Proverbs for the People--"Wisdom"

While studying the book of proverbs, I noticed that the word "wisdom" is mentioned quite a bit. It looks like God values "wisdom"  so much, that in Proverbs 8:19 wisdom says, "My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield than choicest silver." Recently the price of gold was over $1000 per ounce. I know because I recently sold some of my gold.  And the price is still going up right along with the price of gas.

I think if we realized the value of "wisdom"  we would work harder to obtain it.

Proverbs 8:35 says, "For whoever finds me "wisdom" finds life and wins approval from the Lord."

So basically, in the same way that the world finds such high value in silver and gold, God holds an even higher value to "wisdom".  I would say that for a person like me, seeking and finding "wisdom" is a lot easier than obtaining valuable materials like silver and gold. This is very comforting to know, especially since nothing we desire, can be compared with wisdom in God's eyes.

According to the bible, words of "wisdom"  bring healing, good advice, success, insight and strength. (Proverbs 14, 18) As valuable as silver and gold are to this world, I know they don't come with good advice or healing.

"Wisdom"  means knowledge of what is true, or right coupled with good judgement as to action. It requires control of your emotional reactions so that your principles, reason and knowledge help you to determine your actions. A good example for me would be when I am angry about something. Anger is an emotion that can have a decent outcome if I react with "wisdom" for a favorable outcome. Now the question is, how often do I exercise "wisdom" when I am emotional?  Not nearly as often as I should but I'm learning something new every day so pray for me.

I don't believe that "wisdom" is inherited but I do believe that it can be obtained through experience (age) or directly from God. The first step in acquiring "wisdom" is to make up your mind that you want it and will strive to obtain it. All you have to do is seek and you will find, ask and you shall receive. You see, God gives knowledge and "wisdom" freely to those who ask.  How encouraging is it to know that the things God requires us to know or have are not difficult to obtain?  Just remember that to whom much is given, much is required.  So the more you know, the more that God expects you to act like you know and act like you have some sense.

The last point that I would like to make about "wisdom", is the comparison in contrast to foolishness.
 "A fool is quick tempered, but a "wise"  person stays calm when insulted," Proverbs 12:16
If you are able to just ignore an insult, that says a lot about your character.  It really takes a "wise"  person to be able to do that and not react in the same way that a fool does.
"Whoever walks with the "wise"  will become "wise" ; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm," Proverbs 13:20
You see, we do need to be careful about the company that we keep. Ya know, the people that we surround ourselves with. Basically, if you wanna hang with fools, just remember, birds of the same feathers flock together. Don't get caught up in no mess with fools, ya dig?

Peace out until next time.

Anointed

March 7, 1997

I chose Anointed Star for the name of my website because anointed means "set apart for God" and Star is the first part of my name.  I have always believed in God since I was old enough to say His name.  I grew up in a small town where I was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.  It was there where the foundation of my walk with God was laid.  I have always respected God.  I knew that He was real and I prayed and gave thanks to Him regularly.  It wasn't until I was 19 that a veil was lifted.  Before that, I was very confused about "religion" versus "relationship".  I didn't know what it meant to be a Christian and the importance of having a real relationship with God, but I never doubted His existence.  I do recall seeing Jehovah's Witness walking around town & passing out pamphlets.  I didn't know Gods word very well back then.  I knew the Lord's prayer and those words are what carried me through most of my younger years.  One day a Jehovah's Witness came to my door.  I was 18 at the time and I was living with my husband but we were not married at the time.  Our first daughter was about 5 months old.  The woman was very sweet and we talked a little about the bible, then she gave me a pamphlet before she left.  I don't recall much about the conversation, I just remember the name on the pamphlet, Watchtower.  That was one of the first times I questioned my place in my walk with the Lord.  The second time was when I was 19.  I was at a bible study at a Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.)  We were talking about different religions and I asked, "How do I know which religion is the right one?"  That's when I found out something very, very important which set the stage for my walk with God, even now.  My walk with God had "nothing" to do with "religion" at all, but a personal relationship w/God.  I also learned about the importance of marriage  and what the term "shacking up" meant.  It was considered a sin to live with someone and "play house" w/o being married.  This is how I was living at the time.  Our first daughter was almost 2 by then.  My husband and I decided to dedicate our lives to God and we were married shortly after that.  We wanted to live for God so we knew it was our first step of commitment to God and each other.  Also to our little girl, who was now sanctified through us. 

March 7, 1997 at the Heart of Reno Chapel marked the beginning of our true relationship & anointing by God.  He would grow me to become set apart for His glory.  Wow, we will be celebrating our 14th Anniversary soon. ;)

Perfect Peace

In today's society, you often have to steal your peace.  Then when you do get it, you have to guard it.  For me, music is a great way to get my mind right.  Sometimes you just gotta tune people out.  Now at home, we listen to music to help us get motivated when we have to clean house.  My walls would tell you that it's like Soul Train or Dance Fever up in my house on days like that.  I have 3 girls that dance to any type of music they hear.  As a matter of fact, my husband and I join in the fun too.  We eventually get the job done with our peace intact.

Another thing,  try to avoid watching the news all day every day.  I only watch the news for about 20 minutes on the weekdays and none on the weekends.  I used to criticize a close friend of mine a long time ago for not watching the news. "What if something drastic happens?  Don't you want to be informed?".  I eventully realized that only about 5% of the news is good.  I get sad and sometimes cry when I hear about strangers being killed, especially children.  Now does that sound peaceful to you?  That's more like turmoil and I don't need to follow the world's mess.  There are plenty of ways to find drama if you're looking for it.  If something drastic should happen, it will be played on the news every 2 minutes or someone will call me or text me in between time.  Every morning when I'm getting ready for work, I listen to Joyce Meyer--Enjoying Everyday Life on TV for 30 minutes and it's 100% positive.  That's the kind of information I wan't to fill my mind with.  The truth.

Guard your peace with the full armor of God that I talked about before.  That helmet of salvation guards your mind and helps you to keep the fruits of the spirit such as love, joy and peace locked in your mind.  The shield of faith blocks the arrows being fired at you daily by Satan, in order to steal peace from your heart.  Remember, Satan is a thief and he has demons working day and night trying to steal our joy and peace.  So guard yourself with God's word, which is the best way to defeat Satan and his demons.  There is a spiritual battle between good and evil.  It may sound crazy to those who aren't aware of the truth.  Learn the truth because please believe, it will set you free from worry, doubt and fear.  God will keep you in perfect peace, if you just keep your mind on Him.

Playin Piano

Three years ago my brother bought me a keyboard for Christmas.  I have really been wanting to learn how to play piano for as long as I can remember.  I could not afford to pay for lesson's so I went to a music store, purchased a book for beginner's, and I taught myself how to play.  I started by learning how to read music.  Then I eventually learned how to apply that to the keyboard and make beautiful sounds.  My girls even took an interest and began to learn how to play and read music too. 

The attached video is a song called Lonesome Road.  I still have a long way to go but playing the piano is a great way for me to unwind and destress.  It's another hobby to add to the list along with riding motorcycle's and doing puzzles.

Be Not Deceived

There is an adversary that seeks to kill, steal and destroy.  I'll say it again, he seeks to steal, kill and destroy.  Not just one or the other but all 3 of these are his purpose.  He is known as Satan, Lucifer, Antichrist, Beast, Beelzebub, Accuser, Liar, Belial, Deceiver, Devil, Dragon and the list goes on.  There are more names in the bible for Satan than anyone else except Jesus Christ.  There is only one devil, but there are many demons.  The demons are angels who sinned with Satan by following him when he revolted against God.  Some are confined, but many are active in the world.  They seek to thwart the purposes of God.  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

They even promote their own system of doctrine.  "The spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4:1

They can inflict diseases of men and of animals. Matthew 4:24, Mark 5:13

People who have a true relationship with Christ cannot be overcome by demons.  Those who do not are fair game.  One of Satan's greatest abilities is deception.  He makes lies look like truth.  His lies take on various forms such as cults and false doctrines.  It is important to know God's word to discern the difference between truth and error.  As strange as it may seem, even the demons acknowledge that there is only one God.  "You believe that there is only God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe that and shudder."  James 2:19

Now for the good news, Jesus Christ came not to condemn the world but to save the world.  Do you know what that means?  It means that we can be redeemed.  We can have the same authority over Satan as Jesus does.  "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."  Matthew 10:1

 What a blessing.  Brothers and Sisters, BE NOT DECEIVED.

I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Dear Lord,


Thank you for creating me in your own image. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I criticize my image. Then I am instantly reminded by the Holy Spirit to appreciate my flaws and focus on what I love about myself. Whether it’s my eyes or my thighs, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. There are people out there missing limbs or have been disfigured for various reasons. I am grateful that I am not among them and I lift those people up to you. Please forgive me for being self centered at times. From this day forward I plan to practice focusing on everything that I love about me:

I am Fierce.
I am Bold.
I am Confident.
I am  Royalty for your sake.
Chocolate skin tone.
My smile.  The beautiful gap between my teeth makes others smile back at me.
Eyes shaped like almonds.
Cheek bones nice and high,
Long legs for taking long confident strides.

 This body of mine is a temple. Reserved for my husbands eyes only. He compliments me on a regular basis. It’s amazing how he appreciates my image more than me. He can see past all of my flaws. My body is a temporary tent. I will receive my new permanent body when I meet my savior face to face. Until then, thank you for making me who I am.

Amen

I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works and my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139:14 NASB

U Go Girl!!!

Confident, beautiful, phenomenal woman.  Don't let nobody keep you down.  You are royalty, oh woman of God.  It is well within your heart and soul to feel His presence.  You are wonderfully and fearfully made.

Walk with your shoulders back and your head held high.  It's ok to say hi to people.  It's ok to smile at people.  You have a lot to be grateful for. 

Keep on steppin, no matter where you go.  But wherever you go, may they all know, that you cannot be stopped.  You will not be oppressed, depressed, obsessed or regressed. 

Take Jesus with you wherever you go, and if you can't take Him with you, then don't go there.  Keep it movin and groovin.  Encourage your friends and pray for your enemies.  Let your yes be yes and your no be no. 

And if you don't do nothin else, just go!  Even if you have to go by yourself!

You Go Girl!!!