Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Proverbs 08:36 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 8, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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UNDER GODS COMMAND 

Proverbs 8:36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death. 

Do it my way, or die! This is the ultimatum of Lady Wisdom! She freely offered you wisdom, which is more precious than anything on earth (Pr 8:1-11). She listed fabulous blessings that follow it (Pr 8:12-21), and she described wisdom’s existence with God and role in creation (Pr 8:22-31). If you refuse her, you are choosing a slow and painful death for yourself (Pr 1:24-33). She has no mercy for those rejecting her (Pr 8:33; 9:12; 29:1).

Proverbs chapter 8 is a lengthy personification of wisdom as a woman. It is a beautiful and powerful figure of speech, but it hides the ferocious severity of this woman, if you spurn her. Calamities will surely come in your life, if you reject wisdom, and she will laugh and mock at your pain and trouble (Pr 1:26-27). She will ignore your cries, when you are drowning in anguish, distress, and fear, while your soul and life are destroyed.

She is not unjustly cruel; fools are wickedly profane! If an offer of wisdom is rejected, then the brute beast that despised it deserves to suffer. There is nothing unjust here. Since wisdom is the principal matter of life and eternity, rejecting it is arrogant suicide. Those that sin against wisdom by choosing their own ideas are wronging their own souls. Those that hate wisdom and scorn her correction and instruction must love a painful death.

Wisdom is the only way to live a happy, prosperous, safe, and successful life. If you rebel against it, you must love the dysfunctional lives that torture the souls of most today. Dysfunction is epidemic; divorce, drugs, debt, disobedient children, disease, depression, and drunkenness are rampant. Lady Wisdom offers the cure. If you reject her, you wrong your own soul. If you scorn her, you must love death, for that is where you are headed.

Neither God, nor wisdom, nor the Bible is a take-it-or-leave-it matter. There is no option for agreeing to disagree with the God of heaven (Eccl 12:13-14; John 4:24). There is no option to accept parts of the Bible and reject others (Ps 119:128; I Tim 6:3-5). Mankind has two branches – the small minority following the strait and narrow way to life, and the large majority following the wide and broad way to destruction (Matt 7:13-14).

The great and dreadful God of heaven is infinitely sovereign over your life. You are nothing. He is the Potter; you are the clay (Is 45:9-10; Rom 9:20-21). He does according to His will in heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; no one can resist or question Him (Dan 4:35). He has made all things for Himself (Pr 16:4; Rev 4:11). He created you with an eternal soul that you cannot turn off – without even asking you. He did not ask you for approval for even one circumstance of your life. Humble yourself before Him!

He revealed Himself in creation, so that all men are without excuse for not worshipping and thanking Him (Ps 19:1-6; Acts 14:17; Rom 1:18-20). Because man thinks himself wise, He hardens their hearts and blinds their minds to defile themselves with sodomy and other abominable and inconvenient sins (Rom 1:21-32). Do you know the God of the Bible (Is 45:5-7; Acts 17:23)? He changes not, and He never will (Heb 12:28-29; 13:8).

The world has entered its final stages of existence. The perilous times of the last days have brought an effeminate and compromising brand of Christianity (II Tim 3:1-7). These carnal and worldly Christians despise Bible preaching – they much prefer fables and entertainment, especially if they can wear cutoffs and flip-flops and sip Starbucks coffee while skimming 10-15 different Bible versions on a big screen (II Tim 4:3-4).

These modern frauds despise the words of the living God. They want to hear smooth things, just like the truth rejecters before them (Is 30:8-11). They want Jesus rap, Christian rock, and heavenly funk rather than sound doctrine. They want purpose driven drivel and seeker sensitive sap rather than, “Thus saith the Lord.” Lady Wisdom says, “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”

How did the Lord Jesus Christ state the same sentiments to the Jews that killed Him, “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation” (Luke 19:43-44). And He fulfilled it perfectly – to the letter – in 70AD with the Roman armies under Titus.

Reader, what will you do? The God of heaven has revealed Himself to you in creation. Lady Wisdom has spoken to you from the book of Proverbs. The Bible is the only source of righteousness, truth, and wisdom in the world, and its primary message is the supreme authority of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. What is His message for those who reject Him? If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. Let him be cursed at the coming of Jesus Christ (I Cor 16:22). Seek Him today.

Proverbs 07:24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 7, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 07, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 7:24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 

What is a father for? To bring home the bacon? To protect the home at night against intruders? To play ball in the yard? To provide an allowance for candy and junk? To finance a college education? The LORD, Creator of heaven and earth, declared fathers are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).

What should a father teach? How to ride a bicycle? How to balance a checkbook? How to drive a car? God declared fathers are to teach the fear of the LORD and to keep the way of the LORD (Ps 34:11; Gen 18:19). Since fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man, this is his primary goal of teaching (Eccl 12:13-14; Ps 78:1-8).

God condemns fornication, or sex outside marriage (Heb 13:4). Solomon used this chapter to warn his son about whorish women. After introducing the subject (Pr 7:1-5), he wrote a lengthy parable of a foolish young man seduced to destruction by a strange woman 

Proverbs 7:6-23: At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near the corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) . She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazed face she said: “I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 

This proverb begins his summary warning (Pr 7:24-27).

It is a shame most Christian fathers are not as open, practical, and realistic as Solomon, especially in this lascivious generation. Rather than being prudish and silent about sexual temptations, fathers need to warn against them with every technique they can muster. The danger is great; the temptations are everywhere; young men need such fathers.

Solomon applied his parable by calling his children to listen to him. Due to the subject matter, they were not infants or young children. Fathers know far more about these things than sons in their teens or twenties.  He told his children to listen and pay attention. He used the horrible fate of the young man to show they needed this instruction and warning.

Father! Do not be intimidated. Do not be ashamed. Do not be reluctant. Your son faces temptations of pornography, casual sex, and forward women. Be open, practical, and realistic. Bring the word of God to bear on this important area of his life. Compare Joseph and Samson. Describe the details that made Joseph greater than David.

Children! When your father, or mother, speaks to you about the sexual matters of life, listen to them. Pay attention. You are still a simple youth void of understanding (Pr 7:7). Make it easy for them to teach you. Tell them your temptations. Thank them for talking.

Reader! Your Father in heaven has taught all things that pertain to life and godliness. Have you listened well? Do you pay attention? Have you fully obeyed Him? It is good and profitable to heed parents’ instruction, but it is much more crucial to obey God’s.

Spiritual Training 07 January 2015

Posted: January 7, 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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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Paul was not afraid to die because he was confident of spending eternity with Christ. Of course, facing the unknown may cause us anxiety, and leaving loved ones hurts deeply, but if we believe in Jesus Christ, we can share Paul’s hope and confidence of eternal life with Christ. Death is only a prelude to eternal life with God. We will continue to live. Let this hope give you confidence and inspire you to faithful service.

While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), each of us will still be judged by Christ. This judgment will reward us for how we have lived. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience.

Lets Bring it Home: All Christians must give account on the Day of Judgment for how they have lived (see Matthew 16:27; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

Proverbs 06:13 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 6, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 06, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 6:13 Who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers

Wicked persons often hide naughty intentions behind subtle body language. Rather than declare their evil goals and be rejected as dangerous, they use covert and indirect methods for wickedness. A wise man will learn to recognize these hypocrites and liars, even though they make efforts to cover their malicious designs. All noble and virtuous men should reject such secret methods and make their godly intentions fully known.

The proverb is preceded and followed by others that indicate the subject is a wicked, malicious, and naughty person (Pr 6:12,14). This is no ordinary winking, foot movement, or teaching with fingers. The context requires that these movements are part of a froward man’s repertoire in communicating his evil thoughts to others. Those who wisely use winking, foot movements, or pointing out things need not fear from this proverb.

Wicked persons are controlled by the folly and evil in their hearts (Pr 6:14). They cannot stop their sinful thoughts or actions (Pr 6:14). They talk with a froward, or arrogant and rebellious, mouth (Pr 6:12). They constantly work their vile business of sowing discord (Pr 6:14). They cannot rest if others are at peace, for they are always at war (Ps 55:21; 120:7). Mouth, eyes, feet, and fingers all work in one direction – to defraud others.

Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ with a kiss (Luke 22:47-48). The wounds of a friend are better than such kisses (Pr 27:6). Whorish women do not openly declare they are whores – they communicate their intentions by their eyes, clothes, and body movements (Pr 6:25; 7:10; Is 3:16-23). Rebellious children roll their eyes at their parents rather than curse them verbally, but God counts both actions equally vile (Pr 20:20; 30:17).

This proverb teaches you to identify wicked persons by their arrogant mouths and covert body language, to avoid them lest you become a victim of their evil intentions and subtle communication, and to know that God will soon judge them without remedy (Pr 6:15). The blessed and holy God of heaven hates such men (Pr 6:15-19). Stay away from these dangerous men, or they will devour you when it would profit them (Pr 10:10; Ps 35:19).

This proverb also teaches you to be direct, honest, and virtuous in word and deed. The speech and body language of righteous men should be entirely different from the wicked snakes described above. Your words should be clear, concise, noble, and right. Your actions should be open and honest without subversive intentions or even the appearance of such. Let your gaze be sober and constant, without winking. Let your feet be used only for walking. And let your fingers only point righteously in the sight of all men.

Jesus Christ was such a Man, declaring things openly to the world, teaching publicly in synagogues and the temple, and saying nothing in secret (Jn 18:20). He is called Faithful and True, because He is the faithful and true witness (Rev 3:14; 19:11). His true ministers are like Him, using great plainness of speech without craftiness or deceitfulness (II Cor 3:12; 4:1-2). Do you know Jesus Christ? Do you have one of His pastors to teach you?

Spiritual Training 06 January 2015

Posted: January 6, 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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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Paul’s knowledge that his dying body would be swallowed up by eternal life, is a universal hope. According to the writer of Ecclesiastes, God “has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Human beings have an innate sense of transcendence and longing for ultimate reality experienced only in the eternal presence of God. This spiritual desire is addressed by every world religion and cult and (at least secretly) desired by every person. What occurrences in daily life can provide you an opportunity to witness God’s solution to this universal spiritual search? A baby’s birth, a parent’s death, or the death of a dream all can be springboards for sharing the hope you have in Christ. Spread the gospel!
The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of what will come. His work in our lives today assures us that the healing process will be thoroughly completed in Christ’s presence.

Lets Bring it Home: Each time the Holy Spirit reminds you of Scripture, convicts you of sin, restrains you from selfish behavior, or prompts you to love, you have evidence that he is present. You have the Spirit within you beginning the transformation process. Whether you deal with aches and pains or even disabling limitations, trust God that his total renovation of your body and soul is in process.

Spiritual Training 05 January 2015

Posted: January 5, 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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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul had faced suffering, trials, and distress as he preached the gospel. But he knew that they would one day be over, and he would obtain God’s rest and rewards. As we face great troubles, it’s easy to focus on the pain rather than on our ultimate goal. Just as athletes concentrate on the finish line and ignore their discomfort, we, too, must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever. No matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life, when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away (Isaiah 35:10).

It is easy to lose heart and quit. We all have faced problems in our relationships or in our work that have caused us to think about giving up. Rather than quitting when persecution wore him down, Paul concentrated on experiencing the inner strength that came from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). Don’t let fatigue, pain, or criticism force you off the job. Renew your commitment to serving Christ. Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. Your very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: (1) They remind us of Christ’s suffering for us; (2) they keep us from pride; (3) they cause us to look beyond this brief life; (4) they give us opportunities to prove our faith to others; and (5) they give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power. See your troubles as opportunities!

Lets Bring it Home: Our ultimate hope when we are experiencing terrible illness, persecution, or pain is the realization that this life is not all there is—there is life after death! Knowing that we will live forever with God in a place without sin and suffering can help us live above the pain that we face in this life.

Proverbs 5:6 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 5, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 05, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 5:6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 

Son, your great enemy is adaptable. She will alter her methods in order to entice and keep you, for she cannot allow you to examine your life or consider the consequences of further dealings with her. Do you know this enemy? Do you know her tactics? Do you know how to save yourself from her? Be forewarned and live, my son (Pr 5:1)!

Solomon used many proverbs to warn men about the strange woman and how she destroys men (Pr 7:26; 23:28). A strange woman is any woman not your wife, but especially a whore; he warned his son carefully about her (Pr 5:1-5). He knew her pain himself, and experience said she was a great threat to destroy young men (Eccl 7:25-29).

He knew many of her enticements. He knew about her flattering words (Pr 6:24), her beauty (Pr 6:25), her eye contact (Pr 6:25), her kisses (Pr 7:13), her pretended character (Pr 7:14), her romantic affection (Pr 7:15), her creative lovemaking (Pr 7:16-18), and her precautions for a safe rendezvous (Pr 7:19-20). But he did not know them all.

Escape from a strange woman requires a man to soberly and unemotionally examine his life and the future results of his actions. Calm reflection will show he is hanging over the pit of hell, with bitter pain and death the certain results. All she can offer is momentary and temporary pleasure. He needs to immediately get as far away from her as possible.

A whore cannot allow you to think soberly, for it would ruin her game, so she uses all her wiles to keep you from realizing your fatal situation. She entices you unrelentingly in various ways, so that you cannot escape her draw. She uses womanly instincts, hellish training, and devilish seduction to keep you off balance and under her spell. She cannot afford to let you consider your ways. She must keep your soul a slave to her desires.

Solomon had learned the hard way that her “heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands” (Eccl 7:26). Snares and nets are the tools of those who trap unwary animals, birds, or fish. They are disguised from view; they are often moved; and they have attractive bait attached. Whorish women are like beasts of prey, crouching, sneaking, hiding, and then pouncing on their unwary victims to their mortal destruction (Pr 23:27-28; 22:14).

Samson knew Delilah sought to destroy him, by three other events; yet he could not resist her seductive wiles, and so she destroyed a strong man (Jdgs 16:4-21; Pr 7:26). Samson’s ruin is hard to believe, so Solomon gave a clear warning in the proverb here. Tamar knew she must alter her appearance and ways to snare Judah, and they worked (Gen 38:12-19).

Whores can play hard to get – or easy to have. They might be down and dirty – or upright and noble (Pr 7:14). They can offer love – or threaten revenge. They might take you with words – or with touches. They can be mysterious – or bold. They can appear to be slipping away – or promising eternal adoration. They can pretend to be innocent and virtuous – or they can be wildly bold. They will change to chain you to them!

Young man, certain safety is only by staying far from her (Pr 5:8; 4:15; Rom 13:14). Do not deceive yourself about your ability to resist her temptation. To expose yourself to her wiles is more than you can handle. Nearly any whorish woman is too much temptation for nearly any man, so get away, now! Flee fast and far (Gen 39:12; II Tim 2:22)!

You will never escape an inviting woman unless you ponder the path of life. Do you examine yourself in the light of God’s word, where the path of life is detailed for you (Ps 139:23-24)? Do you prepare for the preaching of God’s word to convict you of any errors in your life? This exercise is essential to your safety and success in life (II Cor 13:5).

Beyond whorish women, the devil is also your enemy. He walks about seeking whom he may devour, just like a wanton woman looking for a victim (I Pet 5:8). Take the whole armor of God and stand against his enticing wiles (Eph 6:10-19). Jesus withstood the devil’s three best efforts to ruin Him by soberly applying God’s word (Matt 4:1-11).

Beyond influencing whorish women in their wicked tactics of seduction, the devil also influences false churches to change their methods to beguile unstable souls (II Pet 2:14). The chief of these churches is that in Rome, which has seduced billions of souls into her religious brothel with many abominable spiritual inventions (Rev 17:1-6).

Jesus was tempted in all points, yet without sin (Heb 2:17-18; 4:15). Being a perfect man, He experienced malicious and weak women pursuing Him (Pr 6:26), but He gloriously resisted them all. Having lived so successfully, He is a most merciful high priest for those facing such temptations. Go to Him for strength, and go to Him for forgiveness.

 

Spiritual Training 02 January 2015

Posted: January 2, 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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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 4:6-12 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings. Paul’s focus, however, was not on the perishable container but on its priceless contents—God’s power dwelling in us. Though we are “jars of clay,” God uses us to spread his gospel, and he gives us power to do his work. Knowing that the power is his, not ours, should keep us from pride and motivate us to keep daily contact with God, our power source. Our responsibility is to let people see God through us.

Paul reminds us that though we may think we are at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of our hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. Because Christ has won the victory over death, we have eternal life. All our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through us. We must ask ourselves, “Could I handle the suffering and opposition that Paul did?” The success syndrome is a great enemy of effective ministry. From an earthly perspective, Paul was not very successful. Like Paul, we must carry out our ministry, looking to God for strength.

Lets Bring it Home: When opposition, slander, or disappointments threaten to rob you of the victory, remember that
no one can destroy what God has accomplished through you.

Proverbs 02:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 2, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 02, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. 

Here is treasure! Righteousness! Judgment! Equity! Every good path! Can you have all these in life? Yes! This is the best news you will get this year. If you will pursue wisdom, God will bless you with these things. The rewards are great; the requirements small. God offers this treasure for a little effort from you to obtain wisdom. Reader, go for it, today!

The Preacher, King Solomon of Israel, pressed his son to apply himself to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding (Pr 2:1-4), with the promised reward being the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God (Pr 2:5). Upon this foundation and reward, Solomon then promised that God would add many blessings, including these special four (Pr 2:6-9).

What is righteousness? It is being right. It knows and does what is right. It is justice and uprightness. It knows and does what is acceptable and pleasing to God. It is having your mind conformed to the divine standard of God’s perfect mind and laws. And if your thoughts and actions please God, then they will certainly please other men (Pr 3:1-4).

What is judgment? It is the ability to judge correctly, to form accurate opinions, to arrive at the proper notion of things; it is discretion, discernment, wisdom, understanding, and good sense. It is what men mean when they say, “That person has excellent judgment.” It is the ability to analyze a matter correctly and arrive at the correct conclusion about it.

What is equity? It knows what is fair and equal for any situation, through seeing differences that require charity and nobility to reach an equitable and fair conclusion. It is fairness, impartiality, and evenhanded dealing with things appearing unequal. It is what makes others trust you, no matter the circumstances, for they know you will be fair.

Solomon stated that Proverbs was written to teach these three wonderful virtues (Pr 1:3), which are very rare in the world today (Is 59:14; II Tim 3:1-5). Furthermore, they are aspects of God’s glorious and holy nature (Ps 98:9; 99:4), and they are character traits of the Lord Jesus Christ (Is 11:4). What hinders you from pursuing wisdom to obtain them?

Consider a very small sample of the righteousness, judgment, and equity of the Bible. It protects mother and baby birds (Deut 22:6-7), teaches that all races have the same blood (Acts 17:26), provides for working oxen (Deut 25:4), puts the burden of marriage and family on the father (Eph 5:25-29; 6:4), provides for the poor (Lev 19:9-10), teaches that mercy is more important than sacrifice (Matt 12:7), allows one church member to bring any matter to the church (Matt 18:15-17), financially rewards virginity (Ex 22:17), requires churches to take care of widows (I Tim 5:3-16), and teaches that the true love of God can only be shown by loving others (I John 5:1-2). No other book compares!

Compare a small sample of the righteousness, judgment, and equity of the world. It kills over ten million unborn children annually by extremely violent means, and yet demands funds to protect animals and birds on seven continents. It prohibits corporal punishment of children, but incarcerates the resulting criminals like animals in cages for decades. It subsidizes debt and slothfulness and penalizes credit and diligence by income tax laws. It claims to protect and honor women, but yet advertises lascivious fashions, promotes casual sex, protects pornography and prostitution, and allows divorce for any cause.

But these three things are not all that is offered to the man seeking wisdom. The proverb also offers, “Every good path”! What is every good path? It is every other virtue and grace not in the list of three. Reader, is there a better sentence in any language? If every good path is offered, then the means for your perfection and pleasure is being offered.

How can you get these four wonderful things? Humble yourself before the Creator God, and diligently seek His wisdom in His inspired scriptures. Can you humble yourself and admit that God and His Word alone are right on all subjects (Ps 119:128)? Can you reject the world’s vain thoughts (Ps 119:113)? He will reward you with these wonderful things.

The Bible can make ministers perfect for their great work (II Tim 3:16-17). Consider how much it can do for you. There is no light in this world apart from the light of the Bible (Is 8:20). It is a lamp for your feet and a light for your pathway through life (Ps 119:105). It is a light to which you should give serious attention and honor (II Pet 1:19-21).

Spiritual Training 01 January 2015

Posted: January 1, 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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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake.

The focus of Paul’s preaching was Christ and not himself. When you witness, tell people about what Christ has done and not about your abilities and accomplishments. People must be introduced to Christ, not to you. And if you hear someone preaching about himself or his own ideas rather than about Christ, beware—he is a false teacher.

Paul willingly served the Corinthian church even though the people must have deeply disappointed him. Serving people requires a sacrifice of time and personal desires.

Lets Bring it Home: Being Christ’s follower means serving others, even when they do not measure up to our expectations.

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