Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Proverbs 17:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 17, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 17, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 17:01 – Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

It is nice to get off at times and be by yourself. How many of us married folk don’t take time out for each other because of the distractions of this world, friends, work, kids, pets, in-laws and cell phone. Sometime we need to send the kids off, get rid of the pets, turn the cell phone off, cut the in-laws out for a while, and go take a ride somewhere just to get some quietness and rest. If it’s just going out on the patio, or going for a walk, tell your spouse to “Come on out here, and let’s sit down together and get acquainted with each other. Some of us been married for a long time, and it’s time we get re-acquainted. It’s a good thing for us to do. God wants us to have times like that. They are very important for our spiritual refreshment.

What could the wisest man on earth charge per hour for specific advice for your life? $500 an hour? $5,000 an hour? But here is God’s inspired wisdom by King Solomon free of charge! What a glorious blessing, if you will consider and learn from this true proverb.

As in many proverbs, the parallelism contrasts two things – the right against the wrong. A dry morsel could be saltine crackers and a house full of sacrifices a filet mignon dinner with all the trappings. Since some sacrifices, the best of their flocks and herds, were eaten by the people, Solomon described here the very best food in great and free abundance.

Quietness is not noise level, but rather lack of trouble, fighting, travail, and vexation. It is contrasted with strife. It is a state of calm, peace, rest, and security (Pr 1:33; Judges 18:7; II Chr 20:30; Job 3:13; 21:23; 34:9; Ps 107:28-30; Eccl 4:6; Ezek 16:42). In a sister proverb, the contrast is between love and hatred, which helps explain this one (Pr 15:17).

The Preacher Solomon taught that saltine crackers in a calm and peaceful home are superior to a filet mignon dinner with a tense and unhappy family. Here is wisdom to direct your priorities. More emphasis, time, effort, money, and value should be placed on peace and love in a family than the securing of food and things for the family. But this choice runs totally contrary to this carnal, covetous, greedy, and materialistic generation.

Profane Americans say, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But your Creator tells you, “He who lives a godly life content with what he has wins” (I Tim 6:6; Heb 13:5). Here is a choice – do you follow the profane American to hell or God to heaven? Do you live the life of vanity and vexation of spirit this society promotes? Or do you choose the wise man’s priority, knowing he had already tested both ways by divine providence?

Two people in love can be happy, peaceful, and contented sharing peanut butter crackers, as dating couples know; and two people can be miserable in the middle of luxury when differences and bitterness have crept in. Will you work to save your relationships?

What causes tension, stress, and trouble in a home? An overbearing woman is one of the greatest culprits (Pr 7:11; 9:13; 12:4; 19:13; 21:9,19; 25:24; 27:15-16; 30:21-23). She talks too much, criticizes too much, corrects too much, argues too much, suggests too much, and all in all turns life into hell. Every godly woman must hate these tendencies in herself and others; and every husband must rule and train his wife to be free of them.

Scorners will ruin a home’s peace (Pr 16:19,28; 22:10; 26:20-21). What is a scorner? A haughty fool who arrogantly despises correction and disrespects authority. They should be corrected with the rod and reproof or removed from the home (Pr 26:3; 22:10; 24:9).

A fool in a home will ruin its peace, because that filet mignon meal will only fuel his foolish thinking and talking (Pr 31:21-23; Eccl 10:12-15). How many parents have had their peace stolen by foolish children (Pr 10:1; 17:25)?  Foolishness is bound in the heart of children, but the rod and reproof will surely and always correct it (Pr 22:15; 29:15,17).

An angry person who presses issues ruins the peace of a home (Pr 15:18; 26:21; 29:22; 30:33). So the rule of ending all wrath before sunset must be followed and enforced (Eph 4:26). Let every man and woman be slow to anger (Pr 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; Jas 1:19).

Bitterness will ruin a home’s tranquility, for it is from hell and the source of confusion and every evil work (Jas 3:14-16). The commandment is clear – put away all bitterness, especially husbands (Eph 4:31-32; Col 3:19). For godly wisdom from heaven is peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, and loves to make peace (Jas 3:17-18).

Discontentment creates perpetual frustration, so that even a filet mignon dinner cannot bring peace and calm. The covetous and greedy man is always looking for more, and he is in a constant state of agitation thinking about it (Eccl 5:10; II Sam 13:1-2). And even if he were to get more, he would still wish and grieve for yet more in just minutes!

A family with a moody parent (or worse yet, two of them) is doomed, for such weak and wicked people set the tone in the house and at dinner by whatever foolish mood they have allowed to overwhelm their soul (Pr 25:28). Joy is a command (Phil 4:4; I Thess 5:16)!

A good man can destroy all these enemies of a peaceful home, for he will be a godly example of peace and joy, and he will enforce peace and joy on the rest of the family. What a blessing for a wife and children to have such a man ruling their home! May the Lord raise up such men in this effeminate and frustrated generation!

Paul gave an excellent summary of the love and peace that ought to characterize the lives of Christians, and he gave the means to obtain them (Col 3:12-15). With such peace and joy as the basis, life can be a perpetual feast, regardless of what is on the table (Pr 15:15).

You must remember success is not more things, but contentment with the things you have (I Tim 6:6). Save yourself from a generation deceived by the lie that gain is godliness and happiness. You can learn to be content regardless of the fare at dinner (Phil 4:11-12).

Where will you put your emphasis, time, effort, money, and value? On things? Or on godliness and contentment regardless of things? Now train your children to do the same!

This proverb applies as well to the church of Jesus Christ. A church at peace, regardless of circumstances, is superior to a church with strife, though basking in luxury or growth. It is your duty to endeavor to maintain church unity in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3).

Please remember that these emails are going to over 100 people.  I used BCC to keep your email address private.  I just want to share my own personal walk with you, and yes, please hold me accountable for my actions.   I love you all with the love of Jesus and there is nothing that you can do about it. 

Proverbs 16:05 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 16, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 16, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 16:5 – The LORD detest all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Pride is the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best” It is resisting God’s leadership and believing that your are able to live without his help. Whenever you find yourself wanting to do it your way and looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride. Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all he meant you to be.

Do you think you are special? Then repent now before you get hurt! The LORD Jehovah cannot stand anyone thinking highly of himself in his heart. It does not matter how important you might be, or how many friends you might have, you will certainly be punished; the God of heaven will make sure of it. Humble your heart this very minute.

You are nothing (Ps 39:5,11). You are truly less than nothing (Ps 62:9; Is 40:17). You arrived ignorant and helpless, dirtying yourself, and you will leave the same way. If you are very successful, you might leave behind a small estate that will be spent in a few months. The day of your death will be forgotten in weeks, and your grave will be lost.

Your accomplishments are nothing, and they will be forgotten before your funeral, when you cannot recall your own name. You are so fragile and weak that a clothespin on your nose can end your existence (Is 2:22). Your soul lives in a house of clay; the foundation of your body is mere dust; and you can be killed easier than a moth (Job 4:19). Get down!

The blessed and dreadful God of heaven and earth abhors and loathes proud people (Ps 113:5-6). He is extremely disgusted and intensely averse to their arrogance and pompous opinions. He hates them and their proud thoughts and looks (Pr 6:16-19; 15:9). And He will crush and grind them to powder in this world and the next (Job 40:9-14; Dan 4:37).

The words, “proud in heart,” are the specific sin God hates. It is a high opinion of yourself, leading to an attitude of superiority over and contempt for others; it is inordinate self-esteem. Boasting is not the point here. You may keep your pride to yourself. But God sees it, and He will judge it. You must think lowly and soberly about yourself, lest you lie to yourself about your value (Pr 16:18-19; Rom 12:3; Gal 6:3; Phil 2:3-4; II Tim 3:1-5).

Consider this horrible sin! You can avoid things that cause lust of the eyes (Ps 101:3). You can reject opportunities for the lust of the flesh (Rom 13:14). But what about pride? It whispers to your heart every minute of every day and every night! Even in bed your thoughts can be arrogant and critical – comparing yourself to others. In every act and event of life, there is a constant temptation for pride to creep in. Lord, have mercy!

The words, “though hand join in hand,” describe agreement and association with others for safety. It does not matter if others flatter you, or are just as proud. It does not matter what steps you take for protection. It does not matter that you try to be righteous in other areas. You cannot cover for this sin. God will bring you down – fast and hard – for sure!

The first sin in the universe was pride – Satan’s pride (I Tim 3:6). And he was punished for it. How severely? He and his angels are reserved for eternal torment in hell forever (Matt 25:41; II Pet 2:4; Rev 20:10). The devil’s great abilities cannot save him at all.

Are you proud in heart? Find out! Do you wish others treated you better? Why? It must be because you think you are important. Do you worry about others admiring you? Do you resist correction and instruction? Do you envy and resent blessings to others? Can you list any ways you are better than another? Do you gloat a little at their failures?

Does selfishness make serving hard? Are you defensive to reproof and warnings? Do you deserve more public recognition? Can you apologize easily, fully, and quickly? Do you whine about unfair circumstances? Does your spouse have to apologize first? Can you remember others’ past failures? Do you like to argue about “principle”? You may think adultery, drunkenness, and smoking are horrible, but God hates your self-righteous pride!

If you persist, you are done! The Bible is sure: pride brings a penalty! “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Pr 16:18). “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty” (Pr 18:12).  “Surely he scorneth the scorners” (Pr 3:34). “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased” (Luke 14:11). “God resisteth the proud” (Jas 4:6).

If you have a problem with pride, and God will certainly punish you, what can be done? Repent! Fear the Lord, and hate pride and arrogancy (Pr 8:13)! “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (Jas 4:10). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (I Pet 5:6).

Manasseh was likely the wickedest king in the history of Israel, but God freely forgave him, when he humbled himself greatly (II Chron 33:1-13). And if he was the wickedest king, then Ahab was second; but God honored his humility as well (I Kings 21:25-29). What does God require? That you walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Want to kill pride? Confess your sins fully (Jas 4:5-10). Get a vision of God and crush your heart before Him (Ps 4:4; Is 57:15). Pray like a fool (I Kgs 3:7; Ps 131:2). Never commend yourself, not even indirectly (Pr 27:2). Always admit what you are and have is a gift (I Cor 4:7). Tell your faults, so others will know the real you (Rom 7:8; Jas 5:16).

Apologize quickly and admit unqualified guilt (Mat 5:23-24). Thank those who admonish and correct you (Ps 141:5). Make others and their things most important (Phil 2:3-4). Get down and enjoy the uncomely (Rom 12:16). Do not compare yourself with others (II Cor 10:12). Learn true charity (I Cor 13:4-7). Be a great servant (Luke 22:24-27).

Still want to kill pride? Avoid the spotlight as much as possible (Luke 14:7-12). Enjoy serving those who cannot repay (Luke 14:12-14). Do your charity in secret (Matt 6:1-4). Rejoice at forgiving those who wrong you (Matt 18:21-22). Get down, and enjoy it! The LORD will be pleased, and He will bless you, just as surely as He will punish the proud.

Spiritual Training 16 December 2014

Posted: December 16, 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 1:8-10 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hopes that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul does not give details about their “troubles” (hardship) in Asia, although his accounts of all three missionary journeys record many difficult trials he faced (Acts 13:2–14:28; 15:40–21:17). He does write that they felt that they were going to die and realized that they could do nothing to help themselves—they simply had to rely on God.

Lets Bring it Home: We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy and only turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. But as we realize our own powerlessness without him and our need for his constant help in our lives, we come to depend on him more and more. God is our source of power, and we receive his help by keeping in touch with him. With this attitude of dependence, problems will drive us to God rather than away from him. Learn how to rely on God daily.

Spiritual Training 15 December 2015

Posted: December 15, 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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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

The “sufferings of Christ” are those afflictions we experience as we serve Christ. At the same time, Christ suffers with his people, since they are united with him. In Acts 9:4-5, Christ asked Paul why he was persecuting him. This implies that Christ suffered with the early Christians when they were persecuted.

Paul had a radically different view of suffering. Suffering—especially trials and discomfort associated with the advancement of Christ’s kingdom—is God’s way of allowing Christians to become more like Jesus, to suffer for the gospel just as Jesus suffered for it (Philippians 1:29; 3:10). Peter agreed with Paul: Christians should rejoice when they suffer, for in their own suffering they will in some small way experience what it meant for Jesus to suffer for their sins (1 Peter 4:12-13).

  Lets Bring it Home: In addition to drawing people closer to Christ, suffering can also help them grow in their faith. God uses suffering to improve his people and shape them into better Christians. In fact, suffering should be thought of as the necessary pain that accompanies spiritual growth. In Romans, Paul noted that suffering produces perseverance, which in turn produces Christian character (Romans 5:3-4; see also James 1:3-4; 2 Peter 1:6; Revelation 2:2, 19). This passage highlights another benefit to suffering: It teaches the sufferer how to encourage others who are also suffering.

Proverbs 15:19 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 15, 2014 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 15:19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Has your life been rough or smooth the last year? What is your outlook? Does the future frighten you, or welcome you? There is a reason for your answers to these questions. Lazy people have two problems in life – things do not work out well for them, and they are afraid of the future. Diligent men find life is smooth and easy, and they rejoice in the opportunities it provides. How many thorns are in your way? You can remove them!

There are two similes – or identified comparisons – in this proverb. A lazy man’s life is like a hedge of thorns, which is a difficult and painful obstacle hindering progress or travel. He has a hard time going forward, and he dreads the effort and trouble. A righteous man’s life is like a smooth, paved highway, which makes his travel comfortable and fast. He finds progress in life to be easy, and he looks forward to the future.

The proverb contrasts slothful men and diligent men, wicked men and righteous men. The slothful man is contrasted to the righteous man to teach that slothful men are wicked and righteous men are diligent. God and good men despise lazy men, for slothfulness is a sin (Pr 6:6-11; 10:26; 18:9; 24:30-34; 26:16; Gen 3:19; Matt 25:26-28; Rom 12:11; I Thess 4:11-12). God’s solution for lazy men is to starve them (Pr 20:4; II Thess 3:10).

How is a slothful man’s life like a hedge of thorns? By his procrastination and neglect of things needful for his progress and success! Laziness creates numerous hardships that make life much more difficult than God ever intended. By procrastinating and excusing himself from preparing for the future, he arrives at the future without assets, credit, skills, or reputation. He is defenseless before adversity; he has no capital to invest in anything; he is worthless in the job market; and he has no friends to vouch for him.

How is a slothful man’s life like a hedge of thorns? By his negative and wicked attitude! Laziness steals his energy, perverts his heart, and blinds his eyes. He thinks he is too tired to work (Pr 19:15). He grieves at the very thought of work (Pr 26:15). He scorns every opportunity to work in spite of excellent reasons from seven wise and successful men (Pr 26:16). Suggest a job. He will claim it is too cold to work (Pr 20:4). Suggest another. He is afraid of lions in the street (Pr 22:13; 26:13). He will imagine and argue for any excuse imaginable to avoid facing the thorns his own laziness has planted!

How is a diligent man’s life made plain? By his past efforts that make the present much easier! By careful planning and hard work, he has provided those things necessary for his progress and success. He knows where he is going, and he has taken the steps to get there. He accumulates assets, credit, skills, and reputation. He can handle adversity, invest in offered opportunities, obtain replacement employment if necessary, and call upon any number of excellent references to help him.

How is a diligent man’s life made plain? By his cheerful and righteous attitude toward work! Hard work is a joy to him! He rejoices at the opportunity to work. He is thankful for his job. He offers to work overtime. He enjoys helping a business. He appreciates and respects his employers. He sleeps well, but only at night (Pr 6:6-11; Eccl 5:12). He looks forward to rising and going to work in the morning. He dives into projects and finishes them, better than anyone else. He is committed to outworking others (I Cor 15:10).

He looks for opportunities to work more, for he knows that rewards and riches will follow (Pr 10:4; 12:24; 22:29; 27:18). He finds a reward in labor itself (Eccl 9:10). He sees the future full of promise and reward. He does not see anything that scares him: the road before him is smooth and made for speed. He is optimistic about life, because he has faced difficult projects before and watched them melt away before his diligent efforts.

All other things being equal, God can give afflictions and troubles to the best of saints, but He will deliver them out of them (Ps 34:19). Everyone has troubles and gets pricked by thorns from time to time, but the righteous man goes forward and clears the thorns away; he does not hide in his bed or house like the slothful man. He gets up after falling, even if he falls again (Pr 24:16). He never quits or resigns to accept the life of a loser.

If you have been slothful, you know the proverb is true: you know you have a hedge of thorns in your way. It will not go away just because you have read this wonderful proverb by Solomon and agree with its lesson. It will only go away if you get up and attack it with the diligence of a righteous man. If you do not attack it, the thorns will grow larger and larger until the hedge completely chokes your life down to a miserable failure. Get up! Get going! Hate sleep! Hate leisure! Attack your duties with growing thorns in mind!

There is one other little problem. God despises sluggards and will oppose them in all they do. If you have been slothful, then God is your enemy, and nothing is going to work like it should. God will only bless and favor the diligent man. Therefore, if you have been slothful, beg Him for forgiveness before you try to remove the hedge of thorns in your own strength. He will blow against your efforts, unless you repent and beg Him for help.

The same rule applies to your spiritual life. If you are slothful about your religious duties, you will be discouraged and overwhelmed by the Bible, by the religious confusion in the world, and by your own carnality (Luke 8:11-18). But the man who diligently seeks the Lord will easily and surely find Him and His great reward (Jer 29:13; Heb 11:6). Reader! The choice is yours in matters both natural and spiritual. Clear away the thorns today!

Proverbs 12:15 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 12, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 12, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seem right to him, but a wise man listen to advice.

Every fool thinks he is right. He cannot think otherwise. He thinks everyone else is wrong. A wise man learns to resent his own thoughts. He knows they are selfish, biased, and deceitful. Instead he listens attentively and submissively to the counsel of others, for he knows they are speaking with less selfishness, bias, and deceit than his heart thinks.

Man is corrupt from the inside out. His heart – the internal place of affections, motives, and choices – is the most corrupt part of all. The Bible declares the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, which indicts it horribly (Jer 17:9). Who can truly know the perverse nature of their heart? Not you, unless you believe the Bible.

By nature, you hate God, wisdom, correction, and those who correct you. By nature, you love yourself, presume you are right, and believe you do everything better than others.  The only reason you ever fail is someone else’s fault or bad circumstances. You have every base covered to continue believing you were and are always right. What folly!

To crawl out of this cesspool of human pride and rebellion, you must learn to mistrust, criticize, and resent your own thoughts. This is one of the toughest challenges of wisdom, for with powerful instincts and lusts you want to protect and follow your thoughts. It is the ultimate exercise in humility to admit your own error and accept another’s opinion.

The single best measure of wisdom is your ability to crush your own thoughts and receive instruction. This is the most common point made by Solomon throughout the book of Proverbs. He constantly appeals to his hearers to receive instruction, knowing that their hearts naturally rebel against any advice or ideas contrary to their own.

Each man must come to God and Scripture in total trust and submission. A holy esteem must be formed for every precept; a holy hatred must be cultivated for every contrary thought (Ps 119:128). Solomon wrote, “Trust in the lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Pr 3:5).  “Be not wise in thine own eyes” (Pr 3:7).

You must silence your screaming heart. Crave wisdom, and admit it is not in you by nature. Acknowledge that only God truly has real wisdom. Prove all things by Scripture (I Thess 5:21; Acts 17:11). Use a multitude of wise counselors for practical decisions (Pr 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). Keep your heart diligently and strictly (Pr 4:23; Is 8:20).

Daily choices bring your heart into play. Fools listen to their hearts; wise men consult God’s word. Fools reject others’ instruction and warnings; wise men love and seek them. Do not be content thinking you are right; make sure you are right by these two criteria.

Spiritual Training 12 December 2014

Posted: December 12, 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 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for him. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us.

Lets Bring it Home: If you are feeling overwhelmed, allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles.

Proverbs 11:25 Wisdom for the Sou

Posted: December 10, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 11, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 11:24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 

No business school in America is advanced enough to teach this law of economics. Not Harvard. Not Stanford. Not the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. This proverb is a financial secret from the God of heaven for His people. Giving away financial assets will increase your net worth, while holding back money leads to poverty.

If you want a wealth-building secret from God and King Solomon, here it is. Throwing money to noble and righteous causes will bring financial prosperity, but restraining your giving will take you down. Here is advice, not to invest money, but to give it away. That is right; you read it correctly; give your money away to get ahead financially.

This proverb is not a sound bite for a desperate charity or greedy televangelist. It is an axiom of wisdom from the wisest and richest King that ever lived. He taught elsewhere to cast your bread upon the waters by giving it away, for it will come back to you sometime in the future by God’s blessings (Eccl 11:1-6; II Cor 9:8-11; Phil 4:17-19).

Solomon compared two men in this proverb. The one man scatters his money by giving it to godly causes, and he increases in financial prosperity. Though he is giving money away, his accounts keep growing. The other man hoards and protects his assets by not giving when he should or as much as he should, and he gets poorer and poorer.

Fools scorn God’s wisdom. The nation’s best MBA’s laugh at such preposterous ideas. How can you give away funds and increase assets? Their minds are limited to the math taught by their earthly teachers. Remember, these ignorant MBA’s also think the solar system is from a big bang of cosmic gases and their mothers were baboons! They cannot even imagine there is a whole universe of higher laws they know nothing about!

They think 10 – 1 = 9, when 10 – 1 = 900! Learn God’s math! Isaac, from a family that gave away a tenth by divine tradition, had an annual return of 10,000% on his portfolio (Gen 26:12). When did these educated fools with thick economic textbooks ever get an annual return like that? They work crazily to match the S&P500, which can be obtained by throwing darts at the financial page of the newspaper or buying an index fund.

Abraham, Isaac’s father, gave away a tenth of everything to God’s priest after a great victory (Gen 14:20). He was very rich, in spite of moving six hundred miles from home, without a strategic plan, to a strange land, where he did not know anyone or anything (Gen 13:2,6). But he increased by the blessing of God for honoring God with a tithe.

Jacob, Isaac’s son, moved to a new country with only a staff in his hand, but in 20 years he was so rich he could only travel in two companies (Gen 32:10). And this occurred in spite of discrimination against him by his employer (Gen 31:7,41). What was his secret for financial success? Give away 10% of all income (Gen 28:22). Give God the glory!

Fools think they have to look out for number one, meaning themselves, and only give to God a little of what is left. If nothing is left, then God gets nothing. Wise men also look out for number one, meaning God Himself. They give to God first, and live on whatever is left. The blessed God of heaven sees the different spirit and rewards them accordingly.

Fools reason, “I cannot afford to give. I have to protect my financial situation. I have bills coming up that I need to save for. When I am in a better financial situation, then I will give.” The God of heaven operates far above these ignorant and wicked ideas of financial safety. These men will surely be poor. They will never improve financially by violating this proverb. Just a little survey will show such men are often the poorest you know.

You cannot afford not to give! Your situation will go from bad to worse, if you continue to rob your Creator (Mal 3:8-11; Gal 6:7). It is better to live on 90% of income in the will of God than to miserly steal His 10% and live in rebellion. If you steal His 10%, He has the right and power to take His 10% and your 90%. You cannot afford not to give!

You can afford to give. If your salary were cut 10%, you would keep living with just a few changes. Some governments will split your giving with you by allowing you a tax deduction for it. It only costs the average American 6% to give 10%. You steal and lie, when you say you cannot afford to give. Humble yourself; choose wisdom, and increase.

A tithe is not the limit, for New Testament blessings surely deserve more than the beggarly 10% of the Old. Your spiritual and material blessings are greater than Israel ever dreamed. God has given you 100% of what you are and have, and heaven is waiting. Is 10% all you can muster? [When you look closer, the O.T. actually required 23 1/3%.]

Fools also reason, “Other men give because they have more to give. Their giving did not bring financial success, but they give because they are financially successful.” You are lying to yourself to protect your selfish and stingy soul. You are rejecting the infallible word of God to honor your greedy ignorance. You will never be a success. Going down?

Israel once thought it was financially wise to build their own houses first, but God blew against their efforts and put holes in the bags where they kept their wages (Hag 1:1-11). He guaranteed them great success, if they would put His cause first and mark their calendars (Hag 2:13-19). Do you have holes in your bags, reader? You cannot mock God; He will take you to poverty. Does God truly bless giving? Indeed He does (Pr 3:9-10)

How can the Lord increase a man who gives his money away? He can raise his income, lower his expenses, change tax laws, arrange gifts, grant favors, defer liabilities, extend the life of assets, preserve health and strength, open doors of opportunity, multiply efforts, provide bargains, give wisdom, attract customers, and many other things. Glory!

How far does this rule go? God dares you to try to outgive Him! He told Israel He would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing they could not receive, if they would simply bring their tithes and offerings to Him (Mal 3:7-12). Give God the glory! He can give a good measure, press it down, shake it together, and pour it over the top (Luke 6:38). He dares you, reader. The God of heaven dares you to try to outgive Him.

There are two conditions for God’s rich blessings on giving – you must give generously, and you must give cheerfully (Pr 11:25; II Cor 9:6-7). If you are stingy, God will be stingy to you. If you are generous and liberal, He will be the same in dealings with you (Is 32:8). If you are not cheerful and excited about giving, it is all a waste – for God loves cheerful givers. Giving is an act of worship, and you should do it with joy (Deut 28:47).

If you are a child of God living in America, you have the greatest combination of blessings ever known by any persons in this world. And it is certainly not because Americans are better people. It is God’s pure mercy. How can you not be the most liberal giver of all time? You are in great debt to your Creator and Saviour for more than others.

R.G. LeTourneau (1888-1969), a Christian man with little education, was one of America’s greatest inventors with 300 patents in earthmoving and other heavy equipment. He and his plants produced 70% of the heavy earthmoving machines used by the Allies during World War II. His rule for success? He gave 90% of all income back to the Lord. His favorite verse? Matthew 6:33! His philosophy and experience about giving? “I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back to me – but God has a bigger shovel.”

If you meet a poor person in true need and give to him, the Lord of heaven will repay you (Pr 19:17; Deut 15:10-11; Ps 41:1-2).  But if you keep your money and assets to protect your financial situation, the Lord of heaven will curse you with many curses (Pr 28:27). The contrast here is rather severe, but are you wise enough to believe it and obey it?

Giving to the man of God, who teaches you the word of God, is not just a religious tradition or convenient suggestion; it is the ordinance of God (I Cor 9:1-14; Gal 6:6; I Tim 5:17). It ought to be a high pleasure to reward your servant and to please God. Since he is God’s ambassador, your treatment of him is a direct reflection of your love of God.

If you have family members in need, you have denied the Christian religion, if you do not support them financially (I Tim 5:4,8). If you are a grandparent or parent with children, you should be giving them an inheritance (Prov 13:22; II Cor 12:14). Are you holding back for yourself like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day (Mark 7:9-13)? You are going down!

Have you wished you could walk on water with Peter? Here is your opportunity. Peter had to step over the gunwale of his boat and down on the water by faith, and you get to scatter your money by faith. Go for it! Do not look at the waves. The promise of this proverb and the other verses included here are just as the Lord saying to Peter, “Come.”

Do you believe the Bible? Then do what the Bible says! Give away part of what you have. Do it. Show God and men your faith. Test the proverb. See if you increase. Let God be true, but every man a liar. The proverb is true. This rule of success is from heaven, and it has never failed. If this proverb is not really true, then the others are not true either.

The benefits of a golden parachute from heaven keep coming. Generous and cheerful giving provides a good foundation for your soul in the Day of Judgment (I Tim 6:17-19; Matt 10:42; 25:40; Luke 4:14; Heb 6:10). This is an incredible further benefit for giving that most Christians do not understand. What more do you need, reader, to learn to give?

Giving reflects God’s grace in your heart and draws you closer to Him. But no matter how far you progress in the grace of giving, Jesus Christ remains the unmatchable Giver. It was He who left the wealth of heaven to make the supreme sacrifice to deliver you from eternal poverty and grant you eternal riches (John 3:16; Rom 6:23; II Cor 8:9; 9:15).

Spiritual Training 11 December 2014

Posted: December 10, 2014 in 1 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

Final Greetings     

1 Corinthians 16: 24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen

16:24 The church at Corinth was a church in trouble. Paul lovingly and forcefully confronted their problems and pointed them back to Christ. He dealt with divisions and conflicts, selfishness, inconsiderate use of freedom, disorder in worship, misuse of spiritual gifts, and wrong attitudes about the resurrection.

In every church, there are problems that create tensions and divisions. We should not ignore or gloss over problems in our churches or in our life. 

Lets Bring it Home: Instead, like Paul, we should deal with problems head on as they arise. The lesson for us in 1 Corinthians is that unity and love in a church are far more important than leaders and labels.

Spiritual Training 10 December 2014

Posted: December 9, 2014 in 1 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

Final Greetings     

1 Corinthians 16: 19-23 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.   If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 

16:19 Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers (or leatherworkers) whom Paul had met in Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). They followed Paul to Ephesus and lived there with him, helping to teach others about Jesus (Romans 16:3-5). Many in the Corinthian church would have known this Christian couple. They are also mentioned in Acts 18:18, 26; Romans 16:3; and 2 Timothy 4:19.

16:21 Paul had a helper, or secretary, who wrote down this letter while he dictated. Paul wrote the final words, however, in his own handwriting. This is similar to adding a handwritten postscript (P.S.) to a typewritten letter. It also served to verify that this was a genuine letter from the apostle and not a forgery.

16:22 The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to earth again. To Paul, this was a wonderful hope, the very best he could look forward to. He was not afraid of seeing Christ—he could hardly wait! 

Lets Bring it Home: Do you share Paul’s eager anticipation? Those who love Christ are looking forward to that wonderful time of his return. To those that did not love the Lord, however, Paul says, let them be cursed.

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