Archive for the ‘Personal Growth’ Category

Spiritual Training 20 January 2015

Posted: January 20, 2015 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Unevenly yoke, Yoke with unbelievers
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. “Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. “And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”    

Paul urges believers to not “be yoked together with unbelievers,” that is, to form binding partnerships or relationships with unbelievers because this might weaken their Christian commitment, integrity, or standards. It would be a mismatch. Earlier, Paul had explained that this did not mean isolating oneself from unbelievers (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-10). Paul even urges Christians to stay with their unbelieving spouses (1 Corinthians 7:12-13). Paul wanted believers to be active in their witness for Christ to unbelievers but not lock themselves into personal or business relationships that could cause them to compromise their faith. Believers should do everything in their power to avoid situations that could force them to divide their loyalties.     These verses also have strong application to marriage. Paul did not want single believers to enter into marriage with unbelievers. Such marriages cannot have unity in the most important issue in life—commitment and obedience to God. Because marriage involves two people becoming one, faith may become an issue, and one spouse may have to compromise beliefs for the sake of unity. Many people discount this problem only to regret it later. Don’t allow emotion or passion to bind you with someone who will not be your spiritual partner. For those who have discovered God’s light, there can be no fellowship or compromise with darkness (1 Corinthians 10:20-21).

Quoting from the prophet Isaiah, Paul asserted that the church is the temple of the living God. Corinth had an abundance of temples of pagan deities, so the recipients of his letter were able to visualize the contrast the apostle intended. Those who follow Christ are not known by a building; they are known as those in whom the Spirit of God lives. The church is not where believers go, it is who they are. God is not waiting for his people in some stained-glass setting. He is always with them. That is a sobering and yet a comforting thought.

Separation from the world involves more than keeping our distance from sinful practices; it means staying close to God. It involves more than avoiding worldly entertainment that leads to sin; it extends to how we spend our time and money. There is no way to separate ourselves totally from all sinful influences. Nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around us, without either giving up or giving in. When you know what God wants you to do, make a clean break with sinful practices.

Lets Bring it Home: How does your behavior reflect on the God you represent? When you know what God wants you do, make a clean break with sinful practices.

Proverbs 16:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 16, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 16, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

Kind and gracious words are a dessert for any occasion. They go into the ears and soul with sweet pleasure, and they enliven the heart and even the steps. A person’s face glows by their instant effect, and energy and vitality are restored to those cast down. You create such words out of thin air by your lips, when wisdom guides your speech (Pr 16:23).

Dear reader, do your words promote health? Do you heal others by kind encouragement, wise counsel, and gentle comfort? Or are your words like a piercing sword (Pr 12:18)? Do you leave others bleeding with caustic, critical, calloused, or condemning words? And do you then pour in salt, when you are told to only season your speech with it (Col 4:6)?

Good perfume can rejoice the heart in just nanoseconds, and kind words do the same, when a friend gives sweet counsel from his heart (Pr 27:9). Precious gift of speech! The right words at the right time are beautiful indeed (Pr 15:23; 25:11). There is great power in your tongue, dear reader (Pr 18:21). How will you use it today? For health or harm?

In this modern and synthetic society, many do not know the sweetness or health properties of honeycomb. When did you last eat some? But to the informed, God’s honeybees pollinate plants and also produce a sweet delight with fascinating nutrients.

Honey is a luxurious food God created for man’s benefit (Pr 24:13). He described Canaan, the wonderful land of promise, as a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex 3:8; Deut 8:7-9). The manna He gave Israel tasted like wafers made with honey (Ex 16:31).

Kings sent honey as gifts (II Sam 17:27-29; I Kgs 14:3), and it enlightened the eyes of Prince Jonathan once (I Sam 14:27). John the Baptist lived on it and locusts (Matt 3:4); Jesus ate it with butter – two important foods of Israel – in his formative years (Is 7:15); and He ate it again after his resurrection (Luke 24:42). Inspired lovers used it to describe the sweetness of their lovemaking in a romantic song of loving spouses (Song 4:11; 5:1).

No one will deny that honey is sweet. It is twice as sweet as sugar! In recipes calling for sugar, only one-half the amount of honey is needed. A full person will reject it (Pr 27:7)! You should get some today from your cupboard or a store and taste it in light of this proverb. Ask yourself if your speech causes pleasure like honey can to your taste buds.

Do you know these facts? Honeycomb contains four foods: honey, bee pollen, bee propolis, and royal jelly. Honey itself has a long history of use for many different ailments in many nations. Ever taken it with lemon or whiskey for a sore throat? Ever used local honey to combat allergies? And there are dozens more of therapeutic uses.

Bee pollen, which collects on the bees’ legs, is sometimes described as the perfect food. With 96 nutrients, it is rich in zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron. It can energize you, give you a sense of well being, increase your intellectual capacity, and close any nutritional gaps in your diet.

Propolis, a waxy resin the bees use for several purposes, is rich in B vitamins, minerals, and bioflavonoids. It has no equal as a natural antibiotic. It stimulates the thymus gland to produce white blood cells to fight or eliminate viruses, poisons, and waste products.

Royal jelly, secreted by a few nurse bees in each hive, is the exclusive food of the queen bee. This wonder food causes her to live forty times as long as the worker bees and produce double her bodyweight in eggs each day, though genetically identical to them! It contains a high concentration of pantothenic acid and many other complex nutrients.

God said honey was healthful and commended it in the places mentioned above, so you should believe it (Pr 14:23; 16:24). But it is a pleasure to read research confirming Solomon from 3000 years ago. Give God the glory! The Creator reveals true science.

Honey is precious. It is sweet to your taste, enlivens your eyes, energizes your body, and has many nutritional properties for overall health. Your words should be the same. They should cause others to rejoice and be glad they heard you speak, and they should build others up in profitable ways (Eph 4:29). Choose good words to say to someone today.

Your speech should always be gracious, with only a pinch of salt (Col 4:6; Eccl 10:12). Such speech fulfills this proverb. Wise mothers say to children, If you cannot say something kind, then do not say anything at all. Parents love to hear right words (Pr 23:16; 15:26). Your stinger should only be used as a last resort, just like the honeybee.

But is sweet speech manly? Yes, indeed! God created man and inspired this proverb, and Solomon the son of David wrote them. Were these two effeminate? David bravely killed Goliath and won Jonathan’s heart by gracious words, all in one day (Pr 22:11; I Sa 18:1)!

The Lord Jesus could cut and confound the Pharisees when He needed, but His disciples knew Him for gracious and healthful speech (Ps 45:2; Is 50:4). His gracious words at Nazareth caused the whole crowd to wonder (Luke 4:22). And the hearts of two disciples burned joyfully from His precious words on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32).

Unnecessary harshness in speech is not a sign of manliness or the Spirit of God; it is sold by the devil to those whose hearts are not right. It flows from a heart hardened by hatred or pride, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34). David rebuked his nephews for being too hard (II Sam 3:39), and Jesus did the same to James and John (Luke 9:55). Neither party had the spirit or tongue of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A bitter and biting tongue is a fire from hell; it is a world of iniquity; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (Jas 3:2-12). No man can tame it by himself. Yet you must do all you can to cut it out from your own mouth and those of your children, by God’s grace.

Men like John the Baptist and Elijah had special missions, and you do not know they were harsh in private. They likely were not. They are not examples for common speech.  You should rather choose the law of kindness to govern your choice of words (Pr 31:26).

Who can deny that God’s words are sweet? Are they not sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10; 119:103)? Do they not cause joy and rejoicing in your heart (Jer 15:16)? They are so sweet that those speaking them are described as having beautiful feet (Rom 10:15). Can you remember the sweetness to your soul of hearing the true gospel with understanding?

There is great power in the tongue, reader (Pr 18:21). How will you use it today? You will eat the fruit of how you use it – life or death. Every man shall bear his own burden.

Proverbs 15:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 15, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 15, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 

Prayer is not a right. Prayer is a privilege, a blessed privilege. God is not obligated to hear the prayer of any man, and He will reject the prayer of the wicked. But as He has promised, He will hear the prayer of the righteous. He will answer them tenderly, mightily, and speedily. This axiom was perfectly understood by the Jews (John 9:31).

The wicked are those continuing in sin, any sin, even one sin. They know they are sinning, but they do not care. They do not confess and forsake it. They ignore the warnings of God’s Word, His minister, their whispering conscience, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They think they can get away with their sin. They do not think it important enough to forsake and repudiate it. They hide it under a cloak of hypocrisy.

You can hide sin from your parents, your spouse, your children, your church, and your pastor. They will continue to treat you with the same kindness and affection as in the past. You can deceive friends and family with hypocrisy, but you cannot deceive God. This is an important distinction to remember, for your wicked heart will assume foolishly that since you are not punished by others for hidden sins, God will not punish you either.

The LORD sees the very thoughts and intents of each heart (Heb 4:12). There is nothing hid from His holy eyes (Heb 4:13). He perfectly sees and knows every sin of thought, word, and deed (Pr 15:3; Ps 139:1-12). And He does not overlook them. They grieve and offend Him, and unless they are confessed and forsaken, He will not hear your prayers. You are doomed to a life without His blessing, and He will then righteously chasten you.

The LORD is not far from the wicked in location and knowledge, for He fills heaven and earth, and no one can hide from Him (Jer 23:24). But He is far from helping them, comforting them, blessing them, and having fellowship with them. He is near at hand to see their wickedness, but He is far away from answering their prayers. And in the great Day of Judgment, He will tell them to depart from Him into eternal hell fire (Matt 7:23).

So offensive is sin against the holy God of the Bible, especially when you know better, that even your sacrifices become an abomination to him (Pr 15:8). When you rebel against the preaching of His Word, He counts your prayers an abomination (Pr 28:9). He despises your worship, when you are hiding unconfessed sin (Is 1:10-15; 58:1-11).

So great is this offence of rebellion against God that He will laugh and mock when you need Him most (Pr 1:24-31). If you reject His conviction and instruction now, He will laugh at your calamity later. Reader, do not even dare to think you can take preaching lightly. Do not even dare to think you can keep your secret sins and God will be merciful.

Because of Saul’s wickedness, the LORD left him (I Sam 16:14). And though he begged for mercy, the LORD had judged him and given the kingdom to David (I Sam 15:28-30). He was so desperate for his prayers to be heard that he went to the witch of Endor to conjure up Samuel, who condemned him further (I Sam 28:5-20). But David was confident that even in death God’s presence would protect and bless him (Ps 139:7-10).

David also sinned. He hid his sin and learned a painful lesson. He learned not to wallow in his sins. He wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps 66:18). So he confessed his sin, and the Lord heard him (Ps 32:5-6). He wrote, “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer” (Ps 66:19).

Therefore, it is a great duty to examine your soul and life. The man after God’s own heart examined himself often and thoroughly (Ps 19:12-14; 26:2; 139:23-24). Then you must confess, immediately and completely, whatever evil you find by the blessing of God’s light and conviction (Pr 28:13; Job 33:26-28). He will faithfully forgive you (I John 1:9).

Conviction for sin is special mercy from God. It is the loving overtures of your heavenly Father calling you back to Him. When you feel conviction for sin, rejoice that God has not forsaken you forever, and run with that conviction to confess and forsake your sins. If you continue to rebel, He will turn in Fatherly anger and chasten you. Instead, He lovingly says to you, “Return unto me” (Is 44:22; Mal 3:7).

To those who humble themselves and live holy lives, the LORD is always present with deliverance and blessing (II Chron 16:9; Ps 34:15-17; 138:6; Jas 5:16; I Pet 3:12). Listen to the LORD God, and believe His Word, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them” (Ps 145:18-19).

Dear reader, you do not have to be perfect for God to hear your every prayer, but you do need to confess your failures. Consider Elijah, the wild man that he was. When reviewing the power of his prayers, the LORD comforts you by declaring that Elijah was a man subject to the same passions you face every day (James 5:16-18). Thank you, Lord!

The LORD heard every prayer of the Lord Jesus (John 11:42), for He always did those things that pleased God (John 8:29). In His deepest hour of need, though the cross was unavoidable, His Father sent an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). And the angel of the LORD encamps around you, and delivers you, when you fear Him (Ps 34:7).

Spiritual Training 15 January 2015

Posted: January 15, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 6:4-10  4) Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5) in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6) in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7) in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8) through glory and dishonor, bad and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9) known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10) sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Being put in jail would cause many people to become bitter or to give up, but Paul saw jail time as one more opportunity to spread the gospel of Christ. Paul realized that his current circumstances weren’t as important as what he did with them. Turning a bad situation into a good one, he reached out to the Roman soldiers who made up the palace guard and encouraged Christians who were afraid of persecution. We may not be in prison, but we still have plenty of opportunities to be discouraged—times of indecision, financial burdens, family conflict, church conflict, or the loss of our jobs. How we act in such situations will reflect what we believe. Like Paul, look for ways to demonstrate your faith even in bad situations. Whether or not the situation improves, your faith will grow stronger.

What a difference it makes to know Jesus! He cares for us in spite of what the world thinks. Christians don’t have to give in to public opinion and pressure. Paul stood faithful to God whether people praised him or slandered him. He remained active, joyous, and content in the most difficult hardships.

Lets Bring it Home: Don’t let circumstances or people’s expectations control you. Be firm as you stand true to God, and refuse to compromise his standards for living.

Spiritual Training 14 January 2015

Posted: January 14, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

In everything he did, Paul always considered what his actions communicated about Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, you are a minister for God. In the course of each day, non-Christians observe you

Lets Bring it Home: Don’t let your careless or undisciplined actions be another person’s excuse for rejecting Christ.

Proverbs 14:34 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 14, 2015 in Bible Study, Encourgement, God and America, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 14, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 

America is doomed as a glorious nation, if this proverb is true! Much of the nation not only neglects righteousness, it despises it with scornful hatred. It not only allows sin, it promotes it with rabid fervor. Unless America repents and returns to righteousness, she is doomed, for this proverb is certainly true! Let God be true, but every man a liar!

There are two possibilities why America still survives. God is preserving her for the sake of the righteous and their prayers for her, as He would have spared Sodom for Lot’s family (Gen 18:23-33), or He is setting her up with the illusionary prosperity of fools, before bringing her crashing down to hell (Pr 1:32; Deut 32:15-25; Ps 9:17; 50:21-23).

God raised Pharaoh up high, but it was not a blessing. It was only for the LORD Jehovah to have the highest monarch of the greatest nation to squash like a bug (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:17). Of course, PTA mothers, who think vegetarian hot lunches at school will make America a better place, do not accept or understand this profound truth from the Bible.

A nation is exalted when it is lifted up, when it is raised in rank, honor, estimation, power, or wealth. A nation is reproached when it is censured, discredited, rejected, or shamed for its faults. The masses once teemed to America’s shores for noble and virtuous reasons. The praises of America were sung far and wide as the golden land of dreams and opportunity. But what was once the joy and hope of nations is fast becoming a byword.

How great is a nation in debt $18 trillion, with that debt growing $2.5 billion daily? How glorious is one thinking Ebonics is an alternative to English? How noble is one where more money is spent on pets than religion? How righteous is a nation calling two men a marriage? And two women and a baby a family? How free are a people where unborn children, though screaming for mercy, are chased across the womb, and pulled apart in pieces by a suction wand, all for a mother’s irresponsible pleasure and a doctor’s fee?

What kind of culture allows a young female to paint her crew cut purple, use white eye shadow, wear studs in her tongue and other body parts, dress in black leather and chains, listen to anarchic music and lyrics, and walk her lover in public places on a leash? That is not freedom! That is insanity! That is not personal taste! That is rebellion against God and authority! She does not have rights! She has responsibilities, to God and nature!

The wickedness of the seven nations of Canaan, which was not much worse than segments of America, caused God to say of them, “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants” (Lev 18:25). He warned Israel the same thing could happen to them, “Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out” (Lev 20:22).

Why is America declining? Adam Smith, who in 1776 wrote, “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations,” did not know. Poor fool! But Solomon, the wisest king and political analyst who ever lived, did know. Here is his inspired wisdom from Jehovah: righteousness makes a nation great; sin destroys and shames nations.

There is no New Deal to stop this old proverb! No president or executive action will stave off America’s decline. No legislation can patch the sinking ship. And no court order will stay the hand of the Most High. Unless America repents, she is going down, down, down. More money for education, legislation reforming prisons, or Nike sponsoring basketball tournaments in the ghetto will not roll this snowball back up the hill (Pr 19:21; 21:30).

Political and social projects are vanity and a waste. They miss the problem. They have accomplished nothing of value, and instead they cause further damage by distracting men from the real cure to a charade. As long as man has hope in man, there will be no slowing the decay, for there is no hope in man! Only Jehovah and righteousness can save nations!

How do you measure the exaltation or reproach of a nation? America was once great like Israel was great under Moses, David, and Solomon. Both nations were known for wisdom, justice, peace, morality, witty inventions, riches, strength, honor, good government, excellent laws, and God’s presence (Pr 8:12-21). But as Israel became a reproach, so has America. Now it is known for folly, crime, fear, excess, conflict, debt, poverty, weakness, bureaucratic government, legal confusion, and decayed religion.

What causes the exaltation or reproach of a nation? When a nation fears Jehovah and keeps His Scriptures, that nation will be exalted quickly and surely, for they are following the only manual for public and private wisdom in the universe. When a nation allows and promotes sin, it will become a disgrace and shame, for sin by definition is the choice of perversity over propriety (Deut 4:5-8). The explanation is simple. The true God declared, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Ps 9:17).

Is America righteous or sinful? Prayer and the Ten Commandments are outlawed in most public places; but sodomy, the Quran, and Harry Potter are defended and promoted. Mein Kampf and The Origin of Species are more popular than the Bible in public schools. The nation allows and defends labor unions, evolution, same sex marriages, murder of a million unborn babies each year, witchcraft, lewd entertainment promoting anarchy and fornication, rebellious children, lesbian pastors, chaotic music, no fault divorces, etc., etc.

The nation’s Christianity has for the most part sunk to the degradation Paul warned Timothy against (II Tim 3:1 – 4:4). They are in love with themselves, unholy, despisers of those who are good, love pleasure more than God, have a mere form of godliness, emphasize silly women, and have chosen entertainment and fables over sound doctrine.

What is the cure? Repudiation of wickedness, repentance for sin, revival of hearts, reformation of conduct, and restoration of Jehovah’s religion. America does not need better schools, economic reform, more teachers, anything from the NEA, more freedom, more pleasure, UNICEF, more shelters for stray animals, or other such ridiculous ideas.

Christian reader, what are you doing to preserve your nation? Your duties are to live righteously, and thus contend with the wicked (Pr 28:4), pray for your nation (Jer 29:7), and hold the line in all areas of moral decay and decline that are rampant in your country (Ezek 22:30). As the Lord agreed to save Sodom for Lot’s righteous family, holy living and praying saints could prolong the tranquility of any nation (I Tim 2:1-3; Dan 4:27).

But rather than sing, “God Bless America,” as if He owes a blessing in spite of sins, America must return to the only wisdom in the universe – the Creator’s will declared in the Holy Scriptures of Jehovah. America must hold the line at Scripture only – the strait gate and narrow way of Jesus Christ – without following the wicked to hell, just one or two steps behind. Restrained compromise is not righteousness; it is presumptuous sin!

Is there long-term hope for America? Maybe, if she turns to repent, deeply and quickly. God told Solomon, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chr 7:14). But even Israel went so far as to forfeit deliverance, no matter who would have been praying for her (Jer 15:1; Ezek 14:14)! See related comments on Proverbs 1:26 and Proverbs 29:1.

Is there long-term hope for America? Definitely not, if she refuses to repent, and if she has entered the final phase of human history. America is not important enough to warrant any known prophetic place in Scripture, but the Bible does not paint a pretty picture of renewal and revival in these last times. In fact, Satan is being loosed for things to get even worse, but the Blessed and Only Potentate will soon come to destroy the wicked and save His elect from them and this world (II Thess 1:5-10; I Tim 6:13-16; Rev 20:7-15).

Until that wonderful event of Jesus Christ’s return that Christians long for with expectant hearts, He has by His grace made believers a peculiar people and citizens of a holy nation, to “shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (I Pet 2:9). Believers are members of Jesus Christ’s spiritual kingdom, which is not of this perverse world (John 8:23; 18:36). They should serve their King as perfectly as possible and look for His glorious coming (Titus 2:11-15).

The Psalmist knew there was hope for the righteous, if they would separate from the wicked. He wrote, “Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Ps 144:11-15).

Proverbs 13:17 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 13, 2015 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 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 

Faithfulness and integrity are great character traits. You should have them yourself, and you should only associate with those who have them. When others trust you or depend on you, it is your duty and privilege to fulfill their desires and needs as perfectly as possible. This is noble performance that brings God’s approval and blessing and man’s as well.

Faithfulness and integrity are shown here by a messenger or ambassador. Wicked men get in trouble – they are easily waylaid by foolish distractions or pressure to compromise – they are not trustworthy or reliable. A faithful man brings prosperity to those trusting him, for he finishes the job as desired and expected. How often do you get waylaid?

It is a foolish sin to betray the confidence and trust of those who give you an assignment. The prosperous functioning of any society depends on men discharging their duties with diligence and honesty. Wicked men get diverted and fail their commitments. But faithful men make sure they complete the job, and they are a precious benefit to all concerned.

If you send a sluggard to do a job, his laziness will irritate you. Solomon wrote, “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him” (Pr 10:26). If you send a fool, you beg for damage. Solomon also wrote, “He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage” (Pr 26:6).

Faithful men bring prosperity to deals. They are health to the transaction, rather than the mischief of wicked messengers. Confidence in knowing a man will finish a job right is a blessing. Solomon wrote, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters” (Pr 25:13).

Before email, telephones, and mail, messages were sent from individuals and nations by couriers and ambassadors. Wicked men did not take it seriously, and they would not deliver the message accurately or on time. They would fall into mischief on the way, distracted or diverted by temptations. Faithful ambassadors could be counted on to get the message conveyed accurately and on time. Private and national prosperity were served.

God’s saints should have impeccable reputations before the world, as did Joseph and Daniel (Gen 41:38-40; Dan 6:1-5; I Tim 6:1; Titus 2:9-10). When given an assignment, they should seek to exceed every expectation in keeping it (Pr 22:29; Rom 12:11; Ep 6:5-9). Does everyone know you are always faithful in any assignment or duty? Anything less than total trust in you is not good enough. Start today to be faithful with integrity.

Do you think about those trusting you? Do you fall into mischief, or do you bring them health? Your professional duties are important, but do not forget your parents and others depending on you. Carefully consider your spouse, children, neighbors, church members, etc. Regardless of whether they detailed their trust or not, do you faithfully serve them?

Since God chose communication by a messenger or ambassador for this proverb, consider the importance of correct communication. Do you confuse facts, embellish events, or exaggerate situations. Do you communicate as promptly and thoroughly as you should? Or do others have to chase you down to get what they needed? Do you take the time to be detailed and orderly in communication so there is no misunderstanding?

God chose preaching to send truth to men. Most preachers are wicked messengers, who fall into mischief and do not teach His Word accurately. There were many, even in Paul’s day, which corrupted the Word of God (II Cor 2:17; 11:3-4,13-15; Phil 3:18-19; I Jn 4:1). And this evil trend was going to get worse in the last days (I Tim 4:1-3; II Tim 3:6-7; 4:3-4; II Pet 2:1-2). Timothy was rare, having Paul’s concern for the churches (Phil 2:19-21).

Ministers must be ordained cautiously (I Tim 3:1-13; 5:22). They must be faithful men (I Cor 4:1-2; II Tim 2:2; Titus 1:6-11), who will not be distracted with this world (II Tim 2:4). They must give themselves wholly to their work (I Tim 4:13-16). They must handle the Scriptures honestly (II Cor 4:2) and with much study (II Tim 2:15). When churches have faithful ambassadors, they will have spiritual health (Neh 8:1-12; I Tim 4:15-16).

You must find a minister faithful to his calling by Jesus Christ (I Tim 3:1-7; 4:13-16; II Tim 2:1-7; I Pet 5:1-4; etc., etc.). Elihu, the only man understanding Job’s situation, said of such rare men, “If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom” (Job 33:23-24). Amen!

Paul was the greatest gospel messenger and ambassador, for nothing moved him from his ordained calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, and he was more diligent than his peers (Acts 20:24; I Cor 15:10). He could say at the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Tim 4:7). Are you thankful for the health he brought? If you are a Gentile believer, you should be thankful (Rom 15:15-21).

The most faithful messenger and ambassador is the Lord Jesus Christ. He told God His Father in heaven before dying, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). What if He had fallen into mischief in the desert or Gethsemane (Matt 4:1-11; 26:36-46)? But He brought eternal health to His elect children by complete faithfulness, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:5-11; Heb 3:1-6).

Spiritual Training 13 January 2015

Posted: January 13, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

How could the Corinthian believers ignore God’s message (“receive God’s grace in vain”)? Perhaps they were doubting Paul and his words, confused by the false teachers, who taught a different message. The people heard God’s message but did not let it affect what they said and did. How often does God’s message reach you in vain?

God offers salvation to all people. Many people put off a decision for Christ, thinking that there will be a better time—but they could easily miss their opportunity altogether.

Lets Bring it Home: There is no time like the present to receive God’s forgiveness. Don’t let anything hold you back from coming to Christ. The right time is now!

Spiritual Training 12 January 2015

Posted: January 12, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 5:17-21Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.     While this newness is true individually, Paul is saying much more. Not only are believers changed from within, but a whole new order of creative energy began with Christ. There is a new covenant, a new perspective, a new body, a new church. All of creation is being renewed. So take notice. This is not a superficial change that will be quickly superseded by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ’s authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation. Does your life reflect this new perspective?

God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins (see also Ephesians 2:13-18) and making us righteous. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer God’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the “ministry of reconciliation.”

An ambassador is an official representative on behalf of one country to another. As believers, we are Christ’s ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. An ambassador of reconciliation has an important responsibility. We dare not take this responsibility lightly. How well are you fulfilling your commission as Christ’s ambassador?

When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange—our sin for his righteousness. Our sin was laid on Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is given to us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ’s atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin—something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless. How grateful we should be for his kindness to us.

Lets Bring it Home: How well are you fulfilling your commission as Christ’s ambassador?

Proverbs 12:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 12, 2015 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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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man. 

God can raise beggars up out of a sewer and put them on the throne of glory, and He can put the greatest monarch in world history out to pasture, literally (II Sam 7:8; Dan 4:27-33). The true God rewards your conduct in this life – think David and Nebuchadnezzar; and He rewards it in the next life – think Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31).

Dear reader, it would do you good to read Hannah’s prayer of praise (I Sam 2:1-10). She knew the LORD was a God of knowledge and that He weighed the actions of men. She praised Him for His great work of putting one person up and putting another down. He made a great difference between her and her adversary (I Sam 1:4-8,17-20; 2:18-21,26).

The LORD’s favour is wonderful. It is better than the mythical touch of Midas, better than friendship with Bill Gates, and better than the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. There is nothing like it in this world or the next (Ps 4:6-8; 16:11). How can you measure having the Lord as your Friend, Comforter, Benefactor, and Protector?

His favour can make all the difference in the world in a man’s life. Can you fully comprehend it? How can you describe it? If He blesses your soul, your body, your marriage, your children, the work of your hands, and your eternal destination, what else is there (Ps 1:1-6; 73:23-27; 128:1-6; 144:11-15)? Thank you, blessed God and Father!

But His condemnation is a horrible thing. It far exceeds any personal or natural disaster, for the Creator God becomes your enemy and will torment you in this life and the next. He can torment your soul with fear and trembling that is indescribable (Deut 28:65-68). Terminal cancer and annihilation would be a relief from what He can do to you. How can you measure the horror of the LORD God chasing you into eternity (Ps 35:5-6)?

Jesus told His disciples that pain and death were nothing at all. Why fear men, He asked? They cannot do anything of serious or lasting harm. He taught them the only true Person to fear was His Father, Who was able to kill the body in this life and then send both body and soul to hell for eternal torment. You should fear Him, Jesus warned (Luke 12:4-5).

What makes this difference – the great distances between God’s responses? Your choices today, reader. That is right! Your choices today will either be good in His sight, or they will be wicked. You think you can do what you want? You think you have a right to your own life? You think you can protect yourself from Him? You think you can avoid the consequences of your sin? You think He does not see? Does not care? Guess again, fool!

A good man is made good by God’s grace (Ps 14:1-3; Gal 5:22-23), but God’s grace must be used to be the good man here (I Cor 15:10; II Cor 6:1). A good man finds the favour of the great God by laying hold of wisdom and obeying it (Pr 8:35). A foolish man rejects wisdom and by doing so wrongs his own soul and chooses death instead (Pr 8:36).

The defining difference between the two persons is how they treat wisdom – God’s instructions for living found in the Bible. Reader, do you tremble before the words of God yet? Will you even take enough time to read and consider the warning of this proverb? Will you do anything about it? What will you do to obey God better? Today?

Reject wisdom, and God will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you (Ps 50:22; Hos 5:14; 13:8)! He will turn your life upside down and inside out (Ps 146:9). He will smash your face and break out your teeth (Ps 3:7; 58:6). If you think for one second God has changed, try Hebrews 10:26-31; 12:28-29; and 13:8. When He comes in anger, men beg for mountains to fall on them and hide them (Rev 6:16-17). Do not be a fool!

Beware, lest you think it is your idea and measure of what makes a good man. Do not let anyone, even your dear mother, flatter you into thinking you are a good man. The holy God has no regard for such foolish thoughts. He will only favour the man who trembles before His word and keeps His commandments with a humble heart (Ps 112:1-4; Is 66:2).

The difference in His response is enormous; it is immeasurable. Do you see it clearly? He can bless so abundantly and so kindly, and He can destroy so horribly and so painfully.

Did the LORD’s favour make a difference in Joseph’s life? An incredible difference! How about Abraham? Ruth? Esther? Job? David? Daniel? Mary Magdalene?

Did the LORD’s condemnation make a difference in Saul’s life? What tormenting misery! How about Cain? Lot? Eli? Nabal? Jehoram? Uzziah? Judas? Herod?

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (Jas 4:10). There is precious favour to be obtained from the LORD God. Some men walked with Him as their Friend, others walked straight into heaven without dying, and yet others had His benevolent care and protection around and upon them wherever they went and whatever they did. Do good, and you will love life and see good days (I Pet 3:10-12)!

 

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