13. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, we are returning to our study on the book of Matthew.  On December 23, our last subject was “Tradition of the Elder- Part II.”    We ended our discussion with talking about the oral tradition of the elders that existed during that day and how they had exalted it over the “word of God.” 

Jesus dealt with two traditions in our text; the washing of hands and the honoring of their mothers and fathers. 

Here is that text for your review:

Matthew 15:1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 ”Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ 6 he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 ”‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 ”Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 ”Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”

Jesus rebukes the religious leaders for their “traditions of men” and he indicates that they were the ones that Isaiah prophesied about when he said; ‘these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”   Jesus called them hypocrites.  The Greek word for hypocrite means actor or performer; people who pretend to be something that they are not; people who take on a role, create a production.   Jesus saw performance, a production as he traveled throughout the land.  No true worship from the spiritual leaders, the teachers of the law. 

Jesus responds to the issue of “washing of hands” by saying that it is not what goes into the body that defiles a person but rather what comes out of the body from the heart which Is what makes a person unclean. 

The disciples were amazed at the tone that Jesus took with the Pharisees and his correction or rebuke of them.  They came to Jesus and said; “Did you know that the Pharisees were offended.”   I find it fascinating that as Christians, we allow people because of their stature, status and influence in this world to say or declare all types of falsehoods and we stand idly by for fear of offending them.  When someone is bold enough to challenge their wrong, we often refused to comment or take a stand because of who that person may be in our community or our world.   Jesus’ disciples came to Jesus to tell him that he had offended “the powers that be” in that land but none of them rebuked the Pharisees for being offensive to Jesus, our Lord and Savior, God in flesh.  

I love the response of Jesus.   This is how he dealt with teachers of untruths or false doctrine.  He tells his disciples who were concerned about him being offensive to the “religious leaders” that “every plant that his Father did not plant will be pluck up.  Leave them alone.  They be the blind leading the blind and they both will fall into a pit.     Sometimes, we fight the wrong battles.  There is a whole world waiting to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and oftentimes we get distracted with trying to correct the false teachers.   Take your stand, but in the words of Jesus; “Let them alone.”  If God did not plant it then it will be exposed and pulled up from its roots.  

This text ends with his disciples coming to him asking him to explain the parable about the washing of the hands.  Jesus was amazed that they didn’t get it.   Jesus kindly instructs them as to this is what he means;  Jesus says: “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.”

So Guard your heart.  Don’t get caught up in traditions and rituals.  Not all traditions and rituals are bad but when they began to overrule and replace the word of God then it becomes problematic.   God is concerned about our heart.   What comes out of our heart through our lips and actions determines whether we are clean before God and not the physical dirt that may be on our flesh.

Stay encouraged and I’ll see you tomorrow.

God Bless.

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

12. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

I know I said that I was through with the New Year’s tips but I forgot one more.  This one is major.  I thought about it over the weekend as I was engaging in the process myself and decided it would be my topic of discussion today. 

The topic is Cleaning, Clutter- how ever you want to put it.   I read a lot of books and articles concerning the steps that successful people maintain or took to become the people that they are.   I have found in my reading and from my personal encounters with “very” successful people that they all say that being organized and getting rid of clutter was a major step in them achieving their goals. 

My husband always tells me that we should have a “place for everything and everything should have a place.”  That is his “kind” way of telling me to keep things organized. 

I think I finally get it.  With my life style and all the things that ‘s on my plate to do in the course of a day  when I go home, If things are in disarray or needs cleaning or straightening up, I just feel overwhelmed and I end up not doing anything including The cleaning or the other projects that I had planned to do. My dilemma is that I do not want to start on my project because I feel guilty that I need to get my house in order  so This leads to an overwhelmed feeling and I end up sometimes just collapsing on the couch saying “I’ll get to it tomorrow.”    We know about “tomorrow.”  It never comes…….. 

That Procrastination is something.    “IT’S A DEMON.” (lol)So, I have committed the entire month of January to getting my house in order.   I am so excited and so is my husband.    There is a book project that I am working on and I really feel like I would have finished it last year if I had my house in order, because I always felt guilty when I worked on it because I felt that there were other pressing projects that I should have been attending to and if I had those things in order, I would have accomplished more or even finished that book on last year. 

Okay, seriously this time, I am through with my tips for the New Year.    Again, there is something so special about this year.  I just sense it.   Let’s get motivated.   Let’s make it happen. 

Stay encouraged!!!!!!! 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

9. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Today is our last day for “Preparing for the New Year tips.” 

Let’s review our three main areas and concentrate on relationships today.  

 Focus your goals in three areas:

a.    Spiritual b.    Physical

c.    Financial 

In my Spiritual, I talked only about prayer and fasting and goals concerning reading God’s word but I also include in my spiritual life my family.   Maybe it should be under a different category but I do want to address it.   Take time to ensure that you have a healthy relationship with your spouse if you are married, your kids, immediate and extended family. I have been married for over 16 years with no kids yet.   My husband and I always thought we would have kids immediately but it has not happened yet.   I can honestly say that my husband and I have a “very” healthy relationship.  He is also a phenomenal scholar of God’s word and he is my encouragement, motivation, and mentor in a lot of different areas.  I admire and respect his walk with God and I aspire to be like him in a whole lot of ways spiritually. 

Because of our schedules, my husband and I have to work diligently to keep our relationship fresh, exciting, and strong.  You made have heard this from other people before, but it actually works. 

Each week, My husband and I have a date night.  We can’t always keep it because of certain situations that may arise, but most times we do.  This night is our night.  We turn off the cell phones and we just “be.”  We may go out for dinner and a movie; we may just hang around at home and do nothing or whatever.  This is our time to catch up.  I tell him about my week and catch him up on all my feelings and emotions and desires and even dreams.   I tell him everything.  He is my friend. Sometimes, we get into theological debates.  He is just so “smart.”  (lol).   

You probably will find this shocking but my husband has “NEVER”, I mean “NEVER” had an argument with me in the 16 years that we have been married.  Now, I must admit, I have my little tantrums every now and then more so back then than now, but he simply says HONEY, RELAX. 

My husband’s philosophy of life is “change what you can” and don’t worry about the rest, turn it over to God.  He honestly does not embrace the concept of worrying.  He realizes that worrying does not solve or change any situation.   He actually walks in an amazing peace that I strive for on a daily basis.  My husband and I study together but we also have our own outlets that keep us balanced.   He has his own hobbies and so do I.  

 Relationships-   It is important this year to analyze your relationships with your friends and even some family members and make some tough decisions.  Sometimes, we have just surrounded our selves with so many negative people who are killing our dreams and hopes and we find ourselves becoming more like them instead of reaching for the impossible. I am not saying that we can’t surround ourselves with people who do have issues but I’m saying if they are negatively influencing us instead of us positively influencing them then we need to let them go.  

I always surround myself with people that are on the same level or higher levels of dreaming, believing, faith, and accomplishment but at the same time I am a mentor to many who are trying to accomplish their dreams.   I do provide them encouragement but I will not allow any of their negatively to become a part of my day.   If you are not strong enough to handle encouraging “negative people”  while you are going through your situations then sometimes you just have to tell them that you can’t help them right now and direct them to someone else or to a counselor or minister at the church.    

Forgiveness-  This is so Key.    UN-Forgiveness affects, spiritual, physical, and even financial.    It is so important to forgive and move on this year.   Even if you are not the one that did the wrong, the scriptures teach that if we know someone has a problem with us whether legitimate or not, we are to go to them and attempt to resolve the issue.   Those steps are given in Matthew.  We actually covered them in our lesson last year.  For the steps, you can revisit that lesson.    Well, that’s my plan for the New Year and I hope if you don’t embrace mine that you establish your own.   Again, it is not everything that I am doing but just a glimpse into how I begin my year.   

GOALS are key.   You must have GOALS.   Nothing will be accomplished if you don’t plan.  Remember, the famous saying, “If you don’t plan then you’ve planned to fail.”    Make a plan this year.   Write it down, so that if you get off track, you can revisit it throughout the year and get back on track.  

At the end of the Year, you will be amazed at all that you have accomplished because you dared to dream.    Dreams really do come true.    It just takes a plan to bring them to pass.    You must have something on the table for the Lord to bless.    I will close with this scripture and I think it will help emphasize my point.    Ecclesastes 11: 1 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Divide  your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.  4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you do not know  the  path of the wind and how  bones {are formed} in the womb of the pregnant  woman, so you do not know  the activity of God who makes all things. 6 Sow your seed in  the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning  or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.   (ASV) 

Okay, so let’s get busy, if you already hadn’t.   Let’s get all that the Lord has prepared for us.   

Stay encouraged!!!! 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.

 Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

8. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

As you know all this week, I have been sharing with you some of the things that I do at the beginning of the year to help me make sure I begin on the right track for the New Year.   I am by no means claiming to be an expert on anything, I am simply sharing with you what has helped and worked for me in the past.   Some of these things may help you or maybe they will motivate you to begin to create your own traditions or practices. 

Today, I want to talk to you about mentorship.   I have learned over the years to search out people that are going in the same direction that I want to go and “serve” under them to learn from their knowledge and wisdom.   I have both spiritual and business mentors.  

This year I’m excited that I have taken on a new spiritual mentor and I am exciting already about the relationship that we have formed and all the things that I have learned from him in such a short time.   It is the most amazing feeling to have someone with more experience and wisdom to speak into your life and to encourage you and be a system of support for you no matter what you are going through whether successes, failures, or mistakes.     Sometimes we simply “mess up”.   It is so incredible to have someone there for you that loves you for just you and has no ulterior motive but to be there for you and invest in you and share your victories and defeats.   I lost one spiritual father (Archbishop Wilbert McKinley) in 2008 and gained another just recently and I am privileged to have found such favor.   

Not only do I have a spiritual mentor but I also have a business mentor.   Someone who is on a “way” bigger level financially and business wise that I am and I learn from his experiences, failures, and success stories.    Just watching him, make things happen without him even saying a word keeps me encouraged to dream bigger and let’s me know that my dreams are “so” achievable.    He always tells me to “keep moving.”  Even if the steps are baby steps.   Just “keep moving” and watch the progress that will be made.  He is such a phenomenal friend and business mentor.   

So all that I am saying is identify some people or even one to start that you respect and admire and begin to build a relationship with you.  Sometimes if these people “appear” to be inaccessible then volunteer in their organizations or businesses and you will be surprised just how much you learn from volunteering and your faithfulness will usually get you to eventually meet the person that you desire to mentor you. 

Please remember in mentorship that the efforts must be on your part.  You cannot just call someone and say “I want you to be my mentor.”  That is not how it usually works.   You must pursue that person.  They get that question all the time and the students that they take on are usually the ones that just start serving and volunteering and just start being in the places that they are and just quietly listening and learning.   Biblically, we see it all through the scriptures.   Jesus had his twelve that he mentored.  The Apostle Paul mentored Timothy,  Elijah mentored Elisha, Eli mentored Samuel there were schools of the prophets in the Old testament where the “sons of the prophets” were mentored and the list goes on and on. 

Again, people ask me all the time how I accomplish and do certain things in my life.   This is simply a glimpse of what I do.  There is so much more to it.  I really hope this helps. 

Tomorrow, I will close this week with sharing some more of my New Year’s tips and then on Monday, we will begin our New Year study.  I will start with a summary to catch everyone up and then we will proceed with the study of Matthew. 

Stay encouraged!!!! 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

7. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Today, I want to share with you some of my favorite scriptures for the New Year.   I am a visual person and I like to post scriptures on my refrigerator so that daily I can be encouraged by God’s word.   Sometimes I have placed them on my bathroom mirror.   You would be amazed at how powerful it is when you first wake up to see these scriptures.   It really helps you to get through the day and to get back on track if you get off or to motivate you to dream bigger and accomplish more. 

If you don’t already do this, try it this year.   Get some of your favorite scriptures and type them up and post them in places that you constantly visit throughout the day.   It could be your desk at work, your computer screen, your refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, etc.     

Also, if you visit a Christian book store, you may be able to find your favorite scriptures in plaque form or on key chains, or as a book mark, etc. 

Again, I am sharing with you some of the things that I do to help get my New Year started off right and to help me stay focused throughout the year.  Time waits on no one and it is important that we don’t let another year pass by us without growing spiritually, physically, and financially.   

Today, I want to share with you some of my favorite scriptures that I use. 

Habbakuk 2: 2 “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  (KJV) 

Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”  (KJV) 

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,  whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (KJV) 

I Samuel 9:24…..”And {Samuel} said, “Here is what has been reserved! Set {it} before you {and} eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time,…”  (NASV) 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” ( KJV) 

I Kings 8:59……”that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people

John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (KJV) 

Job 22:28 “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” 

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:….” (KJV) 

II Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations,  and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV) 

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (KJV) 

These are just some of my favorites.  Each one of them has their own history with me and they have helped me get through difficult times and helped me to stay focused. 

Stay encouraged!!!! 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

6. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

I had  comments on the message yesterday so I thought I would address them today.   People have asked me about our three year plan to get out of debt and how we did it. 

My husband and I bought Dave Ramsey’s book about Getting out of debt and we applied some of his principles.   The book gave us a great strategy to begin. 

Here were our steps.  Some of these were taken from the book and others we added ourselves. 

1.     STOP SPENDING- This is the first step.  Stop adding to your debt.  I am aware that things will come up and unexpected situations will happen to cause you to incur debt but control what you came.  STOP ALL UNNECESSARY SPENDING.   Sacrifice now to enjoy a better life later.  IT is so worth it.   It takes time.  For my family it took really about five years though we aggressively have been working towards it about three years. 

 2.     Write it down.  You will be amazed at how you can solve and handle your debt when you actually know what you are facing.   Most of us have no idea how much debt we are in because we simply just pay the bills as they come and have not put a plan in place as to how long it will take us to get out of debt or we continue to pile debt on.

3.     Credit Card Debt or All Unsecured Debt-   We took the lowest bills first and we started doubling up the payments towards them.  We did not look at the cards with the highest interest rates first; we simply started working on the lowest balances.  We paid just the minimum amounts due on the higher credit card balances.    The strategy is that the lower amounts were being paid off quicker and you felt a sense of accomplishment seeing those bills disappear.  Once that bill was gone, we took that money that normally goes to that bill and used it to get rid of the next lowest bill.  Once that bill was paid, we took the money that we used to pay on those two bills and began to attack the next lowest bills and the cycle continued until all bills were paid off. 

4.      When a bill is paid off, do not consider that money to be free or extra money.  Use it to double the payments on other bills. 

5.     After a couple of years, our cars were paid off and we began to use the car note money towards our credit card bills.Okay, tomorrow I’ll give you some more of my tips.  This is going to be a special year.  Let’s plan to embrace a wonderful year and be ready to receive all the things that the Lord has reserved for us. 

Stay encouraged and I’ll See you tomorrow. 

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.   

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

5. January 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: Happy New Year: 

Before we get back into our study let me just share with you some of my New Year goals. Each year, I write out a list of the things that I want to accomplish for the New Year.   I believe in “writing the vision and making it plain.”   I don’t make the list too overbearing or too “out there” but I do reach for the impossible and I do dream big for I believe that all things are possible if we only believe.  But I am also aware that whatever I put before the Lord I have to be willing to work towards it.  Things are not just going to happen.   The bible teaches that “faith without works is dead.”   

While I will not go into the specifics of my list because I want to keep it private because it involves other people, I will give you a general overview of what I do. 1.     I make my goals in three areasa.   

Spiritual                                                            

i.      I create a certain prayer time and bible reading time everyday that I can meet.   I make this goal realistic.   If you are not use to praying an hour a day or reading God’s word an hour daily, do not make that commitment.  You will find that it will be very difficult to commit to.   Start slow and reasonable and it will increase and become a habit.                                                           

ii.      There are certain subjects that I attempt to perfect or learn through the word.  This year I aam attempting to master the book of Matthew and master the period of Israel called the Monarchy.   I will spend the entire year reading and gathering material on those two subjects.                                                      

iii.      Meditation time-   I always schedule some time just to meditate on God’s word.  NO concordances, no dictionaries, no study materials, just meditation.  Reading for reading sakes.   For this task, I actually use one of those Get through the bible in a year books.  I used the chronological one that takes you from Genesis to Revelation and it has the date from Jan 1 to Dec 31 on what your reading should be so it is very easy to follow.  It also allows me to constantly read through God’s word afresh each year.                                                         

iv.      Fasting-  I am getting ready to start a 21 day fast.  I always like to give God the first 21 days of my New Year in fasting and prayer.   If you are not use to fasting and would like to try it, please start slow and make a commitment of something you can keep but at the same time it must be a sacrifice.   Those of you that have medical conditions should consult with your doctor and share your plans with them before you attempt any type of fast.   Should you want more information about what I am doing, please email me and I will share with you personally what my fast entails.  I also try to fast at least 3 times a year.  They are all different and are guided by where I am spiritually and the needs of people around me.                                                         

v.      Outreach-  My spiritual goals always include some type of community outreach that will help me be a witness or help win souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.   Currently, I function as a volunteer chaplain at a local women’s prison in my state and I can be found there every Second Sunday of the month preaching the word of God.  It is so rewarding.  Also my business contributes to community outreaches and events periodically throughout the year.  I intend to work with a newly formed foundation this year in their efforts to provide services to youths and the elderly which I have always had a heart for.  b.    Physical                                                            

i.      I have weight goals that I am attempting to reach through “eating right” and working out.  Currently I worked out 5 days a week for an hour Monday-Friday.                                                           

ii.      Time for ME-   Sometimes I just shut away and maybe eat dinner by myself or go to a movie or get by the water.  I love the water.  It allows me to focus inward and my goal is to make sure I am bringing balance in my life.   Take time for YOU!!!!!!!!!   In this life, people pull on us from so many areas.  The needs are as diverse as the people and if we allow them, they can drain us and we will end up in a depression.   Even Jesus teaches that we must love our neighbor as ourself.  In other words, don’t take care of someone else’s needs and problems at the expense of neglecting yours. 

c.    Financial                                                            

 i.      Debt Free Living- 3 years ago, my husband set us out on a journey to get out of debt.   I am so happy to announce that this past December 31, was the third year.   My husband and I are personally debt free except for a mortgage and utilities bills.   Our trucks and cars are paid for, our credit card debt is gone, our student loans are gone, etc.   We are practicing living debt free.  If we cannot buy it cash or pay the whole balance when the credit card bill comes, we do not purchase it.     It feels so good to know that those bills will no longer be coming.                                                         

ii.      Savings-   We always put a little aside for saving.  According to some of the financial experts that we have learned from, we are currently taking their advice and now that we are debt free, we are accumulating in our savings enough money to handle one years expenses which includes mortgage and utilities just “in case.” 

    iii.      Investments-  In our economy, we are not investing in the stock market though we do have investments there that we are holding on to waiting for them to recover, but now that we are out of debt, we will start back contributing to  our retirement fund. Some of you may say I can’t afford to do any of this.  These steps came from years of work.  Just begin your journey this year.   For some of us, it will just be working on getting out of debt.  We can all stop excess spending.  Even if we can’t pay a lot off of our debt right now because of the economy, you will be surprised how just cutting back on things as eating out, bringing lunch, conserving energy at home to cut utilities bills, etc.  It all adds up and that extra money saved can be used to pay towards existing debt.    Okay, I’m sure I’m going to get a lot of questions.   So email me and I’ll address some more things that I am doing on tomorrow.  Just think about what I have written.  Each one of us has to do what works for us.  What I do know is that at the end of the year, seeing these goals accomplished and come true is phenomenal.   

Stay encouraged!!!! 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.

 Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »