For a New Beginning, Forsake the World

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Bishop Keith Butler

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)

Do you want this new year to be have some new beginnings? Then you're going to have to forsake the world system. The world will bombard you with the easy way out. However, you have to decide that by faith God's way is the only way for you.

Moses is a good example of a man who forsook the world. You see Moses was raised in Pharaoh's house. He was someone of privilege and authority. Yet, he had compassion for his Jewish brethren and killed an Egyptian for beating one and he was driven out of Egypt.

It seemed as though Moses was going to spend the rest of his life in the desert, then God approached him and called him to be the deliverer of His people. But there were some steps that led to Moses having his new beginning:

Verse 24, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. In other words, he made a decision that he was not going to accept any benefits by any other means than God. If you're going to have an anointed new beginning, you have to refuse to do it any other way than God's way.

Verse 25, Moses chose to go God's way than enjoy the pleasures of sin. You have to make up your mind that as for me and my house; we choose to serve the Lord. This has to be your attitude even if you don't get blessed--to go God's way.

Verse 26, Moses esteemed God's blessing higher than anything man could give him. His attitude was, I would rather get it all from God and nothing from man. You see, you have to stick to this regardless of what men offer you. Yes, you may have to wait a little longer, but that's all right. If I can't have it God's way, I don't want it period.

Then verse 27, Moses forsook Egypt and followed God. When you decide to follow God, many times you will have to go against the wind. Egypt represents the easy way, the sinful way, and the crowded way. It's the way everybody wants to go. But Moses made a decision, and he did it by faith, that was to forsake Egypt.

Listen, God is about giving you a new beginning, but you have to determine that it's going to be God's way or no way.

Scripture References: John 8:12; 12:25; Matthew 16:26; Mark 4:19

King Solomon and The Wealth Resource

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Latrice Pace

With the instability of today‘s economy, the pursuit of wealth has seem to become the priority of many. Wealth provides stability and security, that safety net of protection against an unforeseen decline in one’s living standard.

Everybody wants to feel safe and secure.

The concept of wealth has varied across time. It can be categorized into three principal categories: personal property (homes or automobiles); income (the accumulation thereof and monetary savings); and the capital wealth of income producing assets (real estate, stocks and bonds).

All of these are of great economic value and an important part of our social classes; However, I believe wealth can be defined as either an abundance of the aforementioned things or resources.

When thinking of resources, the ancient Chinese proverb immediately comes to mind. “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish (equip him with resources) and he will eat for a lifetime.” What better resource do we have than King Solomon.

At the age of 12, he ascended the thrown of Israel. God appeared to him and offered to grant him one desire. Honestly, at the age of 12 I probably would have asked for an iPod, puppy, digital camera, a bike, clothes, or video games. Solomon asked for wisdom. Wisdom will not only cause you to acquire these things, but I‘ll give you insight on how to create your own brand of these things.

God gave Solomon wisdom—the deepest of understanding and the largest of hearts. There was nothing beyond him, nothing he couldn't handle. Solomon's wisdom outclassed the widely praised wisdom of wise men of the East, outshone the famous wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone. He became famous among all the surrounding nations. He created 3,000 proverbs; his songs added up to 1,005.

Even then he knew the wealth to be acquired in songwriting. Sent by kings from all over the earth who had heard of his reputation, people came from far and near to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough. (Proverbs 28:19- Amplified)

Solomon warns us against following worthless people, people with no added value to their life. I’d even say people with no integrity for they will have more than their share of poverty. There are so many schemes today guaranteeing instant riches with little or no work. Those who work hard will reap the rewards of their efforts.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor. (Proverbs 12:24 - Amplified)

Simply put, there is an old adage which says, “He who has the gold makes the rules.”

There are 2,998 other proverbs (resources) we can learn from. Solomon was the richest man who ever lived and was never in pursuit of the wealth and riches he obtained. His true wealth was in his Godly wisdom.

How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?... poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless] (Proverbs 9,11- Amplified).

No more procrastination, no more excuses, no more laziness and slothfulness for poverty will surely sneak up on you and render you helpless.

WAKE UP
SEEK GODLY WISDOM
GET A DREAM, A VISION, A PLAN
BE DILIGENT
DISCERN: PARTNER/SOCIALIZE WITH SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
WATCH GOD GIVE YOU INSIGHT AND INSTRUCTION

If any lacks wisdom, let him ask of the giving God who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproach or faultfinding, and it will be given him. (James 1:5- Amplified)

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You will get His help.