Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Proverbs 13:12 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 13, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 13, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Hope is a precious and wonderful thing! Here is a glorious and important proverb, if you will consider it carefully at length. Without hope, men get desperate and will do most anything to escape their hopelessness. With it, men can endure most anything, no matter how desperate their conditions become. Wise men will appreciate the great value of hope.

Here are several lessons about hope. Do you know where to find it? How to keep it? Do you know how painful it is when others lose it? Do you know how to give it to others? Will you get it for yourself and give it to others? Wisdom is the power of right judgment – knowing what to do in any situation. Wisdom includes these crucial lessons about hope.

Hope is expectation of something desired. If the thing you desire is not obtained in the time expected, your heart and soul are grieved and pained by the delay. But when the desired thing finally arrives, it is a tree of life: your heart and soul are encouraged and revived. These two aspects of hope are true in all matters, both spiritual and natural.

Hope can be a pleasant thought, if you are confident of your desires being fulfilled on time. But it can also be a painful reminder, if you are disappointed with delays or difficulties in obtaining your desires. Hunger is an example. It makes food delightful, when you eat on time. But it can be quite torturous, if you are kept from eating on time.

Hopelessness is one of the most destructive and painful feelings in the human experience. It must be avoided at all costs, because it will destroy a man’s outlook and performance. A wise man sets his hope on sure things, and he avoids any desires or expectations for the vain things of this world that lead to despair or frustration. He understands human frailty, avoids setting expectations too high, and learns contentment (Ps 146:3-5; Heb 13:5-6).

Since hopelessness is so destructive and painful, a good man will work to keep those around him full of hope, like his wife, children, employees, and friends (I Sam 23:16; Ps 123:2; Eccl 4:9-12; II Cor 2:2,6-11; Col 4:1; I Thess 5:11). Training his son for the throne, Solomon taught the wisdom of keeping citizens filled with hope, lest they become discouraged and desperate enough to revolt (Pr 16:15; 19:6,12; 20:28; 28:16; 29:14).

If you love proverbs, here is a classic. Identify Solomon’s three metonyms and one metaphor in this proverb. First, hope is a metonym for the things hoped for; hope itself is not deferred, or delayed; rather the objects of hope do not arrive on time. Second, desire is a metonym for the things desired, because the desire for the things was already there; it is the desired objects that finally come and bring great joy to the heart. This is metonymy.

There is a third metonym, the heart. It is substituted for the feelings and joys of the heart: the substitution uses the seat of your affections for the affections themselves. And there is a metaphor, where desires being realized are compared to a tree of life, which can energize and rejuvenate the soul with its fruit, though a fulfilled desire is not a real tree.

This proverb is an observation by Solomon, and the lessons are to be carefully searched for within it. While many proverbs give the lesson more directly, basic observations like this one must be explored and applied to learn the wisdom being taught. What can you learn about hope from this proverb in order to be wiser with God and men? Remember, God’s words are exceeding broad and may convey many varied lessons (Ps 119:96).

Those in authority must learn more about hope than others, for those under their rule can easily be broken and reduced to despair, if they are not given enough expectation for the future. Continually pressing duties without expectation of a reward destroys hope. In contrast, a person filled with hope will cheerfully fulfill duties. Wise men learn this lesson and often measure the hope of those under them to be more excellent managers.

A woman gives up much as a wife (Ge 3:16; I Co 11:9). “A man may work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.” How can she bear it? A critical, unaffectionate, or inattentive husband can steal her hope and reduce her to despair, no matter how hopeful she was when she married him. This marital abuse is common. God commands husbands in many scriptures to be considerate, forgiving, patient, and romantic to encourage their wives (De 24:5; Pr 5:19; Ec 9:9; Eph 5:28-29; Col 3:19; I Pet 3:7; etc.).

Children come into a family by God’s choice, not theirs. Critical, overbearing, harsh, or overly-restrictive fathers (or mothers) can discourage them by stealing their hope and leaving them without any expectation for the future. The excitement and vitality of youth can be sucked from their hearts and minds by such abuse. It is shocking that some parents think their children should submit indefinitely without reward. God commands fathers (and mothers) to not destroy the hope of their children (Ps 103:13-14; Eph 6:4; Col 3:21).

The God of the Bible, the LORD Jehovah, carefully protected hope for the lowest men and even beasts. Bless Him! Christian nations have always had the most hope, because they worshipped the only God of hope. Day laborers were to be paid daily, lest their hope for some cash be destroyed (De 24:14-15)! Oxen were not to be muzzled while crushing grain (De 25:4)! Arranged marriages required a one-year honeymoon (De 24:5)! Every seventh year in Israel was a year-long vacation, even for servants (Le 25:1-7,20-22)!

The wicked have little hope (Eph 2:12; I Thess 4:13). Their expectations always end in frustration, for they chase the lying delusions of Satan, who is the god of hopelessness (Eph 2:1-3; II Cor 2:6-11). He knows his days are numbered and his coming torment great (Matt 8:29; Rev 12:12). He wants his dupes hopeless with him. All things in this world are disappointing and temporal, which hurt those who pursue them (I Jn 2:15-17).

Every sin, movie, song, or thought of the world ends with the same result – there is no hope, there is only despair (I Co 15:32; Re 9:11). They try to ease the pain with activities, comedies and jokes, alcohol and drugs, movies for fantasy escapism, mind-numbing music, extreme sports for thrills, and even suicide. Then they die and discover in hell that their hopelessness was right (Pr 11:7; Job 8:13-14; 11:20; 27:8; Mark 9:43-48)!

Consider riches. Wealth does not satisfy, for when you achieve one level, you will covet another (Eccl 5:10). Those taking your wealth are always increasing (Eccl 5:11), and the rich cannot sleep peacefully (Eccl 5:12). Riches disappear by many factors (Matt 6:19), and you will not take one cent with you at death (Luke 12:15-21; I Tim 6:7). The more you make, the more the government takes. Why set your hope on the illusion (Pr 23:4-5)? You are only going to be disappointed, frustrated, and vexed by the effort (I Tim 6:6-10).

Every child of God that seeks happiness in this world will be just as miserable, or worse, for he has set his expectations on things that cannot satisfy. Solomon, the writer here, found everything in this world to be vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 1:14; 2:11,17). Godliness with contentment is great gain, for such a man has his hope in God and heaven, which is the certain hope of prosperous saints (Gen 15:1; I Tim 6:6; Ps 73:25-26).

It is your wisdom to not hope for much from this world, but rather hope for much from the next (II Cor 4:16 – 5:9; Col 3:1-4). Therefore, you should be able to pray with Agur against riches (Pr 30:7-9). You should be able to be content with little and righteousness (Pr 16:8; Ps 37:16; Phil 4:11-13; Heb 13:5-6). You can avoid disappointment and keep on dancing, if you do not put your hope in things of this world (Job 1:20-22; Hab 3:17-19).

When a believer is discouraged, he has a simple remedy unknown to the world. He can remind himself to hope in God, just as David showed you (Ps 42:5,11; 43:5). The God of hope can give perpetual hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13). Even at the hour of his death, he can be filled with joyful and peaceful hope, for he knows about heaven and the resurrection of the dead, the blessed hope (Pr 10:28; 14:32; I Cor 15:19). The believer has hope, which the unbeliever will never have – confident waiting on God.

If you use the word of God to build your hope (Rom 15:4), others will ask a reason for it, since they have little to none (I Pet 3:15). When hope is deferred, you can hope against hope through faith in an omnipotent God (Job 13:15; Lam 3:24-26; Rom 4:18-20). And you can know you have the superior definition for hope – patient waiting, for the greatest expectation of the Christian will certainly come to pass (Rom 8:23-25; Heb 10:36-37).

Believers never give up, as long as they have life, for a living dog is better than a dead lion (Eccl 9:4-10)! Until God removes all hope, there is still hope, and even then there is hope! David prayed fervently for his sick son, and gave up praying when the child died, yet he knew he would see him again. He had hope, even after death (II Sam 12:15-23)! Paul was sure he would die at Ephesus, but hoped in a resurrecting God (II Cor 1:8-10)!

The Bible is filled with glorious examples of simple believers who put their expectation and hope in the Lord. Did Sarah give birth and nurse with a smile long after menopause (Gen 21:5-8; Heb 11:11)? How much was Joseph a tree of life to Jacob, when he discovered him alive and on Egypt’s throne (Gen 45:25-28)? How many children did Hannah have for loaning her long-desired son to the LORD (I Sam 1:19-28; 2:19-21)? And Israel was like them that dream after being recovered from captivity (Ps 126:1-3)!

Yet there is a greater illustration of fulfilled hope! For 4,000 long years, the sons of God waited for the arrival of the Seed of the woman to deliver them from sin, death, and hell. The desire of all nations did come. The angels shook the countryside with the announcement. Simeon rejoiced to see Him before His death. And His disciples believed not for joy, when He had risen gloriously from the dead. Christian, hope in God today.

Reader, if you are committed by faith to Jesus Christ, then you have a blessed hope, an impregnable hope, a glorious hope. You will be raised from the dead to an incorruptible inheritance in heaven, where it is reserved for you (I Pet 1:3-9; Acts 23:6; 24:15, 26:6-7; 28:11,20). Believest thou this? If you have this hope, it will purify and sanctify your life (I John 3:3). And it will be an anchor for your soul in the storms of life (Heb 6:18-19). None that put their trust in Him shall be ashamed or confounded (Rom 10:11; I Pet 2:6)!

Children can be taught to hope in the Lord when they are very young (I Sam 1:28; Ps 22:9; Eccl 12:1). By building a foundation for their lives on the ability and faithfulness of God, they will never be driven to depression or despair about life (Ps 27:13-14; 37:7; 42:5,11; 43:5; 71:14). How is this accomplished? By building faith and hope through constant instruction from the word of God (Ps 78:1-8; 119:81,114; Rom 15:4).

True love comforts others by building hope and taking away despair. Since hopelessness is one of life’s greatest evils, you should be faithful in all your dealings to keep others from losing their hope. God specifically commands you not to discourage those under you (Col 3:19,21; I Pet 3:7; II Cor 2:6-11). After edifying others by your faithfulness, you should then comfort them with the blessed hope of the gospel (I Thess 4:13-18; 5:11).

Spiritual Training 13 February 2013

Posted: February 13, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do, For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.   

This is more than the cry of one desperate man-it describes the experience of any Christian struggling against sin or trying to please God by keeping rules and laws without the Spirit’s help.  We must never underestimate the power of sin.

Lets Bring it Home: We must never attempt to fight it in our own strength. Satan is a crafty tempter, and we have an amazing ability to make excuses. Instead of trying to overcome sin with human willpower, we must take hold of the tremendous power of Christ that is available to us.  This is God’s provision for victory over sin, he sends the Holy Spirit to live inside us and give us power.  And when we fall, he lovingly reaches out to help us up.

Spiritual Training 12 February 2013

Posted: February 12, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do, For what I want to do I d not do, but what I hate I do.

Paul shares three lessons that he learned in trying to deal with his sinful desires.
1. Knowledge of the rules is not the answer (7:9) Paul felt fine as long as he did not understand what the law demanded. When he learned the truth, he knew he was doomed.
2. Self-determination (struggling in one’s own strength) doesn’t succeed (7:15), Paul found himself sinning in ways that weren’t even attractive to him.
3. Becoming a Christian does not stamp out all sin and temptation from a person’s life (7:22-25).

Being born again takes a moment of faith, but becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. Paul compares Christian growth to strenuous race or fight (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7). Thus, as Paul has been emphasizing since the beginning of this letter, on one in the world is innocent; no one deserves to be saved-not the pagan who doesn’t know God’s laws, not the person who knows them and tries to keep them.

Lets Bring it Home: All of us must depend totally on the work of Christ for our salvation. We cannot earn it by our good behavior.

Proverbs 12:3 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 12, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 12, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 12:3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.   

To be established means to be successful.  Real success comes only to those who do what is right.  Their efforts stand the test of time.  Then, what kind of success does wickedness bring?  We all know people who cheated to pass the course or to get a larger tax refund-is this not success?  And what about the person who ignores his family commitments and mistreats his workers but gets ahead in business?

These apparent successes are only temporary.  They are bought at the expense of character. Cheaters grow more and more dishonest, and those who hurt others become callous and cruel.  In the long run, evil behavior does not lead to success; it leads only to more evil.  Real success maintains personal integrity.  If you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved true success.

Life is full of change. Little is fixed and stable. Change can be disruptive and fearful. But godly men have deep roots to secure their family tree for the future. Wicked living is popular, but it will not work for long, since God will destroy such men and their families.

The lesson is simple: godly men and their families will outlast the wicked and theirs. It may not seem so for a time, but it will soon be true. God and Solomon gave you a rule as true as gravity, and they repeated it for emphasis (Pr 2:21-22; 10:25,30; 12:19; 24:3).

Every man, woman, and family wants to be settled and successful. They want to be securely planted and prosperous into the future. They want to increase and improve over time. But wickedness of any kind, continued in, will cause a person or family to decay and disappear. Only godliness can preserve and establish a man or family permanently.

Solomon saw it firsthand. Israel’s first king was Saul of Benjamin. Though a giant among men, with the nation behind him, and successful in war, God ripped the kingdom from him for disobedience and gave it to David of Judah. Saul and his family, even the princely Jonathan, disappeared forever. What about David’s family? His Son Jesus sits on David’s throne today, 3000 years after David died! Grasp this proverb and rejoice in it!

What is the outlook for you and your family? If there is sin in either, the Lord will root one or both out and destroy it. The righteous Lord blesses and honors righteousness, but He will be forward (Difficult to deal with) and terrible to the froward (Ps 18:20-26). The choice is yours, and it is a choice you make each day. What is your future? Your choices today determine it!

Abraham and Lot made choices. Lot chose financial advantage over holiness by pitching his tent toward Sodom. Abraham chose peace and the leftovers. But what happened? Lot lost everything and ended up in a cave with two profane and pregnant daughters; Abraham ended up the rich father of Israel and Jesus Christ! What a difference!

Eli was Israel’s high priest. His family could have been priests forever. But he would not stop his perverse sons. What did the Lord say? “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not” (I Sam 3:13). See also I Samuel 2:27-36 and I Samuel 3:1-18. If you are not a proactive and strong father to command your family, you are going down.

David was the neglected eighth son, but the Lord rooted Saul out and established David and his sons as the dynasty in Israel. His Son sits on the throne of the universe today! God said to David, “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (II Sam 7:16). Read II Samuel 7.

David wrote, “I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found” (Ps 37:35-36). Alexander the Great thought he was invincible, but he died at 32; in a few years every relative and descendant was dead. God rooted him out of the earth! Joseph Kennedy imagined a powerful political dynasty for his family. Where is it today?

The wicked do estate planning, but God will destroy them. The righteous seems weak, but God will preserve his house and seed forever. Do you believe this law of life? “Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies” (Ps 112:6-8).

 

 

Proverbs 11:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 11, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 11, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 11:29 – He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

One of the greatest resources God gives us is the family. Families provide acceptance, encouragement, guidance, and counsel. Bringing trouble on your family, whether through anger or through an inflated desire for independence is foolish, because you cut yourself off from all they provide. In your family, strive for healing, communication, and understanding.

Here are two ways you can cause trouble and cost yourself dearly. You can abuse privileges, or neglect duties, in your family, and you will end up with nothing. Your future will disappear like wind through fingers. These and other foolish choices will also take you down: you will end up serving those who are prudent and wise in their choices.

Fathers can trouble their houses in many ways. Being greedy of gain is a clear one (Pr 15:27). They work too many hours, waste money in foolish ventures, deprive their family of personal attention, are stingy with money, compromise integrity, and are carnally minded, all in their vain pursuit of wealth. Lazy and foolish men also hurt their families by depriving them of needs and opportunities through sloth and ignorance.

Fathers can also be too overbearing, harsh, critical, and domineering, which may discourage wives and children, or provoke them to wrath (Eph 6:4; Col 3:21). On the other hand, a father who avoids decisions or being a leader troubles his house. The wife and children are at sea without a captain. They lack security and direction for their lives.

While fathers are mentioned here, everyone knows overbearing wives and mothers are also an evil (Pr 12:4; 19:13; 21:9,19; 25:24; 27:15-16; 30:21-23). They drive children to anger, bitterness, discouragement, frustration, and even hatred; though they whitewash their odious conduct by saying, “I was just trying to help.” They are full-time meddlers, always digging, nagging, and pressing suggestions about unimportant things of life.

What is the punishment for these selfish persons – foolish fathers and mothers? They lose their families. The children can hardly wait for marriage to get away. Some will run away before marriage. These children only come home under duress. They want so much to escape the vexation of living with selfish or critical parents. They want peace and quiet, with affection and happiness, where love reigns; they want to escape their cruel parents.

Troubling your family has consequences. Foolish parents, who selfishly neglect their children or odiously interfere in their lives, will lose them. They will die lonely, even if the children visit them out of obligation. Foolish choices will cost a man his standing; the prudent man will take dominion over him. These judgments are natural and appropriate.

Spiritual Training 11 February 2013

Posted: February 11, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Romans 7:9-12 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, sizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Sin deceives people by misusing the law. The law was holy, expressing God’s nature and will for people. In the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), the serpent deceived Eve by taking her focus off the freedom she had and putting it on the one restriction God had made. Ever since then, we have all been rebels. Sin looks good to us precisely because God has said it is wrong. When we are tempted to rebel, we need to look at the law from a wider perspective-in the light of God’s grace and mercy

Lets Bring it Home: If we focus on his great love for us, we will understand that he only restricts us from actions and attitudes that ultimately will harm us.

Spiritual Training 08 February 2013

Posted: February 8, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Romans 7:9-11 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, sizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Where there is no law, there is no sin, because people cannot know that their actions are sinful unless a law forbids actions. God’s law makes people realize that they are sinners doomed to die; yet it offers no help. Sin is real, and it is dangerous. Imagine a sunny day at the beach. You plunge into the surf, and then you notice a sign on the pier. “No swimming. Sharks in water.” Your day is ruined. Is it the sign’s fault? Are you angry with the people who put it? The law is like the sign. It is essential, and we are grateful for it-but it doesn’t get rid of the sharks.

Lets Bring it Home: How many of us are swimming with the sharks due to not knowing Gods word which is a sign to stay away from sin? Yes, even Christians are swimming with the sharks, due to not reading the sign. It is very important that we spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 8:27 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 8, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep

How important is wisdom? God had it when He created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). Lady Wisdom here encourages you to value wisdom highly because God does.

The modern and weak concept of Intelligent Design does not do the LORD justice, for He is infinitely wise with perfect understanding and creative genius far beyond mere intelligence or intellectual capacity. He is wise, and He calls you to be wise.

Intelligence, or fact calculation and application, falls short of wisdom. The only true God arranged and ordained every aspect of the universe when there had never been such a thing before. He also has the power of right judgment to discretely and prudently interact with other rational creatures. He inspired Solomon to write for you to get wisdom.

Who thought the earth was flat? The children of God have always known the earth was round. When the blessed and only Creator God formed the earth’s atmosphere, and when He wrapped it around the ball of water hanging in space, wisdom was there with Him. Lady Wisdom offers you wisdom today by this proverb and the rest of Gods scriptures. Will you accept her gracious offer (Pr 8:1-5,32-36; 9:1-12)?

How great is wisdom? After Lady Wisdom’s introduction and invitation (Pr 8:1-5), she described the excellence and truth of wisdom (Pr 8:6-11), the benefits that flow to those having it (Pr 8:12-21), and the presence and use of wisdom by God in the creation of the heavens and earth (Pr 8:22-31). She then concluded with a further invitation (Pr 8:32-36). Wisdom is the most precious thing you can obtain in life (Pr 3:13-20; 4:5-13; 8:10-11).

This proverb exalts wisdom by showing it was with God in the creation of the heavens and His arrangement of the heavens to circle and encompass the watery globe. God created the heavens, the earth, and light on the first day (Gen 1:1-5; Ex 20:11; 31:17). He created the earth’s atmosphere on the second day, which is the firmament of heaven that separated the water above the sky from the water covering the earth (Gen 1:6-8).

God created the universe. The interstellar and interplanetary spaces and the spherical globe of the earth were formed first (Gen 1:1). The earth was a formless ball covered with water hanging in the total darkness of space (Gen 1:2). God then added light, without light sources for three days, mind you, to complete the first day (Gen 1:3-5,14-19). The only big bang, if there was one, occurred when God said, “Let there be light:” – and there was light (Gen 1:3)! If God has given you faith, you understand it (Heb 11:3).

God created the earth’s atmosphere. He separated waters on the earth’s surface by an expanse called heaven, which we call atmosphere, in which birds and planes fly (Gen 1:6-8,20). He gathered the waters on the earth and under this atmosphere into seas on the third day (Gen 1:9). The waters above the atmosphere remained there for the 1,656 years before rain (Gen 2:5-6; 7:4; Heb 11:7). It was not until the Flood that rain appeared; it was not until after the Flood that rainbows appeared (Gen 7:11-12; 9:12-15).

The Lord compassed, or encircled, the earth with this atmospheric heaven as part of His creative work on the second day. Included in these first two days of creation was the ordination of gravity to hold the waters and the atmosphere around the earth. Though the earth spins at 1000 mph, the atmosphere that compasses the earth moves right along with the earth, so you are not blown away! From the vantage point of spacecraft, you can see the aqua blue ball suspended by nothing in the firmament of heaven. Give God the glory!

The word “compass” in this proverb describes the circle, circumference, curve, arc, ring, or round shape of the atmospheric heaven that God wrapped around the ball we call earth. He set a compass, or a circle, over the watery earth before there was land (Pr 8:29; Gen 1:3-5). Though Solomon wrote these words 1000 years before Christ, he knew the earth was round by God’s inspired revelation to him. Isaiah, writing by inspiration about 700 years before Christ, also referred to the circular or round shape of the earth (Is 40:22).

Eratosthenes (276-195 B.C.), a Greek mathematician who knew the earth was round, calculated its correct circumference and the tilt of its axis. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543), who knew the earth was round, developed and promoted proofs for heliocentricism – the earth moves around the sun. Pope Urban VIII spanked Galileo (1564-1642) for endorsing such absurdities. But Newton (1643-1727) confirmed how a ball could keep us all feeling upright with gravity. But they were just refining old news!

What is the lesson of the proverb? If wisdom was with God in His creation of the heavens and the atmospheric curtain around the earth, then it is important enough for you! If God used wisdom to create the heavens and earth, then it would be a great thing to have for your decision-making! Are you committed to pursue wisdom? Is it more important to you than anything else? When was the last time you read the Bible? Heard a real sermon?

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is God in the flesh – the fullness of the Godhead in a human body (Col 2:3,9). He created all things, and without Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:3; Eph 3:9; Heb 1:2)! He has all wisdom and knowledge as a perfect King, Priest, Savior, and coming Judge. Humble yourself before Him this day! Beg Him for mercy and wisdom!

Spiritual Training 07 February 2013

Posted: February 7, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Romans 7:1-6 Do you not know, brothers-for I am speaking to men who know the law- that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man, while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might be long to another, or him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released ferom the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Paul uses marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law. When a spouse dies, the law of marriage no longer applies. Because we have died with Christ, the law can no longer condemn us. We rose again when Christ was resurrected and, as new people, we “belong” to Christ. His Spirit enables us to produce good fruit for God. We now serve not by obeying a set of rules, but out of renewed hearts and minds that overflow with love for God.

When a person dies to the old life and belongs to Christ, a new life begins. An unbeliever’s mind-set is centered on this or her own personal gratification. Those who don’t follow Christ have only their own self-determination as their source of power, By contrast, God is at the center of a Christian’s life. Go supplies the power for the Christian’s daily living. Believers find that their whole way of looking at that world changes when they come to Christ.

Some people try to earn their way to God by keeping a set of rules (obeying the Ten Commandments, attending church faithfully, or doing good deeds), but all they earn for their efforts is frustration and discouragement. However, because of Christ’s sacrifice, the way to God is already open, and we can become his children simply by putting our faith in him.

Keeping the rules, laws, and customs of Christianity doesn’t save us. Even if we could keep our actions pure, we would still be doomed because our hearts and minds are perverse and rebellious. Like Paul, we can find no relief in the synagogue or church until we look to Jesus Christ himself for our salvation – which he gives us freely. When we do come to Jesus, we are flooded with relief and gratitude. Will we keep the rules any better? Most likely but we will be motivated by love and gratitude, not by the desire to get God’s approval. We will not be merely submitting to an external code, but willingly and lovingly seeking to God’s will.

Lets Bring it Home: Are we trying to reach God by keeping rules or looking the part, going to Church, Bible Study and Sunday school, or are we trying to become more and more like Jesus as we live with him day by day. Don’t keep the rules because it’s the American Way, go to Church to gain that personal relationship Jesus and hear and put into action when He has to say.

Proverbs 7:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 7, 2013 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 7:9 At twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

Many sins occur at night, especially sex sins. God warns you about darkness and night. Here is a young man out at night looking for sin and is met by an adulteress. In a long parable, King Solomon described the ruin of a young fool by casual sex (Pr 7:6-27).

Young man, be careful and cautious. There is more temptation at night; the duties of the day that keep men occupied are over; you will foolishly think you can hide under the cover of darkness. Wise men go home early; godly men know to stay home after supper.

A young fool looking for a whore begins his search “in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.” He does not go near her house in broad daylight, for he would be seen; and she is not as easily found then either, for she must also hide her activities.

Job described adulterers this way: “The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk, he thinks, No eye will see me, and he keeps his face concealed. ” (Job 24:15). In another place, Job goes much further to describe how various wicked men hate the light (Job 24:13-17).

Sin causes guilt and shame, and it brings punishment, so men hide sinful activities from view. Jesus said wicked men love darkness to hide their sins, lest the light reveal their evil (John 3:19-21). Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness with fig leaves and the trees of the garden (Gen 3:7-8). But darkness has always been the favorite cloak for sex.

During daylight, even bad sections of a city look free from sin and vice; but after dark, they are filled with wicked persons using the night to hide identities and activities. Drunkenness, fornication, prostitution, robbery, and murder all greatly increase at night.

Bars used to meet the opposite sex for fornication are called nightclubs for good reason – they would never work as dayclubs! Las Vegas, an American moral cesspool, does most of her business at night. Casinos are experts in human depravity and fulfill the proverb.

Restaurants and lounges at night turn the lights down and the music up, for any woman looks better in dull light after a few drinks with fleshly music. The boldness to pursue drunkenness, fornication, and other sins is greatly encouraged by the cover of darkness.

Television programming after 9:00, the watershed hour, is carefully designed for adult audiences with intense and immoral shows or movies. With legitimate and productive activities over, adults can put the children to bed and fill their minds with ungodly images and conduct to corrupt their souls and thoughts during the night. Movie theaters also are mostly attended at night, and well into the night, with sinful sex a primary theme of both.

Your grandparents had a better routine before electricity brought television, movies, and countless activities at night. They went to bed with the birds and got up with them; there was no time or opportunity for cruising, carousing, or clubbing at night. They started each day early and worked hard, and they ended each day not long after supper.

They kept a schedule that promoted that sober time of quietness and resolve in the morning that is now lost. Their emphasis was on how much they could get done in the morning rather than surviving the day to be able to play at night. Their sobriety condemns this generation, which is addicted to amusements and pleasure, and most of it at night.

It was once an adage of America, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Christians could rightly add godliness to that formula, for it is generally God-approved activities that take place from morning until afternoon. Today’s Americans foolishly make fun of any “old fogey” that would go to bed before 9:00 P.M.

If David had stayed in bed with one of his beautiful and eager wives, he would never have seen Bathsheba using the cover of darkness for a bath (II Sam 11:2). What a foolish choice to leave his bedroom and go out at night from the safety of his house. The consequences of just one night out wandering around haunted him for the rest of his life.

Not all night activities are wrong, as Paul once preached to midnight and beyond (Acts 20:7-11). The Lord Jesus prayed all night on occasion, due to the demands of the crowds during the day (Luke 6:12). Shepherds were abiding in the field at night when they heard the announcement of the Lord’s birth. But these were exceptions and for godly purposes.

Curfews for youth are excellent rules, for the minds of foolish teenagers are more prone to the lusts of the flesh after dark, when their actions will be hid and their consciences emboldened to try things they might otherwise avoid. Getting them up early and requiring them to work hard will leave them tired and craving bed when night finally arrives.

Let this short proverb affect you two ways. First, be more aware of the sexual temptations at night. Second, consider adjusting your schedule toward mornings with a reduction of plans at night. Limit children’s activities after supper and teach them habits to reduce the temptations of darkness. May the Light of the world save you and your children.

Throughout the New Testament, Christians are described as the children of the day, not of the darkness. They are to live and walk as children of light in this dark world – the lesson of the proverb being used extensively by the Lord and His apostles (Luke 16:8; John 1:4-9; 3:19-21; 11:9-10; 12:35-36,46; Acts 26:18; Rom 13:11-14; I Cor 4:5; II Cor 4:6; 6:14; Eph 5:8-14; 6:12; Col 1:13; I Thess 5:1-8; I Pet 2:9; I John 1:5-6; 2:8-11).

If you are a child of God, you should remember and consider there will be no darkness or night in heaven at all, for the Lamb of God will be the perpetual and glorious light of that place (Rev 21:23,25; 22:5). But the wicked will howl in the black mist of impenetrable darkness forever, for there will be no light or day in hell at all (II Pet 2:4,17; Jude 1:13). They who loved darkness and night will have their fill of both, and then some, forever!

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