Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Proverbs 3:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 2, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 03, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 3:29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

Those closest to you deserve the most from you. Yet men often treat family or friends more harshly than strangers. The more people trust you, the more you owe them. The more vulnerable a person becomes to you, the greater obligation you have to honor and protect him. You know more about your neighbors than others in your life, but this privilege brings the duty to protect rather than an opportunity to defraud. Beware!

Who is your neighbor? While lawyers quibble about words and wish to reduce this noun to a few friends (Luke 10:25-29), Solomon’s son Jesus Christ expanded it to anyone God places in your life (Luke 10:30-37). It includes your parents or a spouse to colleagues at work or a stranger you happen to sit beside on an airplane or bus. Of course, it also includes those who live next door, but it includes many more than those as well.

It is easy to discover the assets, faults, habits, and weaknesses of those closest to you. Your proximity to their activities and their trust in you combine to make them vulnerable to any lust on your part. God and Solomon, knowing this reality of relationships, warned against any wicked ambitions or defrauding by these advantages. Godly men are scrupulously honest with neighbors, and they are exceptionally protective of them.

Cain slew his trusting brother. Jacob’s sons deceived and murdered Shechem, and then they sold Joseph into slavery. King Saul tried to murder David as he played for him. Joab slew the trusting Abner and Amasa. Judas knew the Lord’s habits, and he used them to earn a few coins by betraying Him to a murderous mob. The sin of this proverb is the cruelest form of personal malice (Ps 41:9; 55:12-15; Matt 26:46-50; John 13:21).

Do you exploit or protect knowledge of colleagues at work? Does the nearness of your neighbor’s wife make him more or less vulnerable to you? Do you exploit or protect gullible classmates? Can any sitting near you anywhere trust you with their belongings? Do you always have fellow church members’ best interests at heart in any interaction? When someone confides in you, is that information strictly off-limits to anyone else?

The sin can also be found at home. Abuse or neglect of spouses is treachery, for marriage exposes everything to another, and marriage is based on assumed loyalty and faithfulness (Mal 2:10-16). Never compare your wife to another woman! Never defraud or demean the man in your bed! Private events of a family at home should never be shared outside the home, for family members assume they are fully secure at home. Only the cruel without a conscience share such private information to promote or protect themselves.

Are all around you fully secure in their relationship with you and in relating things to you? Can your neighbor trust you with a key to his house and cars? Do church members know they can trust you with the intimate details of their lives? Or do they know your evil heart could be tempted to exploit their weakness for your own advantage or to share it with others? Always protect others. Let this proverb warn you. Learn godliness today.

Spiritual Training 02 December 2014

Posted: December 1, 2014 in 1 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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1 Corinthians 15:19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Why does Paul say believers “are of all people most to be pitied” if this life is all there is? In Paul’s day, faith in Christ often brought a person persecution, ostracism from family, and, in many cases, poverty. There were few tangible benefits from being a Christian in that society. It was certainly not a step up the social or career ladder. More important, however, is the fact that if Christ had not been resurrected from the dead, Christians would not be forgiven for their sins or have any hope of eternal life.

Lets Bring it Home: If what Christians believe is a lie, we would be pitiful because we would be going through such suffering for no purpose. Fortunately, that is not the case!

Proverbs 02:07 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 1, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 07, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 02:07 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a buckler (shield) to those who walk is blameless.

The only God has blessings for your obedience – wisdom and protection. He provides true and valid wisdom in abundance for righteous men. God has all the wisdom in the universe, but He has made much available for good men. And He will also be a shield to them as well, which shows strong protection by using the metaphor of a battle shield.

As in any writing, check the context to grasp this proverb. King Solomon, the Preacher of Israel, had listed the means for finding the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God (Pr 2:1-5). He then taught that since God is the fountain and source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, He gives these things abundantly to faithful men or women (Pr 2:6-9).

Reader, what will you do? Here are wisdom and protection for life. They are available to all who will humble themselves and seek them from the LORD Jehovah, beside Whom there is no other god. When a man chooses to follow the way of righteousness revealed in the Bible, God will reveal truth and wisdom to Him (Ps 119:100; John 7:17).

If you follow the world – the way of folly and sin, you will suffer the dire consequences of being blinded horribly (Rom 1:18-27), of having God turn against you (Pr 1:20-32; Is 63:10), and dying a miserable death in ignorance and sorrow (Pr 5:11-13; 8:36). But you can also choose life and blessing, which God will give for obedience (I Pet 3:10-12).

How much wisdom has God laid up for the righteous? The Bible contains more wisdom than all the educators and institutions of “higher learning” combined (Is 8:20; I Cor 1:19-20; I Tim 6:20). On any subject, the Bible provides answers that confound and shame the ignorance of men (Ps 94:11; 119:113,128). How much time do you spend reading it?

God appointed Solomon Preacher in Israel to give inspired wisdom to His people (Eccl 1:1,12; 12:8-11). And He has ordained more preachers through Jesus Christ since His resurrection and ascension into heaven (Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8-16). It is your privilege to seek them out and find your wisdom from God (Jer 3:15; Mal 2:7; Col 1:28; II Tim 3:16-17).

What is a buckler? It is a shield (I Chr 5:18; Song 4:4). When listed with a shield, it is different in size, construction, or battle use (Ps 35:2). By using buckler as a metaphor, Solomon taught God’s protection for upright men (Pr 30:5; Ps 18:2,30; 84:11; 144:2). The angels of Jehovah, spirit beings superior to men by any measure, are servants for those who fear God and keep His commandments (Ps 34:7; Heb 1:13-14). “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Ps 4:8).

The maximum safety you can have on earth is to walk uprightly, which is to have goals, habits, and a lifestyle of doing what is right. The eyes of Almighty God look throughout the world to show Himself strong for those with perfect hearts (II Chr 16:9). Not only will God protect the godly man during life on earth, righteous living is also the assurance and evidence that you will be safe in the Day of Judgment (Matt 7:21-23; II Pet 1:5-11).

Proverbs 29:17 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 1, 2014 in Acceptance, 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 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

Child discipline has two great benefits (among others). First, the child is saved from folly and prepared for a productive life. Second, the parents have happy and peaceful lives as they watch their wise child succeed in life, and this second benefit is the lesson here. If you correct your children, they prosper and you celebrate. This is a win-win proposition, but parents neglecting to correct their children cost both their children and themselves.

Foolish parents often say, “We can let it go this time. If he does it again, then we will do something.” What a dangerous idea! Ignoring a problem does not help it go away. Ignoring foolish conduct reinforces it in a child. It will be even harder to correct later. It will also be easier to procrastinate again the next time. And before the parents realize it, they will have established the terrible habit of overlooking a child’s sinful behavior.

Many parents overlook foolish conduct to preserve domestic tranquility. They crave peace at home. They hope that giving a child some leeway will keep things comfortable and calm. They are terribly mistaken! The proverb teaches that rest and delight depend on correcting children, not accommodating them. Though seeking peace, many parents end up losing it. A short loss of peace to correct a child is a cheap price for long-term peace.

The wisest parent you will ever meet, King Solomon, warned against letting child discipline slide. He wrote, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Pr 29:15). The rule is simple; the consequences are terrible. The pain and shame that some mothers have endured are enormous. And why? They chose to take the road of compromise and not correct their children with tough love.

The rod and reproof will correct and train children to give wonderful joy to parents. The promise is sure: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Pr 22:6). “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Pr 22:15). Do not procrastinate! Every time you put off the inevitable, you harm your child and sacrifice your own future pleasure.

If you love your children, you will aggressively save them from dysfunctional lives (Pr 23:13-14). You will not delay in this great matter. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Pr 13:24). Betimes means to do it early, speedily, before it is too late. “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Pr 19:18). Only hatred or lazy ignorance would cause you to delay. These and other parental sins have spawned the most selfish generation in history.

The happiest parents are those with noble children that lead successful and beneficial lives. Solomon, who had the means for happiness in any aspect of life, mentioned this fact several times (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 23:15-16,24-25; 29:3). Such parents can live and die in peace, knowing they left a legacy on earth of godliness and virtue in their children.

A great source of unhappiness in parents is foolish children with dysfunctional lives. Solomon also mentioned this several times (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 17:21,25; 19:13). Problematic children cost their parents peace and rest during their latter years and then send them to their graves knowing they have failed and left thorns of foolishness for others to endure.

The choice is yours. The cure is simple. Correct your child! Do not let him get away with doing wrong in any matter. Tell him he is wrong. Teach him the right way. You brought him into this world knowing nothing, and his future and yours depends on you to show him the true and wise way. Reprove and rebuke him; then instruct and admonish him.

Deism is heresy. The God of the Bible did not create and then abandon His creation. He adopted children out of the human race, becoming their Father in an eternal way. He never violates this proverb by ignoring their folly. He wisely corrects them to turn them back to righteousness. If you are thankful for an earthly father’s training, give thanks to heaven for God your Father’s correction (Pr 3:11-12; Ps 119:67,71,75; Heb 12:5-11).

The Father in heaven greatly exceeds Solomon in wisdom. In order to perfect you, He uses various means to punish your sins and turn you back into the way of holiness, truth, and wisdom. And what a blessed and profitable privilege it is, for He does not correct those He never loved or adopted (Heb 12:6-8; I Cor 11:32). This is the proof of His love; it is for your profit; you should thankfully delight in it (Rev 3:19; Rom 5:3-5; Jas 1:2-4).

Proverbs 1:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 1, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 01, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 1:21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor 

Where is wisdom? Solomon wrote Proverbs to teach wisdom to young men in particular and to all God’s children in general (Pr 1:1-6). Where must you go to find it? Wisdom is freely offered everywhere to those who will stop and listen (Pr 1:20-23; 8:1-10; 9:1-5).

Solomon personified wisdom as a woman, like Americans use Mother Nature. Lady Wisdom speaks for most of this chapter (Pr 1:20-33). Solomon used this personification often (Pr 2:1-4; 3:13-18; 4:5-13; 8:1-36; 9:1-12). Wisdom seeks you. Embrace her!

Where is wisdom? Job asked this great question (Job 28:1-12). Natural man cannot find it or buy it (Job 28:13-22). Only God knows where it is found (Job 28:23-27). The God of heaven – Jehovah – said, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom” (Job 28:28)!

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Pr 1:7; 9:10). What is it? It is reverent awe to keep His commandments and to hate sin (Pr 8:13; Job 28:28; Ps 111:10; Eccl 12:13-14; Heb 12:28-29). It delights in God and the things He loves (Deut 6:4-9; Jer 9:23-24).

Wisdom is opposite everything believed and taught by CNN, Hollywood, the NEA, the PTA, Fox, Harvard, PETA, the UN, Oxford, the Vatican, CBS, the RNC, and the NFL!

You forfeit all wisdom, if you have allegiance to Allah, Baal, Buddha, Confucius, Dagon, Eostre, the Great Spirit, Krishna, Mary, Mohamed, Rama, Shiva, the Talmud, or Vishnu!

Lady Wisdom calls! She cries in the chief place of concourse, where men travel. She cries in the openings of the gates, where men enter the city. She cries in the city. She is nearby for any man, who will stop his business and activity to listen (Ps 4:3-5; 46:8-11).

The creator God has revealed himself in the heavens and earth (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 1:20). A plain sermon is preached day and night in every language and dialect. He gives a witness of Himself every time it rains and you enjoy a fruitful season (Matt 5:45; Acts 14:17; 17:27-28). If you believe the lie of evolution, you will never see any wisdom at all.

God has also revealed wisdom by His inspired scriptures, the Christian Bible (Deut 4:5-8; Ps 19:7-11; Is 8:20). He has sent chosen men to preach His wisdom to you (Jer 3:15; I Cor 2:6-16; Col 1:28-29). If you are reading this proverb and its commentary, this kind God has brought wisdom before your eyes. Get down! Humble yourself! Praise your Creator! Thank Him for His word! Read it! Believe it! Obey it! Lady Wisdom is calling!

Spiritual Training 01 December 2014

Posted: December 1, 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

1 Corinthians 15:12-18 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 

The bodily resurrection of Christ is the center of the Christian faith. Because Christ rose from the dead, as he promised, we know that what he said is true and that he is God. The resurrection affirms the truthfulness of Jesus’ life and words. The resurrection confirms Jesus’ unique authority to say, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Because he rose, we have certainty that our sins are forgiven. Because he rose, he lives and represents us before God.

Lets Bring it Home: Because he rose and defeated death, we know we also will be raised. Christ’s resurrection guaranteed both his promise to us and his authority to make that promise.

Proverbs 26:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 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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Proverbs 26:02 – Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an underserved curse does not come to rest.

When pain and trouble come in your life, it is not an accident or pagan Fate. The LORD blesses, and the LORD curses. And He does not curse randomly or foolishly – there is a just cause for His perfect judgment. Curses come to rest on men and their homes for good cause, just as surely as wandering birds and flying swallows end up back at their nests.

Though not obvious to you, the bird and the swallow have a purpose in their wandering flight patterns, so trouble from God falls on no man without a holy reason. Your view of life’s events and its ebb and flow is like observing the apparent random flight of birds, but their flight has purpose, and they always arrive at their appointed destinations.

If you choose a carnal life of selfish interest in this world, the Lord will curse you (Pr 3:31-35; 11:26; 21:12; 28:27; Ps 37:22). When God curses a man, a family, or a nation, it is horrible (Lev 26:14-40; Deut 11:26-29; 28:15-68; 29:14-29). He knows you and your worst fears; He knows what will make your life worse than death. Fear Him, dear reader.

Paul agreed with Solomon, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7). The way of transgressors is hard (Pr 13:15); do not think for a minute judgment will not come or your troubles are mere chance. As God cursed Adam’s ground with thorns (Gen 3:18), so He can curse your life with thorns (Pr 22:5). When He sets His face against a man, great evil is coming (Lev 20:5; Jer 21:10).

Regathered Israel neglected God’s worship, so He threatened and cursed them (Hag 1:5-11; Mal 1:14; 2:2; 3:9; 4:6). He warned them of a curse that would consume the stones and timbers of their homes (Zech 5:1-4). He can tear your foundation down, reader! Beware lest He curse you for trusting in the flesh and departing from Him (Jer 17:5).

In the day of adversity, consider well (Ec 7:14). Your troubles are not an accident or a random event; they were prepared and sent by the most High. To warn of His curses, Israel had a public assembly to list them in responsive reading (Deut 27:11-26). And 42 children should have considered before they mocked Elisha (II Kings 2:23-25). It is an ignorant man who does not know that the LORD purposes good and evil (Lam 3:37-38).

The LORD’s greatest curse is for your sins, and it brings a certain eternity in the Lake of Fire (Matt 25:41). But the Son of God was made a curse for the elect (Gal 3:13), so they will be free from all curses in heaven for eternity (Re 22:13)! Hallelujah! And those who do not love Him should be appropriately cursed – Anathema Maranatha (I Cor 16:22)!

Spiritual Training 26 November 2014

Posted: November 26, 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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1 Corinthians 15:3-11For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.  For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The central theme of the gospel is given in these verses, a key text for the defense of Christianity. The three most important points are:

  1. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. Without the truth of this message, Christ’s death was worthless, and those who believe in him are still in their sins and without hope. However, Christ as the sinless Son of God took the punishment of sin so that those who believe can have their sins removed. “The Scriptures” refers to Old Testament prophecies such as Psalm 16:8-11 and Isaiah 53:5-6. Christ’s death on the cross was no accident or afterthought. It had been part of God’s plan from all eternity in order to bring about the salvation of all who believe.
  2.  He was buried. The fact of Christ’s death is revealed in the fact of his burial. Many have tried to discount the actual death of Christ, but Jesus did in fact die and was buried in a tomb.
  3.  He rose from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. Christ was raised permanently, forever; his Father raised him from the dead on “the third day” as noted in the Gospels (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning—three days in Jewish reckoning of time). This also occurred “according to the Scriptures.” Jesus quoted the prophet Jonah in Matthew 12:40 (see Jonah 1:17) to show the connection to “three days” as prophesied in the Old Testament. Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 110 also foretell the resurrection of the Messiah.

There will always be people who say that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. Paul assures us that many people saw Jesus after his resurrection: Peter (Cephas); the twelve apostles; more than 500 Christian believers (most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote this, although some had died); James (Jesus’ brother); all the apostles; and finally Paul himself. The resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. Don’t be discouraged by doubters who deny the resurrection. Be filled with hope because of the knowledge that one day you, and they, will see the living proof when Christ returns. (For more evidence on the resurrection, see the chart.)

This James is Jesus’ half brother, who at first did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). After seeing the resurrected Christ, he became a believer and ultimately a leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). James wrote the New Testament book of James.

Paul’s most important credential to be an apostle was that he was an eyewitness of the risen Christ (see Acts 9:3-6). “Abnormally born” means that his was a special case. The other apostles saw Christ in the flesh. Paul was in the next generation of believers—yet Christ appeared to him.

As a zealous Pharisee, Paul had been an enemy of the Christian church—even to the point of capturing and persecuting believers (see Acts 9:1-3). Thus, he felt unworthy to be called an apostle of Christ. Though undoubtedly the most influential of the apostles.

Paul wrote of working harder than the other apostles. This was not an arrogant boast, because he knew that his power came from God and that it really didn’t matter who worked hardest. Because of his prominent position as a Pharisee, Paul’s conversion made him the object of even greater persecution than the other apostles; thus, he had to work harder to preach the same message.

 

Lets Bring it Home: Paul was deeply humble. He knew that he had worked hard and accomplished much, but only because God had poured kindness and grace upon him. True humility is not convincing yourself that you are worthless

but recognizing God’s work in you. It is having God’s perspective on who you are and acknowledging his grace in developing your abilities.

Proverbs 21:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 21, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 21, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to this ways

You show your heart by how you receive instruction. Wicked men rebel and purpose to continue in their evil way. Righteous men receive correction and alter their lives. Your response to instruction may tell more about your character and future than anything else.

A wicked man hardens his face. Here is a metaphor for a rebel who has purposed to reject teaching. He chooses to rebel rather than to submit. Setting his jaw, steeling his eyes, frowning, or looking away are only symptoms of his wicked heart. He has resolved to ignore correction and instruction and stay put in his opinions, conduct, and habits.

The Lord knows faces and how they reveal rebellion, so He warned about them (Is 48:4; Jer 3:3; 5:3). Rebellious hardening is also used of the neck and heart (Pr 28:14; 29:1; Acts 7:51). He told His ministers to ignore such faces and preach the unvarnished truth without apology or compromise anyway (Jer 1:4-10,17; 23:28-29; Ezek 2:6-7; 3:7-9).

You cannot play with God. He knows your every thought; He knows your every intent (Heb 4:12-14). He knows how submissive or rebellious you are at the deepest level of your heart and mind. Get totally clean with Him by tearing out any resistance to any Bible doctrine or practice, and fill your heart and mind with eagerness (Ps 27:4; 122:1-4).

Ministers learn faces. There is a huge difference between the hungry, submissive, cheerful, and godly face of the righteous and the bored, stubborn, unhappy, and carnal face of the wicked. Some faces crave and devour instruction; others resent and reject it. Both are in every church. They cannot hide from men or God. Their hearts are revealed.

Sometimes a minister will see by the faces that his hard preaching is “out of season.” The people do not want to hear what he has from the Lord. Sometimes his preaching may be “in season.” But in either case, he has only one duty: preach the word insistently and press it upon all the hearers (II Tim 4:2). Only fearless men should ever be ordained.

A true man of God wages war against those faces, smashes through their walls, pulls down their strongholds, casts down their haughty imaginations, brings every thought into obedience to Christ, and readies himself to revenge any disobedience (II Cor 10:3-6). Do you understand this warfare, reader? Do you appreciate this kind of servant? It is a far cry from the effeminate, refined, cultured, and mannered pastor sought by most Christians.

God hates stubbornness and rebellion. He considers them comparable to idolatry and witchcraft (I Sam 15:22-23). And He judges them severely. Think King Saul rejected from the throne! Think Judah in Babylon! Think women eating their children in 70 A.D.!

Righteous men hear and change. The Thessalonians heard Paul and turned from their idols to serve the living and true God (I Thess 1:9-10). Cornelius begged Peter to tell him and his family all of God’s commandments (Acts 10:33). Harlots wept at Jesus feet.

Dear reader, the Lord Jesus warned you about your hearing (Luke 8:18). Do you receive instruction and rebuke meekly and thankfully (Neh 8:1-18; Acts 17:11)? Or do you stop up your ears and wish you could stone the preacher (Acts 7:57)? Why do some people never learn or grow? Because the Lord is judging them for how they hear (Luke 8:18)!

You can stay in your wicked rut received from childhood, the devil, your parents, tradition, religious training, or worldly education. Or you can eagerly desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby (I Pet 2:1-3). Wise men and great men say, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies” (Ps 119:59).

Do you delight in understanding? Or rather to discover your own heart? Solomon warned against this folly (Pr 18:2). If you think your heart already has any light and wisdom, you will harden your face against godly instruction. God does not grant your heart any at all (Is 8:20; Jer 17:9). Wise men will hear, learn, and change (Pr 4:26; 8:33; 11:5; 23:19).

Some hearers do not harden their faces; they nod up-and-down in agreement; they tell the pastor it was a good sermon. They lie with their lips and their handshakes (Ps 144:8,11). But their hearts are hard and far away during the teaching and when they get home. How are they detected? Their lives are fruitless shells of hypocrisy. Their joy is gray death.

Jesus told of a father who told his two sons to work in the vineyard (Matt 21:28-32). One son said he would not, but later repented and went and worked anyway. The other son respectfully said he would, but he did not. Which one pleased his father? Consider it. If a wicked man will hear and turn from his wickedness, he shall live (Ezek 18:27-28).

Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Lord of heaven and earth, kindly offers, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). But He also warns, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Humble yourself today, dear reader!

Spiritual Training 21 November 2014

Posted: November 21, 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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1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Most churches contain people who do not yet believe. Some are moving in the direction of belief, and others are simply pretending. Imposters, however, are not to be removed (see Matthew 13:28, 29), for that is the Lord’s work alone.

Lets Bring it Home: The Good News about Jesus Christ will save us if we continue to believe it and faithfully follow it.

 

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