"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life'" (John 4:13,14).  Why do we sometimes still find a craving, a thirst inside of ourselves when Jesus promised that we would never thirst?  Could it be that we are drinking of the wrong water as He warned in John 4:13?  That explains the disappointment.  Our lack of peace, our spiritual craving and thirst, should drive us from the first type of water to the second type described by Jesus in verse 14. We often need to be reminded to not drink form other sources.

According to the Word of God, we only have two choices for which "government" we will live under.  Actually we make the choice.  This chapter is to give you some of the contrasts between the two.  While as believers in Jesus and His Kingdom, we are to obey the laws of the physical governments under which we live, we can choose to be under the government of God, the Kingdom of God.  Both the governments of this world and the Kingdom of God have invisible spiritual roots.  We must choose which spirit we will grant authority to over our lives.  We must choose what system of government and economic system we choose to rely upon.

There can be some difficult choices in obeying our national government authorities where the laws are ungodly, and there are some exceptions as described in the Book of Acts, chapter 4:18-20..

The history of types of governments.

No blurred distinctions.

Even believers in Jesus can become confused and have blurred distinctions between the world's demonic system, which includes this world's governments, and the Kingdom of God.  I hope in this chapter to give you some very definite distinctions between the two so that you may be blessed.

The end times new world order will consist of a combination and unification between a false religious system, the Whore or Mystery Babylon, and the one world ruler, the antichrist system, called the Beast.  Not only will they be, but they always have been, and even now are.

The world's systems of governments have been many and varied.  In the end, Satan or satanic beings designed all of them.  I am showing a short description of the main types of governments our world has seen in a effort to make a distinct comparison with the Kingdom of God.  Why?  Because too many believers do not understand that they can live under the government of the Kingdom of God now, in this life.  They do not need to be subject to the corruption of the national governments.

Communism.

I have a Chinese friend who fortunately escaped a Communist nation and is now an international minister in the United States.  As a young boy, the Communists told him and his family that they would experience a wonderful life with all their needs cared for.  He did not experience that, and had a powerful face to face salvation experience with the Lord.

Communism, and many types of socialism, promise that the government will be the primary source of care for all of one's needs.  Experience however has shown this to be a goal that is impossible.  Frequently the top group of leaders take such large portions of the nation's wealth, that there is not enough left to go around.  Also, people in most Communists societies are not given the incentive to succeed so they just do the minimum to get by in the work place and other walks of life.

This normally leads to the Communist governments need to go conquer another nation to steal its wealth.

Dictatorship: Monarchy: like Sadam Hussein in old Iraq.

Dictatorships are often headed up by evil and spiritually confused people who do not care for the welfare of the people.  They make a big show of it, but in the end, they only are concerned for their own power and wealth.

Oligarchy: ruled by the elite. Like Russia.

While some call Russia a Communist nation, they have transitioned into what is called a Oligarchy, or a government run by the elite.  These types of governments often become ruled by a mafia organization and most of the lower income and poor suffer greatly.

Democracy: The mob.

Republic: rules by elected representatives.

While many feel that democracy is the perfect and godly type of government, that is not so.  The United States of America is supposed to be a cross between a democracy and a republic.  That is because the few representatives that actually elect our president are elected by popular vote.  Normally, but not always, the popular vote is what elects the president and the congress.  One might think, "Well, this is perfect, if we could just have a democracy like the USA we would be okay."

A lot of elected politicians are not public servants, and they take their public office as an opportunity to enhance their own financial wealth.  Furthermore, history has shown that once the people in a democracy discover that they have the power to elect a socialist who will take care of all their needs with public funds, the democracy fails, and turns into a socialist state.  When the majority of voters do not have godly hearts, the result is an ungodly government.  Recently the United States of America overturned a dictator in another country in order to install a democracy.  Then the liberated nation adapted a constitution that turned the nation to an Islamic government.

Anarchy: ruled by no one.

This is where life is like a jungle setting, kill or be killed.  There are nations like this in the world now.

Capitalism.

While capitalism is not a form of government, it can be an important aspect in government structures.  Some feel that capitalism is the best way for an economic system to function.  While it may be one of the best and it does work better than most, it is still under the dominion of Satan.  In a capitalistic society, the rich become very rich, the poor and middle class have an opportunity to succeed, but the problem is that the rich hoard up their riches and the result is an extremely poor sector of society that cannot care for itself.  Wealth is simply redistributed, but there is no "increase."  There are some Communist governments now in 2009 that support a capitalistic system of economics, however it is very corrupt.  Ezekiel chapter 28 speaks about the destruction of Tyre, and then relates it to Satan himself.  Tyre was an island that experienced tremendous prosperity, much like today's Wall Street and the world's financial markets.

If you are operating in the Kingdom of God as a believer in Jesus, He promises the abundant life.  That is not like the world's definition of prosperity however.  God's abundant life starts with our character being changed into God's likeness, and that is often through severe trials and challenges.  However, as we become more like Jesus, God's provisions are more than enough!

The Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is a Monarchy, but it is ruled by a king who loves His constituents to the point where He gave His own life as a sacrifice for them.  The Kingdom of God is the only form of government that will indeed improve the life of its citizens.

Isaiah told us what to expect.

Isaiah 9:6, 7:

“6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

The world's system of government has failed mankind.  There is no hope of peace within man's rule.  Even if there are no guns sounding off, there is still hatred among nations and peoples.  But the Kingdom of God promises peace, even in war, even in a storm.  And, you do not have to wait to die to obtain its benefits.  Notice, that Jesus often spoke about the Gospel, or the good news, of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 9:35

“35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

The Kingdom of God, as you will study in later chapters, actually has within it the mystery of increase.  Everything works on a seed principle, which itself has the system of increase working within it.  A small seed can produce a large tree, which will produce much fruit in which are more seeds.  Jesus turned a few fish and a little bread into enough to feed thousands of people.

When you live your life within the Kingdom of God you are not limited to the economic, social and political systems of the government and economy that you are in.  You are an ambassador from another country sent here to earth to do a job.  Your King Jesus sends you support while you are doing your job as ambassador. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God."

Read the labels.

Once my wife asked me to hand her the bottle of shampoo.  I handed her what I thought was the bottle of shampoo, but turned out to be hand lotion.  As she was shampooing her hair she noticed that it made her hair quit greasy.  The Lord spoke to her immediately and said, "Read the label."  That is exactly what we need to do when confronted with each and every decision we make in life.  Read the label.  Is it from the Kingdom of God or the Beast and the Harlot?  In many shopping areas the vendors use counterfeit labels and make the product look like the real thing. Sometimes the distinctions can be blurry.  Satan has a very deceptive way of making us think that the counterfeit is the real thing.  You may recall in the first chapter that I earlier quoted from 1 Peter 2:1-3 that false prophets will come in the last days.  Sometimes these false prophets are deceptive because while they do not reject in total the message of the Gospel, they have a way of instilling what led to the original sin, "Has God really said?"

When a bank trains its employees to detect the difference between counterfeit and genuine bills, they put them in a training seminar where they handle the genuine bills for hours upon hours.  Their hands become accustomed to the real thing.  Then when the touch the counterfeit they can detect it immediately.

Mary saw the resurrected Jesus at the tomb on resurrection morning but did not recognize Him until she heard His voice.  You need to be desperate in seeking to hear Jesus speak revelation knowledge to you, in other words, Wisdom.  That is the only safe place.

What and where is Wisdom?

You choose whether you live under the world's system of government or the Kingdom of God by whose voice you listen to.

We need to be equipped to discern between the kingdom of the world and the Kingdom of God.  In the Book of Proverbs, Wisdom is identified as God speaking His Word, which is the key to the Kingdom of God.  Wisdom is Jesus personified.  This is not to be confused with what the world calls wisdom.  The world system is referred to in Proverbs as the Whore or the Harlot depending upon which Bible version you use.  She also has a voice that people hear and obey.  The Proverbs are clear that when a child of God utilizes any part of the world's spiritual government then he/she is an adulterer.  God is jealous, and He wants 100% fidelity.

Wisdom is Christ speaking His Word directly to you as revelation knowledge. Satan's counterfeit is to have Mystery Babylon, the false and apostate religious system, speak to you.

James 4:4:

"4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

1 John 2:15:

"15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

1 Corinthians 2:6-10:

“6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

Satan is a counterfeiter, and as Prince of this world's kingdom, he counterfeits God's Kingdom.  He also attempts to stay unseen, anonymous and in secret so that God's children will commit adultery without even knowing it.  However God has revealed it as spiritual Babylon. In Revelation chapters 17 and 18 she is called "The Mother of Harlots." (Revelation 17:5).

The good news.

John 16:33 (Amplified Bible) says, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

Where is Wisdom found?

If Wisdom is simply Jesus speaking His living word to you personally, then how and where do we find it?

The fear of the Lord is needed.

Proverb 9:10 says,  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,"

Wisdom is a fruit.  It is the fruit of the fear of the Lord.

The type of fear we should have for the Lord is really not "fear" at all.  This type of fear (of God), involves, as defined from Strong's Concordance, respect, reverence, piety, revered.  The reverential fear of the Lord, I believe, includes knowing that God is with you and indeed in you at all times.  Then it is having the "fear" of not pleasing Him with what you say, do or think.

It is also as Isaiah felt in Isaiah chapter 6, and as is quoted below, the absolute awesomeness of how great and huge God is, especially compared to who we discover we are as we see Him correctly.

A Quote from Walk With God,  Chris Tiegreen

Where Wisdom Begins.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. PROVERBS 9:10

We're uncomfortable with the idea of fearing God. We defend Him as One whose love is so great He needs not be feared. As 1 John 4:18 says: "Perfect love drives out fear." So we redefine fear as "awe" and "reverence." Yet the Scriptures use the term "fear of God" frequently enough to give us the impression that something more than awe is appropriate. It is the kind of fear that terrified the disciples when they heard God's voice at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:6); that overwhelmed Isaiah when he cried out: "Woe to me! ... I am ruined!" in God's presence (Isaiah 6:5); and that drove John facedown at the sight of the glorified Son (Revelation 1:17).

Why does a God of love tell us that wisdom begins when we fear Him? Because when we approach the Holy One with a casual familiarity, we are not living in reality. We do not take Him as seriously as we ought, and we do not take our sin as seriously as we ought. Fear-not of punishment but of the overwhelming greatness of God-sees Him correctly. When we stand on the edge of the vast, bottomless chasm that separates us from Him, and we behold the immeasurable expense He paid to bridge that chasm, we experience fear. Fear of what would have been if we had never known the gospel. Fear of our own unworthiness. Fear of the absolute dedication to Him that is now required of us. When this fear grips us, we begin to understand the enormity of the gospel and of our God. That understanding begins to rearrange our lives. And that is what wisdom is all about.

It is vital that we know God's love and rest comfortably in it. But a true understanding of God's love begins with an overwhelming awareness of His greatness, holiness, and power as they contrast our own sinful nature. There is nothing more fear-inducing than that. But this is where we must begin. This will shape our self-awareness, our relationships, our work, our prayers-everything we think and do. lt will make us wise.

Wisdom is found in the grave.

In Job chapter 28, there is a questioning by Job on where wisdom can be found.

Job 28:12-22,28 says,

12 "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

13 Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’

15 It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.

16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.

17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.

18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.

19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold.

20  "From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?

21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air.

22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears

28 "And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding"

I believe that verse 28:22 above has some deep meanings for us.  First, if Jesus is Wisdom personified, then it makes sense that one of the places that heard of Him is Death and Destruction.  He "popped in" for a while, but did not stay long.  He was resurrected.  I believe that the analogy of Death seeing Wisdom for a little while is applicable to our lives.  When we "die," not physical death, but death to our independence, our dreams, etc., then we are more qualified to hear Jesus speak, or in other worlds, see Wisdom.

This is what happened to Isaiah as recorded in Isaiah chapter 6 when "his king died."  After he had been through death, he saw and heard Wisdom, or Jesus.  So it is with us.  This has been certainly true in my personal life.  Each time I am called to a painful challenge, especially one in which I must really take up my cross in great pain, when I need to die to something, I see and hear Wisdom, Jesus, much better!

It amazes me how many Christians live their lives under the control of the Harlot and not Wisdom, simply because they will not do what is needed to hear God speak.

In later chapters we will cover this in more detail.  However the primary missing component is failure to "Walk in the Spirit."

A quotation from Chris Tiegreen.

God's Wisdom takes a back seat to our affections, when our affections are not rooted in Him.

Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?  Deception in the spiritual world is widespread.  Often people like to be deceived so that they do not see their real and true condition.  So what is the remedy?  God does not improve our heart, but He gives us a resurrected heart, as in Ezekiel 36:26.  However, even then, we need to constantly have the Word of Wisdom from God in our hearts so that the deception does not prevail.  We must have accurate discernment between the things of this world and the Kingdom of God, lest we miss the mark.

The original deception was all about wisdom.

Genesis 3:6:

“6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

The primary ingredient in operating above the governments and economy of this world's system is to be able to hear God speaking.  Hearing Him speak is the first ingredient in operating in the Kingdom of God.

When you see Wisdom in the Proverbs it is referring to Jesus speaking.

It is the Word of God spoken as revelation knowledge to your spirit from Him.  It is Jesus personified.

Proverbs 8:22-35:

"22 "The LORD possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

23 I [Wisdom] have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primeval dust of the world.

27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

32 "Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me [Wisdom], Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;"

Wisdom and the adulterous woman.

When you see the adulterous woman, the Whore or Harlot in the Proverbs, it is referring to the world's system.  Of course, all of the warnings in Proverbs apply to the adulterous woman in the natural life as well.  When I refer to the Whore or Harlot I am referring to the combination of the apostate religious system united with our governments.  Taken together, I call them the world's system.

Wisdom will keep you from the system of the world.

Proverbs 7 is not only a warning on how to stay clear of human harlots, but also how to stay clear of the spiritual harlot, the "world system."  We are to live in the Kingdom of God.  If we live in the world system, we are "spiritual adulterers."  As you read through this, consider how the world entices you with potential pleasures through not paying your taxes, cheating customers, lying, and dealing dishonestly.  At first you may be enticed for the quick profit, but look at the end of the road!

Proverbs 7:1-27:

1 My son, keep my [Wisdom's] words, And treasure my commands within you.

2 Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.

6 For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice,

7 And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,

8 Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house

9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.

10 And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home.

12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him:

14 "I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.

17 I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day."

21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

23 Till an arrow struck his liver.  As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth:

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;

26 For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.

27 Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

Wisdom will protect you from evil people and the satanic harlot, the immoral woman or in other words, the world system.

Proverbs 2:1-22

“1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.

10 When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,

11 Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you,

12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,

13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked;

15 Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths;

16 To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words,

17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.

18 For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead;

19 None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life--

20 So you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness.

21 For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it;

22 But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.”

Ignoring Wisdom is dangerous.

Proverbs 1:22-33:

"22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,

25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes,

27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.

28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.

31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.""

Wisdom will turn every challenge or suffering into triumph, if you obey what you hear.

Matthew 7:21-27:

"21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

22 "Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

23 "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.""

More benefits from Wisdom, or hearing God speak.

Proverbs 3:13-27:

"13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

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.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so."

Proverbs 4:7-9:

"7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.""

Wisdom will provide for your financial needs.

Proverbs 8:6-21:

"6 Listen, for I [Wisdom] will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.

15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.

17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries."

I can personally testify to the operation of Wisdom in relation to finances.  There have been many financial miracles in my life and in the life or our ministry, International School of The Bible, and our businesses.  There have been so many times when it looked like we would have no home and did not know where our next meal would come from.  In spite of this, we never missed a meal, and all of our bills and obligations have always been paid on time.  God has brought miraculous funding for printing hundreds of thousands of books around the world and providing them for the poor and persecuted believers.

Both Wisdom and the Harlot both have voices that call you.

Proverbs 9:1-5:

Wisdom says,

"1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens, She [Wisdom] cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I [Wisdom] have mixed."

Proverbs 9:13-18

The Harlot says,

"13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.

14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,

15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:

16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here"; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

17 "Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell."

Two kinds of hope.

There are two kinds of hope.  The world's system has something they call hope that is really only wishful thinking.  It is often not based on fact, and it does not have power to produce the expected results.  Before I was saved, I was really bad about this.  It really is nothing more than thinking in fantasies.

There is a God kind of hope.  It is well described in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified Bible), which says,

"NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]."

Notice that it says that faith is the title deed, the assurance of what you hope for.  How does faith come?  Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing God speak.  When you allow God to plant His Word into your heart as a seed, faith and hope for that expected promise comes into your heart and mind.  Then when things look like the promise is not going to come as expected, just remember that you have the title deed to the promise.  It is for sure!  You own it, but it may take some time and spiritual warfare to manifest itself.

Death The Equalizer.  Wisdom brings riches that do not control.  The world brings riches that own you.

God, the Redeemer – quoted from Chris Tiegreen.

But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. PSALM 49:15

This verse is what it's all about, for us and for others, This must be the first preoccupation of all our plans and purposes. It is not our productive work habits, inheritances, or any other windfall during our lives that divides the successful from the impoverished. The grave does that. Only then are true riches counted.

Is it not amazing how much time people spend securing their lifestyles, their careers, their education, and their living conditions compared to the little amount of time spent on the things of eternity? It is a sure sign of depravity when men and women cannot-or do not care to-see beyond the grave, One day in eternity, many will look back with astonishment. They will see how much effort went into things that do not last and how little went into things that do not die. And there will be gnashing of teeth.

"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." That is the claim and the hope of everyone who has seen through the world's illusions of fame and fortune. Everyone who was snubbed by worldly elites will not care when he or she is redeemed from the grave. None of the games people play will matter then. No social, economic, or political rivalry will matter then. There will be two kinds of people-redeemed and not.

It is enormously important for us to keep life in perspective. It is dangerously easy to get sucked into the world's value systems. But a depraved culture is not a reliable source for what-or who-is truly valuable. God's Word is. Any other focus is a misplaced trust.

Do you get discouraged easily by your status in life?

Then ask yourself: Who defined that status? God or the world? God only has two classes, and He always welcomes you into the better one. The world has many classes, and they're all false. Who would you rather believe?

"For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot [the world system, Mystery Babylon] who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her" (Revelation 19:2).

What is more important?

All of these advantages listed above that come from Wisdom, or hearing God speak are wonderful.  However, the intimacy of His presence is more valuable and more powerful than all of the answers to prayer and all of His provisions. I want to repeat that, and even ask you to write it down somewhere. The intimacy of His presence is more valuable and more powerful than all of the answers to prayer and all of His provisions. There are times in our lives when we cannot possibly fathom what is going on, and why God has allowed certain things to happen.  At those times we do not need answers as much as we need His presence.

When that happens, God and His Word will be treasured more than any other affection of your heart.

The Dove brings peace.

I believe that the reason that Jesus was baptized is so that He could make the statement before Heaven, Earth and Hell, that He, a righteous man would die the death of the unrighteous.  We get baptized in order to symbolize the death of our old sinful nature.  Jesus was baptized to symbolize the death of His godly nature for us.

When that happened, I submit that He felt a great degree of torment, realizing His future suffering.  Notice, however, that the Dove, the Holy Spirit came upon Him to bring Him peace and comfort.  That works the same with us.  When life torments us, the Dove, the Holy Spirit, will come upon us in a powerful way to fill us with God's grace for whatever suffering we may be going through.  I would rather have that, than any answer to prayer.

Matthew 3:13-17:

"13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.""