Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Proverbs 7:13 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 7, 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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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 7:13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:

Here is the strange woman at work. Solomon continued his lengthy description of a whorish woman seducing a young man. Here are three aspects of her character and conduct. She was physically aggressive; she used kisses to seduce; she was immodestly and shamelessly bold. She caught him; she kissed him; she spoke sexually to him.

Virtuous women are physically aggressive, great kissers, and uninhibited – with their husbands in marriage! To other men, and before marriage, they are reserved, modest, and shamefaced. But the strange woman – the adulteress – pursues men outside marriage, kisses men outside marriage, and is immodestly and shamelessly bold outside marriage.

A godly woman is not physically aggressive before marriage – she is chaste, pure, and reserves herself totally for her husband (II Cor 11:2). She is ready to be aggressive; she wants to be aggressive; but she understands the power of sexual temptation, and she will do nothing to arouse any man, even her fiancé. Her father also understands, and he keeps her from being alone with a man for even the opportunity of sin, especially her fiancé.

Once a godly woman is married, she is an aggressive lover, following the holy example of the Shulamite in Solomon’s Song (Song 1:2-4,12-14; 2:3-7; 3:1-5; 5:2-16; 8:1-4). What makes the difference? God’s approval of passionate lovemaking in marriage, where both spouses are to be fully satisfied (Pr 5:19; I Cor 7:1-5; Heb 13:4)! The world mocks such virgins before marriage, but real Christian women are the greatest lovers on earth.

Whores are aggressive before marriage and outside marriage! In Solomon’s parable, she physically grabbed the young man. She was the aggressor, and such sexual boldness is glamorized daily for all young girls by the entertainment industry, though only two generations ago most girls were reserved sexually. Only a few men are strong enough to resist such aggression. Joseph was an exception, and a glorious one (Gen 39:7-12). What can a man do? Follow Solomon’s advice, and stay far away from them (Pr 5:8; 7:8).

There are several kinds of kisses. A godly woman knows the differences, and she reserves the intimate ones for marriage. Under cultural, spiritual, or other circumstances, she may kiss a variety of men and women with a saluting kiss of greeting. Rachel, and her father Laban, both kissed Jacob this way (Gen 29:11,13), which is referred to by Paul as a holy kiss, for its total lack of even a hint of sexual intent (Rom 16:16; II Cor 13:12).

Real kisses are for marriage – they are part of lovemaking. They can be more intimate and personal than other sex acts, as they involve such close proximity of faces, eyes, and mouths. The Shulamite gloried in the kisses of lovemaking with her husband (Song 1:2; 5:16; 7:9). But she knew better than to ever give such an intimate and personal invitation to any other man, and she had likely not given it to Solomon before their wedding night.

Whores use kisses before marriage and outside marriage to arouse men and invite them to lovemaking, when they have no right to do so. Whores, by much practice, can raise a man’s sexual drive sky high by kissing. Virtuous girls, ignorant and inexperienced, send a very wrong impression by allowing an intimate kiss before marriage. Solomon’s strange woman, a whore with malicious designs, initiated the kiss herself to seduce her victim.

Why kiss intimately before marriage? What is the purpose? Does it help qualify the other person? Does it help keep your relationship pure until it is sanctified by marriage? Or does it provoke a strong temptation in the mind and body that seeks for full lovemaking? Why create such a horrible predicament? Why increase sexual tension and frustration before marriage? You can learn more about the other person with mature chaperones!

And also, memory of other kisses – enjoyed without the difficulties of married life – may haunt your soul in the future. Why not limit your experience and pleasure of kissing to the one to whom you are married – after you are married? Is this bizarre and strange to you? Holiness is strange in the 21st century! And remember young man, the girl who aggressively kisses you early, will more easily kiss another later, even if married to you!

Fathers are responsible to keep daughters from situations where kissing and other stages of foreplay are possible. There is no reason for a dating couple to ever be alone. What is the purpose or value? There is nothing learned by being alone that cannot be learned in a fraction of that time with helpful chaperones. Girls should be taught the glory and joy of marriage and the lovemaking that is part of it, but they should not have to face those difficult moments alone with a man, when passions are high, even if it is their fiancé.

A virtuous girl or woman is bashful, chaste, modest, and reserved in speech with any man, even her fiancé before marriage. Bold sexual speech is another way men are aroused, as proven by popularity of 1-900 calls, chat rooms, Facebook, texting, sexting, etc. Girls seeking to please their heavenly Father and show kind regard to men, especially their fiancé, will reserve all sexual conversation to one man, and only after marriage.

Whores have no modesty or reserve, and by previous loss of God-given inhibitions, they are very bold in verbal sexual invitations. They do not blush (Jer 3:3). Solomon’s strange woman boldly described the sexual pleasure she was able and willing to give the young fool (Pr 7:14-21). Not inferior to any of her other attractive features, the flattering speech of a strange woman is overpowering (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5; 22:14). Just ask Samson!

What should a wise man do? Same answer as before! Stay away from her! Far away from her! If you are far from her, how can she grab you, kiss you, or talk to you? If you do not go near her, her haunts, or her activities, you will never face these powerful temptations that destroy many strong men (Pr 7:26; 23:28). Stay away from many coed gyms, nightclubs, personal email exchanges, office parties, Internet chat rooms, dances, texting, beaches, or close relationships or frequent conversations with any woman but your wife.

Spiritual Training 27 June 2014

Posted: June 27, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, After you get saved., 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 7:20 Each one should remain in the situation, which he was in when God called him. 

Often we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss great opportunities right where we are. Paul says that when someone becomes a Christian, he or she should usually continue with the work he or she has previously been doing provided it isn’t immoral or unethical. 

Lets Bring It Home:Every job can become Christian work when you realize that the purpose of your life is to honor, serve, and speak out for Christ. Because God has placed you where you are, look carefully for opportunities to serve him there.

Proverbs 27:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 27, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 27, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 27:18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

With all the problems and concerns a leader has, it can be easy to overlook the very people who most deserve attention-faithful employees or volunteers (those who tend the fig trees). The people who stand behind you, who work hard and help you get the job done, deserve to share in your success. Be sure that in all your worrying, planning, and organizing, you don’t forget the people who are helping you the most.

Success is easy, even for lowly and simple men. All you must do is take good care of a successful boss or owner, and he will take good care of you. The man who keeps the fig tree gets to eat the valuable fruit, so the faithful servant will be rewarded by his master. This proverb is to encourage wise men to diligence and faithfulness in their professions.

You can bet on this general rule! God makes rare exceptions for more important reasons, but if you want to get ahead, make your master so happy he cannot resist cutting you in on the real action. It has happened many times before; it will happen again. A wise servant can be promoted right past a foolish son.

Faithful men are rare today (II Tim 3:1-5; Pr 20:6; Ps 12:1), which makes this proverb even truer now. The contrast between your diligence and others’ laziness will be wider than ever – the same is true of your cheerfulness and their sullenness, your punctuality and their tardiness, your carefulness and their carelessness, and your obedience and their obstinance. Believe it! Find your fig tree, and keep it better than others. Success is easy!

A young boy, with average abilities, starts at a fast food restaurant. He is from a different race and part of town than the owner. The boy fears God and reads a proverb every morning. He is early to work, spit polished, cheerful, raring to go, and goes full speed all day, without complaint or letup. He knows only full speed and faster, nothing slower. Pacing himself makes the day drag and steals the owner’s profits, he explains modestly!

He follows all rules exactly, brings his own lunch, never misses work, asks for more tasks during lulls, cleans beyond his assigned area, does the work of two or three during rush periods, helps a customer change a flat tire, puts his arm shoulder-deep in the grease trap to recover a kitchen timer, does not snitch even a French fry, never questions his boss, does not offer foolish suggestions, and is friendly and respectful at all times to all parties.

Before leaving for the day, he thanks the owner for his job and offers to do anything else that may be needed. When told an employee for the next shift just called in sick in order to go fishing, he enthusiastically volunteers to work a double, though he has to miss his own basketball game that night. He cheerfully works the second shift at full speed, closes the store securely, deposits the day’s sales at the bank, and mails letters for the owner.

When he began, he made minimum wage. After one year, he was a supervisor. After two years, an Assistant Manager. After three years, the youngest Store Manager in the history of the chain. After four years, the owner gave him 25% of store profits on top of his wages and retired to another city. After six years, the owner died and willed him the rest of the store. Today he has 5 stores and is thinking about where to retire.

Too good to be true? Joseph began at minimum wage – slavery! In thirteen years he sat on the throne of the richest nation on earth! He found three fig trees, and he was the best keeper all three had ever imagined – Potiphar, the jailor, and Pharaoh. Let God be true!

Too good to be true? Jacob ran away from home with only a staff. Twenty years later, he had four wives, twelve sons, and very much wealth. He had found a fig tree, a gnarled old tree with potential, and he kept it faithfully in spite of setbacks – Laban. Let God be true!

Too good to be true? Elisha was only a plowboy when he found his fig tree to take care of, the service of God and Elijah. But so faithfully did he serve both masters that he was given a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (I Kgs 19:19-21; II Kgs 2:1-15). Incredible! Let God be true! Let every man of God heed his royal call as a servant of the King of kings.

Too good to be true? Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) was born in the Frankfurt ghetto and faithfully served Prince Wilhelm IX of Hesse, who later loaned him the capital to build his family fortune. He sent his five sons to the greatest cities of Europe, resulting in the most powerful banking and financial dynasty in modern history. The Rothschild coat of arms has a clenched fist with five arrows symbolizing five banking dynasties from Psalm 127:4. In spite of no faith in Christ, their father created their wealth by waiting on the fig tree of Hesse and being honored according to this proverb. Let God be true!

Reader, how do you keep your fig tree? Faithful diligence brings honor! Waiting on your master brings promotion! Do not complain; get to work! You need sanctification more than you need education! You do not need brilliance; you need diligence! You do not need a sponsor; you need a motor! You do not need an opportunity; you need humility! Your greatest ability should be dependability! Graciousness will always trump genius!

First you must find a fig tree. A fence post is not a fig tree. It may be wood, but it bears no fruit. A dead or dying business is not where you want to be, no matter how much you like it or believe in it. If it is not making money, guess what? It is not making money! Cut your losses! You may keep that fence post in bed with you, but it will not bear fruit. Get away from that business or industry and find one that is necessary and thriving.

An electrical pole is not a fig tree, though it is wood and very tall. The “business opportunity” of a promoter with a shiny watch is just a tall tale. Ignore his leased Rolex and boasts about riches. Such men do not have real fig trees, or they would be eating from them instead of flattering you into a business selling overpriced junk that would never sell in the real marketplace. If he does not have a business without you, do not give him your business. Get away from him! Network marketing is not a fig tree – it is a pyramid scheme where 98% are continually fleeced to pay the 2% that take all the profits.

A silk Ficus tree is not a fig tree, though it looks like one to the greedy and hasty eye. It will not produce figs, no matter how much you water it! Do not listen to enticing stories too good to be true. If they sound too good to be true, that means they are a lie! Simple enough? Reject all promoters that like to talk a lot. If their ideas really worked, the last person they would be talking to is you (Pr 12:11; 14:23; 28:19). Find a real fig tree.

You need a real fig tree that bears real fruit you can see and touch – a successful business in a necessary industry with potential. Solomon suggested farming (Pr 12:11; 27:23-27; 28:19). Food works (Eccl 5:9). Wholesaling works (Pr 31:24). Commercial real estate works (Pr 31:16). Banking works (Matt 9:9). Printing works (Eccl 12:12). Construction works (I Kgs 11:26-28). Just about anything works, if men already need it and/or want it.

Second, keep the tree carefully. The Bible tells you how. You do not snitch a dime (Tit 2:10), answer back to your boss (Tit 2:9), shame your boss (Pr 17:2), or goof off even once (Eccl 10:1). You work harder than anyone else (Pr 22:29), speak when spoken to (Pr 29:19), please your boss well in all things (Tit 2:9), reverence authority (Eccl 10:7), work smart (Pr 14:35), and show friendliness (Pr 18:24). It is easy! Pick the fruit, and eat it.

Does it sound too demeaning for you to serve another man or woman with the faithfulness and passion of a devoted slave? Then you are too proud for success, so get used to watching infomercials on television without any money to buy (Pr 21:25-26). If you are a man, can you serve a boss or business owner so diligently that you are called his work wife? Too silly for you? Good! Other readers with wisdom will take your place.

Does it sound unlikely such a simplistic, old-fashioned approach could work today? Have you listened to social activists that have never worked a day in their lives that discrimination will keep the master from honoring you or the fig tree from bearing fruit? Think Joseph in Egypt! Daniel in Babylon! Esther in Persia! Discrimination is usually a lying excuse of the slothful who want a free handout (Pr 17:2; 22:13; 26:13; 20:4). God makes economic assumptions about men that support the fig tree proverb (Ex 21:20-21).

Third, do everything on and off the job to the Lord Jesus, with a single fervent heart committed to His glory (Eph 6:5-7; Col 3:22-23). If you put His kingdom first in your life, He will add everything else you need or desire (Matt 6:33; I Kgs 3:10-13). If you delight in Him, He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4). If you walk uprightly, He will not withhold any good things from you (Ps 84:11). God will favor the righteous every time, so commit your heart, mind, and life to Him (Ps 112:1-3).

Reader, do not say you have done all this and are still on the bottom rung, for the rule is as true as any verse in the Bible. It is true as gravity. You have been cheating somewhere, for the rule works. Do you have a tree? Are you keeping it well? Is the Lord first? Is there room for you to improve in one or more of these conditions? Then repent and get busy!

What if you get the wrong tree? Impossible, if you make a reasonable effort to avoid fence posts, telephone polls, and Ficus trees. Your Master in heaven will see your care of even the wrong tree and reward you accordingly (Eph 6:8; Col 3:25). Believe it! The tree has less to do with the overall equation of success than does your diligent labor and love for your Master in heaven. He will solve your tree problem, when you clean up your performance problem! Have you forgotten about Moses? David? Abigail? Mordecai?

What of your religious fig tree? Saul of Tarsus ignorantly picked a horrible tree – it bore poisonous plums – but he kept it faithfully. He did not know any better; but he was perfectly faithful with what he knew. So his Master Jesus promoted him to apostle of the Gentiles for that faithfulness (I Tim 1:12-14). Give God the glory! How are you keeping your tree? With your whole heart? Or with a double mind? Can God count you faithful?

Regenerated reader, there is a glorious fig tree that only you know about. It is the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Jesus said, “If any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26). How much honor? Jesus said again, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:37). No! Can it be true? Verily, there is a reward for the righteous (Ps 58:11)!

Do you hear the Blessed and Only Master saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt 25:21,23). This is the truly important fig tree – Jesus Christ. How do you serve Him? A crown awaits the faithful (II Tim 4:7-8)!

How glorious is the honor? “The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Rev 22:3-4). Glory! Lord, lead me to Thy tree, and I shall keep it faithfully!

Proverbs 25:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 25, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 25, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 25:1These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah King of Judah.

Here is a reminder you are studying Solomon’s proverbs. You have the personal counsel of a very successful king, whom God inspired with divine wisdom and great ability of observation and analysis. The proverbs you have in the following chapters were selected from many by the careful work of men appointed by Hezekiah, another great king.

There is value in this verse of Scripture, or the LORD Jehovah would not have given it to you. There are two intermissions in the book of Proverbs, one at Proverbs 10:1, and one here. God gave you a break to consider again what special words you are reading. Consider the matter carefully, and you will see that here also is wisdom for your learning.

God gave Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, much wisdom and a large heart (I Kgs 3:10-15). He immediately showed Israel his great sense of judgment by dealing with two prostitutes in a wonderful way (I Kgs 3:16-28). He was wiser than all men, and wise men and kings came from all nations to hear him speak on any subject (I Kgs 4:29-34).

God also gave Solomon the other things needed for a full experiment in discovering purpose and pleasure for life. He was a very attractive man (I Sam 16:12; II Sam 11:2); he had unlimited capital (Eccl 2:10); he had no wars or disturbances (I Kgs 4:24-25); and he was an absolute ruler at the height of the power of the Israelite nation (I Kgs 4:20-21).

Consider! He was incredibly skilled and desirable socially; he could afford anything he wanted; he had no opposition or wars to distract him; and everyone would do exactly what he wanted. His great laboratory for experimenting with life was exceptional. No man or group of men, before or since, can even approach his research opportunities or ability in analyzing and summarizing the results. Surveying the homeless does not cut it!

Solomon committed his life to discovering man’s purpose and pleasure in life (Eccl 1:3,12-13). He tried it all, and then some. Wealth? Silver was as common as gravel (I Kgs 10:14-29). Women? He had seven hundred princess wives and three hundred concubines, many of whom he loved with his extra large heart (I Kgs 11:1-3). Entertainment? He tried everything there was to try, in staggering excess (Eccl 2:1-10). Prestige? The wise men and kings of the earth came with presents annually to hear him talk (I Kgs 10:1-25).

At the end of his grand and exhaustive experiment of life, he carefully sought out good words to teach his people the truth about what he had learned. He summarized his vast learning in 3000 meticulously devised and acceptable proverbs – short, substantial, and powerful sayings of truth and wisdom for the people to learn his knowledge (Eccl 12:9-10). And the proverbs were further refined by divine inspiration from God (Eccl 12:11). Can you hear from heaven, “These are the true sayings of God” (Rev 19:9)?

Where does Hezekiah fit in? He was a glorious king in his own right, a descendant of David and Solomon (II Chron 32:27-30). He was exceptionally wise and zealous in the reformation and revival of true religion in Israel, like in the days of David and Solomon (II Chron 29:2; 30:21-27; 31:1-21). He appointed men, under the direct guidance of God, to select the proverbs used from this point to the end of the book of Proverbs, for you.

What an incredible gift! Can you believe it? You have a book of about 500 of the choicest proverbs of Solomon’s learning, edited to perfection by the Creator God, and carefully selected by the appointment of another great king. Here is the wisdom of the greatest king and of God Himself for you to live prosperously. Give God great praise!

Now, dear reader, what will you do with these short, pithy statements of wisdom called proverbs? Will you read them as quaint sayings of ancient religious literature? Will you marvel at their brevity and variety? Or will you humble yourself before them with a trembling heart and beg the Lord to teach you in your soul all the wisdom each contains?

All the wisdom of all authors, even with the information and learning explosion today, cannot compare to one of his proverbs (II Tim 3:7). Why read the tome on anthropology of a God-hating, marijuana-smoking, same-sex-loving professor who teaches classes about abnormal and deviant sexual behavior of one-legged penguins in Madagascar?

The verse does have value! It serves as the second intermission, after 10:1, for you to realize once again that you are reading the most glorious words in the universe (along with the rest of Scripture). See the comments on Proverbs 1:1. Dear reader, you are very blessed. What will you do with this book? How can you put it down for anything else?

Can you see Jesus Christ in this verse? You should, for the Bible testifies of Him (Jn 5:39), especially parts written by another son of David. The Holy Spirit inspired the verse to further whet your appetite for Solomon’s proverbs, but with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ you should say, “A greater than Solomon is here” (Mat 12:42; Lu 11:31)!

Spiritual Training 23 June 2014

Posted: June 23, 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 7:12-17 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13) And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14) For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

 12-14 Because of their desire to serve Christ, some people in the Corinthian church thought they ought to divorce their pagan spouses and marry Christians. But Paul affirmed the marriage commitment. God’s ideal is for marriages to stay together—even when one spouse is not a believer. The Christian spouse should try to win the other to Christ. It would be easy to rationalize leaving; however, Paul makes a strong case for staying with the unbelieving spouse and being a positive influence on the marriage. Paul, like Jesus, believed that marriage is permanent (see Mark 10:1–9).

7:14 The blessings that flow to believers don’t stop there, but extend to others. God regards the marriage as “sanctified” (set apart for his use) by the presence of one Christian spouse. The other does not receive salvation automatically, but is helped by this relationship. The children of such a marriage are to be regarded as “holy” (because of God’s blessing on the family unit) until they are old enough to decide for themselves.

15) But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16) How do you know wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know husband, whether you will save your wife?

15-16 This verse is misused by some as a loophole to get out of marriage. But Paul’s statements were given to encourage the Christian spouse to try to get along with the unbeliever and make the marriage work. If, however, the unbelieving spouse insisted on leaving, Paul said to let him or her go. The only alternative would be for the Christian to deny his or her faith to preserve the marriage, and that would be worse than dissolving the marriage. Paul’s chief purpose in writing this was to urge the married couples to seek unity, not separation

17) Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

 17) Apparently the Corinthians were ready to make wholesale changes without thinking through the ramifications. Paul was writing to say that people should be Christians where they are. You can do God’s work and demonstrate your faith anywhere. If you became a Christian after marriage, and your spouse is not a believer, remember that you don’t have to be married to a Christian to live for Christ.

Lets Bring It Home:Don’t assume that you are in the wrong place, or stuck with the wrong person. You may be just where God wants you

 

 

Spiritual Training 18 June 2014

Posted: June 18, 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 7:7-9 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9: But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God. One is not morally better than the other, and both are valuable to accomplishing God’s purposes. It is important for us, therefore, to accept our present situation. When Paul said he wished that all people were like him (i.e., unmarried), he was expressing his desire that more people would devote themselves completely to the ministry without the added concerns of spouse and family, as he had done. He was not criticizing marriage-after all, it is God’s created way of providing companionship and populating the earth.

Sexual pressure is not the best motive for getting married, but it is better to marry the right person then to “burn with passion.” Many new believers in Corinth thought that all sex was wrong, and so engaged couples were deciding not to get married. In this passage, Paul was telling couples who wanted to marry that they should not frustrate their normal sexual drives by avoiding marriage.

Lets Bring It Home:This does not mean, however, that people who have trouble controlling themselves should marry the first person who comes along. It is better to deal with the pressure of desire than to deal with an unhappy marriage.

Proverbs 18:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 18, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe

When you are afraid, what kind of a tower do you want for protection and safety? The LORD is a strong tower in fearful times. You can run into it and be safe, whenever you need it. Nothing can breach it. His name is the LORD, and there is no other place for such protection from danger. Lay hold of this proverb by faith; it will save your life.

It is not merely the LORD’s name that is a strong tower, for His name has no magical properties for wicked men. It is the God by Whose name men know Him that is meant. It is the LORD Himself, with all His glorious attributes and perfections, that is meant. He is the living and true God, Creator of heaven and earth, Father of the fatherless, and Judge of the widow. Yes, it is that God. His name is the LORD. Do you know Him well?

What is His name? What is that LORD with all capital letters? Is it a quaint anachronism of the King James translators? Ah, consider this carefully, you who love the LORD. Those four capital letters stand for the sacred tetragrammaton of Israel. God revealed Himself to Moses as I AM THAT I AM. The Jews regarded this name unspeakable. They wrote it as a tetragram of four consonants, JHVH. It is pointed up with vowels from other Hebrew names of God, Elohim and Adonai, to be written and pronounced as Jehovah! The capitalized LORD means Jehovah, which is the God named I AM THAT I AM.

Is this God a strong tower? There is no other God but Him! The gods of the nations are the devilish imaginations of ignorant pagans. They are stumps, stones, animals, and insects. They must be carried about from place to place. Jehovah ridicules them repeatedly in the Bible, and He considers those who worship them to be just as stupid.

How strong is the tower? Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength (Is 26:3-4)! Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew Him as the Almighty God, but He revealed Himself further to Moses (Ex 6:3). Hagar named Him, “Thou God seest me” (Gen 16:13). “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation” (Ps 68:5). None have ever been lost who put their trust in Him!

Let David be your example. Call upon the LORD in your troubles, and let Him rescue you (Ps 18:1-6). He was David’s rock, fortress, deliverer, God, strength, buckler, horn, and high tower (Ps 18:2).  David said, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength” (Ps 18:1).

He rescues the righteous like this: “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies” (Ps 18:7-11). Do you know this glorious God? Do you delight and trust in Him?

Do you think Allah can do such things? Or the Great Spirit of American Indians? Or the sacred dog of the Egyptians? Or the water bug from heaven of the Ethiopians? Or the sun, moon, or starts, which many have adored? There is only one living and true God – Jehovah. You should know Him. He has made you for Himself (Pr 16:4). Worship Him.

If you do not like making fun of the ridiculous false gods of the heathen, then either you need to read the Bible or find a new religion, for Jehovah takes pleasure in ridiculing the pitiful pretenders of pagan religion. None compare to Him! Check out I Kgs 18:27; Psalm 115:1-8; 135:15-18; Isaiah 40:18-20; 44:9-20; 46:1-9; Jer 10:1-5; and Hab 2:18-20.

“Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Having tired of manmade idols of wood and stone, the world’s pagans have outdone themselves with new inventions. The Muslims worship Allah, the moon god of the Arabians (note the crescent moon on top of every mosque). The Hindus have narrowed down their million gods to the unholy trinity of Shiva (destroyer), Brahma (creator), and Vishnu (preserver). None of these can be compared to God the LORD at all.

Rejecting the ridiculous pagan deities of the Muslims and Hindus, the Russian Communists worshipped an ignorant skinny man named Vladimir Lenin, and the Chinese Communists worshipped an ignorant fat man named Mao Tse Tung. The devils know all these imposters from Allah to Mao, and they laugh all the way to hell about them.

But there is one Man the devils fear more than all gods, angels, and men combined. And it is not Joseph Smith, Muhammed, or Pope Francis I. It is the Man Jesus of Nazareth. When He was on earth in a state of great humility, they ran and worshipped Him repeatedly, and they begged Him not to torment them before their appointed time of judgment. Now exalted at the right hand of God, He is far above all of them, preparing to use them as a footstool and consign them to an eternity in hell.

Nor do real Christians stoop to Babylonian and Roman superstition and pray to Mary. She is neither a tower nor strong. She could not even help herself. Mary needed a Saviour as much as any woman, as she told her cousin Elizabeth (Lu 1:46-49). She knew she was a lowly handmaiden and the object of blessing, not a giver of blessings. Jesus said His mother was no more important than any believer in God (Luke 11:27-28; Matt 12:46-50).

Nor do real Christians pray to saints, for they are dead and buried to this day. They cannot help. They are no tower of safety. They died because they were sinners under God’s curse. Forget their names. The Catholics invent them as fast and frivolously as the Hindus invent new gods. The names of both are worthless. Mother Theresa? She could not climb 20 feet of rope, if her life depended on it. Call on the LORD!

Your parents, pastor, pope, or priest are no better. They cannot help you. They need a strong tower as much or more than you. There is only one name by which any man must be saved; there is only one name that is above every name; there is only one name that is a strong tower. It is the name of Jesus, before which every knee shall bow (Phil 2:9-11).

When a Christian closes his prayers to God “in Jesus name,” he invokes the highest name in the universe (Phil 2:9-11). For you are using the name that means the LORD Jehovah is salvation (Matt 1:21). Now that is a strong tower!  You will be safe in it!

Let it be known forever that Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel, the Christ of God, is Jehovah Himself, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Blessed and Only Potentate, Immanuel, the Word of God! He is LORD, and He is Lord of all!

Dear Christian reader, you know the LORD. He is your strong tower. He will save you from any and every danger. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Ps 62:8). “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Ps 34:7).

Run to Him! There is no help anywhere else. Run to Him by prayer. Run to Him believing. Run to Him in faith. Run to Him now! He will deliver you from all your enemies and troubles in this life and life in the world to come. Run to Him, ye righteous!

But do not run to Him with unconfessed sin, for He will turn you away (Pr 15:8,29; 28:9; Ps 66:18; Is 1:15; Jas 4:3). God is not mocked by such profane prayers or worship; if you have rejected His warnings, He will laugh at your calamity (Pr 1:20-32). He is holy.

No matter what your fears or troubles, in time or eternity, the LORD is your strong tower, and He will save you. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev 1:17-18).

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:11-16).

“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (I Cor 16:22-23).

 

Spiritual Training 16 June 2014

Posted: June 16, 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 7:3-5 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone, but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  

Sexual temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God’s way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other. Why would God say come together again due to our lack of self-control?

Lets Bring It Home: Therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another, but should fulfill each other’s needs and desires. How many of you are leading your spouses into sexual temptation?

Proverbs 16:26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 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 16:26 The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.

Why do you work a job or business? Because you enjoy it? Because others expect you to? Out of love for society? Because you want to help some enterprise succeed? Because you are bored? You work because you have to, and this fact of life teaches wisdom.

A life sentence of hard labor was Adam’s curse for listening to his wife rather than God (Gen 3:17-19). Instead of leisurely dressing a garden and enjoying a great variety of easy food, men must scratch in the ground to survive. But whether a man knows about Eden or not, there is a powerful necessity that drives him to hard labor – he must work or starve.

Solomon’s observation teaches wisdom, if you will think upon it. Men work hard by a selfish necessity – for themselves. If they do not work, they will starve. This is man’s condition in the world, whether he wears a white or blue collar: he must labor to eat. If he does not work, he will not eat; the fear of hunger forces him to work every day (Eccl 6:7).

Selfishness is a strong motivator that can produce good results, such as a hardworking society when selfishness is allowed to satisfy itself by diligent labor. Even God’s laws through Moses included divine reasoning about man’s selfishness to govern his conduct (Ex 21:20-21; Pr 27:18). Rightly understood, selfishness is a rule of ethics and wisdom.

A perverse society resents this wonderful motive for labor. Children are given everything, for doing nothing. Parents say, “Let him be a child; there will be plenty of time for work later,” meaning he should play all day. They legislate welfare, which mysteriously multiplies those needing handouts. Others provide meals for men too lazy to work. A government could quickly reduce welfare, increase national productivity, and raise tax revenues by simply punishing any citizens harboring or feeding slothful persons.

Here is the cure for sluggards – no work, no food! This rule is inspired wisdom. Solomon knew laziness was a common problem in young men (Pr 6:6-11; 10:26; 12:27; 13:4; 15:19; 19:24; 21:25; 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-15). It is difficult to teach or force foolish young men to work hard. But just a few days without food will produce a laborer! Both Solomon and Paul endorsed and taught this wise rule (Pr 20:4; II Thess 3:8-12).

Here is the profit motive in Scripture! Communism hallucinates, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” Yet it has never worked! A man will never apply himself diligently for an idiotic theory that gives the lazy as much as the diligent, but he will apply himself for a proportionate reward. Let him see the endless possibilities in a free market system, and he will very gladly do his job well and look for extra work. Wise employers use incentive compensation to raise employee productivity even higher.

The wisdom here can be enhanced or leveraged! Give a man a loving wife and dependent children, and he will work even harder. Two are better than one, because they have a reward for their labor, among other benefits (Eccl 4:9-12). But the extra mouths to feed of those he loves above all others on earth will further motivate him. How does a boy become a man? Right training; no allowance; early job; early marriage; and early baby!

Parent, are you using this proverb with your children? Eating is not a right, except for helpless infants. Even young children can do chores, and they should be required to do them before eating. Most parents have an open-refrigerator policy, which fosters laziness and self-indulgence that leads to an undisciplined life. When most grew up on farms, this proverb was generally practiced, for everyone had to help with the chores in order to eat.

Christianity teaches a great work ethic! Shame on Christians who are slothful at work! Whatever you find to do professionally, do it with your might (Eccl 9:10; Col 3:23). Diligent labor at your own business is part of sanctification for a believer (I Thess 4:11-12). And those disliking hard work are to be starved into enjoying it (Pr 20:4; II Thess 3:8-12), or they are to be excluded from the churches of Jesus Christ (II Thess 3:6,14).

This proverb also rebukes greed and covetousness. The ambitious man, obsessed with the reward of hard work, forgets he will die and leave his wealth to another (Eccl 2:17-24; Luke 12:16-21). He heaps up riches, not knowing who will spend them (Ps 39:6). Therefore, wisdom and true success are learning godly contentment with essentials, not seeking wealth (Pr 12:9; I Tim 6:6-10). Convenient food is the wise choice (Pr 30:7-9).

Pastor, do you labor diligently in your holy calling? The Lord Christ chose you to endure hardness as a good soldier (II Tim 2:3-4). Paul worked night and day to be the greatest apostle (I Cor 15:10; I Thess 2:9). Does your soul crave laboring in order to hear your Captain say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”? Let Paul’s inspired example and instruction invigorate your soul for Christ’s kingdom (I Cor 9:16; I Tim 4:13-16).

Reader, does your soul crave God and His word? It never will without God’s sovereign grace. Have you checked your hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6)? Does it drive you to separate yourself from foolish, worldly pursuits to learn wisdom (Pr 18:1)? You must stimulate your appetite and desire for the sincere milk of the word (I Pet 2:1-3).

Jesus met a great crowd, five thousand men plus women and children, who wanted to make Him king, so He could fill their bellies with free bread and fish (John 6:15,26). He told them to labor rather for the food that endures unto eternal life (John 6:27). Are you laboring for yourself in this crucial matter, reader? This is labor with a fantastic reward!

How much does your soul crave the kingdom of heaven? Jesus described it as a man finding a treasure in a field and joyfully selling all that he had in order to buy the field for its treasure (Matt 13:44). You should pray, “Lord, increase the craving of my soul for Thee and the things of Thy kingdom, and direct my labor fervently toward them. Amen.”

Proverbs 12:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: June 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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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 12:20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.

What a classic proverb! If you love unlocking dark sayings, here is your opportunity (Pr 1:6). The key to understanding the lesson is in the contrast between the two clauses. Those who imagine evil against others are liars and will be punished for it. Righteous men pursue peace with their words and advice, and God will bless them with happy lives.

While context is often of little value in Proverbs – many of the verses stand alone, there is some direction for this proverb. Solomon exalted truth and condemned lying in the context (Pr 12:17-19,21-22). Therefore, “deceit” in this proverb is not self-deception of those that imagine evil, but the deceit that evil men plan and use against others. Men with evil ambitions or envy against their neighbors will lie to take advantage of them.

The contrast in many proverbs is very helpful in finding the ellipses. Those that imagine evil against others are contrasted to those that counsel peace. Some men have evil ambitions against their neighbors, but other men only desire their good and peace. While the one uses deceit to corrupt, steal, or hurt, the other uses truth to heal and strengthen. The reward to the former is sorrow and trouble, but the blessing to the righteous is joy.

Is there a lesson? Lying originates in the human heart, where it begins with evil thoughts about other people. If you have bitter resentment or hateful envy toward others, it will corrupt your dealings with them. Instead of dealing honestly and truthfully with their best interests in mind, you will lie to them or about them to pursue your wicked agenda.

The cure is to keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life (Pr 4:23). Jesus and James warned very clearly that all sins begin in the heart (Matt 12:34-37; 15:18-20; Jas 1:13-16). If you harbor envy or strife in your heart, it makes you completely vulnerable to confusion and every evil work of the devil (Jas 3:14-16).

Is there another lesson? God loves and blesses peacemakers (Matt 5:9). If your words and advice to others are truth and peace, God will favor your life (Pr 15:23; I Pet 3:10-13). Opposite the hellish confusion and evil of strife and envy is the peace and righteousness of heavenly wisdom (Jas 3:17-18). The difference is very great. Counsel peace today!

Differences between men are common. How will you deal with them? Will you forgive those who trespass against you (Pr 19:11; Matt 18:21-22)? If you have offended others, will you quickly seek reconciliation (Matt 5:23-26)? If you know of trouble between others, will you counsel them to peace and unity (Rom 14:17-19)? Counsel peace today!

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