Archive for the ‘Proverbs’ Category

Proverbs 26:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 26, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 26, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 26:21 As Charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Peace is precious. Fighting is terrible. Gossip destroys reputations and friendships. Life can be enjoyable – peaceful and quiet. But some persons never let you rest and enjoy it; they must be stirring the pot and spreading rumors or secrets to cause pain and fighting.

Trouble follows some people. They have conflicts, debates, fights, grudges, and strife with others, whom they blame. But this proverb says it is their fault. Quarrels and disagreements would either not occur or would end quickly, but these contentious troublemakers stir up fights and keep fighting with most anyone (Pr 15:18; 29:22; 30:33).

The man or woman that often has difficulties with others wants to blame them. But it is impossible for strife to consistently follow good people, while the rest of the world lives in relative peace with one another. They must be at fault, because no one can get along with them for long. Once you identify such persons, they are usually the ones at fault.

Some are divorced or have bad marriages, because they cannot relate to a spouse. Their children dislike them – they are harsh parents. They have a poor work history – they fight on the job. They bounce from church to church – they wear out their welcome. They have few devoted friends, because they fight too much. No one wants to be around them.

At the same time, there are others who get along with most everyone, most of the time! They are good spouses, parents, employees, church members, and friends. What makes the difference? It is the chasm between a gracious peacemaker and contentious scorner. The one is approved by God and men; the other is resented by both God and men.

There are two similes in the proverb, as shown by the use of “as.” Coals added to burning coals cause a fire to increase. Wood added to a fire makes it hotter and larger. In the same way, men with proud and fighting spirits cause strife and increase fighting wherever they go (Pr 13:10). They start arguments, conflicts, debates, and quarrels with most everyone.

Examine yourself. Are you esteemed and loved as a gracious peacemaker? Or are you generally avoided as a critical person that causes problems most places you go? Are you expert at praising others, cooperating, forgiving offences, overlooking faults, and being submissive? Or is your reputation one of dogmatic arguing, a resentful attitude, vengeful conflicts, and generally lacking in mercy? Examine yourself. Others already know!

God has called His children to be peacemakers. You are to use all your spiritual power to live peaceably with all men (Matt 5:9; Rom 12:18; Eph 4:3; I Thess 5:13; Jas 3:17-18). The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, and peace (Gal 5:22). Godly and wise men will hate a contentious spirit in themselves or anyone else. They will recognize this terrible evil for what it is and avoid such men with all their might. They will promote peace at all times.

Thankfully, the Prince of Peace is coming soon, and He will rid the universe of those that like to argue, backbite, criticize, debate, fight, tattle, whisper, or slander (Ps 10:12-18; 12:1-4; 17:8-15; Is 29:20-21; Gal 5:19-21). Are you prepared to meet Him? Live today in light of judgment day by being a peacemaker and ending all conflicts you can. God and good men will bless you for it, and you will also immediately see other benefits yourself.

Proverbs 25:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 26, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 25, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 25:02 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

God has infinite wisdom of all things. He gloriously acts without revealing His purpose, seeking counsel, or exposing matters to public scrutiny. Kings are much different. Since they understand very little in comparison, they should act only after diligent examination and deliberate consideration. It would be folly for them to act in an arbitrary way, pretending to be wise as God. And all human rulers should follow their prudent example.

The world moves according to God’s secret will, of which we know little (Deut 29:29). He does not seek counsel or reveal these matters (Job 26:14; Rom 11:33), and there are many such things with Him (Job 23:14; Ps 139:17-18). Only by revelation of Scripture and passage of time do we learn this will. But we have been given His revealed will, the Word of God, by which we are to govern our lives and verify all decisions (Deut 29:29).

The LORD deals privately with men, in their souls, and only rarely exposes them to the judgment of others. He often afflicts men in their beds and chastens them in their thoughts (Job 33:14-33). He told Abimelech during the night not to touch Sarah (Gen 20:3), and He told Laban to be gentle with Jacob (Gen 31:24). David knew to use these private times with the Lord (Ps 4:4; 42:8; 63:6; 77:6; 119:147-148; 139:17-18).

He forgives us daily, of sins large and small, without exposing them to any. For this we should be very thankful, and we should also see His great glory in such gracious concealment. And when we have opportunity to overlook and conceal personal offences against ourselves, it is also our glory (17:9; 19:11). But it is our duty, with the authority He may have given us in a particular role, to search out matters and deal with them according to the wisdom of Scripture.

A noble king must gather all the facts, call wise counselors, examine witnesses, review precedents, consider consequences, and deliberate before drawing a conclusion and making a judgment. Solomon did very wisely in dealing with the two harlots (I Kings 3:9-28). Ahasuerus did so regarding Vashti’s rebellion (Esther 1:12-21), but he failed in hastily approving Haman’s personal vendetta against the Jews (Esther 3:8-15).

God told Moses how authority should deal with hearsay (Deut 13:12-18). They should inquire about it, make search, and ask diligently. If their investigation showed the matter to be true and certain, then they were to execute the appropriate judgment. The same procedure was to be followed in matters of conflicting testimony (Deut 19:15-21). Job, the perfect and righteous man that he was, followed this godly procedure (Job 29:16).

Every authority should copy the noble king. Parents should search out matters regarding their children. Children do not have rights; they have responsibilities and privileges. If there is reason to be suspicious, or even if there is not, wise parents will make diligent inquisition and search to confirm or convict. A sin nipped in the bud, before it is a full grown poisonous plant, is much easier to correct for both parent and child.

The father who does not search out things, but hides his head in the sand, is no father worthy of the name. And He will be brought to painful shame (29:15,17). The father who believes all that he hears without careful investigation exalts simplicity (14:15). David foolishly let Adonijah go so far in rebellion without questioning him that it cost him his life (I Kgs 1:6; 2:10-25). Let every father reading this proverb be a noble inquisitor.

The purpose and wisdom of human rulers is to examine all matters carefully, in order to properly rule and protect their subjects. God never intended careless and/or overbearing rule when He ordained the five spheres of human authority. Rule was not given just for the pleasure of the one reigning, but also for the protection and perfection of those under the reign. Righteous Job even considered the contentions of his servants (Job 31:13-15).

It is this honorable aspect of Christian authority that every magistrate, master, father, husband, and pastor should also include in the discharge of their office. While the degree of service to those under authority varies from position to position, it is an important part of using your God-given authority in a holy way. For example, masters rule in employment situations for the profit of the company and themselves; but they are also bound to use that rule equitably and fairly (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1).

Our Lord Jesus operates at a level we cannot explain or even define. He divides between the joints and the marrow, and between the soul and the spirit (Heb 4:12-14). All things are naked and opened to Him, but He Himself dwells in a light that no man can approach unto (I Tim 6:16). He searches our reins and hearts (Rev 2:23). Rather than have Him discover our secret sins while trying to hide them, let us open our hearts before Him and beg Him to make merciful examination (Job 34:31-32; Ps 26:2; 139:23-24).

Proverbs 14:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 14, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 14, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 

Great women are not born – they are made. A great woman chooses to be great. She has the right priorities for her life; she is wise and disciplined; her family and estate prosper.

On the other hand, many women are foolish and rebellious; they are distracted and lazy, their families and estates fall into ruin during their lives and afterwards. What a waste!

Here is encouragement and a warning to women. You have a tremendous opportunity to build a family and estate that will be to the glory of God and profit of others well into the future. It is your choice to be wise and to build. Forsake the foolish and prosper (Pr 9:6)!

Learn the proverb. You have never seen a woman literally tearing shingles and siding from her house by hand. Solomon used a metaphor, where one thing represents something else, to contrast a woman either improving or destroying her family and estate.

The word “house” in Proverbs and the rest of Scripture is often much more than the building you live in. It is broader than that. It describes a family and/or estate. Consider:  House.  The persons living in one dwelling; the inmates of a house collectively; a household, family. A family including ancestors and descendants; a lineage, a race: esp. one having continuity of residence, of exalted rank, or high renown. [OED].

Consider use of “house” elsewhere (Ge 7:1; Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; I Sam 2:30,35; II Sam 7:11) and in Proverbs (Pr 11:29; 12:7; 14:11; 15:25,27; 24:3-4). Of course, taking care of the residence is also her job, but it is not the emphasis (Eccl 10:18). The house you must build is your marriage, family, husband’s estate, and family tree (Pr 24:3-4; Tit 2:3-5).

A wise woman can greatly improve a marriage, family, home, and estate, even into future generations. A foolish woman can ruin all of this and destroy her legacy. The opportunity is very great for every woman that will appreciate this encouragement and warning from God and Solomon. For any woman that wants to be great, read on and learn.

There are few better modern examples than Sarah Pierrepont, the wife of Jonathan Edwards. She was a great wife to an exceptional man and public figure, raised eleven children in the fear and love of the Lord, provided a model home in holiness and warmth, and established a legacy through her descendants unmatched in American history.

A woman is either a crown to her husband or rottenness in his bones (Pr 12:4).This difference cannot be hid from the eyes of others, for his shame comes from them witnessing his curse (Pr 27:15-16). A husband’s flattery is of little value when others can easily witness your neglect of him, the children, the house, or the estate (Pr 24:30-34).

The virtuous woman had great influence over her family and husband’s estate. She directed the care of the children and household and engaged in commercial real estate development and manufacturing and sales. Her husband’s importance in the city was greatly due to her superb management of these matters. Read it carefully (Pr 31:10-31).

Houses were built up by Hannah, Lois, Eunice, and Bathsheba; all of whom invested in their children and grandchildren to the glory of God. Houses were torn down by Michal, Jezebel, and other odious and lazy women. The only widows to be financially supported by the church are those who build up houses well (I Tim 5:3-10). Others will be rejected.

How can you identify a wise woman? Look first at her husband. He will be successful in his vocation, for she will have relieved him of most or all the household duties (Pr 31:13-27). He will be confident, happy, and content, for she will have been a great lover and companion (Pr 5:19; 19:13; 31:11-12). He will apply himself well to the larger matters of family and estate, for his wise wife will have taken care of the lesser ones herself.

A wise woman knows sexually defrauding her husband creates bitterness, reduces his creativity and productivity, and makes other women he meets much more attractive. She knows frequent suggesting or disagreeing steals his peace, undermines his confidence, and makes him edgy and critical. She knows that her better ideas are better when kept to herself. She knows that doting like a dating teenager can build her man into a leader. She knows that praising him to the children leads to a strong, unified, and happy home.

How can you identify a wise woman? Look at her children. They reflect their mother very much, which is why the Bible says that a neglected child will shame his mother (Pr 29:15). Mothers spend much more time with their children than fathers, and from early ages they are greatly influenced by their mothers. Children of the wise woman will be exceptional in character, conduct, and reputation. Samuel, Solomon, and Timothy say much about their wise and noble mothers (I Sam 1:27-28; Pr 4:3; Phil 2:20; II Tim 3:15).

For children to be successful in relating to others, they must be taught. To be diligent and successful workers, they must be taught. To be truly spiritually minded, they must be taught. To be organized, neat, and orderly, they must be taught. To be gracious, noble, virtuous, and zealous, they must be taught. A wise woman knows that her example is at least as important to this training as the frequent and careful verbal instruction she gives.

How can you identify a wise woman? Look at her house. It will be clean, orderly, organized, comfortable, and bright. It will reflect on the outside and inside the care of ownership (Pr 24:3-4,30-34; 31:13-27; Eccl 10:18). No part will show long-term neglect. Hospitality shared in it will be generous, warm, comfortable, and gracious (Pr 31:14). It will be decorated creatively with the best that a motivated woman can find (Pr 31:22).

How can you identify a wise woman? Look at her balance sheet and income statement. She will understand financial discipline, never spending outside strict limits. She will be frugal but also foresightful to make investments for the family’s benefit. She will have transferable skills or acquired knowledge in areas that can produce profits when she has the opportunity or time. She prefers family profits over personal pleasure in her hobbies.

How can you identify a wise woman? Look at her appearance. She will be of a proper weight, in good physical condition, and as shapely as God intended her. She will dress to honor her husband; he will not have to endure bathrobes, sweat suits, or headbands (Pr 31:22). Her carriage and demeanor will be closer to a queen than to a waitress. Her face and hair will not only shine with cleanliness but with contentment, joy, and excitement.

How can you identify a wise woman? Look at her soul. Her sins are confessed; she keeps her heart with all diligence; she avoids approaching the lines in life between holiness and sin. She is contented and happy with the Lord, no matter what circumstances she faces. The LORD is her everlasting portion, and she enthusiastically does anything she can for the kingdom of God. She is humbly contrite for her sins and sinfulness, but fully confident in God’s forgiveness to press ahead with bold joy in fulfilling her calling.

Wise women are not satisfied with cooking, laundry, and dusting. A trained twelve-year-old girl can do all those things. Neither is she satisfied helping with homework. These are childish things women of the world do with little lasting effect on their family trees and estates. There is another level that great women consider and focus on for their families. Sitting at soccer practice two hours a day, five days a week may make you feel warm and fuzzy (and very lazy), but are there not ten or twelve better things you could be doing?

A wise woman is a holy example of great godliness and loving femininity at all times. Her children can easily observe her submission, service, and affection to her husband. They see a consistent standard of purity, temperance, diligence, and graciousness every day. The law of kindness is in her tongue, and she rules her spirit without fail. She is the sunshine of the home and a constant example of faithfulness in spirit and conduct.

A wise woman teaches and enforces the virtues of Christian character. She instills in her children an ambition for holiness, love of truth, service to others, and gracious conduct. She crushes sibling rivalry, foolish talking and jesting, sarcasm, backbiting, disrespect of authority, moodiness, and worldly friends. She requires virtuous deportment at all times. She presses them to grow in favor with God and man and keep a good reputation.

A wise woman works harder than her husband and uses her body and mind to be very productive. She does not waste time away from home at low-paying jobs or for self-fulfillment. She manages the household, repairs the house, makes the money go as far as possible, and earns as much money as possible. She is not merely busy: she is diligent! She does not try to save a penny while wasting a pound. She rises early and stays up late.

She is a keeper at home, rather than a busybody, gossip, conversationalist, babysitter, window shopper, social butterfly, or wasteful errand runner (Tit 2:5; I Tim 5:13-14). She guides the house so that it is an orderly, peaceful, and quiet home – a delightful refuge.  She constantly assesses demands on her time and allocates her day and energy to those tasks that will provide the biggest return to her husband and children in years to come.

This proverb is true as gravity. If a woman compromises her duties, her family and estate will amount to little (Pr 11:29). But if she applies herself wisely and diligently, there will be a lasting influence for generations (Pr 24:3-4; Ruth 4:11-12). The opportunity here is so great, and the rewards so pleasant, what woman would not leap at the offer of this proverb? Though tired today, make the investment, for future joy is coming (Pr 31:25).

Dear woman, when did you last pray with each child? When did you last tell each child verbally and tenderly you loved them? Surprise each child with a favorite snack and soberly express your spiritual ambition for their souls? Pray fervently for each of them? When did they last catch you in serious devotions? When did you last describe the qualities of the spouse you pray for each of them? Praise your husband to them in private? Tell them of your great love for God? Confess any shortcomings they can see?

What are the curses of the foolish woman? Laziness due to society influences and religious training; wasted time due to misguided priorities; distraction due to an unfocused mind; recreation in an entertainment oriented generation; not going beyond mere maid duties; trusting academic education to make successful children; lost time due to lack of urgency; being a bad example of an affectionate lover; lack of strict discipline; discouraging her house by being overbearing, critical, or negative; being prudishly out of touch with reality; and selfishness in forcing her own interests on the family.

A godly woman will have a great reputation, for true character and performance results in growing in favor with God and men (Pr 11:16; 31:28-30; I Sam 25:3; I Pet 3:5-6). If you are not highly esteemed by others, you cannot excuse yourself with arrogant thoughts of self-righteousness, for you are failing in various areas of your life, and your family will suffer for it. Believe the judgment of others; humble yourself; repent; reform; start over!

Rather than only address only one role, a famous expression should be changed to read, “Behind every great man there are two great women.” For it is by a great mother and a great wife that men are great. Wise women see both of these opportunities for building their houses and apply themselves with holy zeal to promote both husband and children. The woman who loves her children over her husband will lose them both, for the husband will suffer directly and the children will despise the selfish defrauding taking place.

Young man, establish the greatness of your house and future carefully. Your marriage choice is one of great importance. You will see much of your abilities, efforts, and blessings disappear by a foolish wife; you will live out your days in pain and loneliness by a bad woman. Marry, but only marry well; for your life, unborn generations, and future estate is at risk. Marry a godly woman that fears the Lord and loves diligence and zeal, and she will leverage any ability or efforts of yours into even greater successes.

The English have had a proverb, “A fortune in a wife is better than a fortune with a wife.”

Young woman, your family’s future requires a noble and virtuous man, so you must also marry well to avoid having your efforts greatly diluted or destroyed by a worldly-minded man that does not seek first the kingdom of God in his life or wisely lead the family.

As the bride of Jesus Christ, let both men and women be ambitious in the building up of His house, the church. You can tear it down as well by neglect and fighting (Ga 5:15), but you have been called to build it up by your endeavors (Ep 4:3,16). What a blessed privilege to leave a local church on earth for your family greater than what you found! Wise men always look ahead. They never sacrifice the future on the altar of the present.

Fathers! Mothers! Consider this confident and noble parent. What a claim! Can you speak as boldly and virtuously as Solomon about the instruction you gave your children?

Read the proverb again. Will you be able to say these words at the end of your life? Can you say them today? Will God and your children agree with you? What have you done for your children today? God’s blessing and your children’s success depend on it.

Have you taught your children how to have a long and prosperous life (Pr 4:10)?  Have you taught them how to avoid the distractions, troubles, and traps of life (Pr 4:12)?  Mothers, you are not exempted from this privilege and duty (Pr 1:8; 4:3; 6:20; 31:1-2).

The proverb has three lessons – the duty, content, and confidence of good parenting and teaching. Read Solomon’s words, and see all three lessons, and purpose to apply the lessons today. You must teach; you must teach right things; you must do it confidently!

Graduating from high school or getting a college degree does not impress God, nor does it help children much. Many pagans have college degrees, and most college graduates are pagans. Only 1% of the saints in history even thought of going to college. These humanistic and worldly goals of the N.E.A. are foreign to Heaven and true success! The excellent spirit of Daniel and the unfeigned faith of Timothy are what you must cultivate!

The “way of wisdom” and “right paths” are contrary to a liberal arts education. These things, which lead to pleasing God and man in life, are no longer taught. The scope and sequence of today’s schools is a curriculum from hell to make little humanists. Parents, you must teach godly wisdom and true knowledge at home. The pastor is not responsible, for a few hours a week does not come close to the daily instruction of faithful parents.

Are your children gracious? Diligent at work? With high energy and focus? With sterling character? With financial wisdom? Do they hate sin? Being late? Injustice? Are they socially skilled? Good communicators? Considerate and generous? Do they know the gospel? Answers for common questions? How to solve problems Biblically?

Is their word as good as gold? Are they merciful and forgiving? Wise and prudent? Holy and pure? Are they esteemed in the real world? Are their names honored? Do they have many friends? Do they care about others? Even those that cannot repay in any way? Do they serve the kingdom of heaven? Willing to do anything for the church at anytime?

Parent, are you confident like the father in this proverb? God did not give you the truth for you to apologize for it or minimize it. Read Job 32 and see the godly confidence of young Elihu. You must be bold, dogmatic, and critical, for Satan and the world are in their efforts to oppose you and abolish truth. You have the only and final answers, and you should say so. You should reject anything to the contrary (Ps 119:128; Is 8:20).

Fathers, what will you give your family tonight? Read a chapter of Proverbs and explain one verse to them. One such small point each day will soon form a mountain of wisdom. If you do not believe this, watch the ants in your yard (Pr 6:6-11)! Done every day, you can speak boldly like Solomon. It is for God’s blessing and your children’s success.

The lesson here is not a suggestion for fathers – it is a commandment (Eph 6:4). Let every man fulfill his charge from Heaven, and let him see the future with the eye of faith.  A godly seed to God’s glory, the defense of the faith, and the happiness of your family is well worth it. Consider the duty, the content, and the confidence of teaching – and do it!

Spiritual Training 14 February 2013

Posted: February 14, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Struggling with Sin

Romans 7:21-25 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

The “law at work in the members of my body” is the sin deep within us. This is our vulnerability to sin; it refers to every thing within us that is more loyal to our old way of selfish living than to God.

There is great tension in daily Christian experience. The conflict is that we agree with God’s commands but cannot do them. As a result, we are painfully aware of our sin. This inward struggle with sin was as real for Paul as it is for us. From Paul we learn what to do about it. Whenever he felt overwhelmed by the spiritual battle, he would return to the beginnings of his spiritual life, remembering how he had been freed from sin by Jesus Christ.

Lets Bring it Home: When we feel confused and overwhelmed by sin’s appeal, let us claim the freedom Christ gave us. His power can lift us to victory,

Proverbs 12:3 Wisdom for the Soul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Proverbs 11:29 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 11, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 11, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 11:29 – He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 8:27 Wisdom for the Soul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spiritual Training 07 February 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 7:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 7, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 07, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 7:9 At twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 5:3-11 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 5, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 05, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 5:3-11 The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won’t be long before she’ gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She’s dancing down the primrose path to Death; she’s headed straight for Hell and taking you with her, She hasn’t a clue about Real Life, about who she is or where she’s going. So, my friend, listen closely; don’t treat my words casually, Keep your distance from such a woman; absolutely stay out of her neighborhood. You don’t want to squander your wonderful life, to waste your precious life among the hardhearted, why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you? Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you? You don’t want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me?

Whores are expensive! At best, they want you and your money; at worst, they want your money without you. Even when they do not take your assets or income directly, they are expensive to entertain and support. If you needed another reason to avoid them, here it is.

King Solomon in this proverb gave his son another reason to stay away from the strange woman (Pr 5:3), which is any woman he had not married – whether prostitute, whore, or adulteress. It costs a lot to buy their favors or keep them happy; his assets and income would go to those outside his family, even though they do not provide any lasting benefit.

Here is the wisdom of God! To combat the powerful lusts in a young man and warn him thoroughly of the folly of fornication and adultery, you need to say more than, “Flee fornication,” (I Cor 6:18) and, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14). There are many other threats and warnings you can give to help him defeat this powerful lust.

You would hope and wish a young man could be kept sexually pure simply by knowing God has forbidden such sins, like Joseph was with Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:9). But that is neither realistic nor wise. Many young men are not even born again to have a heart that fears God, and those that are may not be at Joseph’s level of spiritual maturity and zeal.

Most of Proverbs shows the natural consequences of sins. While some of God’s laws are stated and applied, much of the book is observations of pain and suffering caused by sin. Wise parents will take note. They can do a much more thorough job of training their children, if they follow Solomon’s lead and explain all the painful consequences of sin.

Fornication and adultery have painful consequences, no matter what the world may say positively about casual sex. Solomon knew about the costs: he had witnessed them in his father’s life after adultery with Bathsheba. He warned often against this destroyer of young men (2:16-19; 5:1-23; 6:23-35; 7:1-27; 9:13-18; 22:14; 23:27-28; Eccl 7:26-29).

Whores are expensive! If a young man foolishly visits a prostitute, the price is very high for mere seconds of pleasure. She gives no discount for guilt, a grieved conscience, or an STD! His hard earned money is split between a woman who does not care about him and her pimp, who is the lowest scum of the race. Wake up, young man! Marry a godly woman and make love freely every night with your best friend and perpetual companion.

Whores are expensive! If a young man foolishly takes an adulteress, he must give gifts, since she expects liaisons that flatter her, or he must outdo her husband. Caught in the deceitful trap of imagined and feigned love, the young fool will do all he can to pamper this wicked and unfaithful wife, forgetting that she is taking his living with no commitment, while staying married to another man! Wake up, young man! Marry a godly woman and make love freely every night with your best friend and perpetual companion.

Whores are expensive! Other young men choose the party scene of clubs and bars, where they must maintain a successful image or lose popularity and draw. Expensive cars, clothes, accessories, housing, entertainment, and lifestyle – all for merely an appearance of prosperity and power to seduce women with a soul no deeper than a dollar bill – will eventually put a man in the poor house. Wake up, young man! Marry a godly woman and make love freely every night with your best friend and perpetual companion.

Think, young man! What if your wife, friend, and lover worked with you to build a family estate of children and property, instead of taking your assets and income for the estates of others? What a difference! Solomon wrote you about it in the context (Pr 5:15-19). Think how much faster you would get ahead, how much farther you would get ahead, and how much more secure you would have. Wake up, young man! Marry a godly woman and make love freely every night with your best friend and perpetual companion.

Whores are expensive! Even pornography can rob a man, for whores and publishers, whether in magazines or the Internet, want a return for their destructive wickedness. Many visual and mental adulterers have squandered money and time, let alone peace and happiness, by funneling money to whores at a distance and/or losing their professional zeal and productivity by the distraction of the addicting and consuming iniquity.

Build your own estate, young man, rather than another’s. Love the wife you have, and be satisfied with her breasts and ravished by her love (Pr 5:19). Do not even think about dipping into a sexual cistern or well that does not belong to you (Pr 5:16). Have children, legitimate children, and a lot of them, and rejoice with your wife, as your family tree becomes a happy and powerful influence in the earth (Pr 5:17-18; Ps 127:3-5; 128:1-6).

For the man who has already fallen like a fool to a Delilah, save your life, and revive your soul, by running far from her and repenting like David did (II Sam 11:13; Ps 51:1-19; 32:5). There is mercy with the Lord of heaven, even for men foolish and wicked enough to chase whores of any variety. Repent! God is faithful and just to forgive those who truly repent, no matter the greatness of the crime (Pr 28:13; I Jn 1:9; Job 33:27-28).

Let every reader consider the application of this proverb to spiritual adultery. Any man or woman commits spiritual adultery when they befriend false religion or the world. Your affection, attention, time, energy, emotion, and/or money are then given to another god or entity that is an enemy of the true God of heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. The Bible is full of warnings about God’s great jealousy and His severe judgment of those who take what belongs to Him and give it to others (Jas 4:4; Ezek 16:1-59; II Cor 11:1-4; etc.).

 

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