relationship to the Lord, his achievements, wealth and his wisdom. I believe what drew her to come see Solomon was the other blessing Solomon had received. She already heard about Solomon’s wisdom but now she’s hearing other things about Solomon’s I.D. Keep in mind that she came to Solomon approximately 20 years after the kings started to come. In those 20 years, Solomon had built his palace and the temple for the Lord. From 1st King 5 to 1st King 9 New International Version, it describes in great detail about the construction of the palace and the Lord’s temple. Also, it describes the conservation he had with the Lord and the blessings that Solomon had on his life.

So what’s the “God U Said It verse of the today?” Let’s go back to 1st King 10:7. It states “But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” When people hear about your I.D. from God people are going to want to see this with their own eyes. Just like Sheba, someone is going to come and get proof that you are indeed the person that is on your I.D. that God has given you. They are going to be surprise to find out that not even half was told to them. You will exceed the report that they heard about you. Just like what God did for Solomon, he will give you a blessing that you didn't ask for. Keep the I.D. that God has given you. If you lose your I.D. God has given you or get distracted away from God, you will start to lose what God has given you. That’s what happened to Solomon. We will talk about this next time. Until then, May God continue to bless you and keep you

Walt G.

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 2

Last time we did an introduction of Solomon. We talked about how Solomon became king and the charge that his father King David gave him. This became the foundation of the direction Solomon would eventually go. Today we are going to look into Solomon’s request to God and how God responded.

David knew who Solomon was supposed to become before he was born. God told David about his son. This is how David knew what instructions to tell Solomon. In 1 Chronicles 22:9 (NIV) New International Version it states: “But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.” God told David what his son’s name was going to be: Solomon. In Hebrew the name Solomon means peace. God identified to David who Solomon was going to be: A King. He told him who he was: a man of peace and rest.

Solomon did develop a relationship with God. Solomon did what David instructed for him to do before he died. In 1 King 3:3 (NIV) New International Version it states “Solomon show his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” God’s house hasn’t been built at this time. This is why Solomon offered sacrifices and burned incense on high places. David wanted to build it however God told David that his son Solomon will build his house. Solomon knew that the charge David gave him was too great for him to accomplish by his own might. The question was since Solomon knew this, would he continue with this charge or would he go a different path? God himself wanted to see what Solomon would do. So God decided to find out.

In 1 King 3:5 (NIV) New International Version it states “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” God was testing Solomon to see what he was thinking and to see if he knew who he was. Just like God said prove me in Malachi 3:10 (KJV) King James Version. It states “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” God will on occasion prove you to see if you will open the windows of obedience and pour out yourself toward him. The conversation continues in 1 King 3:6 (NIV) New International Version which states: Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart you have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to his throne this very day.” By telling God these facts, he’s confirming that he has observed how his father David lived. He also got another piece of his ID. He knew he was going to be a king and a servant to God like his father. In fact verse 7-9 (NIV) New International Version states: “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours.” In verses 10-15 (NIV) New International Version it states: “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both wealth and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” Then Solomon awoke and he realized it had been a dream. Solomon has passed the test. For being obedient, Solomon was awarded what he asked for and then some. God gave him the tools needed to accomplish the charge that David established with Solomon. In fact look what it says in 1 King 4:29-34. (NIV) New International Version it states “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.” I want to look closer at 3 verses that were quoted above.

In 1 Chronicles 22:9 (NIV) New International Version it states: “But you will have a son who will be A MAN OF PEACE AND REST, and I WILL GIVE HIM REST FROM ALL HIS ENEMIES ON EVERY SIDE. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.” Now look at 1 King 3:10-11 (NIV) New International Version again. It states: “THE LORD WAS PLEASED THAT SOLOMON HAD ASKED FOR THIS. So God said to him, “SINCE YOU HAVE ASKED FOR THIS AND NOT FOR LONG LIFE OR WEALTH FOR YOURSELF, NOR HAVE ASKED FOR THE DEATH OF YOUR ENEMIES but for discernment in administering justice. What’s interesting is that God said this about Solomon: you are a man of peace and rest. Also, I will give you rest from your enemies from every side. However later in 1 King 3 (NIV) New International Version God is pleased Solomon didn’t ask for death for his enemies. This tells me that Solomon knew what was on his I.D. He didn’t ask for death of his enemies because he knew who he was: a man of peace and rest. In addition he knew God was going to protect him from his enemies on each side. Also, God was pleased with the fact he didn’t ask for anything for himself. Solomon was more concern with the people he was king over welfare. This also tells me that God was use to hearing people asking for the same thing: wealth, long life and death of their enemies. God was saying can I get someone to pray for others?

It isn’t always about just you. There are other people who are suffering that you need to pray for. If you pray for them, then God may say to you “I will do what you have asked and I will give you what you didn’t ask for.” When you please God, he wants to show his appreciation by blessing you with something you didn’t ask for. Also, as I said you will be tested even by God. God has given you an I.D. He will tell you who you are in him. If you don’t know who you are, someone will try to give you an I.D. that suit their goals and purpose. Some of these people don’t have your best interest in mind. . They will try to give you a fraudulent or fake I.D. The I.D. God gave you didn’t say you were stupid, dumb, not worth anything, a loser or anything else that’s negative or degrading. This is the work of the enemy trying to keep you down and control you with force, words or manipulation. The only way this continues is if it’s allowed. This may be the reason why you’re hurting right now. You know this isn’t you. However, because you have been exposed for so long in this environment, you have adapted. The question I want to ask is do you know what God said about you when he I.D. you? If you don’t know you need to find out. God expects better and greater things from you!!! Next time we’ll go to part 3 of Solomon. Some people decide to check his I.D. Until next time may God continue to bless you and keep you.

 

 

Walt G.