Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Proverbs 01:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 1, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 01, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 1:22 How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

What have you done today to get wisdom? If you have not done much, this proverb is for you. Are you merely stupid and lazy? Or too arrogant to accept instruction from others? Or just foolishly in love with yourself? This proverb will show which of these traits is your chief character flaw. The proverb’s questions are important: because if you continue in your ignorance, Lady Wisdom will soon be laughing at your calamities (Pr 1:24-32)!

Lady Wisdom offers wisdom to those who will take it (Pr 1:20-23). Why reject a free offer of wisdom and understanding, which are the principal matters of life (Pr 4:7)? You came into this world totally simple, a scorner, and hating knowledge. But you do not need to stay in that evil condition. Repent, and take Lady Wisdom’s gracious offer (Pr 9:1-12).

A simple person is stupid due to a combination of low intelligence, laziness, and/or apathy. They leave the mental work to others. Simple men are very content eating, working, playing, and sleeping. They cannot perceive the value of wisdom. Pursuing wisdom sounds too hard, so they wallow in simplicity until they take their last breath.

Are you simple? Is your life basically getting up, going to work, eating, relaxing, and going to bed? Is getting a paycheck a real feat to you? Do you let others study issues and provide answers? Do complex dilemmas intimidate you? Do you prefer bodily exercise over studying? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you are simple.

But Lady Wisdom calls to the simple, “How long will ye love simplicity? Why are you content to be stupid?” The words of God can make a simple man wise, if he will repent of his simplicity, beg God for wisdom, and search the Scriptures (Pr 1:4; Ps 19:7; 119:130). If you neglect her offer, you will live and die in simplicity and bear the consequences.

Scorners are arrogant persons that despise those who try to correct or teach them. They are flagrantly haughty, rebellious, and stubborn. Puffed up in pride, they mock and resent any effort to reprove them. They are snottily disrespectful to authority. They are the most profane character in Proverbs, hated by God and men (Pr 6:16-17; 9:7-8; 24:9; 26:12).

Are you a scorner? Do you bristle at authoritative teachers, especially when they correct you? Do you look for faults in a reprover to excuse your rebellion? Do you enjoy snide remarks, accusing others, or seditiously sowing discord to get a following? Do you resent authority, because you believe you are at least as wise as any you have met? Can you mock a parent or teacher, just because you disagree?  You are a scorner.

But Lady Wisdom calls to scorners, “How long will you delight in scorning? Why do you take pleasure in being a profane scorner?” Though wise men are taught to ignore and reject scorners, Lady Wisdom offers wisdom even to these brute beasts (Pr 9:7-8; Matt 7:6). If they reject her merciful offer, the God of heaven will crush them under His feet.

Fools are stubborn and lazy persons, though not as conceited and vicious as scorners. In love with themselves, they see no need to listen to anyone or make changes in their lives. After being taught, they quickly return to their vomit and wallowing in folly (Pr 26:11). They hate knowledge by resisting instruction due to love of their own thoughts (Pr 18:2).

Are you a fool? Do you think you have a good head on your shoulders and do not need teachers? Are you confident you are right? Do you like the sound of your own voice? Are you better known for a sharp retort than humble listening? Do you get angry when you cannot have your way? Do you think you could be a good teacher? Do you like to surf the Internet looking for some new thing like the foolish Athenians? You are a fool.

But Lady Wisdom also calls to fools, “How long will you hate knowledge? Why do you resist learning what is right?” Though wise men are taught to silence fools and ignore them, she offers liberal wisdom even to these stupid dolts (Pr 14:7; 23:9; 26:4-5). If they do not heed her helpful offer, they will live dysfunctional lives and die hopeless deaths.

Reader, where do you fall on this scale? Are you a simpleton? Or are you a real fool? Or are you a haughty scorner? If you have not done anything to pursue wisdom today, you are one of these three. In any case, Lady Wisdom is offering you wisdom. If you refuse her offer, she will refuse to help you when troubles come to ruin your life (Pr 1:24-28).

The words of the living God are before you. They can make you wise (Ps 119:98-100; II Tim 3:16-17). But you must read and meditate on His words to become wise. He has sent teachers to you, from parents to pastors (Eccl 12:9; Jer 3:15; I Thess 5:20). But you must humbly submit to their teaching and put it into practice. He has offered wisdom to those who will humbly beg Him for it (I Kgs 3:5; Jas 1:5). When did you last pray for it?

Why do you continue in your simple, scornful, or foolish ways? What will it take to get your attention? What will it take to get you to leave your simplicity, your scorning, or your folly? Will a divorce do it? A dysfunctional home? A rebellious child? Professional or financial trouble? Some time in prison? The lack of friends and church? A medical emergency? The death of a loved one? Lady Wisdom offers wisdom. You better take it.

Proverbs 31:13 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 31, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 31, trust in the Lord with all your heart
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Proverbs 31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

A virtuous woman is not above dirtying her hands and working hard at manual labor. She has no illusions or pretensions about her role. She knows that productivity and wealth begin with her hands, not with her mouth. Though capable of using her brain to leverage her assets and labor, she has no qualms about adding her sweat equity to the family estate. Let every lazy or pampered woman humble herself before this wisdom from God.

Here is a trait of a perfect woman, which King Lemuel learned from his mother to find a great wife (Pr 31:1,10). Women must accept that a woman wrote this lofty description (Pr 31:10-31), in case she thinks the bar is set too high, the traits lack sufficient glamour, or they emphasize a wife as her husband’s helper. God made the woman for the man, and learning this lesson is the first step to being a great woman (Gen 2:18; 3:16; I Cor 11:9).

A virtuous woman does not need much done for her. She hunts for raw materials to make useful and valuable things for her family. She is a willing worker – cheerful and content – she has initiative to work hard on her own. She does not need prodding. She sees a need, and she rolls up her sleeves and attacks the project. She does not hope her husband will do it for her after he gets home from work; she finishes it to spend the evening with him.

A pampered wife flitting from tea to reading to drawing violates God and women. It is not found in God’s word or in any prudent society. God made women to work, and they realize one of their chief goals by diligent use of their time. Every Christian woman must make sure she is more virtuous than Victorian. Being a “keeper at home” has nothing to do with taking it easy and making the husband the only or primary worker.

Some women think they have it rough to get up with their husbands and be expected to accomplish a day’s work while he is at work. They prefer rising late, pacing themselves through a few chores, talking on the phone, surfing the Internet, reading a book, visiting the spa, getting their nails done, and then asking their husbands to bring supper home. It is terrible that many of these are so-called Christian women. Great women work as hard or harder than their husbands, and they do so willingly and cheerfully, even eagerly.

In a search for a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s servant found beautiful Rebekah fetching water at a well (Gen 24:15-16). What about her violin lessons? Forget it! How did he qualify her? He waited to see if she would graciously volunteer to draw water for his ten camels (each can drink 20 gallons in 10 minutes!). What did she do? She ran to get the water fast enough for these thirsty beasts (Gen 24:18-20)! Isaac had himself a winner! If you think this is an exception, then read where Jacob discovered Rachel (Gen 29:9-18).

Prissy girls can live and die single beside lazy women, or they can dream of effeminate rich men who will pamper them like dolls into boring oblivion. Marriage is not for a woman to find a gravy train so she can read, shop, and nap most of the day before manipulating her husband to bring supper home. Marriage is for a man to find a lover who will help him build the family and estate by bearing children and working hard.

The church is the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory. His Father did not choose His bride, nor did Jesus die for her, in order for her to have a life of leisure. Those who make up the family of God were chosen to serve and work to glorify God and help one another (Matt 20:25-28; Rom 14:8; I Cor 10:31-33; II Cor 5:13-15; 12:15). Christian saint, how cheerfully and hard have you worked this day to please your Husband?

Spiritual Training 31 December 2014

Posted: December 31, 2014 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 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The gospel is open and revealed to everyone, except to those who refuse to believe. Satan is “the god of this age.” His work is to deceive, and he has blinded those who don’t believe in Christ (see 11:14-15). The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ’s gospel.

Lets bring it Home: Those who reject Christ and prefer their own pursuits have unknowingly made Satan their god.

Proverbs 30:26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 30, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 30, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 30:26 The conies (Rabbits) are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

Are you as smart as a coney? Wise Agur used four small creatures to teach his students great wisdom (Pr 30:1,24). The ants prudently save for the future (Pr 30:25). The locusts know the power of numbers (Pr 30:27). The spider by diligence goes where most cannot (Pr 30:28). The conies wisely avoid risk and loss by choosing safe and strong protection.

Evolution is a damnable lie from hell believed by God-haters after He darkened their minds (Rom 1:18-25; I Tim 6:20-21). God created every living thing, and much wisdom can be obtained by analyzing them. Sluggards can learn by the industry of the ant (Pr 6:6-8). The fearful can learn by considering God’s care for birds and flowers (Matt 6:25-32).

What is a coney? It is a rabbit, which used to be properly and ordinarily called a coney.  The variety Agur considered for this proverb lives in the caves and clefts of mountains on several continents. Without ability to defend themselves other than speed of retreat, these feeble creatures make their homes in rock strongholds where they can run for protection.

What is the lesson of wisdom for you? When exposed to danger or risk, you should wisely hide yourself from the threat (Pr 22:3; 27:12). Rather than foolishly exposing yourself to trouble, you should protect yourself from loss by using whatever means are available. You are not very strong yourself, so you should look for other protection.

Consider some examples. Your life is feeble, and your family will suffer if you die early. Term life insurance would create an estate for them, if that were to happen. Your health is feeble, and medical costs today could quickly wipe out your savings. Health insurance protects you from that catastrophe. This is how feeble folk make their houses in rocks.

You are a feeble investor, but you can easily join a mutual fund for professional management and diversify risk across many stocks. You are feeble at savings, but a company 401k plan can give you a solid advantage. A layoff from your job with too much debt could make your family feebler, so you reduce or eliminate your financial debt before such an event. This is how feeble folk make their houses in rocks. They are safe.

Your house is also feeble, since a strong tornado could blow it away, or an accidental fire could burn it to the ground. Homeowners insurance is what wise men do to protect against such a large loss. Your car seems strong, but when it meets another car, they both crumple easily, showing that they also are feeble, so you insure them against large losses.

If you live in a crime zone, you move to a safer area, have a security system installed, get a mean dog, or let Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson move in. If you own a business, you buy liability insurance against a sue-happy generation that has no remorse about ruining your business. If your business would be severely impaired by your death or other principal officers or employees, you get large life insurance policies designed for this possibility.

Some Christians have not been taught Bible wisdom, so they think they should live from hand to mouth and trust God to take care of the rest. They accuse those that buy insurance as not having faith in God. They consider themselves spiritual giants by Bible reading and prayer while foolishly exposing their families to ruin. They have not read Proverbs, where Solomon repeatedly warns to reduce risk of all kinds in any way possible.

Think spiritually. Your father Adam’s sin and your own sins have made you very feeble, without strength, before God. You are exposed to horrific eternal danger. But thanks be to God, Who sent Jesus Christ to die for His elect in their feeble condition (Rom 5:6-21). Flee to the Rock Christ Jesus for refuge and guarantee your future safety by building your house upon the rock of His sayings (I Cor 10:4; Matt 7:24-27; Heb 6:18; Ps 62:7; 94:22).

Spiritual Training 30 December 2014

Posted: December 30, 2014 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 4:1-2 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

Paul condemned those who twist God’s Word. Preachers, teachers, and anyone else who talks about Jesus Christ must remember that they stand in God’s presence—he hears every word. Many Christian ministers and leaders twist Scripture in their attempt to motivate audiences. Others take Scripture out of context to promote their own views.

Lets Bring Home: When you tell people about Christ, be careful not to distort the message to please your audience. Proclaim the truth of God’s Word.
 

Proverbs 29:16 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 29, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 29, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 29:16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. 

When the wicked are in leadership, sin prevails. In any organization-whether a church, a business, a family, or a government-the climate comes from the top. The people become like their leaders. What kind of climate are you setting for people you lead?

Learn here about trends, polls, majorities, sin, the future, and a right worldview. God and Solomon want you to understand what is happening and will happen in the world. Each proverb was written to teach you wisdom, this one included. As the world gets worse, you should understand why and not be surprised, and you should know its certain future. Here is crucial wisdom for your life with a profound invitation buried in one single word.

The wicked love a majority – they need a crowd to bring their sins out of the closet into public view. They think numbers justify their opinions and practices. As trends develop, the wicked jump on the sin bandwagon, because their hearts and minds were always sinful. They crave the encouragement of a majority to make their abominations and rebellion public. The effect is a geometric increase in wickedness, as in today’s world.

Consider the rule. As the wicked increase in proportion to any population, the overall wickedness increases even faster due to the growing majority providing support for greater individual rebellion. It is hard sometimes to separate the growth in numbers from the greater degree of depravity, as you will often see them both increasing together. When a combination of such factors comes into play together, wickedness can explode.

Wicked men multiply and wickedness increases for many reasons. Unknown to most due to ignorance of the Bible, God hardens men’s hearts to greater wickedness by both prosperity and adversity, to justify His greater punishment of them for their sins (Ex 7:3; 9:16; I Sam 2:25; Ps 106:14-15; Jer 48:11; Rom 1:18-32; II Thess 2:9-12). Let the LORD be magnified! If you do not know this, you cannot even get started to see things correctly.

Corrupt governments and sinful rulers increase evil by the example of their folly and sin in high offices (Eccl 10:5-7; 3:16; Es 1:16-18), by legislating approval of sin (Dan 3:1-7; Es 3:15), by not punishing criminals appropriately (Eccl 8:11), and by not rewarding righteous citizens for good done (Es 2:21-23). Righteous authority in any segment of society can restrain wickedness by example and enforcement (Pr 20:8,26; Gen 18:19).

A decline in true religion increases wickedness. Pulpits are where men chosen by God are to preach forcefully against sin (Is 58:1). This was once a major influence in America’s moral uprightness. But sinners do not like such preaching, so they ask for a gentler message by false teachers like Joel Osteen or Joseph Prince (Is 30:8-14). When this happens, as it is now around the world (II Tim 4:3-4), wickedness increases. Instead of a preservative of righteousness like salt, they are more like gasoline on a fire (Matt 5:13).

Humanistic education increases sin. When God-haters get the insane theory of evolution into the schools, they eliminate the restraint of a Creator with moral laws and the power of temporal and eternal punishment. Joined with the idols of existential self-love and self-esteem, children can do anything they wish, with the only guide of pleasing themselves. The fear of God creating a restraint is gone (Ps 4:4; 14:1-5; 36:1; Pr 9:10; Eccl 12:13-14).

Immoral entertainment increases sinfulness. The Beatles and Hollywood ruined morals everywhere, as they perverted their own. The shorthaired boys with white shirts and ties from Liverpool quickly degenerated to drug-stupefied, girlish devotees of Hamburg brothels and Hindu gurus. Consider the difference of Ben Hur (1959) and Titanic (1997). The entertainment industry is condemned before God (Ps 101:3; Pr 14:9; Rom 1:32).

The news media, which greatly influences society’s judgment of events, increases wickedness. They have not honestly reported a moral issue in decades – they are incapable of it for the factors above. They defend and promote the same insanity taught in the schools and glamorized in entertainment. Their slanting of all moral issues and blatant hatred for Bible Christianity reveal their devilish agenda. They are doomed to fall.

Technological advances have increased evil. The influences above would have little effect without the modern ability to expose the earth’s population to them for little cost. Techno sins describes technology that allows or furthers wickedness. Witty inventions are good (Pr 8:12), when used for God’s glory, man’s righteousness, or a better standard of living. Every parent today faces threats to their children never imagined before.

Urbanization increases wickedness. The countryside is better than the city. As people leave rural areas of wise local ordinances, safe traditions, and fewer ways to sin for large cities, sinfulness increases. The more they pack together in a city, the more this proverb takes effect. God identified this factor when men united at Babel to rebel against Him (Gen 11:1-9). He divided nations and set boundaries for spiritual good (Acts 17:26-27).

Much, much more could be said about these factors that cause wicked men to multiply and increase their transgressions against God’s laws. Wise men that understand the times will consider these things soberly and research them even further (I Chr 12:32; Esth 1:13; Eccl 8:1). These are the perilous times of the last days, which scripture foretold (II Tim 3:1-17; 4:1-4). Hear God’s warning: prepare to stand against even greater sinfulness.

Once this snowball starts downhill, it gathers speed and size. As wicked men increase in number and individual rebellion, the result is a compounded increase in evil. If there are several factors working together at once, as presently, when all parts of society are rushing into sin under many influences, and God is allowing it to occur, you can count on a catastrophic event to occur soon to destroy them all for the righteous to see. Amen!

Consider the lesson illustrated. For 1500 years after creation, the wicked multiplied numerically by polygamy (Gen 4:19; 6:1-2). This increase in numbers brought greater boldness in sinning, which God saw (Gen 6:5). In holy anger, God destroyed them all, suffocating them in a worldwide flood (Gen 6:6-7). He saved righteous Noah and his immediate family, who saw the entire earth’s population drowned (Gen 6:8; Heb 11:7).

Consider another illustration. Wicked men gathered in the watered plains of the Jordan about 2000 B.C. Their cities were Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim. This conflux of wicked men led to one of man’s most abominable perversions – sodomy. What an increase of transgression! God had made the perfect Eve for Adam, not Steve (Gen 2:18-25). But these perverts abused each other (Gen 19:1-7; Rom 1:24-27; I Cor 6:9). God burned them all to ashes. Abraham saw the smoke of the fall of the cities (Gen 19:27-28).

It is similar today. Wicked men and their sins have increased by all the factors above in the last two generations. Two men in a bed is not a marriage in the Bible or in hardly any time of human history. Yet the rabid hatred of these perverts against the Bible, Christians, and traditional cultural and legal norms is shocking. Get ready. A fiery inferno is coming to burn the universe to destroy them (II Thes 1:7-10; II Pet 3:10-14; Rev 20:7-15). If you believe in opposite sex marriage out of fear of God, you will only see the judgment.

Christian reader, do not let the increase of the wicked and their perversion of everything good trouble you. Jesus Christ – the coming Judge of the world – told His apostles, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). A new heaven and earth are coming for you, rejoice and live soberly (II Pet 3:10-14).

Do not let increasing iniquity in the world and in most churches cause your fear and love of God to turn lukewarm or cold, as it did for many following the Jews’ crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 24:12). Just forty years later, the righteous saw God’s vengeance on the Jews for the death of His Son, through more horrific tribulation on that nation than has ever occurred at any other time (Luke 21:20-24; Matt 22:1-7; I Thess 2:14-16).

While the wicked take comfort in their swelling ranks, remember that God has already declared that anything they highly esteem is an abomination to Him (Luke 16:15). He has already declared the world’s wisdom to be foolishness (I Cor 1:19-21; 3:18-20). He has already declared them His enemy (Jas 4:4). If you choose God’s side and His righteousness, you are part of a large, totally victorious kingdom (Heb 12:22-24; Re 7:9).

What is the coming catastrophic event, when the righteous will see all the wicked fall? It is the second coming of Jesus Christ, as Lord of heaven and earth, when the great Day of Judgment will occur, and every man will give an account of himself to the holy God of the Bible (Eccl 12:13-14; Rom 14:10-12; II Cor 5:9-11; Rev 20:11-15). All the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment (Matt 7:21-23; 25:41,46; Jn 5:28-29).

The proverb taught several lessons about societal changes and coming judgment. But do you see the most important lesson? There are righteous men and women in the proverb. They are different from the wicked. They only see the destruction of the wicked – for God will spare them in His fury (Ps 37:34; 58:10-11; 91:8). Are you one of the righteous? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and start living His righteousness today (II Pet 1:5-11).

Spiritual Training 29 December 2014

Posted: December 29, 2014 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 3:7-18 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!  Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his faces to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Paul recalled the stone tablets on which God had written the old covenant—calling it “the ministry that brought death.” He identified the law, although leading to death, as nonetheless glorious because it was God’s provision and proof of his intervention in the life of his people. But that which was summarized on stone is nowhere near as glorious as what came with “the ministry that brings righteousness”—life in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was present at the creation of the world as one of the agents in the origin of life itself (Genesis 1:2). He is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian and the one who helps us live the Christian life. By his power, we will be transformed into Christ’s perfect likeness when he returns. Thank God for the fact that the best is yet to be.

When Moses came down Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, his face was radiant from being in God’s presence (Exodus 34:29-35). Moses had to put on a veil to keep the people from being terrified by the brightness of his face. Paul adds that this veil kept them from seeing the radiance fade away. This veil illustrates the fading of the old system and the veiling of the people’s minds because of their pride, hardness of heart, and refusal to repent. The veil kept them from understanding references to Christ in the Scriptures. When anyone becomes a Christian, the veil is taken away (3:16), giving eternal life and freedom from bondage. That person can then be like a mirror reflecting God’s glory.

Those who were trying to be saved by keeping the Old Testament law were soon tied up in rules and ceremonies. But now, through the Holy Spirit, God provides freedom from sin and condemnation (Romans 8:1). When we trust Christ to save us, he removes our heavy burden of trying to please him and our guilt for failing to do so. By trusting Christ we are loved, accepted, forgiven, and freed to live for him. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The glory that the Spirit imparts to the believer is more excellent and lasts longer than the glory that Moses experienced. By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like him. In the gospel, we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it.

Lets Bring it Home: Through learning about Christ’s life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what he is really like. As our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming Christlike is a progressive experience (see Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). The more closely we follow Christ, the more we will be like him.

Spiritual Training 26 December 2014

Posted: December 26, 2014 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 3:1-6 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Some false teachers had started carrying forged letters of recommendation to authenticate their authority. In no uncertain terms, Paul stated that he needed no such letters. The believers to whom Paul and his companions had preached were enough of a recommendation. Paul did use letters of introduction, however, many times. He wrote them on behalf of Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2) and Timothy (1 Corinthians 16:10-11). These letters helped Paul’s trusted companions and friends find a welcome in various churches.

Paul uses powerful imagery from famous Old Testament passages predicting the promised day of new hearts and new beginnings for God’s people (see Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). No human being can take credit for this process of conversion. It is the work of God’s Spirit. We do not become believers by following some manual or using some technique. Our conversion is a result of God’s implanting his Spirit in our hearts, giving us new power to live for him.

Paul was not boasting; he gave God the credit for all his accomplishments. While the false teachers boasted of their own power and success, Paul expressed his humility before God. No one can claim to be adequate without God’s help. No one is competent to carry out the responsibilities of God’s calling in his or her own str

“The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” means that trying to be saved by keeping the Old Testament laws will end in death. Only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ can a person receive eternal life through the Holy Spirit. No one but Jesus has ever fulfilled the law perfectly; thus, the whole world is condemned to death. The law makes people realize their sin, but it cannot give life. Under the new covenant, which means promise or agreement, eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Christ. The moral law (Ten Commandments) still points out sin and shows us how to obey God, but forgiveness comes only through the grace and mercy of Christ

Lets Bring it Home: Without the Holy Spirit’s enabling, our natural talent can carry us only so far. As Christ’s witnesses, we need the character and special strength that only God gives.

Proverbs 26:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 26, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 26, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 26:18 As a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows.

What a wild and dangerous man! Handcuff him! Lock him up! There is a simile here, indicated by the word “as.” What kind of person resembles this crazy mad man? A man wildly throwing firebrands, arrows, and death? Anyone who deceives his neighbor and uses a jesting cover-up of his evil intentions is just like this mad man (Pr 26:19).

Imagine an insane man, like the devil-possessed Gadarene (Mark 5:1-13). He is naked, powerful, savagely wild, masochistically violent, untamed, and living among the dead. Now imagine him on your property. Imagine him in your house. In your business. Solomon created this picture of a neighbor who deceives you and lightly excuses it.

Wicked men think their actions are not very harmful. So Solomon described them in terms to get your attention and rightly classify their actions. Neighbors, due to close proximity to one another, must trust each other. They should be able to trust each other at all times. But a deceitful and ambitious neighbor is comparable to this wild enemy.

What is the lesson? Deceiving those who trust you is a horrible sin and crime. Neighbors, employers, and others trust your integrity. You live close enough to take advantage of them, so they must trust your integrity not to use that nearness against them. It is your duty as a Christian to live honestly with all men, but especially those nearest to you.

What else can you learn? Covering and excusing sin by lightly claiming it was just a joke reveals an extremely profane character. Such persons have no conscience; they laugh at sin; they do not comprehend the pain their deception causes others. You can oppose this folly by keeping a sober and serious approach to all relationships, especially neighbors.

What else can you learn? Only fools joke about sin (Pr 10:23; 14:9; 15:21). Sin is a horrible thing – it defies your Creator God, hurts your fellow man, is inconvenient for profitable relationships, and leads to eternal punishment. Only hopeless scorners and rebels laugh and jest about sin. Sin is to be avoided, hated, and repented of.

What else can you learn? God hates foolish talking and jesting. He will destroy the world for these heinous sins. He lists foolish talking and jesting with fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, three other abominable sins (Eph 5:3-7). And he describes foolish talking and jesting as He does sodomy – both are not convenient (Eph 5:4 cp Rom 1:28).

These wicked men, like an insane man hurling fire, arrows, and death, can show up even in Jesus Christ’s churches (II Pet 2:13; Pr 6:19; Gal 5:15). Therefore, it is your solemn duty to identify them and stop them in their tracks, for such conduct is destructive to the peace and prosperity of the body. Lord, save your people from such sins and sinners!

Proverbs 25:09-10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 25, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 25, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 25:09-10 If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another mans confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation. 

Gossip can ruin your reputation. Yet gossip is incredibly easy. Wise men will know you are wicked and will rebuke you, and you will be disgraced and shamed. The lesson is simple: do not talk critically or negatively about others; do not spread news or rumors; do not slander anyone. Gossip is a heinous sin, and it can permanently stain your reputation.

This is half of a proverb. The first half says, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another” (Pr 25:9). Good men only discuss differences or offences with the person involved, not with others. If you tell others about a conflict with someone, those others will know you are hateful, malicious, and wicked.

Jesus Christ taught the same rule of godliness and wisdom. He said, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” (Matt 18:15). If you cannot ignore the offence of another, go tell him his fault. Instead of telling others about the problem, tell him alone. The rule is clear and definite.

When you have a problem with someone, it is cruel and malicious to tell others about it. You do so in order to defame and injure the other party and obtain sympathy for your cause. You seek to hurt another person’s reputation and exalt your own. The holy God of heaven considers such intentions and actions to be murder (Matt 5:21-26). Beware!

You should keep controversies and offences between you and your adversary. If you tell others about them, it is called gossip. In the Bible, it was called backbiting, talebearing, tattling, and whispering, if you told the truth. These are terrible sins that God hates. If you lied about the matter, then it was also called slander. It does not matter that these sins are popular today and no longer preached against: they are heinous in God’s sight.

Godly men despise this evil treatment of others, and they will despise the person doing it. They will angrily rebuke those who gossip about others. It is a duty to do so. Solomon wrote, “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue” (Pr 25:23). It is terrible that more wise men do not put backbiters, talebearers, whisperers, slanderers, and gossips to shame by angry rebukes (Lev 19:17; I Thess 5:14).

If you have a problem with someone, and you cannot gloriously overlook it, go to him alone and settle it through Christian charity. Put a guard on your heart, and do not even think about telling others. Only say complimentary and kind things about other people. Let your reputation be glorious and gracious, always edifying others (Eph 4:29; Col 4:6).

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