Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Proverbs 29:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 29, 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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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 29:2  When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

It is time to mourn in all nations, for wicked men are ruling and turning God’s wisdom upside down. How can God’s saints rejoice, when they see equity, righteousness, truth, and wisdom compromised and corrupted on a daily basis? King Solomon, writing to his son as a future king of Israel, made this observation and rule about political policy: the good people of any nation are seriously affected by the morality of their rulers.

The proverb does not apply to all men: the wicked love wicked rulers, for they promote and protect their sins. Many nations have loved and do love atheistic and profane rulers. The people of this proverb are God’s saints, especially those of Israel. Solomon taught his son godly motivation by looking out for noble citizens and honoring them.

Many nations have never had a righteous ruler, so they never had this reason to rejoice. However, even in nations that did not know better, even where there were few saints living, a considerate king that protected and provided for his people was a joyful thing. Violent tyrants, such as Herod the Great, who slew the children under two around Bethlehem, caused great mourning among even calloused citizens (Mat 2:16-18).

The political observation is true. When King Ahasuerus promoted Haman in Persia, the capital city of Shushan was perplexed at the rise of that wicked man (Es 3:15). But when righteous Mordecai replaced him, it rejoiced and was glad (Es 8:15). Israel rejoiced when Solomon took the throne, but they rebelled when his son Rehoboam succeeded him.

America in the 21st century appears to be a Christian nation under righteous rulers. But God’s saints mourn, because the wicked rule. They protect infanticide, child rebellion, pornography, labor rebellion, sodomy, Islamic moon worship, adultery, evolution, treacherous divorces, national indebtedness, and lascivious entertainment. Saying or singing, “God Bless America,” does not prove anything but ignorance or hypocrisy.

David cried rivers of waters, when he saw men turning from God’s law (Ps 119:136). But a day is coming in which the Son of David will put down all authority and reign supreme in righteousness under God (II Sam 23:1-7; Ps 45:1-7; Is 9:6-7; Jer 23:5-6). Have you believed the gospel to be one of the few that will admire Him in that day (II Thess 1:10)?

What are the lessons? There is no cause for political joy in nations today (Ps 9:17; 33:12; 144:15). Let all in authority be righteous, even fathers, for the example and joy of their subjects (Col 3:21; I Tim 4:12,16). Let all saints give thanks and pray for their nation and rulers, for peace is possible, even in the midst of Babylon (Jer 29:4-7; I Tim 2:1-2).

Spiritual Training 29 January 2014

Posted: January 29, 2014 in 2 Timothy, 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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2nd Timothy 4:9-10 Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.  Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 

Paul was virtually alone and probably lonely.  No one had come to his trial to speak in his defense (4:16), and Demas had left the faith (4:10).  Crescens and Titus had left, but not for the same reasons as Demas.  Paul did not criticize or condemn them.  Demas had been one of Paul’s coworkers (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24), but had deserted Paul because he “loved this world.” In other words, Demas loved worldly values and worldly pleasures.

There are two ways to love the world.   God loves the world as he created it and as it could be if it were rescued from evil.  Others like Demas, love the world as it is, sin and all.

Lets Bring it Home: Do you love the world as it could be if justice were done, the hungry were fed, and people loved one another?  Or do you love what the world has to offer-wealth, power, and pleasure – even if gaining it means hurting people and neglecting the work God has given you to do.

To keep cool when you are jarred and jolted by people or circumstances, don’t react quickly.  In any work of ministry that you undertake, keeping a clear mind in every situation makes you morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure, and vigilant when facing heavy responsibility.

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. 

Spiritual Training 28 January 2014

Posted: January 28, 2014 in 2 Timothy, 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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2nd Timothy 4:3-5 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching’s ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 

Many speakers, teachers, and writers talk about the pursuit of knowledge.  But often they don’t want knowledge; they want power.  Such people won’t listen to “sound doctrine” Instead, they “turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

You can see this everywhere – from liberal churches to university campuses.  People claiming to have a bit more enlightenment than what the dusty Bible has to say; people claiming to improve on God’s words.  Such people have several things in common:

(1)  They do not tolerate the truth.  They have no interest or respect for absolute truth or any standard for judgment.

(2)  They reject truth for sensationalism.  They want truth that fits their situation and makes sense for them.  What they feel, what works for them, what seems compelling-that is their truth and they claim an absolute right to it.  No one should even attempt to tell them differently.

(3)  They gather viewpoints to suit their selfish desires.  Although they profess objectivity, their only defense for their viewpoints is that those viewpoint suit their  desires.

Such teachers have a following because they are telling people “what their itching ears want to hear.” These people are following myths.

Lets Bring it Home: Be careful.  False teaching can be found in many places-even inside the doors of some churches.  Like Timothy, you must “keep your head in all situations” and seek God’s Word for the truth.

To keep cool when you are jarred and jolted by people or circumstances, don’t react quickly.  In any work of ministry that you undertake, keeping a clear mind in every situation makes you morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure, and vigilant when facing heavy responsibility.

Proverbs 28:25 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 28, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 28, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 28:25  A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trust in the LORD will prosper.

Pride causes fighting, but faith brings prosperity. Here are two rules of wisdom – one saves you from conflicts and disagreements, and the other brings blessing and success. These are opposites: proud men do not trust the LORD, and those who have faith in the LORD are not proud. You cannot be both. Are you a proud man or a man of faith?

A man with a proud heart will always be in conflicts – with most everyone at different times. Pride will not let matters drop, for he must avenge himself. Until he feels he has got the last word or act in on a disagreement, he will continue to push, fight, and disagree. Pride will not overlook minor offences; pride will not admit error or ignorance.

Pride will not easily forgive those who seek it; pride will not easily say, “I am sorry”; pride does not want to be corrected, and it resents those who make an attempt to do it. Pride resents the advantages of others, and it seeks to grab whatever honor or position is at stake. Pride does not have sympathetic appreciation for the pain of others.

When a person has pride in his heart, he will not have peaceful relationships with others. A proud husband will not forgive his wife for her minor failures. A proud wife will not submit and obey the husband she chose to be her leader. Proud children will not honor and obey parents in rules that encroach on their freedom or pleasure. Proud employees resent difficult assignments; proud church members resent pastoral rebukes.

Humility can end any conflict by giving in and seeking peace. When a person is at peace with God and themselves, they can overlook the offences of others, they can forgive easily, and they can take correction. They know they are not important, so they do not continue fighting. Submitting and seeking peace is more important than winning the day.

There is another way to live than by pride. Wise men, godly men, put their trust in the LORD. They do not have to protect themselves – the LORD will protect them. They do not have to resent correction, oppose others, and fight to get ahead. The LORD rewards their faith by blessing them by His power. The humble man who trusts the LORD will always outstrip the proud man who puts his confidence in himself. Always!

Fat is good, when it means God’s blessings of peace and prosperity. And the man who believes God will take care of him, without any fighting on his part, will become fat. He will have the blessing and protection of the LORD on his side. He will enjoy peace and safety, while the LORD rewards him for laying down his pride and trusting Him alone.

 

Spiritual Training 27 January 2014

Posted: January 27, 2014 in 2 Timothy, 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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2nd Timothy 4:1-2 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.    

It was important for Timothy to preach the gospel so that the Christian faith could spread throughout the world.  We believe in Christ today because people like Timothy were faithful to their mission.  It is still vitally important for believers to spread the gospel.  Half of the total number of people who have ever lived are alive today, and most of them do not know Christ.  He is coming soon, and he wants to find his faithful believers ready for him.  It may be inconvenient to take a stand for Christ or to tell others about his love, but preaching the Word of God is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given. 

Lets Bring it Home: Be prepared for, courageous in, and sensitive to God-given opportunities to tell the Good News.  Be prepared in season and out of season means to always be ready to serve God in any situation, whether or not it is convenient.  Be sensitive to the opportunities God gives you. 

Paul told Timothy to “correct, rebuke, and encourage” It is difficult to accept correction, to be told we have to change.  But no matter how much the truth hurts, we must be willing to listen to it so we can more fully obey God.

Proverbs 27:14 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 27, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 27, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 27:14  If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

When is a blessing a curse? When it is flattery! Pay no attention to excessive blessings, compliments, or praise. It is actually a curse, for there is a false or foolish motive behind it (Pr 26:24-28; 29:5). The person has already deceived you, or he is about to deceive you. Godly men are not moved by flattery, nor do they give flattery to others.

The man here praises his friend with a loud voice. What does this sound level tell you about him? It indicates an insincere display rather than a holy and noble compliment. He intends for the friend and others also to hear the blessing. The loud praise is excessive, because it is flattery. His blessing is for other than friendly and sincere encouragement.

He rises early in the morning to praise his friend. What does this timing tell you about the blessing? It indicates a compliment and praise out of place and proportion, for there are other more important things to be done in the morning. The untimely praise is excessive, because it is flattery. His blessing is for other than friendly and sincere encouragement.

The flattery here is between friends. If an enemy used a loud voice early in the morning to praise you, it would be easy to know it was false and dangerous (Ps 5:8-10). But when it is between friends, it is much harder to see its danger (Pr 29:5). Wise men, who value sober warnings, will steel themselves against excessive compliments, even from friends.

God hates flattery. Flattery is a compliment or praise to get another person to believe or do something wrong. It is a trait of depraved men (Ps 5:9). Whores use it to seduce men (Pr 6:24; 7:21), and Israel used it to secure God’s deliverance from enemies (Ps 78:34-37). God will cut off all flatterers and blind their children (Job 17:5; Ps 12:1-3)!

Good men will not give flattering titles to men (Job 32:21-22), though very popular in religion (Matt 23:6-12). Some ministers use “Reverend” or “Father” to obtain flattery from others. Paul never used flattery when in Thessalonica, which is quite contrary to the manipulating and stroking teachers so popular today (I Thess 2:5). True ministers will not flatter: they will name sins, name names, and take no prisoners (II Cor 10:4-6)!

In a marketing era, image is more important than content, appearance than performance, and perception than reality, so it is easy to approve flattery. Sanguines have the temperament for it; salesmen are taught to do it. Rather than objectively present a product by its factual merits, they promote things with loud flattery and feigned friendliness. Compliments from a salesman about any personal matters are manifestly insincere.

Talk is cheap. Wise men ignore most bad things said about them (Eccl 7:21-22), and they ignore all good things said about them (Pr 27:14,21). One act of true kindness is more meaningful than many exuberant blessings. Correction and rebuke are far more valuable for prosperity and success than any compliment.  It is a duty for saints to think soberly of themselves, but this is hard to do, if you enjoy the praise of men (Pr 29:5; Rom 12:3).

Saul flattered David by offering him his two daughters, intending to use the bait to kill him by the Philistines (I Sam 18:17-25). Absalom flattered the men of Israel to steal their loyalty from his father David, king of Israel (II Sam 15:1-6). The citizens of Tyre and Sidon flattered Herod, but God had him eaten by worms for accepting it (Acts 12:21-23).

All praise is not sin. Praise to get a person to believe or do something wrong is sin. Jesus commended His disciples (Luke 22:28). Paul mentioned a fellow believer, who was praised in all the churches (II Cor 8:18).  Paul praised Corinth (I Cor 11:2). Paul praised Timothy (Phil 2:19-22). And both husband and children will praise the virtuous woman for her diligent and noble efforts (Pr 31:28-31). Subversive praise, or flattery, is sin.

Praise severely tests a man’s character (Pr 27:21). Most men are vulnerable to flattery, from men or women; they believe the praise is true, and they will compromise to get more of it (Pr 29:5). But a wise man will prefer the rebuke of a sincere friend above the kiss of an enemy (Pr 27:5-6). Jesus, the greatest example for you, did what He could to hinder praise and popularity (Mark 7:36). Take heed that you soon forget compliments.

Spiritual Training 24 January 2014

Posted: January 24, 2014 in 2 Timothy, 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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2nd Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God.  It is not a human book.  Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people (2 Peter 1:20,21).  This process is known as inspiration.  The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts.  Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted them to write.  Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing.  Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives. 

The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word.  Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives.  The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true.  It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live.  It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved.  God wants to show you what is true and equip you to live for him. 

In our seal for the truth of Scripture, we must never forget its purpose-to equip us to do good.  We should not study God’s Word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments.  We should study the Bible so that we will know how to do Christ’s work in the world.  Our knowledge of God’s Word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good. 

Lets Bring it Home: How much time do you spend in God’s Word? Read it regularly to discover God’s truth and to become confident in your life and faith.  Develop a plan for reading the whole Bible, not just the familiar passages.  The Bible is “God-breathed.” Read it, and use it’s teaching to guide your conduct.

Proverbs 24:03 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 24, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.

A prosperous and long-lasting family and estate are built by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. There are no shortcuts. There are no alternatives. The foolish and wicked may appear to be building great houses, but they are coming down soon. There is no cheating this rule. If you compromise wisdom, you will lose your family and estate.

Your “house” is not just the building you live in. It includes your posterity and inheritable assets. It includes your literal house, but do not dilute the lesson. Wisdom and understanding here are far more than creative blueprints (Pr 11:29; 14:1,11; 15:25,27)!

It is possible to see the wicked with large and prosperous families, but their duration is short. Consider David’s observation, “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found” (Ps 37:34-36).

Righteous men want to leave a godly and prosperous family in the world (Pr 5:16-18; Ps 127:3-5; 128:1-6; 144:12-15; Mal 2:15). They want to train children and grandchildren to perpetuate the truth of God in the earth (Deut 4:9-10; 6:4-9; Ps 78:1-8; Joel 1:1-3).

Consider the house of Abraham in size and quality. The nation of Israel came from his loins, which he built and established by wisdom and understanding (Gen 12:1-3; Neh 9:7-8). He feared God and lived by faith more than any man of his generation (Gal 3:9).

Consider the houses of Lot and Eli in duration and honor. Lot lost everything and polluted his own daughters (Gen 19:30-38). Eli’s family of priests was cut off and destroyed for the compromise of a sentimental and weak father (I Sam 2:27-36; 3:11-18).

Your family and estate will only prosper by wisdom and understanding, which is plainly found in Scripture. If you live by any other means, you are doomed to trouble, pain, and destruction. Humble yourself, and shore up your house with the Word of God! Today!

The house of God, the church, is built and established the same way, by wisdom and understanding. The foundation is laid in the Lord Jesus Christ, and every minister must build only with gold, silver, and precious stones. For the fire of his Lord’s examination will consume any wood, hay, and stubble. Let every doctrine and practice of every church be based only in the pure wisdom and understanding of Scripture (I Cor 3:11-15).

Spiritual Training 23 January 2014

Posted: January 23, 2014 in 2 Timothy, 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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2nd Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.      

Besieged by false teachers and the inevitable pressures of a growing ministry, Timothy could easily have abandoned his faith or modified his doctrine.  Once again Paul counseled Timothy to look to his past, and to hold to the basic teachings about Jesus that are eternally true.

Timothy was one of the first second-generation Christians: he became a Christian not because an evangelist preached a powerful sermon, but because his mother and grandmother had taught him the Scriptures when he was a small child (1-5).  A parent’s work is vitally important.  At home and in Church, we should realize that teaching small children is both an opportunity and a responsibility.  Jesus wanted little children to come to him (Mathew 19:13-15).  Like Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, do you part in leading children to Christ.

For Timothy, the “holy Scriptures” was the Old Testament.  The Old Testament is important because it points to Jesus Christ.  At the same time, faith in Christ makes the whole Bible intelligible.

Lets Bring it Home: Like Timothy, we are surrounded by false teachings.  But we must not allow our society to distort or crowed out God’s eternal truth.  Spend time every day reflecting on the foundation of your Christian faith found in God’s Word, the great truths that build up your life.

Proverbs 23:32 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 23, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 23, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 23:32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 

What bites like a serpent and stings like an adder? Too much wine or other form of alcohol (Pr 23:30)! Drunkenness bites and stings those who drink too much. The consequences of drunkenness are painful, and a rule of wisdom is to never get drunk.

This short proverb is in the middle of Solomon’s warning against drunkenness (Pr 23:29-35). God created wine to calm and cheer man (Pr 31:4-7; Ps 104:14-15). But when it is foolishly drunk to excess, wine will bite and sting those drinkers with numerous wounds.

For those who love truth, it is very important to know that Solomon did not condemn the moderate use of wine or strong drink (Pr 3:10; 9:2,5; 31:4-7; Eccl 9:7; 10:19; Song 1:2,4; 4:10; 5:1; 7:9; 8:2). In agreement with Solomon, Old Testament saints and the Lord Jesus Christ drank wine (Gen 14:18; Deut 14:26; II Sam 6:19; Luke 7:33-34; John 2:1-11).

Solomon, confirming the rest of the Bible, condemned drunkenness, which is drinking to excess and losing self-control (Pr 20:1; 23:21; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:18; I Cor 6:10). The context of the proverb is clearly the abuse of wine causing drunkenness (Pr 23:29-35). But the moderate use of wine is as holy and noble as the moderate use of bread or oil (Ps 104:14-15). Abusing wine is a sin called drunkenness; abusing bread and oil is gluttony.

Bible readers ignorant of context or proverbial language think this proverb condemns all wine and strong drink. They assume the bite and sting are the tingling of champagne’s carbonation, the after-taste of dry wine, or the burning sensation of straight whiskey. But the proverb describes the consequences of drunkenness, not the taste of alcoholic drinks.

The bite and sting are results of drunkenness – “At the last,” as the proverb declares. Wine appears very pleasant in the glass (Pr 23:31), but its abuse can bring pain and trouble (Pr 23:29-35). In this sense it is as dangerous as the bite of a poisonous snake or sting of a venomous viper, which is the simile here. You should not play with either.

Consider the bite and sting of drunkenness. You will ruin your reputation with unplanned folly, like Noah and Lot (Pr 20:1; 23:33; 31:4-5; Gen 9:20-22; 19:30-38; Eccl 10:1). You will be reduced to poverty, like the prodigal (Pr 21:17; 23:21; Luke 15:13-14). You will have immediate sickness and eventual liver damage and death (Pr 23:29,34-35; Is 19:14).

The proverb applies to the abuse of any mood-altering chemical. Christians are told to reject the mood alterations of drunkenness and to instead choose the filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18-19). There is no bite or sting in the Holy Ghost: there is joy and peace in believing: there is singing from a melody in your heart (Rom 14:17; 15:13; Eph 5:19).

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