Walking in the Counsel of the Wicked?

Walk, Stand or Sit

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

Have you ever known someone who "walks in the counsel of the wicked"? As a young woman in my twenties, I had a friend whose Mother was a self-pronounced psychic. My friend's Mother read Tarot cards and told me my future. If I had believed her and begun living as if what she said was true, that would have been an obvious example of "walking in the counsel of the wicked". And, to be sure people like that can lead you astray and open the door for demonic activity in your life. Anything to do with the occult would obviously be wicked but....are those the only wicked people we do not need to listen to?

What about television shows that promote living together outside of marriage, or homosexual relationships, or treating your neighbors with disrespect, or engaging in adultery....or even gossip....the list goes on and on. When we watch programming like that, are we not allowing those thoughts in our minds and then we become more and more accepting of that kind of behavior? Does it affect the way we then treat others? Does that influence equate to the "counsel of the wicked"? I believe it does and I believe that it dishonors God. I think each individual needs to seek God's face on what you allow yourself and your family to put into their minds from the influence of not only TV, but also the music you listen to and the movies you watch. Do we depend on worldly views to establish our limits, like a PG-13 movie? In recent days, my son and I walked out of a PG-13 movie in the first 10-15 minutes the movie that is portrayed as comical and fine for kids, was overtly sexual and used God's name in vain.

How much is too much compromise with the world? How does the worldly counsel affect you and your family? When I think back to TV shows I saw as a kid and movies, it is amazing to me how the limits and criteria have changed to include things that would have shocked us 20 years ago. That's how much the counsel of wicked has affected us; there were no overtly sexual public displays of affection from couples, much less public displays of affection from homosexuals; abortion was not a debate, it was a disgrace.

We shouldn't focus only on the obvious; gossip can be and is one of the most harmful ways the counsel of the wicked makes its rounds. We must learn to NOT speak about others lives and stand in judgment of things we don't completely understand. Don't misunderstand, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to hold one another accountable for living lives that do not honor God but we need to be sure of our information. Matthew 18 tells us we are to go to our fellow Christian in love when we have an issue with them and then gives specific instruction to handle the complaint after that meeting takes place. However, we are not supposed to talk with others about it. I have to admit this one is hitting home with me even as I type. I have been guilty of this very thing recently and need to make things right.

I am continually amazed, in working with teenagers, at how many families that proclaim Christianity but listen to music that talks about all things NOT Christian or love TV shows that are overtly sexual in nature, or have no problems with allowing their young teenagers to watch R rated movies. Maybe you need to deal with God on these issues too? I've certainly had to. I have to constantly remind myself to not "walk in the counsel of the wicked".

My desire is to walk my talk... To honor and glorify God in all things... I fail miserably but His grace is AMAZING..... Let's choose to walk in the counsel of Holy God!

For Such A Time As This - Where are you supposed to be?

For Such a time as this.....

Several women in our church have been praying that God would bring forth women for leadership to continue a legacy of women who have served in our church in the past. It has been an amazing journey for many of us seeking to follow God's call in our lives in obedience. I believe it was Dee Dee Walker that said we should be keeping a list or journal of all the things God has put together without our hands. I pray that you will choose to join us on this amazing journey to please the King....

Esther, a Jew, found herself in the position of Queen of King Xerxes Court in Persia. Her heritage was not known in the King's court; she had been silent about her Jewish background. When a plot to eradicate all the Jews became known to the man who had raised Esther, Uncle Mordecai sent word to her that she must intervene. Understanding that the she was not welcome in the King's presence without an invitation, she feared for her life.

Esther 4:12-14:

"When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."

There are many lessons in Esther and many things to ponder in our own hearts....First and foremost is:

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this"

Have you stopped to long enough in your busy schedule to realize that if you are a child of God, saved by His grace and He is the King of Kings, then it stands to reason that you, also, fall into the royal family. Your are a princess - daughter of the King of Kings...

I ask you this now: And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Serving Him does not take perfection, it takes availability.....serving Him does not take knowledge of all that He has, it takes obedience.....serving Him where and when He has called you is not exhausting, it is fulfilling.

I challenge each of you to seek God's call to serve in your life. If you are serving under His call you will have an abundance of peace regardless of life's circumstances. Please post a response about the call in your life....how God has made that clear to you....how you can encourage other women to seek His will in their own life....how wonderful it is when He raises his scepter toward us......

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful " 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Gena Leal