Archive for the ‘Proverbs 08’ Category

Proverbs 08:28 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: September 8, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep

How old is wisdom? How important is wisdom to God? How important should it be to you? These questions are answered in this proverb. The Creator God of heaven and earth had wisdom in the beginning, before He created the clouds in the sky and the fountains in the oceans. He used wisdom to create these things (Pr 3:19-20). You should love wisdom.

Proverbs 8 is a long personification of wisdom. King Solomon introduced Lady Wisdom and described her offer to men (Pr 8:1-11); he listed many of her benefits (Pr 8:12-21); he stated that God possessed wisdom before creating the world (Pr 8:22-31); and he repeated the offer of wisdom and warned of severe judgment on those refusing (Pr 8:32-36).

If the LORD Jehovah had wisdom in the beginning and used it to create the world, then surely it deserves your attention. You spend many hours, much effort, and lots of expense pursuing other things, why not wisdom? How many minutes and how much effort have you spent recently trying to acquire wisdom? It is time to get serious about your life.

God established the clouds above, and wisdom was with Him then. Do you grasp the wisdom of the water cycle and the many tons of water suspended in clouds? “He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them” (Job 26:8). “Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou” (Job 35:5).

“Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds?” (Job 36:26-29).

“Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?” (Job 37:16). “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again” (Eccl 1:7).

“Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven?” (Job 38:34-38).

Consider a heavy rainfall of 4 inches. This is 2.5 gallons per square foot, approaching 21 pounds in weight. For an acre, this becomes about 109,000 gallons; 905,000 pounds; or 452 tons of water. No wonder Job said, “He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them” (Job 26:8). God established the clouds above. Glory!

But what if the same rain falls on the average U.S. county, which is 800 square miles, or 512,000 square acres? Then the number of gallons becomes 56 billion! And the weight of that water is 463 billion pounds, or 232 million tons! If just clouds over your head can hold this kind of weight, then you need some of the wisdom God used in creating them!

God strengthened the fountains of the deep, which are ocean springs. If you did not know there are springs and fountains in the ocean, the Bible has said so for 3500 years (Pr 8:28; Job 38:16; Gen 8:2). It was only in 1977 that deep-sea geologists found hydrothermal vents in the earth’s crust blasting forth hot mineral water far below the surface.

God had wisdom in the beginning. He always had wisdom. He used His wisdom to create the heavens and the earth. How will you live the rest of your life? By the traditions of your parents? By the habits of your childhood? By trial and error? By your peers? By the learned experts who warn about an ice age one generation and global warming the next?

Reader, wisdom is offered to you. Rudimentary knowledge of God may be learned from viewing and considering His creation (Ps 19:1-7; Rom 1:19-21). But great wisdom and understanding is acquired from God’s inspired scriptures, the Bible (Ps 19:7-11; II Tim 3:16-17). When did you last read them? When did you last hear them preached? You are missing the greatest blessing in life, if you do not seek out the Bible or preaching today.

Proverbs 8:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 8, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 

How wonderful is wisdom? The LORD God had it all in eternity! Solomon continued his lengthy personification of wisdom as a virtuous woman (Pr 8:1 – 9:5). Lady Wisdom is the first person, singular, objective pronoun “me.” Before the LORD Jehovah created anything, when He inhabited eternity alone, He owned all the wisdom of the universe.

At this point in personifying wisdom, Solomon should provoke you to value wisdom most highly by virtue of God’s choice and use of it from eternity and in the creation of all things (Pr 8:22-31). If wisdom is so gloriously advantageous and wonderful that Jehovah Himself chose and used it, how much more should men esteem it? This is the lesson!

What is personification? It is a figure of speech in which a person is used to represent an abstract concept. Men refer to freedom as Lady Liberty, natural events as Mother Nature, national defense as Uncle Sam, and aging as Father Time. King Solomon used a desirable lady to represent the concept of wisdom (Pr 1:20-33; 2:4; 3:15-18; 4:5-13; 8:1-36; 9:1-5).

What is wisdom? It is the power of right judgment. It is the ability to discern any matter or situation and know the perfect solution. When understood as a spiritual virtue of God and Christians, its analysis and solutions always maximize the glory of God and His holiness. Wisdom is the disciplined thinking that always arrives at right conclusions.

Who is the LORD? When the King James Bible uses LORD in capital letters, it means Jehovah – I AM THAT I AM. This infinite and independent Spirit, Creator of all, eternally possessed all wisdom. He owes no one for it, for who has been His counselor (Rom 11:33-36)? He alone is the origin and source of wisdom for Himself or any other.

Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Son by Mary, grew in wisdom as He matured (Luke 2:52). Such words speak distinctly and only of His human nature. In His divine nature, He is Jehovah Himself, in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3). If you desire to be like Jesus Christ, then you should be growing in wisdom. Are you?

God did not experiment, using trial and error, when He created. He had infinite wisdom before He created. Everything was very good (Gen 1:31). He sees the past, present, and future equally. There are no contingencies to Him. He understands everything forever. There are no surprises to Him, no difficulties, no perplexities, and no complexities.

Pagan gods or idols do not have even the five natural senses, let alone wisdom, and the God of the Bible ridicules them for such a fatal handicap (Ps 115:1-8; 135:1-21). Their worshippers may have five senses, but God ridicules them as equally ignorant to the totem poles and other images and statues they worship (Is 44:18-20).

If Jehovah God chose to possess all wisdom in eternity for His actions, are you pursuing wisdom with great zeal for your choices (Pr 4:7; 16:16)? It is surely worth the effort (Pr 8:11; Job 28:12-19). Inspired and preserved Scripture and His teachers are God’s gift of wisdom to you before all men (Deut 4:6; Ps 119:98-100; Mal 2:7; II Tim 3:15-17).

Proverbs 08:19 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: May 8, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

Is anything better than money? After all, money can solve many issues (Eccl 7:12; 10:19). They say you cannot buy love, but love is fickle and often disappointing. Is anything better than money? Yes! Wisdom’s effects on a life are better than fine gold or choice silver. No amount of money can buy wisdom (Job 28:15-19). It is a gift from God to those who ask and seek for it. Do you put forth the effort to obtain this precious asset?

The average man works forty hours a week, but with travel time to and from his job and required breaks, he can easily hit fifty hours or more. If he is ambitious or paid overtime, he may push the total to sixty, eighty, or even more hours. But what does this effort and zeal gain him? Any bed still brings sleep. Most any food still brings pleasure and health. What will he take with him when he dies? Has his extreme labor been greatly in vain?

Men research for hours to find a better job, a new business plan, or investments yielding greater returns. They go to school for many years to qualify for lucrative professions. They apply themselves day and night to enhance their careers or build their businesses. But in the end, they have no wisdom, and they die like a dog. They leave behind lonely wives and dysfunctional children. They fret while alive, and they die frustrated.

Wisdom is the power of right judgment. It knows what is good in every situation. It understands life and knows God’s will. It sees the lies and errors of men. It knows what is acceptable for any decision. It discerns the snares of false thinking and traps of deceivers. It glories in the truth about God, the universe, the purpose of man, and the right response to any predicament. It knows the way to success and favor with God and men.

But how many men seek wisdom as much as they seek money or wealth? Very few! The devil, the world, and their vain hearts have sold them a lie! They run furiously and painfully on the treadmill of life to achieve what the world calls success – only to be thrown off into hell at the end. This is ridiculous vanity and insanity! Life is short; use your few days to seek wisdom. A modest investment every day can save your life.

This proverb is simple – wisdom’s results in a life are more valuable than wealth. Solomon, who had both, knew. He said wisdom was more valuable (Pr 3:14-15; 8:10-11; 16:16; Job 28:15-19; Eccl 7:12; Ps 119:14,72,127). What will you do today to obtain it? Wisdom can save you from life’s troubles and lead you to true prosperity and peace. It is a matter of priority, so you must get rid of foolish time wasters and search for wisdom.

Wisdom is fearing God and keeping His commandments (Pr 1:7; 8:13; Eccl 12:13-14). His fear is found by humbling yourself, confessing your sins, and seeking His face. His commandments are in His scriptures, the Bible. What will you do today to seek the fear of God and learn the Bible? Will you give wisdom 1% of your day, or about 15 minutes?

Jesus described the kingdom of God as a very rare pearl that totally obsessed a merchant man, who sold all that he had to buy that one pearl (Matt 13:45-46). How important is Jesus Christ and His kingdom to you? What are you willing to give up for it? Solomon wrote elsewhere, “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Pr 23:23). Very few give up anything, so they live without wisdom, suffer the world’s pain, and never enjoy the true riches.

Where will you be Sunday? Dancing with a praise band and laughing at jokes from a pretend-preacher, or learning wisdom by hard preaching of sound doctrine (II Tim 4:1-4)? If you attend a Bible-preaching church, do you prepare and pray before you attend, and do you participate passionately with focus. Seek wisdom like other men do riches.

Proverbs 08:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 8, 2014 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 8:18 – With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 

Wisdom is the surest way to wealth and reputation for nations and persons. Folly, the opposite of wisdom, generally leads to poverty and shame, as many proverbs and human experience prove. Hear Lady Wisdom promote the value of wisdom by its great benefits.

But there is much more, for spiritual wisdom that pleases God also leads to eternal riches in glory with the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ and the acceptance and honor of God as His dear children and the brethren of Jesus Christ. There are no greater benefits!

At first pass, this proverb seems simple. But its difficulty is in dividing the blessings rightly (II Tim 2:15). Are the riches natural or spiritual? To avoid doctrinal shame, we must divide it with great care and true submission to the Holy Spirit and scripture.

Consider the context from three vantage points. First, the whole book of Proverbs is primarily spiritual wisdom for natural life here. This is apparent throughout. Second, the eighth chapter is a personification of wisdom and its benefits (Pr 8:1-9,32-34). Third, the surrounding context is wisdom’s blessings on nations and governments (Pr 8:10-21).

The preceding verse encourages you to seek wisdom early – in life, in each day, in each situation – and you will be blessed. The following verse indicates that the riches under consideration are of greater value than financial riches. Wisdom will bring success in this life and the world to come, for it is the true fear of God (Pr 8:12-14; Eccl 12:13-14).

Wisdom does bring natural success to the nations and men seeking her. The success she brings is of an enduring sort based on righteousness. When Israel was wise, they were rich, very rich (Deut 28:1-14; I Kgs 10:27). When Israel sinned foolishly, they were reduced to poverty, great poverty (Deut 28:15-68; I Kgs 11:9-13). And this is one of the basic lessons of this book of wisdom (Pr 10:4,22; 11:24; 12:24; 19:15; 20:13; 21:17).

Adam Smith only saw surface aspects of success in “The Wealth of Nations” in 1776. For God had declared 3000 years earlier, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Ps 33:12). And He also wrote, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Ps 9:17). Wise political theory would include thorough understanding of the God of nations!

America was great, and still has greatness, for one simple reason – God’s blessing. A large part of America, now a small minority, feared Him and sought Bible wisdom. “Witty inventions” (Pr 8:12), “strength” (Pr 8:14), “justice” (Pr 8:15), “judges” (Pr 8:16), “judgment” (Pr 8:20), “substance” (Pr 8:21), and “treasures” (Pr 8:21) are all blessings of wisdom on the US. This proverb adds riches, honour, durable riches, and righteousness!

Wicked men may get rich, as Nebuchadnezzar, Croesus, Xerxes, or Alexander the Great, but their riches were not durable or righteous. Those riches were God’s judgment – the prosperity of fools (Pr 1:32; Ps 17:14). Wise men are sometimes made poor, like Job and Jesus, for God providentially does other things in their lives (Job 1:1-12; Phil 2:5-8). Therefore, riches are not an absolute proof of wisdom, nor does wisdom always lead to riches. But the general rule is true – wisdom brings wealth and honor.

This general rule for nations and men is the primary thrust of the book, the chapter, and this proverb. Yet, spiritual riches of a durable nature extend beyond this life. They are superior to wealth, and they ought to be sought diligently (Matt 6:19-21,33; 13:44-46). True wisdom leads God’s children to a wonderful life now and eternal life to come (Ps 73:23-24; Mark 10:29-31). Whether rich or poor financially, glory shall soon be revealed of such splendor that nothing here can be compared to it (Rom 8:18; II Cor 4:17-18).

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  

Proverbs 08:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 12, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice silver

How important is financial gain to you? How much effort do you put into professional improvement? Do you have a personal plan to advance professionally and improve your financial situation? How much concern, study, and time into savings or investments? Is your ultimate goal to be financially independent because you have acquired all you need?

Lady Wisdom speaks here, and she advertises her instruction and knowledge as better than silver and gold. Great efforts are made to acquire money during a lifetime, but men make very little effort in comparison to obtain wisdom and understanding. Are the priorities in your life geared toward instruction and knowledge, or toward income?

This comparison is made often in Proverbs. Solomon saw that most men were eager and diligent to pursue money, and he more than any man realized that wisdom is greater than any financial asset or accomplishment (Pr 4:7; Eccl 12:13-14). Both he and his father David exalted wisdom above riches (Pr 3:13-14; 8:11,19; 16:16; Ps 119:72,127).

America is a carnal and materialistic society. The rich are viewed as successful – the higher the income, the better the man, most believe. They spend years preparing for a particular profession, and some work many more hours than necessary to seek riches and success. But they neglect wisdom, which could save their lives from pain and trouble.

Money is a good thing to have, as it can eliminate many of life’s small irritations. Solomon wrote, “Money answereth all things” (Eccl 10:19). But it is far inferior to wisdom. For He also wrote, “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it” (Eccl 7:12).

Instruction and knowledge are found in the Word of God. Do you value the Bible more than financial success? Does this show in your desire to read and study it? David said of the Scriptures, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Ps 19:10-11). Do you love Scripture like he did?

Men are happy to work overtime. Are you as happy when the pastor preaches overtime? Successful men go beyond expectations and competitors in performing their jobs. Do you read and study more than the bare minimum and what your peers are doing? Diligent men never miss a day of work. Are you as faithful in reading the Bible? Examine yourself.

There are 168 hours in a week. There are 1440 minutes in a day. You know how many of them are spent pursuing income. How many are spent pursuing wisdom? You cannot study the Bible even close to the hours you must work, unless you are in the ministry. But how many minutes or hours in a week do you give the fear of the Lord and the pursuit of wisdom? Finding wisdom takes the diligence of hunting for hid treasure (Pr 2:1-5).

Wisdom loves those who love her (Pr 8:17). Can she tell that you love her? Or do you appear to be in love with mammon – the world’s god of money and success? You cannot love both (Matt 6:24; I Tim 6:6-10; Jas 4:4). Set your heart on wisdom and God’s Scriptures as your heritage and joy instead of the things of this life (Ps 119:111).

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding,” Solomon wrote (Pr 23:23). You buy these things by giving up other activities and pursuits in your life. You give up the carnal ambitions of the world to put more emphasis on wisdom. Jesus commended wise men, who sold all for His kingdom (Matt 13:44-46).

What if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul (Matt 16:26)? If your priorities are out of line, the consequences are costly! Tell Lady Wisdom right now that you love her and appreciate her offer by confessing your slothfulness to God, and then alter your schedule to make more time for wisdom. God will hear the words, see the effort, and He will bless you with more wisdom or both more wisdom and financial gain (I Kgs 3:5-13)!

Proverbs 08:05 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: August 8, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:05 – You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. 

Are people willing to take the position to admit that they are not adequate, to say I am a sinner and that I really don’t have intellectual problems?  Sometimes I think it is a joke to listen to folk with “intellectual” problems. How many times do we hear people say, “I have intellectual problems about the Bible?”  What they really have is a sin problem, and he didn’t want to give up his sin.  I have discovered that if a person has a sin problem and will turn to Christ with that problem, it is amazing how often the intellectual problems will be solved.

Wisdom calls you! Will you consider her precious gifts? She offers understanding and wisdom to the simple and foolish. Do you hear her? Or are you too busy? Or are you too proud to know you are ignorant? Or are you too rebellious to change your ways for her?

Lady Wisdom says those who reject her must love death (Pr 8:36). If you disregard her offer, you do so to your own peril. God will bring calamities into your life, and He will laugh when you tremble in fear and beg for His help (Pr 1:20-32; Ps 2:4; 37:13). He will mock your troubles and your fears. The warning is harsh, but it is truly the words of God.

Solomon continued his personification of wisdom in this chapter.  See the comments on Prov 8:1. Wisdom, the ability to judge correctly, is presented as a woman here and in other parts of this book. It has been said, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!” It is your prudence to soberly consider the gracious offer of this glorious and terrible woman.

In this verse, Lady Wisdom exhorts simple and foolish men to take the wisdom and understanding she offers. All men are born foolish and ignorant, and she implores them to take and use her wisdom. Implied is the rhetorical question, Why do you want to continue in the stupidity and lusts of your ignorance (Pr 1:22; Ex 16:28; I Kgs 18:21)? Why?

Every parent thinks this about their children, and every pastor thinks it about church members. Parents watch their children ignore instruction and rush into pain and trouble, and pastors watch members do the same. The father and preacher in this book, Solomon, by the inspiration of God, calls for you to hear his instruction and learn wisdom.

Are you offended being called simple and foolish? It should not offend you. You came into this world messing on yourself, and you will go out doing the same. Unless you take God’s offer of wisdom, you are not any better right now. The world spews pagan and perverse filth at you daily in increasing intensity – you need God’s wisdom desperately.

If wisdom is the ability to rightly judge, do you have it? If understanding is accurate discernment, do you have it? There is only one way to know. Are your thoughts and actions in perfect agreement with God’s written word? Scripture alone defines wisdom, and any thoughts to the contrary are insane (Ps 19:7; 119:130; Isaiah 8:20; I Tim 6:3-5).

You cannot know wisdom by nature; you must obtain it by instruction. You cannot find truth by rationalization; it requires revelation from the God of truth. There is no better source than these proverbs for wisdom (Pr 1:1-4). Do you fear and crave their words? The Bible is God’s book of truth (Ps 119:160; 19:9). Do you love it preached to you?

Scripture addresses every area of your life – sex, employment, speech, money, eating, children, exercise, driving, thoughts, hair, television, clothing, friends, etc. If you think or act contrary to what is written, you have not advanced beyond the diapers that recently protected you, and your thoughts are the braying of a donkey (Job 11:12; II Pet 2:12).

Why be a fool? Take the offered wisdom and understanding today! How? Humble yourself before God’s word and this warning, repent of your foolishness, repudiate your sins, admit your ignorance, and conform every thought, word, and action to His holy word. Find a Bible-preaching church that emphasizes truth and wisdom and join it.

Proverbs 18:17 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: May 8, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me and those who seek me find me.

Lady Wisdom promises love to those who will love her, and she promises to be easily found by those who will seek her early. If you love wisdom, she will love you in return and bless your life. If you seek wisdom, you will find her easily, as she is not far from any man (1:20-23; 8:1-5). What is your problem? Love wisdom and seek her now!

Lady Wisdom in this text makes herself available to all who will love and seek her. What is wisdom? The power of right judgment! What is its basis? The fear of the Lord! Where is wisdom most clearly defined and explained? In the word of God! If a man loves Scripture and seeks it early, he will most certainly find knowledge and understanding.

Lady Wisdom loves those who love her. Her love brings honor, riches, life, and God’s favor. What more could you want? Her love is better than rubies, silver, gold, or anything you can imagine. Do you love her? She measures your love by the priority you give her.

Most of the world hates Lady Wisdom (Ps 14:1-3). They love her greatest enemy – the wicked woman Folly (Pr 2:16-19; 9:13-18). They want the world’s foolish lies and soap bubbles – gaily decorated by Hollywood, public education, the news media, and ignorant peers. They resent and despise God, wisdom, and truth. They love death (Pr 8:36).

But what about you? The value of Solomon’s proverbs in your life depends on what you do with them. Do you love wisdom? How do you show it? What emphasis or priority does wisdom have in your life? Do you seek her early? Do you aggressively seek her?

In much of chapters 8 and 9, Solomon personified wisdom as a lady offering affection and friendship. Contrasting Lady Wisdom with the strange woman Folly, he created a powerful image of two women seeking the souls of men. Compare the two women and their invitations of companionship that lead to very different results (Pr 9:4-5,16-17).

Lady Wisdom promises love to those who love her, and she promises to be easily found by those who seek her early. If you love wisdom, she will love you back and bless your life. If you seek wisdom, you will find her easily, as she is not far from anyone (Pr 1:20-23; 8:1-5). What holds back your affection and desire? Love wisdom and seek her now!

What does Lady Wisdom represent? What is wisdom? It is the power of right judgment, knowing the perfect response to every situation. What is its basis? The fear of the Lord! Where is wisdom most clearly defined and explained? In the Bible! If a man passionately loves and emphasizes God’s word, he will gain knowledge to drastically improve his life.

Lady Wisdom does not owe favor to any man. Men rejected wisdom in the Garden of Eden, so they have no right to truth; the asinine opinions now believed by educated men on all subjects prove their depravity. When a man chooses one lie, God will send him strong delusion to believe many more to his destruction (Ezek 14:7-11; II Thess 2:9-13).

Here is a sincere invitation and offer from God and Solomon, but it is only recognized and obeyed by the children of God. Most men have no faith, so they reject both the living God and His words in the Bible. What will you do with this gracious and kind invitation? The apostle Paul considered all things to be loss and dung in comparison with divine wisdom, which is most fully expressed in knowing Christ Jesus the Lord.

Wisdom expects you to love her. Wise men will separate themselves from foolish goals in life to focus on getting wisdom (Pr 18:1). They will make pleasing God first in their lives (Matt 6:33). Unless you have great passion for wisdom, you will search for it in vain (Pr 2:1-5). David said, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Ps 119:97). Anything less will not work. Neglecting wisdom is to love death (Pr 8:36).

Wisdom expects you to seek her early in life, before you learn man’s foolishness, or damage your life with folly, and while you have the passion and strength of youth. Solomon wrote, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not.” (Eccl 12:1). Childhood and youth are vanity, so it is the best time to reject folly and seek wisdom to avoid youthful sins (Eccl 11:10; Ps 25:7; Pr 22:6; II Tim 2:22).

Wisdom expects you to seek her early in the day, before the duties and distractions of life take your heart and mind away from the most important love of your life. Take time first thing in the morning to read God’s word and tell Him how much you love Him and desire His wisdom (Ps 63:1-6; 84:1-2; 119:18). Great men in scripture did this (Gen 19:27; Ps 5:3; 119:147). Or do it three times a day like David and Daniel (Ps 55:17; Dan 6:10).

The precious news of the gospel is that God loved His children long before they loved Him, even when they were His enemies (I Jn 4:19; Rom 5:8). God’s love for His elect is so great He drew each one to Him, caused each one to love Him, will display His love to each one more and more as they love Him, and not a single one of them can be separated from His love in time or eternity (Jer 31:3; Hos 11:3-4; Jn 14:23; Rom 5:5; 8:35-39).

Proverbs 08:1-3 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 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 8:01-03 (1) Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? (2) On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand, (3) beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud

A woman wants you! A fabulous woman! She wants to help you! She cries for you today. She is easy to find; she is right before you. You cannot miss her. She offers you wisdom and an understanding heart; she will tell you excellent and right things (Pr 8:1-6).

You are incredibly blessed today! Greetings! Lady Wisdom introduces herself as you read this sentence! She offers you pure truth, instruction, knowledge, and wisdom, which are better than silver, gold, rubies, and all the things you might desire (Pr 8:7-11).

She cries for your attention. If you two do not become close friends and companions, she will not lose – you will lose! You were born foolish and ignorant, and you will stay that way; she wants to save you from a dysfunctional and painful life and eternity.

Do not resent this proverb. Are the words boring and appear meaningless? God inspired each one of those words, and they are designed to discourage and offend foolish men, but wise men will rejoice that He sent Lady Wisdom to them today, and they will read on.

Solomon used various means in Proverbs to get your attention and teach you wisdom. He used threats, promises, pain, reward, short proverbs, long parables, observations, rules, illustrations, analogies, comparisons, social phenomena, lessons from animals, his father’s advice, the teachings of Agur, and even a letter from a royal mother to her son.

Here he used personification – the literary tool of representing an abstract thing by a person – to present wisdom to you as a noble and wonderful woman, Lady Wisdom. She introduced herself and appealed to you to hear her (Pr 8:1-10); she described her benefits for you (Pr 8:11-21); she described how God used her in creating the universe (Pr 8:22-31); and she concluded by begging you to receive her or be punished (Pr 8:32-36).

You are blessed today! The Creator has sent a written offer for you to share knowledge, truth, understanding, and wisdom that He has? His is no vain religion of ceremonies, chantings, ritual prayers, superstitions, manmade traditions, dark mysteries, offering buffalo entrails to the Great Spirit, bathing in the filthy Ganges, kissing a meteorite in Mecca, or praying the Rosary to God’s mother. Here is eternal truth and wisdom!

Lady Wisdom is before you! She wants you to see her! She cries for your attention at the city entrance, where you travel every day. She pleads to help you (Pr 8:1-5). She offers excellent and right things – the only such things you will find in this foolish, blinded world (Pr 8:6). Her every word is truth and righteousness (Pr 8:7-8). Her instruction is easy to learn (Pr 8:9), and it is better than wealth and anything else desirable (Pr 8:10-11).

Nature plainly teaches truth in every language to all people (Ps 19:1-6)! But man rejected the Creator for his own hallucination – that you and everything else came from an explosion of cosmic gases in a purposeless universe; ocean slime became tree frogs; and baboons became your grandparents! From total ignorance at birth, man rushes downward to the institutionalized insanity of evolution. So God judges them (Rom 1:18-32)!

God sent much more truth by the Bible about Himself, man’s origin and future, and how to prosper in life and eternity (Ps 19:7-11; II Tim 3:16-17). But rebel man has burned it, burned its publishers, chained it in churches, read it in Latin, outlawed it in schools, ridiculed it for public office, removed it from courthouses, confused it by new versions, and relegated it to the shelf! So God judges them (John 12:47-48; II Thess 2:9-12)!

God sent His pastors to teach you His words and their right sense (Jer 3:15; 23:28-32; Acts 8:30-35; Eph 4:11-14). But the world fed them to lions, pulled them apart on the rack, burned them at the stake in Catholic inquisitions, banished them, and still scorns them today! Most Christians today have rejected them for popular and smooth operators that feed them entertainment and fables instead of sound doctrine (II Tim 3:1-7; 4:1-4).

Most men reject Lady Wisdom, whom they meet in creation, Scripture, and the ministry! And she is being rejected today. Do you tremble and rejoice at creation, knowing it is the handiwork of a Creator with eternal power and Godhead? Do you love and study the precious and true words of God in the Bible? Do you attend and support a church faithfully where a sober man preaches God’s words without compromise or distraction?

You are blessed today! Lady Wisdom met you at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Love her; she will bless you in time and eternity with incredible advantages and blessings (Pr 8:17-21). Reject her; she will mock as your life implodes on you. The choice is yours; the consequences are God’s! He has promised. If you neglect her offer of truth, she will laugh at your cries when your calamities come (Pr 1:20-33).

Is the proverb too boring? Its commentary too simple? You are not moved to repent of your foolishness and sinfulness, thank God for Lady Wisdom, and ask Him to show you His truth? It is better to be broken by repentance than to be ground to powder due to rebellion. Jesus Christ said about Himself, “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Matt 21:44).

You cannot endure the sound doctrine of this commentary? Your church has replaced the pulpit with a praise band (II Tim 4:3-4)? What happens if you reject God’s offer of truth? What happens if you walk away from Lady Wisdom? “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thess 2:10-12).

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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Under Gods Command

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!

Proverbs 08:05 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 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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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 8:05 – You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. 

Are people willing to take the position to admit that they are not adequate, to say I am a sinner and that I really don’t have intellectual problems?  Sometimes I think it is a joke to listen to folk with “intellectual” problems. How many times do we hear people say, “I have intellectual problems about the Bible?”  What they really have is a sin problem, and he didn’t want to give up his sin.  I have discovered that if a person has a sin problem and will turn to Christ with that problem, it is amazing how often the intellectual problems will be solved.

 

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