Lesson from Pinocchio - Take Heed to Wisdom 
by Audrea Winbush Lott

It's not such a good idea to do anything and everything that you want to do. (1 Corinthians 20:23)  Wisdom is available to make the right choices.  Choosing to do as we please can lead us to destruction and despair.  (Proverbs 16:25) 

One of my most treasured childhood memories is my mother taking me to see the movie Pinocchio.  In addition to the lessons that were gleaned concerning telling the truth (definitely didn't want your nose to grow), there were other lessons packed into the story, as well.  One was making the choice to be obedient, to listen to your conscience, and to exercise wisdom and discipline when faced with opportunities.  
When Pinocchio wandered off and began to enjoy all of the pleasures that he thought he desired, trying to fit in with the others, throwing caution to the wind, things were great initially. Pleasure Island was the place to be!  However, after a period of time, he looked up and he looked like and sounded like something that he wasn't.  Make sure that you are not deceiving yourself.  In your own mind you are simply exercising your freedom, your choice, and fulfilling your own desires.  But after while, you may realize you've grown a tail, have giant ears, and are braying like the donkey that you've become.  We have to pull out the mirror and take a good look at ourselves, and be honest about what is really going on and where we really are.  (James 1:23-24)  The Word of God is our mirror and it tells us what we should look like and how we should conduct ourselves.  We have to avoid the temptation to see/hear what to do and then choose to "forget" so that we can do as we please.  Some decisions don't seem like such a big deal, but they can lead you places that you never envisioned or imagined.  

We don't get to that place with one step; there usually is a series of steps or missteps that get us there.  Pinocchio began to listen to his conscience less frequently and eventually ignored and outran wisdom in order to be able to do what he wanted to do. We have to make sure we don't ignore the call, the cry, the plea of Wisdom.  She is always standing in the path attempting to help guide us in the right direction. (Proverbs 8:1-11)  We may not always like what we hear and may feel that we know a better way.  But in the end, her ways are found to be the way we should travel.  God knows where He is trying to take us.  We cannot afford to give in to the distractions and be pulled by desires that don't line up with the wisdom of God.  Let's make sure we are getting out of the place that being determined to do things our own way.  

Our way may make a lot of sense to us or may feel good to experience something new or different.  We may want to break away from the boundaries that are set in place.  But  we don't have the full story, we don't have the details about the consequences that await us.  That's why we need to listen to the voice of Wisdom and allow God to guide us to and keep us on that path that He has laid out for us.  We must take a good look at ourselves and be honest with ourselves. It's time to get it right! 

#GetTheMirror  #GetWisdom  #GetOnTrack  #GetBackOnTrack  #GreatGraceAbounds  #NoEarsNoTailForMe 

Scripture references:

1 Corinthians 10:23
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

23 Someone may say, “I’m allowed to do anything,” but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth.


Proverbs 16:25
Living Bible (TLB)

25 Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road he thinks is right, but it ends in death.

James 1:23-24GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

23 If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are. 24 They take a good look at themselves and then go away and at once forget what they look like.

Proverbs 8:1-11
The Message (MSG)

Lady Wisdom Calls Out

8 1-11 Do you hear Lady Wisdom calling?
    Can you hear Madame Insight raising her voice?
She’s taken her stand at First and Main,
    at the busiest intersection.
Right in the city square
    where the traffic is thickest, she shouts,
“You—I’m talking to all of you,
    everyone out here on the streets!
Listen, you idiots—learn good sense!
    You blockheads—shape up!
Don’t miss a word of this—I’m telling you how to live well,
    I’m telling you how to live at your best.
My mouth chews and savors and relishes truth--
    I can’t stand the taste of evil!
You’ll only hear true and right words from my mouth;
    not one syllable will be twisted or skewed.
You’ll recognize this as true—you with open minds;
    truth-ready minds will see it at once.
Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money,
    and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.
For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth;
    nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.

Distractions
by Audrea Winbush Lott

As if things weren't already bad enough, we sometimes find ourselves facing a new situation, something else to add to the list of things we are juggling already.  Often it happens at just the time we have made the necessary shifts and changes - first in our thinking, then in our actions - so that we can forge ahead with the things that lie ahead of us.  We already know that life happens.  Sometimes it is a progressive thing that we could kind of see coming our way and sometimes it is like a sucker punch that knocks us off balance for a few seconds. After  the fuzziness in our thinking goes away and we are able to comprehend what happened, we want to throw up our hands and say, "For real?!  UGH!!! What is next?"

These are the times we have to reach deep inside and know that no matter what happens, no matter how things may pop, we have a Father in heaven who sees, knows, and has a plan already laid out for this season and situation, AND He had it in place before the very foundation of the world!  Our job is to make sure that we are in position position to receive the instruction, guidance, wisdom and many times the comfort, that is needed to walk things out to the end. 

We cannot afford to allow things to distract us and pull us off of our journey.  We have committed to follow the path, yet we didn't know that the path would change from that trek through the meadow, or along the shoreline, or up a mountain to a path that when we simply look at it our breath may be taken away for a few seconds.  The path itself may seem dangerous and may look like something we want to avoid.  However, having made my commitment to acknowledge God in all of my ways, I can rely on Him to direct my path (Proverbs 3:6).  He knows about the dangers and the potential hazardous stretches.  My job is to trust Him with all my heart and not to try to understand every single detail (Proverbs 3:5).  

God has already seen in advance and has made every provision necessary for my journey.  We must choose not to look to the left or the right... not to look up or down... and not to think about what we perceive as possible dangers that lie ahead.  Instead, I will focus on the goal(s) that I will accomplish, the promises that have fueled my spirit and governed my soul, and the fact that God is with me every step of the way.  My purpose and my destiny will not be offset by attempts to distract me from the plan that God has for me.  It's time to go!  

It really isn't about us!  We've received mercy... Let's exercise mercy and compassion and allow others to see the God in us!  YOUR story can help someone else.  YOUR actions can preach louder than you can ever talk.  There are many who have been disappointed, become disillusioned, and have turned and walked away from the things of God.  Some of us did the same thing -- BUT God!  Don't forget where you came from so you can fervently and sincerely pray for others to become enlightened and realize how much God truly loves and cares for them.   Some need to come back and others need to come in for the first time.  What is the story that your lifestyle, associations, and conversations tell?  Let's get it right.

Romans 11:29-31 (AMP)

29 For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]
30 Just as you were once disobedient and rebellious toward God but now have obtained [His] mercy, through their disobedience,
31 So they also now are being disobedient [when you are receiving mercy], that they in turn may one day, through the mercy you are enjoying, also receive mercy [that they may share the mercy which has been shown to you—through you as messengers of the Gospel to them].

Sometimes you need to CHOOSE to be transparent. Don't let that pride keep you wrapped up, bound up, tied up, and caught up in your own hype about who you think you are and what will others think. That's why you're not free now. Freedom... how bad do you want it? For some of you... not bad enough. The enemy has you right where he wants you. You won't reach out for help... You won't expose what the enemy is trying to do to you and/or your family... You are trying to handle it alone... You are doing things your own way rather than lining up with the Word of God... Hmmmm... who's under whose feet? Seems to me like you are being stomped, trampled, kicked... and you think it's all under wraps. Guess what? You are probably the only one who is clueless!! GET FREE!!! #transparency #exposetheenemy #getwhatisyours 

When will you realize that the stuff you've experienced and overcome is the same stuff that helped build your faith and will help you get through the stuff you are facing now? Sure... the enemy did mean for it to tear you up and tear you down. BUT God has flipped the script on the enemy and the realization of the awesomeness of how God brought out of one thing after another is what will catapult you on to you next victory. So... stop murmuring and complaining... stop feeling sorry for yourself... stop wishing your life was like someone else's life... Get up, dust yourself off, drop the sackcloth and ashes... go wash your face... and start LIVING!!! You've got devil butt to kick today so put on the right shoes and start kicking his behind, stomping his head, and marching on to your victory! Got that? 

I have struggled all day to get a particular piece of technology working properly. I even read the directions!! Nothing was working. Uninstalling and re-installing the software, turning the computer off and on, turning the printer/scanner off and on, going online for help... NOTHING WORKED! After missing a couple of deadlines, I still plugged away at it. I knew there had to be an answer. Isn't it amazing when you find out the God cares, really is concerned about the little stuff as much as the big stuff? I opened up another file, found the hardware, and in no time at all was able to get the test run to work. Wow!!! Don't give up, no matter how it may seem to you. There is an answer. There is a solution. It is not always the most obvious or the most logical. Sometimes it isn't even something that anyone knows to suggest to you. Just trust and know that God has all the answers for every area of your life. The enemy lost this time because I didn't lose it! I had to contact the person to whom I was trying to send info and let her knew that somehow she'll get it tomorrow, even if I have to go and buy another device! Guess the enemy realized then that his weapon wasn't working and wasn't going to work. Take heed... Take a deep breath... let it out slowly... relax and regroup.

#lifelesson   #teachablemoment   #enjoyingMYfaithwalk 

The enemy has been throwing all sorts of stuff at you... Now you REALLY know what time it is! Your breakthrough is breaking through, right about...NOW!! Don't give up! Don't quit! Don't even slow down! Keep on marching towards the manifestation of what has already been birthed in your spirit!! GOD has not forgotten you! GOD has not forsaken you! GOD is going to keep every promise that He made to you! GOD has got an awesome plan for your life! Be strengthened... Be encouraged... Be more determined than ever to finish STRONG!! BREAKTHROUGH is BREAKING THROUGH!!! Now... anybody care to dance with me? #victorydance 

I recently shared some words of encouragement on one of my Facebook pages, Psalm 139 Woman - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Divas of Fitness,  the other day.  I thought that the underlying message could be applied no matter what it was we were praying about and needed to encourage ourselves with faith in what the Word of God says.  So I hope this encourages you as well...

As we pray and believe God for healing, we must be mindful of the fact that we, too, have a part to play. The proper diet, the proper amount physical activity, constant renewal of the mind with the Word of God... are also a part of the equation. Knowing who you and Whose you are enables you to face the challenges without flinching; you already know the end of the story. Enjoy each phase of the journey... it's a testimony of what your Father has deposited and continues to deposit into you, if you always leave this and every area of your life open to Him. Now go and conquer the day, Divas!! You and God... y'all got this!!! Love you! Muuuuuaaaaahhhh!!! 

Your life may not have turned out the way you thought it would. You may look around and wonder how in the world you got where you are. You may wonder how in the world you will even get out of the place you now find yourself in. Step back and let God settle and comfort you. Then, realize that none of it was a surprise to Him. Let Him take your hand and guide you on the rest of your journey. Some of what has happened will make sense over time... some things will never make sense. But choosing to trust the Father 100% is the right move to make. Stop agonizing over the past, and stop crying about your present. Begin to live with expectation that the best is INDEED yet to come! 

A friend of mine forwarded a link that connected me to a short article I wrote back in February 2002.   It was actually a note I had written to someone to encourage them, and it ended up getting published!  When I read it today, I immediately thought about the fact that the enemy does the same thing over and over and over and over... and over again!  Nothing's new.  Be encouraged as you read this and realize that you are right at the point of breakthrough!

DECEPTION

You know that the devil gets angry, down right mad…. Has to put things in motion to try to distract us, to make us take our eyes off of the goals we have before us, to make us not see that what we are doing is working…. to make us grow weary in well doing….

He’s a liar… he’s the father of lies…. he’s the construction manager of the great smoke screens that are erected in front of us to deceive us into thinking things aren’t going well, that things are totally different than what they really are… Pastor Davis talked about it the other day…. When we are right on the brink of our breakthrough the devil paints a picture, creates a situation that is TOTALLY unrelated to everything else to get us off our focus….

DON’T FALL FOR IT!!!!

When we are broken, God can put us together after a fashion that is unique to His plan for us.  Hop  back on the potter’s wheel and get the pieces put together and the rough edges smoothed out.