Favor comes from this!

While it is true that Joseph went through great difficulty in his life, wherever he landed, he ultimately prospered. When he was sold into slavery, Potiphar saw the wisdom of God within Joseph, and eventually promoted him to be in charge of his entire household. When Joseph landed in prison although he was innocent, he was eventually promoted to be in charge of all the prisoners and everything that was done within the prison. We know that eventually his wisdom brought him before Pharoah. When Pharoah heard his good understanding and wisdom, he promoted him to be the second in command of all of Egypt. Proverbs 13:15  says: “Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.” Good understanding comes from daily meditation on God’s word, time with God in prayer, consistent study and preparation in the field where you work, or the business you own. Also, spending time with quality mentors who have great depth of understanding and experience in the field where you desire to work in. Acquiring this level of good understanding takes time and ongoing work, but the results will be worthy of the investment. Question: when you open your mouth and people hear what you have to say, are they uplifted and enlightened, or do they quickly run out the door to avoid any further conversation with you? Good understanding will bring you favor with others, but ignorant conversation and excuses will bring you nothing but poverty and unfulfilled dreams.

Proverbs 13:15Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.”

It’s wise to be like them!

Now that we are nearing Summer, I noticed that the ants are out again. They have begun to look for food so that they can store it for the Winter season. According to God’s word, Ants are very wise. Proverbs 30:24, 25Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer” Proverbs 6: 6-8 ” Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Do you have a plan for this Summer that God would consider wise? The Western world thinks vacation, relaxing, chilling out, etc. While it’s important to take some time off, wasting good opportunities are considered foolish. Summer is a time to invest, to plan your work and work your plan, to prepare for the harvest season. Look at what the Proverbist says about those who refuse to sow in the Summer season: Proverbs 6: 9-11How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” In all you do this Summer, make sure that you take a little time to rest, but do not ignore this great opportunity to sow: sow study, sow purposeful planning, sow prayer, sow friendship, sow evangelism, sow service in the Kingdom of God. Remember what we sow is what we reap. God says the ants are wise, and those who rest and sleep during sowing season are sluggards and will end up with poverty and need. Consider this today and BE WISE this Summer!