Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Proverbs 23:34 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 23, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 23, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 23:34 You will be like on sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 

What is it like to be very drunk? Solomon compared it to lying down in a ship in a storm. Rather than being on deck, where his eyes could assist his balance, this man lies in the hold of the tossing ship, feeling as if he will soon be turned inside out. His head swims; his stomach retches! Better than that, drunkenness is like lying on the top of a ship’s mast, where the ship’s rolling motions are compounded greatly by the length of the mast.

The context is Solomon’s warning to his son about the terrible effects of drunkenness (Pr 23:29-35). He described a list of physical consequences (Pr 23:29), the enticing attraction of alcoholic beverages (Pr 23:30-31), the painful results being similar to a snake bite (Pr 23:32), the attendant breakdown of moral inhibitions (Pr 23:33), and the addicting nature of drunkenness (Pr 23:35). Here are plain warnings against getting drunk.

Drunkenness is a sin, but it is also stupid! Drunks lose self-control, their balance, the food in their stomachs, and their reputations. They voluntarily choose to pursue nausea in the belly and confusion of the mind; drunkards are great fools. Why in the world would a person drink too much of a thing that he knows will make him very sick and cause him much misery? Ignorance! A foolish heart! Peer pressure! Bad habits! Addiction!

What is the cure? Do not get infatuated with alcohol (Pr 23:30-31). Recognize and admit wine and strong drink are deceiving (Pr 20:1). Remember that a moderate amount can give the benefits God intended (Pr 31:6-7; Ps 104:14-15; I Tim 5:23). The sin of drunkenness occurs when a person drinks to excess, which is condemned (Eph 5:18).

Wine itself is no more sinful than bread. Drunkenness and gluttony are both sins of the human heart. Wine and strong drink are sources of drunkenness, but only when they are abused by consuming too much of them against God’s word. Bread, pizza, and donuts are sources of gluttony, but only when they are abused by consuming too much of them against God’s word. The sin is in the human heart’s choice to overeat or over drink.

Wisdom is the power of right judgment – knowing what to do in any situation to please God and good men. Wise men use wine or strong drink cautiously, especially if they are in authority (Pr 31:4-5; Eccl 10:16-17; I Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3). They want full control of their faculties, and they will not give it away for the momentary foolishness of drinking too much. They recognize wine’s value, use it only moderately, and hate drunkenness.

No matter what the world says, drunkenness is a sin (Luke 21:34; I Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-21). And it is stupid, as the proverb declares metaphorically. Those who desire to be wise in the sight of God will use wine with great caution. They will rule their spirits and circumstances to keep from drinking too much. Such prudence will save them from the foolish sin of drunkenness, and it will save them from the gut-wrenching and mind-confusing consequences of drunkenness. Only fools will drink on without careful regard.

Spiritual Training 23 January 2015

Posted: January 23, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 8:7-8 But just as you excel in everything thing in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.    I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

The Corinthian believers excelled in everything—they had faith, good preaching (“speech”), much knowledge, much enthusiasm (“earnestness”), much love.. Paul encouraged them to also excel in the grace of giving. Too often, stewardship of money is given a different status than other aspects of discipleship. Most believers would not want growth in faith, knowledge, or love to stop at a certain level. Yet many decide a fixed percentage of their money to give and stay there for life. True discipleship includes growing in the mature use of all resources, so giving should expand as well. God can give you the desire and enable you to increase your capacity to give. Don’t miss this opportunity for growth.

Lets Bring it Home: God can give you the desire and enable you to increase your capacity to give. Don’t miss this opportunity for growth.

Proverbs 22:19 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 22, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 22, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 22:19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. 

Are you thankful for words? The smallest part of language that conveys meaning? The certain words of truth, bringing wisdom and knowledge, are necessary to know and believe God. They communicate the excellent things He has prepared for His elect (I Cor 2:1-16). God had taught Solomon the importance of words, so this wise king reminded his readers to consider the great gift he gave them – certain words of truth (Pr 22:17-21).

Specific words are also necessary to properly answer questions (Pr 22:17-21). Christians are to give a reasonable answer for their hope in God to those who ask, and a reason requires an intelligent and logical use of words (I Pet 3:15; I Sam 12:7; Is 41:21; Acts 24:25). Luke wrote two treatises of many words to a noble Greek man named Theophilus to prove the gospel facts about Jesus Christ and his apostles (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-4).

God chose to communicate to His elect children by words. He could have created music videos, an elaborate picture book with heartwarming scenes, warm and fuzzy feelings by dramatizations, chanting in Arabic, mumbling in Hindi, Charismatic tongues, or a special food to convey truth. But He chose the teaching of His inspired words (Deut 4:1-19; 6:4-9; 8:3; 11:18-21; 12:28-32; 17:18-20; 18:18-19; 27:1-3,8,26; 28:14; 29:19-20,29).

Trust in the Lord is not by feelings – it is by faith, which comes before feelings, and faith is usually contrary to feelings. Your heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9-10), and you must believe this indictment to be saved from that internal liar (Pr 28:26; 26:12). Instead, put all your confidence in God’s written revelation and reject anything that contradicts it, whether it comes from within you or outside you.

The Bible has the words of God, preserved nearly 4000 years (Ps 12:6-7; Is 30:8; Matt 5:18; I Cor 2:13; 14:19; I Tim 4:6; 6:3; II Tim 1:13). Each word is necessary for man to live the life of faith (Deut 8:3; Luke 4:4). Jesus and Paul argued from single words (Matt 22:32,43; John 8:58; 10:35; Gal 3:16; 4:9; Heb 8:13). God will judge the publishers and readers of modern versions that alter, delete, and add words (Pr 30:5-6; Rev 22:18-19).

The best foundation for truth and faith you can ever have is the Bible, which is more sure than God’s own voice from heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elijah, and your two best friends. This is what Peter wrote about his experience on the mount of transfiguration (II Pet 1:16-21). With the words of God to direct your thoughts and steps through life, you are fully set to be a world conqueror (Ps 119:105; Rom 10:17; I Jn 5:4).

Bible preaching is plainly described in the Bible, and it is nothing like the feel-good, rah-rah pep talks of seeker sensitive pastors (Neh 8:8). There are three steps: read the words, explain the words, and apply the words. You do not need intermittent chords from the organ, flannel graph figures on a board, an interpretive dance, a WWJD bracelet, or a chalk drawing. Preach the word, Paul charged (II Tim 4:1-2). How? By preaching words!

God’s elect love such preaching. The Holy Spirit praised the Bereans for being nobler than the Thessalonians. Why? Because they received such preaching with a ready mind (Acts 17:11). Jesus told His apostles they were blessed for hearing His words (Matt 13:16-17). So they in turn taught the words of truth to others (Acts 5:20; 10:22; 13:42; 26:25). Are you thankful for sound Bible preaching of words? Not many are (II Tim 4:3-4)! It is a good day and a great blessing when the words of truth are made known to you

Spiritual Training 22 January 2015

Posted: January 22, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Giving, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 8:1-5 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Maceoniana churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

During his third missionary journey, Paul had collected money for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. The churches in Macedonia—Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea—had given money even though they were poor, and they had sacrificially given more than Paul expected. Although they were poor themselves, they wanted to help. The amount we give is not as important as why and how we give. God does not want us to give gifts grudgingly. Instead, he wants us to give as these churches did—out of dedication to Christ, love for fellow believers, the joy of helping those in need, as well as the fact that it was simply the good and right thing to do.

The kingdom of God spreads through believers’ concern and eagerness to help others. Here we see several churches joining to help others beyond their own circle of friends and their own city.

Lets Bring it Home: How well does your giving measure up to the standards set by the Macedonian churches? Explore ways that you might link up with a ministry outside your city, either through your church or through a Christian organization. By joining with other believers to do God’s work, you increase Christian unity and help the kingdom grow.

Spiritual Training 21 January 2015

Posted: January 20, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 7:1-4 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Purifying ourselves is a twofold action: turning away from sin, and turning toward God. “Perfecting holiness” means that the Corinthians were to have nothing to do with paganism. They were to make a clean break with their past and give themselves to God alone. In this phrase, Paul wasn’t suggesting that the Corinthians could become sinless in this life. Instead, he was prodding them to work at maturing in their faith. God had provided them with all the resources they needed, and Christ’s Spirit would empower them to become Christ like (Romans 8:2).

Paul insisted that the Corinthians should open their hearts for him. He knew how much those in the church need one another. If fellowship was necessary in Paul’s day, it is all the more crucial today, when time is more valuable than money. Each day holds barely enough time to care for personal and family needs, let alone to meet the needs of others. Yet the activities that occupy our time are not as important as the community described in these verses. Paul’s intention is not “coffee and donuts between church” fellowship. Believers need accountability that comes from lives intertwined by the cords of commitment and love.

Lets Bring it Home: If you are not in a small group Bible study, take the first steps. Offer hospitality to fellow believers; when others extend the hand of fellowship to you, grasp it enthusiastically.

Proverbs 21:9 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 20, 2015 in Bible Study, Contentious, Encourgement, Inspiration, Nagging and Complaining Wife, Personal Growth, Proverbs 21, Selecting a Wife, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife

Why are some men often away from home? They hunt, work extra hours, golf, live in their workshop, manicure the lawn, stay in the basement, or listen to music with headphones. Why? They are avoiding the dreadful creature they foolishly married. These poor men made a life-ruining choice by marrying a contentious and debating woman.

God created Eve to be the perfect companion for Adam, and she was (Gen 2:18-25). Marriage gives a man his own wife for pleasant company, mutual help, and sexual pleasure (Eccl 4:9-12; 9:9; I Cor 7:1-5). But sin in Eden and ever since has corrupted God’s design, and proud and selfish women become yapping, nagging irritants at home.

How does sin corrupt God’s creation (Eccl 7:29)? A man’s greatest pleasure becomes his severest pain! His greatest treasure his largest loss! His best friend his worst enemy! His source of peace and comfort his endless misery (Pr 12:4)! When the tortured victim realizes his grave error, his spirit is stricken, and he is forced to surrender and withdraw from her presence to find his only comfort in the quiet solitude of other pursuits.

A brawling woman is a quarrelsome, wrangling, clamorous, noisy, or bawling woman. You have mostly heard her – she is usually talking, correcting, debating, scolding, suggesting, reminding, and otherwise making herself an unbearable nuisance. Attempts to correct her meet with failure, for her unruly pride cannot submit or shut up.

How widespread is the problem? Solomon warned five other times with proverbs similar to this one (Pr 12:4; 19:13; 21:19; 25:24; 27:15-16). It is a common problem, especially in this rebellious age, when women no longer know their God-ordained place. It is a dangerous trap waiting to entice young men by its bait and then spring shut on them.

It is better – do you hear the Preacher? He gave one of the wise priorities of life. It is better to live on the roof than in a large house with such a woman. It is better to be single, alone and lonely, than to cohabit with this onerous wretch in a joyless marriage. It is better to stay in the workshop making another piece of worthless furniture than to try to have any peace or pleasure with the female know-it-all that has taken over your house.

God, who created the woman for the man, declared that a meek and quiet spirit is of great price, far better than improving appearance (I Pet 3:3-4). External decorating can never cover the inward blemish of a contentious spirit (Pr 11:22; 27:15-16). He promised such a woman will be praised by husband and children (Pr 31:28). Such noble and virtuous women should be honored and praised, and the odious wives of this proverb should be ignored and slighted for punishment and an example to others (Pr 11:16; 26:1-12).

Young man, reject her! Thoughtless impulse, desperate need, or foolish infatuation will torment you for fifty years. Let married men meet and test your prospect and her mother; let them check for a whiff of that odious spirit. Any character flaw you find before marriage will be ten times worse later (Pr 30:21-23). And this deformity does not improve with age, but rather gets worse. Your only hope will be the mercy of death.

Henpecked husband, have you already married poorly? If she fears the LORD, take her to the Bible and help her read her Creator’s orders. Find a church where the man of God will rebuke and instruct her for you. Expose her to gracious women. If she does not fear the Lord, get some snacks and pick the corner of the roof with the least exposure.

Christian girl or woman, hate this repulsive creature as much as the strange woman. Listen for her constant chatter, foolish laughter, whining complaints, negative observations, rude interruptions, overbearing corrections, nagging reminders, selfish suggestions, or haughty questions. Vow before the LORD your God you will never live one day of her life. Vow that you will glorify God and adorn your sex by graciousness.

Submission is your role and duty (Eph 5:22-24); rejecting it destroys your true beauty. Graciousness will get you perpetual respect (Pr 11:16); reverence will earn you constant esteem (Eph 5:33; I Pet 3:5-6); reserved speech will exalt your name and reputation (Pr 17:27). Be quiet – surely you know what this word means. Be meek – endure offences rather than avenge them or defend yourself. You will be praised by both God and men.

Proverbs 20:24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 20, 2015 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 20, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are directed by the LORD, How then can anyone understand his own way? 

We are often confused by the events around us. Many things we will never understand; others will fall into place in years to come as we look back and see how God was working. This proverb counsels us not to worry if we don’t understand everything as it happens. Instead, we should trust that God knows what he’s doing, even if his timing or design is not clear to us.

What are your plans for today? The LORD will alter them if He chooses, and He will use them for Himself, if He chooses not to alter them. Either way, He is the Potter, and you are the clay. It does not matter if you believe God is sovereign or not, because God is sovereign over your life, whether you believe it or not. But wise men will submit to Him, knowing they can neither forecast the future, determine the future, or change the future.

The LORD Jehovah rules over all! He created for His own pleasure (Pr 16:4; Rev 4:11), and He governs it all for His own pleasure (Is 46:10; Eph 1:11). His rule includes chance events and movements of sparrows (Pr 16:33; I Kgs 22:34; Matt 10:29). He knows the end from the beginning, and you do not even know tomorrow (Pr 27:1; Is 44:7; 45:21).

Pharaoh, his parents, and Egypt thought he was a great success. His whole life had been constant progress to the throne. He was rich, strong, and victorious. He ruled the greatest nation on earth. But his existence and position were simply for the LORD to show His power and to honor Himself by crushing him (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:17). Hallelujah! Amen!

The King of Assyria thought he was the greatest king alive, and his great and many military conquests seemed to confirm his confidence (Is 10:8-11,13-14). But God had simply used him like a rod to chasten Israel (Is 10:5-15). And when the LORD was through using him, He destroyed him miserably for his arrogant attitude (Is 10:16-19).

King Ahasuerus of Persia could not sleep, and chose reading the history of the Empire rather than other available sleep helps, bringing the incredible promotion of Mordecai and horrific demotion of Haman (Esth 6:1-14). Ruth chose gleaning to provide for Naomi and herself, but she happed on the field of rich Boaz, who soon married her (Ruth 2:1-3).

Wicked Jews and Romans killed Jesus of Nazareth, but they did no more than His eternal counsel had determined would be done (Acts 2:22-24; 4:27-28). They fulfilled every prophecy He had given hundreds of years earlier (John 19:31-37). Yet He held them accountable and obliterated their nation for the crime (Matt 23:34-36; I Thess 2:14-16).

Timing and chance, governed by God, are far more important factors in human successes than a man’s own swiftness, strength, wisdom, understanding, or skill (Eccl 9:11). Men do not know what or when anything is going to happen (Eccl 9:12). God has so ordained events that men cannot find anything outside His government of the universe (Eccl 7:14).

Therefore, godly wisdom submits all to God’s will (Jas 4:13-15). Since believers do not know His secret things, they beg in prayer until they are revealed (Deut 29:29; II Sam 12:22-23). They tremble before their great God in humility and obedience (Ecc 12:13-14; Is 66:1-2). They make preparations, but they beg Him for success (Pr 21:31; Ps 127:1).

They devise plans, but they know God rules the details (Pr 16:9). They do not glory in anything they have, knowing that all things are His sovereign gifts (I Cor 4:7; 15:10). They are not in despair, because they know He rules the future (II Cor 4:8-18). They fear no man, for they know the will of God will surely be done (Dan 3:16-18; Acts 21:14).

Here is the faith of God’s elect. They glorify their Creator, rather than make Him angry, as did Belshazzar (Dan 5:21-24). They know the course of their life is beyond their knowledge and ability, for it is in God’s hands (Jer 10:23; Acts 17:28). They seek Him diligently, knowing He can favorably arrange circumstances for them (Ps 37:23; Heb 11:6). They reject chance, Fate, and coincidences, knowing all events are under His rule.

Since God’s secret will for their lives is unknown, the elect dedicate themselves to the revealed things that are known – the commandments they are to keep (Deut 29:29). Rather than despair with His secret and sovereign providence, they seek Him with the whole heart, in cheerful submission and thanksgiving, regardless of their portion in life.

The elect, who have fled for refuge to Jesus Christ by His sovereign gift of faith, always know that the hairs of their head are numbered and they are of more value than many sparrows (Matt 10:30-31). The great Potter has prepared them from before the foundation of the world as vessels of mercy unto eternal life (Rom 9:21-24; Eph 1:3-12). He predestinated them unto salvation, and He will certainly bring it to pass (Rom 8:28-39).

Spiritual Training 20 January 2015

Posted: January 20, 2015 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Unevenly yoke, Yoke with unbelievers
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2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. “Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. “And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”    

Paul urges believers to not “be yoked together with unbelievers,” that is, to form binding partnerships or relationships with unbelievers because this might weaken their Christian commitment, integrity, or standards. It would be a mismatch. Earlier, Paul had explained that this did not mean isolating oneself from unbelievers (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-10). Paul even urges Christians to stay with their unbelieving spouses (1 Corinthians 7:12-13). Paul wanted believers to be active in their witness for Christ to unbelievers but not lock themselves into personal or business relationships that could cause them to compromise their faith. Believers should do everything in their power to avoid situations that could force them to divide their loyalties.     These verses also have strong application to marriage. Paul did not want single believers to enter into marriage with unbelievers. Such marriages cannot have unity in the most important issue in life—commitment and obedience to God. Because marriage involves two people becoming one, faith may become an issue, and one spouse may have to compromise beliefs for the sake of unity. Many people discount this problem only to regret it later. Don’t allow emotion or passion to bind you with someone who will not be your spiritual partner. For those who have discovered God’s light, there can be no fellowship or compromise with darkness (1 Corinthians 10:20-21).

Quoting from the prophet Isaiah, Paul asserted that the church is the temple of the living God. Corinth had an abundance of temples of pagan deities, so the recipients of his letter were able to visualize the contrast the apostle intended. Those who follow Christ are not known by a building; they are known as those in whom the Spirit of God lives. The church is not where believers go, it is who they are. God is not waiting for his people in some stained-glass setting. He is always with them. That is a sobering and yet a comforting thought.

Separation from the world involves more than keeping our distance from sinful practices; it means staying close to God. It involves more than avoiding worldly entertainment that leads to sin; it extends to how we spend our time and money. There is no way to separate ourselves totally from all sinful influences. Nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around us, without either giving up or giving in. When you know what God wants you to do, make a clean break with sinful practices.

Lets Bring it Home: How does your behavior reflect on the God you represent? When you know what God wants you do, make a clean break with sinful practices.

Proverbs 16:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 16, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 16, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized
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Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

Kind and gracious words are a dessert for any occasion. They go into the ears and soul with sweet pleasure, and they enliven the heart and even the steps. A person’s face glows by their instant effect, and energy and vitality are restored to those cast down. You create such words out of thin air by your lips, when wisdom guides your speech (Pr 16:23).

Dear reader, do your words promote health? Do you heal others by kind encouragement, wise counsel, and gentle comfort? Or are your words like a piercing sword (Pr 12:18)? Do you leave others bleeding with caustic, critical, calloused, or condemning words? And do you then pour in salt, when you are told to only season your speech with it (Col 4:6)?

Good perfume can rejoice the heart in just nanoseconds, and kind words do the same, when a friend gives sweet counsel from his heart (Pr 27:9). Precious gift of speech! The right words at the right time are beautiful indeed (Pr 15:23; 25:11). There is great power in your tongue, dear reader (Pr 18:21). How will you use it today? For health or harm?

In this modern and synthetic society, many do not know the sweetness or health properties of honeycomb. When did you last eat some? But to the informed, God’s honeybees pollinate plants and also produce a sweet delight with fascinating nutrients.

Honey is a luxurious food God created for man’s benefit (Pr 24:13). He described Canaan, the wonderful land of promise, as a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex 3:8; Deut 8:7-9). The manna He gave Israel tasted like wafers made with honey (Ex 16:31).

Kings sent honey as gifts (II Sam 17:27-29; I Kgs 14:3), and it enlightened the eyes of Prince Jonathan once (I Sam 14:27). John the Baptist lived on it and locusts (Matt 3:4); Jesus ate it with butter – two important foods of Israel – in his formative years (Is 7:15); and He ate it again after his resurrection (Luke 24:42). Inspired lovers used it to describe the sweetness of their lovemaking in a romantic song of loving spouses (Song 4:11; 5:1).

No one will deny that honey is sweet. It is twice as sweet as sugar! In recipes calling for sugar, only one-half the amount of honey is needed. A full person will reject it (Pr 27:7)! You should get some today from your cupboard or a store and taste it in light of this proverb. Ask yourself if your speech causes pleasure like honey can to your taste buds.

Do you know these facts? Honeycomb contains four foods: honey, bee pollen, bee propolis, and royal jelly. Honey itself has a long history of use for many different ailments in many nations. Ever taken it with lemon or whiskey for a sore throat? Ever used local honey to combat allergies? And there are dozens more of therapeutic uses.

Bee pollen, which collects on the bees’ legs, is sometimes described as the perfect food. With 96 nutrients, it is rich in zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron. It can energize you, give you a sense of well being, increase your intellectual capacity, and close any nutritional gaps in your diet.

Propolis, a waxy resin the bees use for several purposes, is rich in B vitamins, minerals, and bioflavonoids. It has no equal as a natural antibiotic. It stimulates the thymus gland to produce white blood cells to fight or eliminate viruses, poisons, and waste products.

Royal jelly, secreted by a few nurse bees in each hive, is the exclusive food of the queen bee. This wonder food causes her to live forty times as long as the worker bees and produce double her bodyweight in eggs each day, though genetically identical to them! It contains a high concentration of pantothenic acid and many other complex nutrients.

God said honey was healthful and commended it in the places mentioned above, so you should believe it (Pr 14:23; 16:24). But it is a pleasure to read research confirming Solomon from 3000 years ago. Give God the glory! The Creator reveals true science.

Honey is precious. It is sweet to your taste, enlivens your eyes, energizes your body, and has many nutritional properties for overall health. Your words should be the same. They should cause others to rejoice and be glad they heard you speak, and they should build others up in profitable ways (Eph 4:29). Choose good words to say to someone today.

Your speech should always be gracious, with only a pinch of salt (Col 4:6; Eccl 10:12). Such speech fulfills this proverb. Wise mothers say to children, If you cannot say something kind, then do not say anything at all. Parents love to hear right words (Pr 23:16; 15:26). Your stinger should only be used as a last resort, just like the honeybee.

But is sweet speech manly? Yes, indeed! God created man and inspired this proverb, and Solomon the son of David wrote them. Were these two effeminate? David bravely killed Goliath and won Jonathan’s heart by gracious words, all in one day (Pr 22:11; I Sa 18:1)!

The Lord Jesus could cut and confound the Pharisees when He needed, but His disciples knew Him for gracious and healthful speech (Ps 45:2; Is 50:4). His gracious words at Nazareth caused the whole crowd to wonder (Luke 4:22). And the hearts of two disciples burned joyfully from His precious words on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32).

Unnecessary harshness in speech is not a sign of manliness or the Spirit of God; it is sold by the devil to those whose hearts are not right. It flows from a heart hardened by hatred or pride, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34). David rebuked his nephews for being too hard (II Sam 3:39), and Jesus did the same to James and John (Luke 9:55). Neither party had the spirit or tongue of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A bitter and biting tongue is a fire from hell; it is a world of iniquity; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (Jas 3:2-12). No man can tame it by himself. Yet you must do all you can to cut it out from your own mouth and those of your children, by God’s grace.

Men like John the Baptist and Elijah had special missions, and you do not know they were harsh in private. They likely were not. They are not examples for common speech.  You should rather choose the law of kindness to govern your choice of words (Pr 31:26).

Who can deny that God’s words are sweet? Are they not sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10; 119:103)? Do they not cause joy and rejoicing in your heart (Jer 15:16)? They are so sweet that those speaking them are described as having beautiful feet (Rom 10:15). Can you remember the sweetness to your soul of hearing the true gospel with understanding?

There is great power in the tongue, reader (Pr 18:21). How will you use it today? You will eat the fruit of how you use it – life or death. Every man shall bear his own burden.

Proverbs 15:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 15, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 15, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 

Prayer is not a right. Prayer is a privilege, a blessed privilege. God is not obligated to hear the prayer of any man, and He will reject the prayer of the wicked. But as He has promised, He will hear the prayer of the righteous. He will answer them tenderly, mightily, and speedily. This axiom was perfectly understood by the Jews (John 9:31).

The wicked are those continuing in sin, any sin, even one sin. They know they are sinning, but they do not care. They do not confess and forsake it. They ignore the warnings of God’s Word, His minister, their whispering conscience, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They think they can get away with their sin. They do not think it important enough to forsake and repudiate it. They hide it under a cloak of hypocrisy.

You can hide sin from your parents, your spouse, your children, your church, and your pastor. They will continue to treat you with the same kindness and affection as in the past. You can deceive friends and family with hypocrisy, but you cannot deceive God. This is an important distinction to remember, for your wicked heart will assume foolishly that since you are not punished by others for hidden sins, God will not punish you either.

The LORD sees the very thoughts and intents of each heart (Heb 4:12). There is nothing hid from His holy eyes (Heb 4:13). He perfectly sees and knows every sin of thought, word, and deed (Pr 15:3; Ps 139:1-12). And He does not overlook them. They grieve and offend Him, and unless they are confessed and forsaken, He will not hear your prayers. You are doomed to a life without His blessing, and He will then righteously chasten you.

The LORD is not far from the wicked in location and knowledge, for He fills heaven and earth, and no one can hide from Him (Jer 23:24). But He is far from helping them, comforting them, blessing them, and having fellowship with them. He is near at hand to see their wickedness, but He is far away from answering their prayers. And in the great Day of Judgment, He will tell them to depart from Him into eternal hell fire (Matt 7:23).

So offensive is sin against the holy God of the Bible, especially when you know better, that even your sacrifices become an abomination to him (Pr 15:8). When you rebel against the preaching of His Word, He counts your prayers an abomination (Pr 28:9). He despises your worship, when you are hiding unconfessed sin (Is 1:10-15; 58:1-11).

So great is this offence of rebellion against God that He will laugh and mock when you need Him most (Pr 1:24-31). If you reject His conviction and instruction now, He will laugh at your calamity later. Reader, do not even dare to think you can take preaching lightly. Do not even dare to think you can keep your secret sins and God will be merciful.

Because of Saul’s wickedness, the LORD left him (I Sam 16:14). And though he begged for mercy, the LORD had judged him and given the kingdom to David (I Sam 15:28-30). He was so desperate for his prayers to be heard that he went to the witch of Endor to conjure up Samuel, who condemned him further (I Sam 28:5-20). But David was confident that even in death God’s presence would protect and bless him (Ps 139:7-10).

David also sinned. He hid his sin and learned a painful lesson. He learned not to wallow in his sins. He wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps 66:18). So he confessed his sin, and the Lord heard him (Ps 32:5-6). He wrote, “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer” (Ps 66:19).

Therefore, it is a great duty to examine your soul and life. The man after God’s own heart examined himself often and thoroughly (Ps 19:12-14; 26:2; 139:23-24). Then you must confess, immediately and completely, whatever evil you find by the blessing of God’s light and conviction (Pr 28:13; Job 33:26-28). He will faithfully forgive you (I John 1:9).

Conviction for sin is special mercy from God. It is the loving overtures of your heavenly Father calling you back to Him. When you feel conviction for sin, rejoice that God has not forsaken you forever, and run with that conviction to confess and forsake your sins. If you continue to rebel, He will turn in Fatherly anger and chasten you. Instead, He lovingly says to you, “Return unto me” (Is 44:22; Mal 3:7).

To those who humble themselves and live holy lives, the LORD is always present with deliverance and blessing (II Chron 16:9; Ps 34:15-17; 138:6; Jas 5:16; I Pet 3:12). Listen to the LORD God, and believe His Word, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them” (Ps 145:18-19).

Dear reader, you do not have to be perfect for God to hear your every prayer, but you do need to confess your failures. Consider Elijah, the wild man that he was. When reviewing the power of his prayers, the LORD comforts you by declaring that Elijah was a man subject to the same passions you face every day (James 5:16-18). Thank you, Lord!

The LORD heard every prayer of the Lord Jesus (John 11:42), for He always did those things that pleased God (John 8:29). In His deepest hour of need, though the cross was unavoidable, His Father sent an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). And the angel of the LORD encamps around you, and delivers you, when you fear Him (Ps 34:7).

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