Anthony Wade Ministries

I recently read a book about ATTITUDE. The writer of the book, embarks upon what our attitude is when we describe others. Are we positive or negative in our vocal description of people? Do we build others up or are we quick to put them down? If the latter is your answer, you may be a person who has a limited self-image. A limited self-image has nothing to do about others, but everything to do about YOU. Let's face it, people put others down in an attempt to feel good about who they are. Those who take the opportunity to put others down, are only chipping away at their own foundation. “He That Throws Dirt Loses Ground.” and “You Have To Be Little To Belittle.”

Putting others down is like cutting off your legs. Our legs are the support that give us the ability to stand. Putting others down is also like shooting yourself in the foot. Our feet are crucial to how well we stand. Someone may ask, “What if I am speaking the truth?” My best answer to that question is found in Philippians.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

{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.

It is a known fact that what we think, we believe. What we believe, we speak. The acid-base indicator of what we say about others is: 1) Is it true? 2) Is it honest? 3) Is it just? 4) Is it pure? 5) Is it lovely? 6) Does it have a good report? You be the judge! If there is any virtue and praise in what you are thinking about saying, then and only then do we have the license to say it. Following this principle will cause us to really consider what we say about the people around us. Besides, it reveals our attitude toward ourselves. Putting this kind of examination on ourselves will give us a chance to grow up spiritually. Spiritual growth in many ways, not all, is detected by what comes out of our mouth.

My questions to you is this: “Is your self–image limited?” Can it be said that your self-image is vibrant, strong, positive, and full of potential? I once heard it said that our words represent our present attitude toward God. That can also trickle down to our attitude towards others.

Man is made after the similitude of God (James 3:1-10). In the words of a fellow minister, “Watch your lips! ” They may reveal your self-image. -AWM

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade Ministries — All Rights Reserved
www.anthonywadeministries.com

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

{14} Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

{15} And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

One of the deceptions that war against the believer is the enemy of our soul is endeavoring to steal our confidence (1 Peter 2:11 * John 10:10). The scriptures are full of illustrations that encourage us to keep our confidence undamaged. Our text is a good starting point. First of all, our confidence should be in none other than Him. Secondly, our confidence is preserved by making sure we are asking or petitioning for something in line with His Will — His Will is His Word. Thirdly, we have confidence that He hears us, if we are asking according to His Word. His Word is His Will. Fourthly, we must have the confidence that we have what we asked Him, if we know that He heard us. Knowing that we have a petition cannot be based on the five physical senses. Many times the senses are the biggest obstacles — the biggest hurdles that we have to get over. Why? Because we are inclined to allow the senses to dominate our lives. To receive God’s best we must lay aside our senses. We must learn to walk by faith in His Word (Hebrews 11:1 * 2 Corinthians 5:7).

The book of Proverbs gives us another look at confidence.

Proverbs 3:19-27 (NKJV)

{19} The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens;

{20} By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.

{21} My son, let them not depart from your eyes — keep sound wisdom and discretion;

{22} So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.

{23} Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.

{24} When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. {25} Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; {26} For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

Wow, the previous passage is loaded with positive affirmations. Verse twenty six says it all for us. Other scriptures that speaks about our confidence are: Psalms 118:8 * Philippians 3:1-3 * Hebrews 3:6. Lastly, I want to leave you with something that must be paramount in your mind.

Philippians 1:6 (NASBU)

{6} For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

What He started in us, He is more than able and willing to finish. However, He can’t do it apart from our cooperation. — AWM

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade Ministries, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No portion of this publication may be rewritten or reproduced without the written permission of the author.

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Proverbs 26:11 American Standard Version

{11} As a dog that returned to his vomit, (So is) a fool that repeateth his folly.

This verse is very strong. It gives us opportunity and take inventory of our lives. It has a way of helping us look deep inside of ourselves and ask these questions. Have I become like a dog? Have I returned to a life of vomit? Am I living the life of a fool? Am I repeating the conduct of foolishness?

As I pondered the beginnings of this article I wondered what is the definition of vomit. This is what I found. (1) An act or instance of disgorging the contents of the stomach through the mouth. (2) To eject violently or abundantly. Now, before I get very far with this school of thought I want you to realize that it is not my intent to offend anyone with this very graphic imagery. However, I do have an eternal purpose in mind for discussing this subject. If you have ever vomited; the contents of that vomit is something that did not agree with your system. It is something that does not harmonize with who you are as a person. Therefore, it becomes vomit. My purpose is to get our readers to see themselves beyond the life of a dog. Sometimes, people become shortsighted, or they think they have no other choice but to reduce themselves to that of a canine— an animal. We must realize that we are the way we think. What determines who we are as a people, is our thinking.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. (NKJV)
What we think about, we will eventually become. Greater yet what we say is tied to what we think. This is how it works. What we think, we believe, what we believe, we say, what we say becomes a part of our lives; be it positive or negative. I really like the notorious statement that says “The man or woman who thinks he or she can or can’t, are both right.” If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t, you won’t. We are responsible for what we think. Why? Because what we think, determines whether we are spiritual or carnal (fleshy).

Recently it was brought to my attention that someone, whom I love very dearly, had returned to their vomit. It was very hard to listen to the bad news. I was like a deer that gets blinded by automobile lights — it hurt so badly. It reminded me of a song I heard years ago, that goes like this.

Somebody told me you no longer love Him. I could not believe it, I had to see for myself. Now we sit here together, holding the memories. The sorrow keeps growing, for the love not flowing. Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home.

There’s not one thing you’ve done, that He didn’t already die for. Come Back Home, Come Back Home, He loves you. I want you to know I still love you, I’ll always be there, cause life is so hard for the lonely, the pain isn’t easy to bear. Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, there’s not one thing you’ve done, that He didn’t already die for, Come Back Home, Come Back Home, I love you. Come on!, Come Back Home, He loves you, loves you. Come on!, Come Back Home, Come Back Home.

You might notice that the composer of that song is pleading with a person who has walked away from a life that is pleasing to the Lord. It really is no different than how God is pleading with us.

Romans 12:1-2 The Living Bible

{1} And so, dear brothers, (and sisters), I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy-the kind He can accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?

{2} Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.

God is pleading with us, to give our bodies to Him. Our bodies are to be a living contribution. They are to be holy, acceptable, and pleasing to Him. Now, just stop and think about all that He has done for us. Is it too hard for us to give our all to Him? There are a number of things that trip many people up. It is the behavior and customs of everything around them. Some are moved by their family and all of the trappings that go along with their traditions. I learned a long time ago that some family line traditions and customs can keep me from the principles of the Word of God. It took intestinal fortitude — spiritual guts, to walk away from some traditions — to follow what God has for me. I know it may not be popular among some family members, but Who purchased our redemption? It was God The Father, through Jesus Christ The Son. -AWM

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade Ministries — All Rights Reserved
www.anthonywadeministries.com

Come Back Home words and music by Tim Sheppard.

Lust… #1939 In the Strongs Concordance – KJV. The word means to have a strong desire. Longing for something that is forbidden. This word describes the emotions of the soul, mind and will. To have the natural tendency towards evil. Such lusts are not necessarily base and immoral, they may be refined in character, but are evil if inconsistent with the will of God.

Protect me from knowing what I don't need to know. Protect me from even knowing that there are things to know that I don't know. Protect me from knowing that I decided not to know about the things that I decided not to know about. Amen. ~Douglas Adams