Archive for the ‘Proverbs’ Category

Proverbs 16:32 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 16, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 16, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Here is a lesson in personal greatness. How strong are you? What have you achieved? The best test of character is controlling your emotions, especially anger. The biggest achievement you can have is to limit your passions to only those actions that are good.

Every real man wants to be a mighty man of valor. Every real woman wants to be a noble woman worthy of such a man. The Bible records many exploits of mighty men and noble women. But this proverb teaches a greater measure of individual glory – the ability to deny anger and to control your spirit. The man who can resist getting angry or losing control of his spirit is more honorable than men with great military accomplishments.

Consider some mighty men of valor. Gideon defeated a huge army of Midianites with only 300 men, and Jephthah destroyed 20 cities of the Ammonites with a small army. Samson killed 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, and Shamgar killed 600 with an ox goad. Joab took the fortress of Jebus, which became Jerusalem. Adino killed 800 at one time with his spear, and Abishai did the same to 300. Caleb begged for a mountain in Canaan where the dreaded giants lived, and he destroyed them and took their cities.

But you can be greater than these men! You do so by being cautious and slow in getting angry and by controlling and ruling your spirit. It takes more courage, discipline, strength, and wisdom to resist passionate emotions like anger than it does to take a city.

Can you control the violent feelings of anger and keep your spirit calm and wise? Will you? This is how a born fool can be wise and glorious (Pr 14:29; Ec 7:9; Jas 1:19-20). If you defer anger and pass over faults and offences of others, you are glorious (Pr 19:11).

But your spirit screams for a strong response! It hates to be restrained. It must exert itself, in full fury, now! Harsh words burn in your tongue and must be spoken. You tell others you cannot help yourself. You may blame God for giving you a spirit too strong to rule.

The world lies that anger is a trait of mighty men, a right of free men, and a tool of strong leaders. They say venting rage brings relief, but this is only to a depraved soul. If a conscience remains, you are soon grieved at the violence that spewed out of your mouth.

Rather than ruling their spirit, most men are ruled by their spirits. Instead of conquering anger, they become captives of their passions. Instead of thinking before speaking, they speak without thinking by their feelings only, which is highly dangerous and foolhardy.

The battle facing you exceeds any military expedition. A city can be taken with a single siege, but you will fight the passion of anger for the rest of your life. Wars are fought by the efforts of many, but you must fight alone. The vigilance, effort, and patience needed to rule anger causes most men to forfeit the battle and become slaves to their own folly.

The world is filled with illustrations of those who could not rule their spirits. You have them in your own family. You likely have several in your own closet. Alexander the Great conquered the known world, but he could not defeat the brutish beast within that ruined him at home and among his friends. Peter the Great is reported to have said, “I can govern my people, but how can I govern myself?” If you can defeat this monster, you will have a victory over a foe that has destroyed conquerors. You will be a mighty man!

Anger marks a loser. Guaranteed! Anger blinds your mind to misread situations, causes you to say and do stupid things, never accomplishes anything good, and drives away your family and friends (Pr 14:17; 15:18; 21:24; 22:24-25; 29:22). If you get angry and do not rule your spirit, you cannot be compared to a military hero; you must be compared to a city with its walls broken down and vulnerable to all kinds of evil (Pr 25:28; Jas 3:14-16).

Not all anger is sin. Do not let misguided Christians tell you otherwise. Jesus condemned unjustified anger (Matt 5:22), and Paul said to be angry and sin not (Eph 4:26). Anger is good, when it is directed against sin for the glory of God. But anger in a traffic jam, or over spilt milk, or about another’s harsh words against you, or because you were slighted, or in retaliation for a wrong, or because things did not turn out as expected, is wrong!

There are more passions than just anger, and you must also rule them. Moodiness is the mark of an immature child, not a mighty man of valor. Such a person needs a beating, not comforting. Murmuring is the complaining of a wicked heart moving a devilish tongue, which ought not to be. Critical or harsh speech is the poison that spews from a selfish heart. Great men have pure hearts that result in gracious speech (Pr 22:11; Col 4:6).

There are other passions that need to be ruled. Fear is very debilitating, but it has no place in your life, for God has not given you such a spirit (II Tim 1:7), and fearing others will trap you into foolish choices or sin (Pr 29:25). Covetousness, the desire of what others have or what you do not have, is compared to idolatry (Eph 5:5). Contentment, a key to true happiness and a measure of great gain, is your choice (I Tim 6:6; Heb 13:5-6).

What can you do to be great in the sight of God and men? Slow down! Do not ever say or do anything by impulse. Hear things out before you speak. Choose to study every matter before giving your opinion. Wait before reacting, when you hear or experience any negative event. Cut your words in half. Always be gracious in your speech, especially with your family. Let the words of this proverb motivate you to be a mighty man of valor.

But you cannot achieve this victory without help, and that help is in the Lord, His word, and His saints. Paul learned that he could do all things through Christ, Who strengthened him (Phil 4:13). The Holy Spirit, allowed to bear fruit by a holy and submissive life, can fill you with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and so forth (Gal 5:22-23). The Bible can convert your soul by showing the folly of anger and the glory of peace. And brothers and sisters in Christ, when they are doing their duty, can encourage and warn you as needed.

Will the real mighty men of valor please stand up! Will the real noble women of the earth please stand up! You will not have to wait long to face your foe. The Lord Himself will arrange circumstances to test the rule of your spirit. Do not be surprised by anything that happens. Purpose now to be slow and cautious in responding and to rule that unruly fury in your belly and tongue. May the grace of Jesus Christ give you complete victory!

Proverbs 15:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 15, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 15:1 A gently answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

God loves peacemakers. He blesses them greatly. You can be a peacemaker. You can end fights. This short proverb is one of the best. You can use it every day for God’s blessing.

The wisdom is simple. If someone is angry, use gentle speech to calm them. Do not use defensive or harsh words, for that will increase anger. You can end conflict and fighting by calming words. Reject the foolish and wicked response of fighting fire with fire.

Can a person fight a pillow? Impossible! The pillow will take any blows given to it without hitting back. This is no fight; all punches are absorbed, and the pillow is not hurt; so anger quickly gives up, and the fight is over. Can you be a pillow to others’ anger?

How can there be a fight, if one person turns the other cheek (Matt 5:38-42)? What rare wisdom taught by Solomon’s greatest son, Jesus Christ! Rather than fight personal enemies, love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them (Matt 5:39-43)!

Here is one of Solomon’s most valuable proverbs. If you remember this rule, you can handle every angry adversary and any confrontation. If everyone practiced this rule, peace would be increased in every place. What a blessed rule, from the Prince of Peace!

A common phrase from schoolyards to explain fighting declares, “It takes two to fight.” How true! If either party were to stop fighting and show kindness, every fight would end. School teachers and principals know this rule and use it to find both offenders in a fight.

You can have a profound influence for peace by ending fights in your part of the world. Starting in your marriage and family and working all the way out to your business, church, and neighborhood, you should be known by God and men as a great peacemaker.

But provocative and offensive words, the ones you naturally think of when angrily confronted or defending yourself in pride, cause fights to continue and escalate. Sometimes they are rightly called “fighting words.” A fight will get worse and do greater damage, unless you quickly bring the anger and contention to an end (Pr 17:14; 26:21).

If a person is angry with you, even if it is your fault, you can end the matter peaceably by responding gently and kindly, rather than with your own anger in defense (Pr 12:16; 15:18; 29:22). Will you crush your pride and end the fight (Pr 13:10; 21:24; 28:25)? The rule works with family members, job situations, the government, or anyone else. Use it.

Measure yourself by this rule of self-discipline and peacemaking. Do you get irritated by others’ provocation? Must you retort to anything said about you? Do you have to get the last word in? Are you prone to self-justification rather than self-deprecation? Do you excuse your tendency to argue by appealing to principle, even though it is clearly pride?

Solomon taught men to fear kings or other civil rulers, for kings in those times had dreadful authority and power (Pr 19:12; 20:2; Eccl 8:2-5). But he also taught that yielding could pacify even their great wrath (Pr 16:14; Eccl 10:4). Soft words are your most powerful weapon against an offended prince, or anyone else (Pr 25:15). Learn the habit!

God loves peacemakers (Matt 5:9), and He taught those who offended others to go and be reconciled to them (Matt 5:23-26). Jesus applied the proverb by teaching you to agree quickly with your adversary to bring peace. His spirit, which every true saint desires to have, is peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, and actively makes peace (Jas 3:17-18).

The sons of Zeruiah, David’s famous nephews known for their military success and great passion, were too hard for him (II Sam 3:39). They could never use soft words, for they did not have soft hearts. Jesus even rebuked the sons of thunder, James and John, for their ungodly spirit toward some ignorant and disrespectful Samaritans (Luke 9:51-56).

To be the peacemaker you should be to please God and be successful with men, you must start on the inside with your spirit toward others (Jas 3:13-18). Gracious and soft words can only come from a pure and gentle heart (Pr 22:11; Luke 6:45). Your gracious speech should only rarely be seasoned with salt like that of Jesus Christ (Col 4:6; II Cor 10:1).

 

Proverbs 1102 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 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 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Pride distorts decision-making ability. An arrogant, conceited, or haughty person will make costly mistakes, but a humble and modest man will clearly see right and wrong, truth and error, wisdom and folly. Your greatness depends on getting rid of all pride.

God inspired King Solomon to be your personal counselor. The wisest king that ever lived wrote down important advice for your success and prosperity. Pride will cause you to make foolish choices that will shame you; humility will lead you to make wise choices.

The worst thing you can have is pride. It will cost you more than any other character fault. Conceit will deceive you into folly, which will quickly and surely shame you. But humility leads to wisdom, which protects men from foolish mistakes and resulting shame.

Do you grasp the importance of this lesson? You will never hear or read a more important warning for your life. Pride will destroy you, but it will destroy you disgracefully and shamefully before all men. Humility will lift you up before both God and good men.

A fool is a horrible thing, as Solomon often taught. But there is a person worse than a fool – a proud fool! He wrote, “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him” (Pr 26:12). There is little hope for a fool – he is a loser; but there is no hope for a proud fool. His arrogance will refuse any instruction or correction.

Pride blinds men. They will not accept wisdom to avoid trouble and shame. They resent being taught or corrected by others. They are overconfident. They arrogantly rush on in their high opinion of their thoughts and ideas. Pride brings folly, which brings shame.

Hate pride and arrogance! Listen to your counselor. He wrote, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” (Pr 8:13). Fearing God, the key to God’s blessing, requires you to hate pride and arrogance!

Pride is a heinous evil. It began with the devil. It caused Satan’s downfall. Lucifer was not content as God’s anointed cherub; he wanted to be like the most High God (Ezek 28:14; Is 14:14). God threw him out of heaven to his everlasting shame (Jn 12:31; Rev 12:9,12). The smoke of his torment will be heaven’s incense (Matt 25:41; Rev 14:11).

Do you hate pride and arrogance? Pride is the devil’s sin. Pride ruined the glorious life of the universe’s highest creature. Pride caused his everlasting shame and torment. Pride is the worst thing you can have in your life. It will cost you more than any other sin.

Due to pride, Pharaoh, the greatest king of that time, destroyed himself, his family, his nation, and his army (Ex 5:2). Men have laughed at his destruction and shame for the last 3500 years (Ex 15:1-21; I Sam 4:8; 6:6; Neh 9:10; Ps 136:9,15; Rom 9:17). Even children rejoice and laugh at the frogs in Pharaoh’s bed and bread for his pride (Ex 8:3)!

Due to pride, the Philistines fought against Israel, in spite of remembering what God had done to Egypt 500 years earlier (I Sam 4:7-9). After capturing the Ark of God, they put it before their idol Dagon, which fell down and worshipped it (I Sam 5:1-5). God then gave the whole nation an epidemic of hemorrhoids, and the only way they could find relief was to return the Ark with five golden hemorrhoids as a peace offering (I Sam 6:1-5)!

Consider their shame! The whole nation scratched their secret parts (I Sam 5:9), and there was no Preparation H. Their only relief was to mold five golden hemorrhoids. God laughed at their shame! He inspired Psalm 78:66 for this event, which rejoices, “And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.” Indeed! They were put to perpetual shame for pride. What a peace offering! Who modeled for them!

Due to pride, Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest and most glorious king of all time, spent seven years crawling around a field on his hands and knees. He ate grass like an ox; his hairs grew out like eagle feathers; and his nails grew out like bird claws (Dan 4:33). And he wrote the whole story down and sent it to his entire empire in their languages (Dan 4:1-3)! What trouble! What shame! And it was all because of pride (Dan 4:30-31)!

Due to pride, Herod Agrippa I, the King of Judea from 37-44 AD, who killed the apostle James and tried to kill the apostle Peter, was struck by the angel of God and eaten of worms, for proudly receiving excessive praise from the citizens of Tyre and Sidon (Acts 12:1-4,20-23). Josephus confirms his death in his history (Antiquities; Book 19; 8:2).

Do not forget the Tower of Babel, Miriam, Korah, Balaam, Uzziah, Haman, Absalom, and Belshazzar. These are other examples of shameful consequences for pride. But now, celebrating the shame of others, which is truly an act of holy worship to God, is over. It is your turn. Where is pride in your life? Look closely. Look carefully. Do you ever feel pride puffing you up? Does it cause you to bristle or burn with envy at success of others?

What is pride? It is a high or conceited opinion of your own qualities, accomplishments, or assets, which leads to feelings and an attitude of superiority over and contempt for others; it is inordinate self-esteem. What is conceit? It is an overweening opinion of yourself, overestimation of your own qualities, and personal vanity or pride.

Pride thinks you are important. Pride enjoys conversations and events about you. Pride believes your thoughts and opinions are right. Pride resents correction and instruction. Pride envies the advantages, abilities, or honors of others. Pride ignores asking others for advice. Pride looks down on others. Read this description again, dear reader.

God is jealous. His name is Jealous (Ex 34:14). He is able, and He will, abase those who walk in pride (Dan 4:37; Job 40:11-12). He sees and knows the very thoughts and intents of your heart (Heb 4:12). You must examine yourself closely, find the seeds of pride in your life, and root them out quickly and completely. He will help you, if you will ask.

In God’s sight, you are nothing, and less than nothing (Ps 39:5; 62:9; 113:6; Is 40:17). You are a worm before Him (Job 25:6). You are a mere creature whose breath is in your nostrils (Is 2:22). Therefore, He hates the proud, and He will crush them like a moth and melt them like wax (Pr 6:16-17; Ps 39:11; 68:2). Wisdom learns to love this truth.

Pride is a temptation for every man, and one of Satan’s favorite devices (I Jn 2:16). He tempted Eve to be like God, and he tempted Jesus Christ with the kingdoms of the world. Your depraved heart is filled with it by nature. You are already a proud fool, if you think you do not have a problem or temptation with it. Only those who know they are proud are learning humility. To think you have beaten pride is to prove your arrogant conceit!

Today pride is exalted and promoted by calling it self-esteem or self-confidence, and then it is taught as the cure for many of man’s problems. Books are sold about looking out for number one, and songs are sung about self-love as the greatest love of all. Social media is considered nearly necessary for life, though it is little more than narcissistic conceit.

You must start at home. You must root pride out of your own soul, and then you must root it out of your family. Parents must make it the highest priority to teach humility and eliminate visible pride from their children. Pastors must root it out of their churches.

Ministers cannot have pride or self-will (I Tim 3:6; Tit 1:7), for it will cause them to run amok in the work of God. They cannot be self-promoters. Teachers and rulers must first be humble enough to examine themselves critically and to learn from others, before they should be put in a position to teach and examine others (I Tim 4:16; II Tim 2:15).

Pride causes folly, which brings shame. It blinds men, because they presume they are always right (Pr 12:15; 14:16; 26:12; 28:26). So they reject and resent counsel and correction that could help them (Pr 21:24; 22:3). They disrespect those in authority. They make hasty decisions, for they cannot possibly be wrong (Pr 14:29; 19:2; 28:22; 29:20).

Pride causes strife, for proud men will fight to defend their ideas or position (Pr 13:10; 21:24; 28:25). They cannot stoop to serve others, unless it serves them best. And they will not admit mistakes to God or men. Such a course will lead a man to foolish decisions and stubborn rebellion and their horrible consequences – destruction and shame!

Lowliness is wisdom. The humble man does not trust his knowledge or motives, trembles before God’s word, appreciates and esteems the advice of others, takes correction cheerfully, quickly confesses mistakes, and alters his life accordingly. He will be blessed.

Humility is the sure road to wisdom, which saves a man from trouble and shame, but only the lowly ever find it. The proud are blinded from true wisdom by their conceit, and the jealous God of heaven will keep them blinded, so He can bless His humble and modest children with wisdom (Matt 11:25-27). Can you see the importance of getting down?

God will never bless a man with a proud spirit (Pr 16:5). He draws near to the man with a humble spirit (Is 57:15; 66:2; I Pet 5:5-6). If you choose pride, God will resist you and humble you painfully (Pr 16:18; 18:12). If you choose humility cheerfully, God will raise you up gloriously (Luke 14:11). It is far better to be a poor humble man than to be a rich proud man, for God will soon make a great reversal of fortune (Pr 16:19). Look for it!

Jesus Christ showed the greatest humility and wisdom, when He came from heaven’s glory to live in poverty and die in obscurity and pain (Phil 2:5-8). He despised the shame of His humility (Heb 12:2). But God has now highly exalted Him far above all principalities and powers, yea, even far above the devil and all his angels (Phil 2:9-11; Eph 1:20-23). There is no more humility in the Blessed and Only Potentate, for He is worthy of all your praise and adoration. Let Him be your glory and worship, not yourself.

Proverbs 09:03 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 9, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 03, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 9:3 She has sent our maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.

The world’s best woman wants you! She has a house with seven pillars (Pr 9:1). She has prepared a feast (Pr 9:2); she wants to have an intimate meal with you (Pr 9:5). Solomon personified wisdom as a desirable woman, Lady Wisdom. Will you accept her invitation?

Wisdom is available for any man or woman who wants it. It is not far away; it is not difficult to obtain. It is not hard to find; it is not just for the intelligent or educated. There are no age or sex limitations. The only prerequisite is simplicity, or ignorance (Pr 9:4)!

If you are perplexed with any aspect of life, Wisdom is calling you. The blessed LORD God offers wisdom and understanding to men. All they must do is act on the invitation to humble themselves before Him and diligently apply the instruction He freely offers them.

Wisdom is found in creation (Ps 19:1-6), for God revealed His eternal power and Godhead by created things you see. It is also found in parents, teachers, counselors, and pastors (Pr 5:13; 24:6; Mal 2:7; Eph 6:4). But it is mostly found in the Bible (Ps 19:7-11).

The psalmist declared, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Ps 119:130). Scripture can make a minister perfect (II Tim 3:16-17). You should give attention to it, as the only light in this dark world (Is 8:20; II Pet 1:19).

God gave you a manual of wisdom in the Bible! He also promised His Spirit of wisdom to those who ask, and He will give both liberally (Luke 11:13; Eph 1:17; Col 1:9; Jas 1:5). With an offer like Solomon’s dream, do you pray for wisdom and understanding?

Her maidens want your attention. She cries out to you. You cannot please God without her. You need her to be successful or happy. You cannot face God after death without her. If you neglect or reject her call, she will punish your folly (Pr 1:20-32; 8:32-36).

Test your heart about Lady Wisdom right now. Do you appreciate your parents reproving you? Friends correcting you? A pastor warning you? Do you crave the assemblies of the saints, where the Word of God is boldly preached? Even when the sermon is long?

Do you read these proverbs carefully, seeking to extract every morsel of wisdom you can, since they are God’s inspired wisdom from the pen of King Solomon? You do not have to look far to see the maidens Lady Wisdom sent to invite you. What will you do right now?

Jesus Christ is Wisdom personified (I Cor 1:30; Col 2:3). God’s wisdom is seen clearly in the life of Jesus Christ. His apostles, eyewitnesses of His resurrection, preached His gospel throughout the world. Have you believed and obeyed that message of wisdom?

Proverbs 1:30 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 1, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 01, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 1:30 since they would not accept my advice and rejected my rebuke,

God and Wisdom will desert you! When you need them most, and you call for their help, they will not answer or be found. Why? Because you rejected their counsel and reproof.

Lady Wisdom, representing God and the wisdom He offers in scripture, is a wonderful and gracious woman offering knowledge and understanding to any that will come to her. Solomon’s personification of wisdom this way is attractive and inviting (Pr 8:1-5; 9:1-5).

But God and Wisdom are not to be trifled with! If you reject her, you violate your own soul, and you must love death (Pr 8:36). This is the most serious matter of your life, and you should pay careful and close attention to this proverb and its warning (Pr 1:24-32).

If you reject wisdom, you will suffer painfully for it. The true God is not far away (Jer 23:23-24; Acts 17:27). He offers wisdom to any man (Pr 1:20-23). But the fools here would have none of wisdom’s counsel – they had no time or interest. These scorners despised wisdom’s reproof – they resented correction. They must love death (Pr 8:36)!

In this proverb, Lady Wisdom explained why she turned some over to fear and would not hear their cries for help (Pr 1:24-31). They had rejected her kind offers to be wise, so she punished them by forsaking them in time of trouble. This is most fair, and rather than irritating or discouraging you, it should motivate you. Let others reject her, but not you!

What is wisdom? It is the power of right judgment – the ability to perceive correctly, see hidden errors or lies, prioritize competing factors, say the right thing, or do the right thing. It is closely related to discretion, knowledge, prudence, and understanding. With wisdom, men can avoid pain and trouble in their lives and find peace and prosperity instead. Without wisdom, men will fall victim to their own ignorance and stubbornness.

How does Lady Wisdom counsel or reprove? Creation proves a Creator God with eternal power (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 1:18-21). She also gives parents, husbands, employers, civil rulers, and preachers, like Solomon here, to teach small or large amounts of wisdom (Pr 1:1-6; Eccl 12:8-10). But her greatest presentation of wisdom is in the Bible – the inspired book of wisdom from God (Deut 4:6; Ps 1:1-3; 19:7-11; II Tim 3:16-17).

How can you reject or despise Lady Wisdom’s counsel or reproof? You can live your life ignoring your obvious Creator (Ps 10:4; 14:1; 36:1-2). Evolutionists will be destroyed for their absurd and profane efforts to get rid of a Creator God. You can also reject your parents’ instruction, which destroys your guaranteed success (Eph 6:1-3). Any parent has infinite more knowledge than any young child. God ordained parents for this reason.

How can you reject or despise Lady Wisdom’s counsel or reproof? You can neglect, mock, or disobey the Bible. The pages of Scripture contain the most wonderful history, poetry, laws, and revelation of things unknown to natural man. They are packed full of wisdom from heaven. When was the last time you read it? Meditated on a reading? Memorized some verses? Heard it preached plainly and authoritatively? Be warned!

The world arrogantly and recklessly rejects the counsel and reproof of God’s wisdom. They presume they can get away with it. Here is what God is doing: “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver” (Ps 50:21-22).

Where do you stand? God’s counsel and reproof are in the Bible. David, one of the greatest men in history, wrote this about God’s laws: “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Ps 119:128). Is this your attitude? This is the spirit of those persons that God and wisdom will protect and prosper.

Where do you stand? On capital punishment? Same-sex marriages? Abortion? Corporal punishment of children? Reverencing husbands? Moodiness? Baptism by immersion? Honoring civil rulers, even in your heart? Serving a church? Forgiving personal enemies? Honoring parents? Backbiting others? Giving liberally? Drunkenness? Gluttony?

Where do you stand? On labor unions? Anger? Defrauding a spouse? Music? Praying for rulers? Hospitality? Submitting to an unfair boss? Believers’ baptism? Loving pleasure or loving God? Divorce? Purloining? Sound doctrine or entertainment at church? Horoscopes? Daily prayer? Holy living? Television? Friends? Fornication? Saving money? Pornography? Filled with the Spirit? Loving scripture above gold or honey?

Where do you stand? If you reject the counsel and reproof of God and Wisdom for any of the example topics just listed, then pain and trouble are coming. The short proverb before you is what most men do – they reject God’s instruction and rebel against His correction. If you do not have time or interest for the Bible, read your future in Proverbs 1:20-33.

Where do you stand on the Lord Jesus Christ? He is the Son of God sent into this world nearly 2000 years ago to establish the kingdom of God among men. The Jews rejected Him and crucified Him, so He destroyed their capital city in the most terrible judgment ever seen on this planet (Matt 24:21). He is coming soon to do worse to the whole earth. Where do you stand regarding God’s Son? Kiss Him today in faith and love (Ps 2:10-12).

Spiritual Training 20 March 2013

Posted: March 20, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 21, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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More than Conquerors

Romans 8 37-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

Powers are unseen forces of evil in the universe, forces like Satan and his fallen angels.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

These who are not “flesh and blood” are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies-they are very real, we face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us.

Lets Bring it Home: If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus words to Peter. “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18)
In Christ we are super-conquerors, and his love will protect us form any such forces.

Proverbs 19:23 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 19, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rest content, untouched by trouble.

The good life is possible! Even probable! Even certain! All you need is to understand this precious proverb and put its simple requirement into practice. The good life can be yours!

Read this marvelous sentence and comprehend it. You can have a great life, with lasting satisfaction in your heart, and avoid the pain and trouble that afflict others. What could be better? How could God and Solomon offer you more? Is this the best proverb? Maybe.

First, the fear of the LORD leads to life. The word “lead” means much more than an inclination or possibility of occurrence. Here it means to have a specific result, if allowed to act; to lead or conduce to some state or condition. It means more than possibility, or even probability – it means definite certainty (Pr 10:16; 11:19,24; 14:23; 19:23; 21:5).

What kind of life is offered? A great life! Great in every way of happiness, prosperity, and success. David and Peter called it loving life and seeing good days (Ps 34:9-16; 112:1-3; I Pet 3:10-12). Solomon called it a rich, long, and honorable life avoiding dysfunction and death (Pr 10:27; 14:27; 22:4). Jesus called it the abundant life (Jn 10:10).

Second, the fear of the LORD brings lasting satisfaction. The world is unhappy. Consider their divorces, drugs, drunkenness, and extreme everything. They crave fulfillment and peace, but they cannot find it. God will not let them have it (Is 48:22; 57:21). God reserves peace for those that fear Him (Ps 25:12-14; 128:1-6; 149:19; Pr 14:26; 15:16).

Third, the fear of the LORD saves from evil. Pain and trouble are everywhere, because worldly men have no Protector like God is committed to those that fear Him (I Tim 4:10; Ps 145:19; II Chron 16:9). Read Psalm 91 and see how God protects those that fear Him from every danger. No wonder the righteous are as bold as a lion (Pr 28:1; 14:26).

What must you do to have these three great benefits, guaranteed by God and King Solomon? Fear the LORD. Do you fully understand this short expression used often in the Bible (Pr 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; 23:17; Deut 10:12; II Sam 23:3; Job 1:8; Ps 36:1; Eccl 7:18; 12:13-14; Luke 12:4-5; Acts 10:22; II Cor 7:1; Eph 5:21; Heb 12:28-29)?

First, to fear the LORD, you must know Him. Who is the LORD? These letters, all capitalized, represent the tetragrammaton of the Hebrews – four consonants for the true and living God’s name – I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14). When pointed up with vowels to pronounce, it is the name JEHOVAH (Ex 6:3). Do you know Jehovah God of the Bible?

No other god will do. Allah, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha, the Great Spirit, the Great Architect of the Universe, and other gods are lies! They are the manmade names for imagined deities of nations and men that reject Jehovah of the Bible. They have no more reality or value than Zeus, Jupiter, Aphrodite, and Venus of the Greeks and Romans.

No false concept of Jehovah will do. The followers of Charles Taze Russell, the so-called Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not know Him. The Russellites, as they should be called, stole God’s name from the Bible to justify their cult of false prophecies, adoration of pyramids, and the blasphemous demotion of Jesus Christ to merely “a god” (John 1:1).

Do you know God Jehovah of the Bible? The God that created all things from nothing in six 24-hour days by His voice just 6000 years ago (Gen 1:1; Heb 11:3)? The God that made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil (Pr 16:4)? The God that will soon send Jesus Christ as God to judge the earth (Heb 1:8-12; Acts 17:29-31)?

Second, to fear the LORD Jehovah, you must fear Him. To rightly fear God is to greatly love Him, reverently worship Him, and faithfully serve Him (Deut 10:12; Eccl 12:13-14; Heb 12:28-29). It is not the terror that Adam and Eve had in Eden when they hid from Him, and it is not the terror of the devils that met Jesus Christ when He was on earth.

The fear of the LORD is belief in the Creator God of the Bible with an awestruck consciousness of His glory and greatness and a loving desire to obey all He requires to please and worship Him and avoid disappointing Him in any way. It is like the humble adoration and affection that good children give a loving yet authoritative father.

Do you fear the LORD? Unless God has regenerated you, it is impossible, for the men of this world do not fear Him (Ps 36:1; Rom 3:18; 1:18-32). You must be born again by the Spirit of God to fear Him (John 1:13; 3:3; 8:47; Gal 4:6). If you have a sincere desire to love and serve this God, then you have been saved like Cornelius (Acts 10:2,22,35).

Do you fear the LORD? Thank Him for your existence to know Him (this is why you exist)! Thank Him for His word, including Proverbs, to know how to please Him! Thank Him for His Son Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death to save His elect people! Confess your sins, beg His forgiveness in Christ Jesus, and commit to always love and serve Him.

The three wonderful benefits and blessings of this proverb are yours! Humbly claim them before this glorious God, giving Him all the praise and worship due to His great name. Trust Him and His word in all matters of life and eternity (Ps 119:128), and He will be with you for a great life, for lasting satisfaction in your soul, and to deliver you from evil.

You might ask, but what about the martyrs? Surely they feared God, but look what happened to them. Their testimonies before dying and the witness of those who watched them die prove contented joy that cannot be fully described. They have eternal life, were and are fully satisfied, and the lions’ teeth or flames only sent them to Paradise early!

You might ask, but what about Job? The Bible states that he feared God, yet look how he suffered (Job 1:1). Did he have a good life, with great satisfaction, and protection from evil before his trial? Indeed (Job 1:2-3,10)! Did he get everything doubled to him in the end? Indeed (Job 42:10-17)! And he got to meet God up close and personal in between!

The greatest life is to walk with God on earth and to have eternal life with Him in heaven.

The greatest satisfaction is to know God personally, including all eternity (Ps 73:23-28).

The greatest protection is passing through death into heaven and being judged righteous.

Those that fear the LORD get all three, bought and guaranteed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 18:06 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 18.06 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

Foolish talkers should be beat. You have heard them. They are obnoxious. Arguments and debates follow them wherever they go. Are you ever one? Do your words grate, irritate, frustrate, or provoke others? Wisdom and success depend on ruling your speech.

Consider the next proverb, which is related. “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Pr 18:7). A man that cannot rule his speech will destroy himself. His mouth will get his soul into trouble in all sorts of ways. He needs to be beat.

Do not think Solomon’s conclusion is too harsh. The beating is for their own good! The beating would increase peace and quiet by silencing those that make a loud nuisance with their mouths. If they had potential for success, the beating would help them find it. If it were done, it would not be done much, for fools would control their speech to avoid it.

A problem today is a gross misunderstanding of so-called free speech. No one has the right to say anything they wish. All men have the responsibility to only say those things that please God and profit men. But now with the flick of a finger, emails or texts or tweets send arrogant words, haughty speech, and disrespectful retorts all over the place.

A fool prefers talking to listening, especially if corrected. He would rather argue and contradict than humble himself to instruction. Lacking respect for authority and others, he speaks when he ought to be silent. His froward speech leads to confrontations, and his inappropriate remarks beg for someone to give him stripes on his back with a rod.

Here is another common theme in Solomon’s Proverbs – ruling your speech. The tongue is a powerful thing; it can be used for good or evil, life or death (Pr 18:21). A wise man studies to answer (Pr 15:28); he is slow to speak and says no more than necessary (Pr 17:27-28). But a fool pours out foolishness, letting everyone know he is a fool (Ecc 10:3).

Fools cannot control their mouths (Eccl 10:12-14). They talk too much. They talk without thinking. They retort quickly. They talk when they should not. They fight fire with fire. They answer issues before they even hear them (Pr 18:13). They are disrespectful and irritating. They question things not to be questioned; they argue about words to no profit.

Fools have no discretion. They do not know that different situations call for different words and tones. They just plow ahead verbally, like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Their quarrelsome approach to conversation is offensive and confrontational, resulting in hurt feelings, contention, and strife. They cause fights, and they deserve to be beaten!

Solomon taught soft answers turn away wrath and end fights (Pr 15:1). Gideon knew such wisdom, as he flattered Ephraim to take away their anger at not being invited to the early stages of the battle (Judges 8:1-3). Wise men know such discretion, but fools can never learn it. There is only one way to teach a fool – stripes from a rod (Pr 26:3).

Parent, do you consistently and diligently teach your children the rules of gracious speech? It is a very valuable thing you can teach them. Success in every part of life, from marriage to their professional success or a role in a church, requires sober and thoughtful speech. You are with them every day; you can fulfill this proverb literally. Do not allow them to bicker or argue with siblings, dominate conversations, jest, or talk back to you.

Christians always speak with grace (Col 4:6; Eph 4:29). If salty criticism is needed, only a small amount is to be used. Open debate and wrangling are wrong (I Tim 6:3-5; Titus 3:9). Saints reject blustery exchanges about anything! Once a fool is corrected, no more words should be used (Pr 26:4-5; 23:9). Let him fall into his ditch (Matt 7:6; 15:12-14).

But fools will be meddling. They want to question everything. They want to argue any and every point. They want to object. They want to get their two cents in. They want to remember past offences. They want to correct details. They want to whisper about others.

They are saucy and insolent. They are critical and negative. They are crude and rude. They are hasty and loud. They are impulsive and obnoxious. They are graceless and shameful. They are fools – they cause contention and fights – they deserve to be beaten.

Are you one of them? Are you ever guilty of disturbing the peace of those around you and getting into unnecessary conflicts – unnecessary in the minds of others, for every fool is always right in his own eyes. Will you humble yourself and change your speech habits?

How important is this little proverb? After this life you will stand before the Creator God and give account for every idle word you spoke while on earth – your speech will help determine your destiny (Matt 12:34-37). You will then wish you had been beaten for foolish talking. Instead, God in kind mercy sent you this proverb by the pen of Solomon.

God is more severe than Solomon! He hates the perversity of filthy speech, foolish talking, or jesting; He calls for giving of thanks instead (Eph 5:4). He is sending Jesus soon to judge men for these sins. “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (Eph 5:6).

Proverbs 16:19 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 16, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Maximize your life! Improve it today! If Solomon compares two things and says one is better, grab it! Choose humility with the poor than to be arrogantly rich with the proud.

See the previous proverb to be warned about the importance of this decision for your life. It says, “Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Pr 16:18).

God will judge the proud, because their arrogance is obnoxious to Him. But He will bless and favor the humble by His mighty power (Pr 18:12; 22:4; Is 57:15; 66:1-2; Jas 4:6).

You must do two things to choose this better life for God’s blessings. You must choose a humble spirit for yourself, and you must choose humble friends, even if they are poor.

Here is precious wisdom! Can you grasp it? Will you obey it? The only true God and the wisest king declared a priority for your life to give you contentment and peace! If you want joy and satisfaction, then choose the humble poor for friends over the haughty rich.

After observing and experiencing every advantage his great power and wealth could provide, one of the greatest kings wrote that it is better to humbly enjoy the friendship of poor and modest friends than to be rich and move in the circles of the arrogant proud.

It is better to be poor and humble than rich and proud. The world cannot believe the concept. Will you believe it? They say success and wealth justify arrogance, and associating with movers and shakers is as good as it gets. They are very wrong, and their error will come back to haunt them. Pride is evil enough to destroy any benefit of wealth.

You cannot explain this idea to a worldling. They are busy worshipping their own bellies (Phil 3:18-19)! They cannot grasp why Moses left all the pleasures and treasures of Egypt to suffer with the poor people of God (Heb 11:24-26). But with Jehovah as his friend, he enjoyed greater riches with Israel than any Pharaoh could imagine (Ex 6:1-3; Ps 133:1-3).

What makes great friends? The like precious faith other believers have with you (II Pet 1:1), rather than precious riches the successful have in bank accounts. Rich persons with worldly arrogance never make good friends for godly people (Pr 18:11,23; 28:6,11). The poor make better church members as well, as James clearly described (James 2:1-10).

Where can you find such friends? In a true church of Jesus Christ that loves God and each other like the Bible describes. Forget any church that looks like a personality cult or nightclub act. Reject ritual and formality. Look where walking with God and delighting in Him is emphasized. There are few such churches, but beg God to help you find one.

Why is this priority true? Because pride brings contention and strife, and proud and rich friends will soon conspire to hurt you and take your assets (Pr 13:10; 18:23; 23:1-3,6-8).

Why is this priority true? Because the Lord loves and blesses the humble, but He hates and opposes the proud (Pr 6:16-19; I Pet 5:5-6). What man wants the Lord as his enemy!

Why is this priority true? Because contentment is the key to happiness and success (Eccl 5:10; I Tim 6:6; Heb 13:5-6). The proud and the rich always want more than they have.

Why is this priority true? Because you never lose giving up things for Jesus Christ (Mark 8:34-37; 10:28-30). In fact, the only way to success with your life is to lose it for Him.

Why is this priority true? Because you cannot take riches with you, but the lowly that trust in God have untold riches waiting for them (Matt 6:19-21; II Cor 4:17-18; I Ti 6:7).

Reader! Do you believe the words of Jesus Christ, Who said to seek His kingdom first in your life (Matt 6:33)? Have you found a band of lowly saints with whom you can share the riches of the gospel and the hope of an eternal inheritance? It should be a top priority!

Proverbs 13:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 13, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 13, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grow wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm

You are the company you keep. This well-known saying is a short and weak version of Solomon’s true warning. Here is one of the most valuable proverbs for your advancement.

Though you may be wise, foolish friends will eventually destroy you. Though you may be foolish, wise friends will show and teach you success. This is an easy way to prosper.

What a simple rule for wisdom and life! Get rid of foolish friends, and choose the wise for friends. You will grow in wisdom and avoid much trouble in life. Good athletes use superior competition to bring out their best, even if it means frequent training losses.

Giving up your friends is hard. You may believe the lie you can resist foolish friends. Or you may find your best friends are fools. Or your foolish friends may be popular, costing you status with peers. Or you may naively think you can help foolish friends.

The Bible declares, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (I Cor: 15:33). The warning about deception is to save you, since many think friends are not dangerous. But if you allow an evil input in your life, you will lose your good manners.

How did Lot, Abraham’s nephew, end up in a cave with nothing but his two daughters pregnant by his incest? How? He moved toward Sodom and made friends in that wicked city (Gen 13:12). What a disaster for him, his wife, and five daughters. Be not deceived!

The best parents monitor every friend, for foolish friends are a great threat to children and youth. Many decent parents make schooling decisions to protect their children, but fail to monitor individual friends from school, work, church, family, sports, and neighbors.

This is one of the most important things you can do for the success of your children. Read the proverb again. The results are certain, but children and youth are not wise enough to choose their own friends, so you must reduce their choices to those meeting the criteria.

Fools cannot be real friends to a child of God. It is impossible, for they are incompatible by nature. They have nothing of value to offer. What is a fool? They do not fear God (Pr 1:7; Rom 16:17-18). Ignore your feelings or past history, and cut off your foolish friends.

David rejected fools (Ps 1:1; 101:1-8; 119:115); he chose friends of those fearing God (Ps 119:63,79). Did he have good friends? He had Jonathan (I Sam 18:1-4; 20:16-17; 23:16; II Sam 1:26)! He had King Hiram (I Kgs 5:1)! He had Ittai the Gittite (II Sam 15:21)!

How can you get rid of foolish friends? Be unavailable. Or hang around wise people, and foolish friends will flake off, because they do not like wise people. Or say you cannot do former activities due to conscience or Bible. Or tell them plainly your friendship is over.

How can you find wise friends? Look in faithful churches of Jesus Christ around the world, though these churches are few in number with few members. It is in these churches that God’s faithful children gather around the God and truth taught there.

Godly men are lovers of good men, so you must learn to discriminate wisely (Tit 1:8; Ps 16:3). Men can easily be ranked on a scale of virtue and wisdom, so wise men move toward those on the top of the scale, even selecting friends from a church’s membership.

How far should you flee fools? Very far! Do not go in their direction (Ps 1:1; Pr 1:10,15; 4:15; 9:6), and have no fellowship with them (Pr 14:7; Am 3:3; Eph 5:11-12)! Your soul and future are at stake. Find the way of good men, and go in that direction (Pr 2:20-21).

Marriage is picking a companion for life! Use this proverb for a spouse. Carefully prove a personal and independent fear of God, the prerequisite of wisdom. If you do, wisdom will guide and bless your marriage and family. If you do not, both will be severely damaged.

The friends you need above all others are God Himself and Jesus Christ. Abraham was God’s friend for carefully obeying Him and passionately worshipping Him (Jas 2:23). Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha for similar reasons (Jn 11:1-5). What about you?

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