One of the trillion topics that has been swirling around in my mind as of late is wisdom.
What it is?
Do I have any?
How can I get some more of it?
You know, that type of mental banter that leaves you teetering between feeling like an infant to a member of Mensa. I plan to write something more in-depth in the future about this topic, and perhaps even submit it to a few online publications (I share the latter for accountability purposes), but for now I present to you a wisdom centric Bible verse graphic blast. Enjoy!

Are we afraid to claim what/who we are in Christ? This is a question that I have pondered myself for quite some time. I mean I am by no means humanly perfect, I sin. As Paul writes in Romans, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Yet, as it is written “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. So as such we do have the old vs. the new furthermore, evermore being made into the image of Christ.

For me, I know that the good within me (that which I do, show and share) is of God. As I, without God, displays a whole list of traits and habits that dare not be put on blast here (as Paul so simply states, evil). As Charles Stanley says (I shall paraphrase, via podcast 4.25.15 “Chosen Saints”), we should not boast ourselves sinners saved by grace, but rather saints of God (referenced chapters being Ephesians 1 – 4).

Well doesn’t that sounds a lot more bold, powerful and overall awesome?

As  Soul Shepherding shares here is a listing of who we are in Christ …

There is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1)
We can never be separated from God’s love (Romans 8:39)
We who are many form one body (Romans 12:5)
We have wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58)
We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We become God’s children (Galatians 3:26)
We have every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
We have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7)
We were also chosen (Ephesians 1:11)
We are for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12)
We have been seated in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)
We’ve been given the incomparable riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7)
We who were once far away have been brought near (Ephesians 2:13)
We are built together as a holy building (Ephesians 2:22)
We may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
We are light (Ephesians 5:8)
Our joy overflows (Philippians 1:26)
All our needs are met according to his glorious riches (Philippians 4:19)
We are holy and faithful (Colossians 1:2)
All things hold together (Colossians 1:17)
We have our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)
We become fully mature (Colossians 1:28)
Are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge for us (Colossians 2:3)
We are rooted and built up (Colossians 2:7)
We have been given the fullness of the deity (Colossians 2:9-10)
We come into reality (Colossians 2:17)
Our life is now hidden (Colossians 3:3)
We will rise from the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
We can give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
We have faith, hope, and love (1Timothy 1:1, 14)
We can gain an excellent standing and great assurance (1 Timothy 3:13)
We have the promise of life (2 Timothy 1:1)

So let us, as a body of believers, get out of our heads and into the Word. Let us delve into the truth of who we are in Christ, who we have been called to be, and what we have been chosen to do. May we not get caught up by past, current, or future failings, but operate in the grace, forgiveness and love of Our Savior, the Holy Spirit and blessed Father of all creation. 

Meaning and Derivation: Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Tsedek (tseh'-dek), from which Tsidkenu derived, means "to be stiff," "to be straight," or "righteous" in Hebrew. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Tsidkenu - it can be translated as "The Lord Who is our Righteousness." [BlueLetterBible]

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah 23:6

In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
Jeremiah 33:16

If you have a moment or ten to read, I suggest checking out this sermon from Charles Surgeon from 1851 in reference to this specific name of God.

The below was taken from Brandon Web.

When Jeremiah spoke this prophecy (Jeremiah 23:5-6), the kingdom of Judah was about to fall. The land of Judah was full of idolatry, oppression, violence, and political revolution. The Northern kingdom of Israel had gone into captivity 100 years before and Judah seemingly learned nothing from God's judgment upon them. It was under these conditions God gave this prophecy of Jehovah-Tsidkenu.

I. The Meaning Of The Word "Tsidkenu"

A. The word "Tsidkenu" is derived from "Tsedek" and means "righteousness."

B. "Tsedek" is translated hundreds of times as: right, righteous, righteousness, just, justify, declare innocent.

C. A simple definition of righteousness is 'doing that which is right'.

D. This name speaks of the fact that God will always do that which is right…because He is righteous!

(Exodus 9:27) And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

(Psalms 129:4) The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

II. Jehovah is the Source of Righteousness

A. Jehovah is Himself perfect righteousness. (Deuteronomy 32:4) He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

(Isaiah 45:21) Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

B. Man has no righteousness

(Romans 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

(Isaiah 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

C. The Bible makes it clear that righteousness is impossible to be attained by man alone.

(Psalms 51:5) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

(Job 25:4) How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

D. Since we are unrighteous, we need pardon from God.

(Isaiah 61:10) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

III. Jesus Is Our Jehovah-Tsidkenu

A. Jesus is Himself the Righteous One.

(Hebrews 1:8-9) But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

B. Jesus is made righteousness to us.

(1 Corinthians 1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

(2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

C. What we could not do Jesus the perfectly righteous one did for us.

(Romans 10:4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

(Romans 5:19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

D. Man tries to establish his own righteousness which cannot be done.

(Romans 10:3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

E. Our new man is created by Jehovah-Jesus in righteousness.

(Ephesians 4:24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(Romans 3:26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

What a wonderful name that God has used to describe Himself tonight. He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu. The Righteous God who has provided for our acceptance before Himself through the cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. He wraps us in His righteousness through Jesus Christ the Righteous One!

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Thanks to Starbucks I have received a free month of the program, Lumosity. It is geared toward improving memory and attention, using games designed by neuroscientists.  While there are applications, pills, and tricks to improve mental clarity and function on biological levels; it is also wise we use the Bible to keep our mind fixed on the things that are Spiritual and of real life context.

As you will hear Joyce Meyer say time and time again, "The battlefield is in the mind". A healthy mind, leads to a healthy life. A healthy mind, that is attuned to the Creator of all things, has the ability to weather any storm.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

For some of you thinking positively may come easy. For others, you may have a negative, unsettling, or destructive thought enter your noggin, and instead of immediately rebuking it, you allow it to fester, and take over your entire head space until you are unsure why God even created you in the first place (or lead you to a choice we should have not made).  As we are told in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." It is very important that we learn to control our minds, and not allow it to run rampant. Which comes first by being able to identify good vs. bad thoughts, and immediately shutting down anything that is contrary to God's word, and who we are as children of God.

However this change, just like any other, does not have to be accomplished alone! We only need seek God, and ask Him to help us and to put on our armor daily. We need to ask Almighty God to restore our minds and put them in alignment with His will; we petition Him that we see ourselves as He sees us (which we know is with love beyond measure since sent He sent His son to die a horrific death on our behalf, so we might be reconciled to Him as Jesus was resurrected from the dead).

In conclusion remember, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

While recently doing some of the LoveIs work stuff (God has given us second location to start helping – YAY) a young girl gave me a gift in return for us coming out. It was a gift I most assuredly already had (of sorts) but by her giving it to me brought some sort of full circle significance to all that God has made real in my life over the past almost three years … it was a Bible. How funny that she, this girl who I have never seen - never had very any conversation with (other than the chat about 15 minutes before about who we are and the work we do in L5P), before I left to leave ran to give me a KJV Bible and speak with me on the comfort of Crocs (admittedly, I just don’t get them people.. but are they REALLY as cloud-like as everyone says?).

It reminded me of the scripture in Isaiah …

The word had been given out through-out the years to the people on the corner, and it was coming back to me in a simple gesture by whom might all accounts be an angel is disguise (yes, I totally believe in that sort of thing) by someone in locale 2 (it was our third time serving there).

We, as believers of Yeshua, all have been given a gift and have therefore have a gift to share …

So, Merry Christmas, as those who see me on the day to day hear so often. You’ve gotten your gift, now it is time to share it with the world!

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

Ephesians 4:4-8

If you listen to Radio U then you have no doubt heard the Twenty One Pilots song “Guns For Hands” with its eclectic stylings and powerful message towards the youth (people) of today. After I heard their latest single “Holding On To You” I had no choice but to head over to iTunes and purchase their recent release “Vessel" a few days ago.

Upon listening to the entire compilation “what just happened” was the thought that bounced around in my noggin as it felt after the final track stopped someone had secretly syphoned some of my inner most kept thoughts and mumblings to God from the past 29 years I have been on this earth, penned them down in rhythmic lyrical form and laced it with some wonderful instrumental beats.

Mind = Blown

Of course you have read many writings about bands and songs that I find most enjoyable, but Twenty One Pilots are on a whole other level! So as much, I have listened to album more than I care to divulge and I refuse to pick a favorite or even compile a list of a few of my favorite tracks. It is impossible; they are all uniquely amazing, heartfelt, raw and masterful in their own way. Literally the only snippet I feel I cannot relate to is the fact I’ve never had my car radio stolen. O_o However that doesn't mean a thing in comparison to how I dropped my jaw when I heard on a prior track, Migraine, what day seems to be worse than the rest (for an unknown reason at that). So yeah - I feel it (and mean it when I say it for this song and the entire album), a lot.

In “Fake You Out” the lyrics beckons that many people go through the things he is talking about and that for me is what it so powerful about this cd. The evil one likes to play hacky sack with our brains, he likes to make us feel like we are alone – with no recourse, however that is so far from the truth it is laughable. Not only is God everywhere around [watching beside us and in us (Holy Spirit)], but there is also an entire world out there that is dealing with the same things that each of us are (and a host of people who have gone through it whose stories are written in the B-I-B-L-E)!

I could go through track by track and give a deep personal opinion, connection and mental recollection to how the lyrics apply to my life, but I would rather you take it from here and go on your own journey with Twenty One Pilots (whom I am thankful for doing what they do, honesty goes a long way). Below are just a few of the songs from the album, enter to win an iTunes copy (either for yourself or to share with a friend) and may each of you who read this, overcome all of the demons you are facing or may face in the future. There is but one hope for us all, cling to that hope and remember that you are never alone! 

P/S It looks like if you use Spotify (I don't), but you can get some commentary action by the band. Woot! 

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