A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of July 10-14, 2023
MONDAY
Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Proverbs 23:6-7
This proverb, which addresses the heart of the rich man, gives us an insight into the relationship between the thoughts, words and heart. God knows the heart and tries the reins of our heart to see which way we will go. He took away our heart of stone and gave a new heart of flesh through the life of His Son, Jesus. How we think in our hearts determines what we believe, do, and the type of life we possess.
Each day this week, let us examine what we think about five important persons and areas of our lives. What you think about these things, you will believe. What you believe, you will say. What you say, you will possess.
What do you think about God?
Do you think that He is good? You might say, “Barb, this is so elementary… of course I know that God is good.” I did not ask what you know, I asked what you think. We may know that the sky is blue, but when we think about the blueness of the sky, we come into an entirely different realm of living depending upon how thoughts of a blue sky affect us.
How does your thinking about God affect you? If you think upon His goodness, His love, His mercy, His kindness, then you will have peace beyond understanding. Do you think that God is love? When you think about His love, you should feel comfort. Can you think about His love at all times, or do you mainly think about your cares? What you meditate upon creates desire for possession, whether good or bad.
Is God your God? Do you follow His Word in your thought life? Do you think on things that are pure, honest, praiseworthy and thankworthy, and of good report even when circumstances tell you all is hopeless? If you can do this, if you can meditate on the law of God and know that He is a rock and strong tower, your cares will cease. Worry, and the disappointing fruit that it brings, will be a thing of the past when you think of God as He really is.
How big is your God? Is He bigger than your bills, your boss, your problem car? Is He bigger than the things you’ve asked Him for, or is it hard for you to see Him for thinking about the things that you want from Him? Is He El Shaddai? Is He more than enough for you? Has he given you enough that you have something to share with a friend? Is He El Elyon, the most High God? Is He the ultimate thing in your life? Do you exalt Him more than the dream house you’re waiting for, or the SUV, or luxury car? Where is your thought life? Do you think of God much at all?
What do you think about God? Take time now to meditate upon Him and His great love for us.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: James 5:14-15 ~ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
July 10: Joshua 12-13, Psalms 145, Jeremiah 6, Matthew 20
July 11: Joshua 14-15, Psalms 146-147, Jeremiah 7, Matthew 21
July 12: Joshua 16-17, Psalms 148, Jeremiah 8, Matthew 22
July 13: Joshua 18-19, Psalms 149-150, Jeremiah 9, Matthew 23
July 14: Joshua 20-21, Acts 1, Jeremiah 10, Matthew 24
July 15: Joshua 22, Acts 2, Jeremiah 11, Matthew 25
July 16: Joshua 23, Acts 3, Jeremiah 12, Matthew 26
TUESDAY
Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Proverbs 23:6-7
What do you think about yourself?
Yes, you. Do you think what God thinks about you? If you are born again, you are adopted into God’s family and have received the position as a son. You are a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, who is the head of all things. “Oh, Barb, does that mean that I am the head of all things?” Yes, in Christ, you are. You rule and reign with Him. When you obey Him and begin to act as He would on the earth, you are capable of the same lifestyle, ministry, and fruit that Jesus achieved.
Just think about it, when you meditate on who Jesus is, know that you can see yourself doing and saying the very things that he did and said. You can expect the same results in your life that Jesus accomplished. Think about that. You can have the assurance that all things are working together for good in your life. You can believe that everything you set your hand to will prosper. You can know that God is your Father. That indicates a permanent relationship. You are adopted as a Son with all the rights and privileges as the begotten Son.
Do you know that you are made righteous and that you are forgiven—past, present and future? Think of the fact that you are more than a conqueror over all of life’s difficulties. You are healed, made whole, sanctified, free, delivered from the power of darkness, prosperous in every way. Think about who you are.
WEDNESDAY
Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Proverbs 23:6-7
What do you think about your family?
Did you know that your family will be saved? They are called just as you are. Your household is coming into the Kingdom. Please believe that. Meditate on the fact that God saved Noah’s household. He saved Cornelius’ household. God made a covenant with Abraham and His household, even the servants. All whom we love are called. It’s for our children and children’s children. Your children will never be possessed by their enemies. They will be taught the things of God and have great peace.
“Well, Barb, you haven’t seen my little Johnny.” Is he bigger than God? What have you taught him about the Lord? I know, he hates it when you talk about God. I didn’t say you have to teach him verbally. What have you taught him by the way you live? Are you sold out to Jesus? Keep living for God.
Your family will see Him through you. They are called to be saved, and if you obey God, they will answer the call. Think of the fact that they will have great peace being taught of God.
THURSDAY
Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Proverbs 23:6-7
What do you think about your neighbors?
Take time to see them as God does. He sees them as your inheritance. Look at them as blades of wheat, white and ready for harvest. Is there a need among your neighbors? Does somebody need transportation, food, encouragement, help with the children? Perhaps they need to be invited to church. Maybe they need to be invited over for dinner. Do you know enough about your neighbors to anticipate their needs and pray for or otherwise make provision for them?
A friend loveth at all times. Do you consider yourself a friend to your neighbors, or is there that wall between you that sometimes exists when the Christian meets the unbeliever? You can be a friend to that one who is out of the way. We are a light in a dark world. Everybody needs light at some time. Do you consider yourself one who can protect your neighborhood from theft, crime, divorce, and domestic violence? Do you consider yourself your brother’s keeper? If not, why not?
What do you think about when you see your neighbor? Can you see that nice family all in hell, or do you consider what your role is in leading them to heaven? You may not get to pray the prayer with them, but can you share what God has done for you with them?
Think about your neighbors. What do you think in your heart about them? Consider their final fate on the earth. Can you help them to know the Lord?
FRIDAY
Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Proverbs 23:6-7
What do you think about your job?
Whether you are a domestic stay-at-home person, or a high-powered executive, there is something you think about your job. Do you see it as good? I hope you do, since a good God has provided it for you. When you think about your work, is there joy? How about dread? How about disappointment? Fear? Worry? How do you perceive yourself in the workplace? Are you a leader? Do you go along with the flow of general workplace conversation, or do you set a different standard? Do you hold up the cause of Christ in everything? Do you identify with the person who is a victim of the system, or do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you live in the Kingdom of God? You are in the world, but not of the world.
It is important to know this and think upon it. When a person comes to you fearing that they will be dismissed, do you see yourself as they are, or do you see yourself victorious over the pink slip? Did you know that God gave you your job as a permanent possession? He gave the land of Canaan to the children of Israel as their permanent possession. Did you know that your boss must have God’s permission to fire you? As long as you please God, you will possess what you have and increase it.
What do you think about your job and the workplace? Do you thank God for it on a continual basis?
I knew a woman who, each time she mentioned her work, would say, “and I thank and praise the Lord for my job. I am so grateful to Him for it.” Do you know she was never unemployed? Even when the doctors told her she was too sick to work again and suggested she apply for permanent disability, God raised her up, and she went back to work again. She refused welfare, saying that she preferred to work and that God would grant her request. She thought about gratitude to God when she thought about her job, and she was always employed.
What do you think about your job? Meditate upon the goodness of the One who provided it for you.
Think on Him in all things. Let His results come to you. You are what you think.