Archive for the ‘Proverbs’ Category

Proverbs 18:11 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 18, 2012 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, wealth
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 18.11 – The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, they imagine it an unsalable wall. 

Riches ruin most men. Their pride grows with their money. They see no need for God or most men. They believe they are safe from trouble; they assume they are smart for their success. They are blinded to the fact God made them rich, they cannot avoid death He will soon send, and they will give their most detailed accounting to Him with hell to pay.

Rich men trust their money for safety. It is their strong city. They think they can buy their way out of trouble. It is the high wall around their city formed by their conceit. But their arrogance deceives them! They cannot postpone death; they cannot take a cent with them; and the holy and terrible Judge they will soon meet cannot be bribed by any payment!

The rich think themselves secure from all enemies, as if in a strong city; they imagine the city has a high wall to repulse even aggressive attackers. But both city and wall are the deceit of conceit! Cancer has no regard for money, nor does Father Time. Trouble will breach the wall; death will storm the city; and the final judgment will sweep it all to hell!

You will not fully appreciate this proverb, without reading the one before it. There you find, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Pr 18:10). What a difference between the righteous and the rich! The righteous find safety in the LORD Jehovah, while the rich look to their assets and income for help.

Can the rich buy themselves safety? They can hire a crop duster to spray their property for mosquitoes! They can post bond for a prodigal son! They can buy politicians for laws to subsidize their businesses! They can pay the best doctors for a nearly perfect facelift! They might even be able to pay the ransom to get a young child back from kidnappers!

So the rich man lives with the arrogant confidence of a conqueror. He eats at the best restaurants, flies first class, and has a chauffeur. He does not worry about unemployment, braces for the children, his failing parents, paying the mortgage off, getting the kids through college, or anything else. He thinks he has it made – until he dies and wakes up naked in the blinding light of the Judge of all flesh, Who has no regard for rich men!

David wrote about these men and their insane thinking (Ps 49:6-14). They cannot buy off Death for any in their family, no matter how beloved. They presume Death will not strike them like others. They see great estates transferred or destroyed when rich men die, but they ignore the warnings and continue in arrogance. They name buildings and parks after themselves to promote their honor. They die like hyenas and rot in the grave, but their descendants or beneficiaries approve their lifestyle and the same arrogance. Fools!

Are you enticed by the lifestyles of the rich and famous? Hollywood and the devils behind it want to sell you that damning picture. Do the gated communities with massive mansions and manicured lawns cause you to envy the wicked? Do you resent your job or your modest home or even your life? Be wise and choose contentment, lest you also fall for their dysfunctional lives, divorces, drugs, drunkenness, and so forth.

Jesus described a haughty rich man, who had more abundance than he could store. He conceitedly boasted he would build bigger barns to hold it all, and he would then begin his luxurious retirement in total luxury for many years. But the Lord said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). His high wall fell down! His strong city was taken!

The rich are rich by God’s choice (I Chr 29:12; Ps 75:6-7; I Cor 4:7). They ought to be the most humble, for they should know and admit more quickly than others that it was all of God’s sovereign mercy and favor that they have anything. There is no such thing as a self-made man, and anything by inheritance is merely a function of birth. Anything a man has or is able to do is a gift from God, and He should give God all the glory and praise.

There is a terror they dread, and they cannot defer or postpone its visit to their bedroom. It will cause fear in every direction. It will root out and destroy all their confidence. It is the king of terrors – death itself (Job 18:11-14). What lies ahead for the foolish rich man, “He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world” (Job 18:18)?

No wonder Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved (Matt 19:24). He had just seen a fine young man turn away from following Him due to his money (Matt 19:21-22). Never desire something so dangerous! You cannot serve two masters, so choose God today and hate riches (Matt 6:24). Be thankful for what you have, and give any extra away to those in need (I Tim 6:17-19).

Wise reader, reject any confidence in riches that come your way (Ps 62:10; I Tim 6:17). Do not seek them, as they have damned many souls before you (I Tim 6:7-10). Remember that infinite wisdom says godliness with contentment is great gain (I Tim 6:6). Choose wise Agur’s prayer as your own, and be content with moderate means (Pr 30:8). Build instead your confidence in the LORD by good works (Pr 18:10; I Tim 6:19).

Proverbs 17:26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 17, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 17, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 17:26 It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. 

Wisdom knows right and wrong. Here are two political errors of civil government that should be known by men of understanding. Though the world corrupts right and wrong, it is your duty and privilege to know the difference and never compromise true justice.

Child rebellion is terrible, ruining the parent-child relationship, as the previous proverb declared (Pr 17:25: A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him). But there are two related evils involving civil government that are also terrible. It is an error when a nation’s rulers punish just and righteous citizens. And it is wrong for citizens to rise up against leaders for doing their rightful job of enforcing justice and righteousness – equity. Both rulers and ruled are obligated to God.

The opening adverb “also” indicates a comparison to the preceding proverb (Pr 17:25). As disobedient children disrupt the home and destroy parents, so a breakdown in civil authority disrupts and destroys cities and nations. The adverb teaches wisdom. The first authority met in life is that of parents. If they are disregarded or their God-given power is not enforced, children enter into life with perverted values and rebellion in their hearts.

It is not good to punish the just. When a government legislates or executes laws that hurt upright citizens, it is not good. The expression “not good” is the figure of speech meiosis, a deliberate understatement that is clearly understood by the context and/or the nature of the matter (Pr 16:29; 18:5; 20:23; Ps 51:17; Ezek 36:31). Rulers punishing just citizens is far worse than merely “not good”; it is an abomination to the LORD (Pr 17:15).

What is equity? It is fair, just, and righteous judgment (Pr 1:3; 2:9; Ps 98:9; 99:4). But when rulers make equitable judgments, one party to a controversy is commended and the other is condemned. It is an abomination for those under authority to strike back at their rulers for doing the job God gave them to do. The proverb condemns two perversions of authority – rulers punishing good citizens, and the ruled rebelling against good rulers.

God made rulers a terror to evil men, not good men (Rom 13:1-6; I Pet 2:13-17). Abraham appealed to this virtue of God (Gen 18:25). Rulers abuse their authority and will be punished by God, when they are a terror to good men (Pr 17:15; 24:23-26; Ex 23:7; Deut 27:25). He took Egypt’s wealth, for their violent abuse of the Israelites. He sent dogs to eat Queen Jezebel, because she had Naboth killed for his vineyard. What will He do to America for murdering unborn children for the convenience of whore mothers?

God ordained civil government. It has nothing to do with any conspiracy anywhere. If you speak or fight against political rulers without a divine mandate, you are opposing God Himself (Rom 13:1-6; I Pet 2:13-17; Job 34:16-19). The Lord considers you a brute beast needing to be destroyed (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10). If you even associate with such men, your calamitous ruin is coming soon (Pr 24:21-22). Jesus and Paul showed honor to rulers abusing their authority (Matt 26:62-64; John 18:22-23; Acts 23:1-5).

Every ruler and government had better examine their laws and practices as to how they affect the righteous, because the blessed God of heaven will not countenance any unjust treatment of them. He will aggressively defend the poor, helpless, and godly (Eccl 5:8; Ps 2:10-12; 12:5; 68:5; 82:1; 105:13-15; Is 10:5-19). Though others may tremble before your presence and power, there is a God in heaven that is not moved in the slightest by any king! Just ask Sennacherib, Belshazzar, Alexander, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or others!

Every citizen in every nation should humble himself under the authorities God has appointed. No matter how much you may dislike them, God put them in their office over you. You expect your children to obey and honor you, even when you are a bad example or do a poor job of parenting; and God expects you to obey your princes, even if they are privately wicked or enact and enforce laws that make little sense and cost you. God even condemns the cursing of a king in your private and personal thoughts (Eccl 10:20)!

Disobedience to parents is a mark of a reprobate society and of carnal Christianity (Rom 1:30; II Tim 3:2). Ben Spock and Jim Dobson helped corrupt child training in America, but godly parents still follow the only inspired child training manual (Ps 119:128; Is 8:20; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). Parents must vigorously enforce the authority God has given them, lest their children rise up in rebellion against God’s other appointed spheres of authority and overthrow the foundations of society (Pr 22:15; 29:15; Ps 82:1-8).

There is no perfect authority among men. But imperfect authority in the five spheres God ordained can lead to happy and prosperous homes, marriages, businesses, churches, and nations. The only perfect authority is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Blessed and Only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords. He is coming soon to destroy in flaming fire all those who have rebelled against Him (II Thess 1:7-11; I Tim 6:13-16).

Proverbs 14:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 15, 2012 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 14:10  Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

Only you know your own sadness and joy. Others may care for you or profess they know you, but they cannot and do not. For you to sympathize with others and help them, you must slow down and look deeper. Finally, God through Jesus Christ knows you perfectly.

You are a unique individual, just as every snowflake is different. The depths of bitterness and heights of joy that you feel cannot be fully known or appreciated by others. Your heart, soul, mind, and conscience create a private set of feelings and thoughts that are known only by you and your Creator. Others cannot discover or define your true feelings.

Anguish and pain in your soul from circumstances, fear, guilt, or hopelessness are your personal property and cannot be felt or understood by a stranger, anyone outside you. Neither can a stranger, anyone outside your soul, grasp and appreciate the joy of your heart, when you are enraptured by circumstances, hope, love, or success.

No friend fully knows your feelings, regardless of how sympathetic. No psychologist can measure your grief or happiness, or their causes. No pastor can fully explain your doubts or desires. You are alone in the universe with your own soul. The combined factors that form another’s feelings and thoughts are quite different from yours, or anyone else’s.

The proverb is an observation by Solomon about human existence. Paul confirmed it, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit with him?” (I Cor 2:11.) Each person is a unique individual with feelings, both negative and positive, unknown to others. Careful study will reveal three lessons from this general observation.

The first lesson is to accept that others cannot fully grasp your grief or happiness, which may cause confusion or neglect. Forgive them. And the opposite is also true: you cannot truly know or sympathize with others. Forgive them as well for their intense feelings that alter their appearance or conduct. Wisdom makes allowances due to this individuality.

Therefore, there needs to be a great deal of sensitivity and tolerance in dealing with others, for you do not the cause, nature, or depth of feelings that may be affecting them. Thus, Biblical charity is essential (I Cor 13:4-7), the golden rule is indispensable (Luke 6:31), and sympathetic empathy must be practiced (Rom 12:15; Heb 10:24; 13:3).

Consider examples. Eli missed Hannah’s bitter soul (I Sam 1:10-16). Gehazi could not see the Shunamite’s vexation (II Kgs 4:27). Job’s three friends were miserable comforters (Job 13:4; 16:2). The Lord’s three chosen disciples neglected the Man of Sorrows in His deepest grief (Mark 14:32-42). And Paul had to defend himself to Corinth (II Cor 12:15).

Michal despised David for his uninhibited worship, because her carnal and shallow soul could not grasp his joy and love for God (II Sam 6:16,20). She loved the military hero (I Sam 18:20), but despised his religious zeal (I Sam 13:14). She lost her husband and position by her insensitivity (II Sam 6:21-23). She should have valued his intense praise.

Think about others and be sensitive to their feelings and thoughts, negative or positive. There is more than what meets the eye. Look closer! Woe to the man whose wife sheds tears outwardly or inwardly for marital pain (Mal 2:10-16; Col 3:19; I Pet 3:7)! Woe to the woman whose husband is denied the love and intimacy his body craves (I Cor 7:1-5)!

Woe to critical and overbearing parents (Pr 4:3; 31:2; Col 3:21)! Woe to insensitive employers (Pr 29:21; Deut 24:14-15; Eph 6:9)! Woe to pastors that roughly treat church members (I Thess 2:7; I Pet 5:3)! Woe to a man ignoring the poor (Pr 21:13; 29:7; Job 31:13-22)! Woe to a man failing to think about offences and correct them (Matt 5:21-26)!

There is a better lesson! Though no other person can relate to your spirit, there is a Counselor and Friend that can. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, feels all your infirmities, and He has experienced all the temptations you face (Heb 4:12-15). He can help you in your darkest hour (Heb 2:18), and He can give peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:7).

The only true joy man can experience is God’s gift by His Spirit (Gal 5:22-23; Rom 15:13; Eccl 5:20). There is no foolish grinning or foaming froth with this joy, for it is God speaking directly to your soul at a level no one else can detect. This seal of His adoption of you as His child includes filling your soul with His love (Rom 5:5; 8:15-16).

Men walking with God can dance in economic disaster (Hab 3:17-19), and they can sing in an inner prison, after being stripped and beaten (Acts 16:22-25). They can find internal encouragement, even when friends want to stone them (I Sam 30:6). God’s presence and communion with the human heart can overcome anything (Ps 27:1-6; 46:1-5; 73:23-28).

Consider Hebrews 4:12 about the Word of God. Most falsely assume this speaks of the written word, the Bible. But nothing in the verse is true about the Bible, and the context proves it is speaking about Jesus Christ (Heb 4:13-14). He can divide between your soul and spirit! He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart! Go to Him (Heb 4:15-16)!

Do you have cares? The proverb teaches that others cannot know them. But if you cast your cares on Him, He cares for you like no other (I Pet 5:7). Are you laboring? Others cannot help carry much. But He can give rest for your soul (Matt 11:28-30). He can be your exceeding joy and your exceeding great reward (Gen 15:1; Ps 43:4). You can talk to Him at any hour of the day or night, and He will always listen and help (Ps 62:8; 142:2).

When you are overwhelmed, then God Himself will be your Friend (Ps 61:2; 142:3). He has all your tears in a bottle: He does not miss one of them, either inside or outside (Ps 56:8). You can pour out your heart to Him (Ps 62:8). Since He can help in the bitterness of your soul, and He can provide heavenly joy, whom else do you need (Ps 73:25-26)? Do not trust in others for your comfort or joy, for only He truly knows and loves you.

Proverbs 13:25 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 13, 2012 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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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. 

Here is wisdom for a fulfilled, happy life. Will you submit to the Preacher, King of Israel, and his lesson about God’s providence and your contentment? Attitude is more important than quantity or quality, and God’s merciful favor makes a difference among men.

A righteous man is a godly man; a satisfied soul is a contented man. Godliness with contentment is great gain (I Tim 6:6). Believe it! True success is a choice you can make from reading this proverb. Choose now to rise above this dysfunctional, unhappy world.

God provides for righteous men, and He punishes wicked men. What the world pursues with all their might, God supplies to the righteous by His might (Matt 6:33). The assumed lesson here is God’s providential care for godly men (Pr 10:24,29; 11:6,8,19,21,31; etc.).

A righteous man eats sufficient for his needs, of whatever is before him, and finds it a feast. The wicked gorge on excess, wishing the fare was different, and cannot be satisfied. The one is contented and fulfilled; the other is discontented and frustrated.

One curse of man’s sinful existence is discontentment and worry. Solomon noted that the world’s rich are often kept from enjoying their abundance (Eccl 5:12-17; 6:1-2). But God is able to reverse all that in the heart and mind of the righteous (Pr 10:22; Eccl 5:18-20).

God blesses the righteous in their souls, where the wicked are always troubled (Is 57:20-21). Prosperity alone cannot bring contentment, for silver will not satisfy the man loving silver (Eccl 5:10). Contentment is a state of mind known only by the righteous (Pr 16:8; Phil 4:11), and adding it to godliness is great gain for every man (I Tim 6:6-8). Believe it!

Consider the righteous, who eats sufficient for his needs. He eats and drinks with moderation and for strength (Eccl 10:17). He is not tempted to drunkenness, gluttony, and their consequences (Pr 23:21). He even eats and drinks for God’s glory (I Cor 10:31).

He eats whatever is before him, for he has chosen to be content with whatever God provides (Phil 4:12). He chooses to be content with such things he has, for the Lord is his everlasting portion (Ps 73:25-26; Heb 13:5-6). A full heart is better than a full belly.

He finds a modest amount of anything a feast, for he has righteousness, peace, and love as the staples at his table (Pr 15:16-17; Ps 37:16). Because his heart is merry in the Lord, he has a continual feast no matter what is on his table (Pr 15:15; Eccl 5:18-20).

Consider the wicked, who often gorges on abundance (Luke 16:19). He chooses excess over moderation and pays the consequences (Pr 21:17; 23:29-35). But he cannot rest, even in prosperity, for he has the evil disease of worrying about it (Eccl 5:12-17; 6:1-2).

He always wishes the fare or setting was different, for his heart is covetous and greedy of what others have, and this situation vexes his soul (Eccl 6:9). Ahab, though king of Israel, could not enjoy anything in his palace without Naboth’s vineyard (I Kgs 21:1-4).

The wicked find trouble at the finest table, for there is often strife of some sort (Pr 15:17; 17:1). No matter where he looks, no matter what he does, all is vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 2:17; 4:4; 6:9). He is like the troubled sea; he cannot rest (Is 57:20-21).

A terrible thing God can do is fill your belly with this world’s best but send leanness into your soul, as He did to Israel with quail (Ps 106:15). Make sure that He knows you are content with your food but covetous for more of Him (Matt 5:6; Luke 10:38-42).

God guarantees the righteous will be fed (Ps 34:10; 37:3,25); and no matter how meager their provision, they have hearts filled with true and lasting joy. The wicked lose every hope at death and will crave a drop of water through eternity (Pr 11:7; Luke 16:24).

Proverbs 12:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 13, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 12, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 12:22 The LORD detest lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful

You can be a delight to God today. What a precious proverb! If God delights in you, your future has no bounds. How can you easily obtain God’s favor? By honesty and truth in your dealings! Simply speak the truth and be a man of your word. You will have opportunities today to choose between lying and truth. Embrace honesty and integrity!

God hates liars (Pr 6:16-19). Do not ever think otherwise. All liars shall have their part in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). There are no liars in heaven (Rev 22:15). Liars are an abomination to the LORD. He will destroy liars (Ps 5:6). He loves men of truth, and He delights in them. God will judge all liars, but He will bless men who deal truly.

The LORD Jehovah, the only living and true God, is a God of truth. Moses wrote of Him, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deut 32:4). While nothing is too hard for the LORD, He cannot lie; it is impossible for Him to lie (Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18).

Lying originated with Satan, the devil himself. God made him a rational creature – a very high-ranking angel. He chose to rebel in pride against the Most High God. For this profane and rebellious sin, he was thrown out of his office in heaven. He came and lied to our first parents, deceiving Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. He is a liar and the father of lying; when you tell a lie, you submit to him and honor him as your father (John 8:44).

When something is an abomination, it is disgusting and hateful. When you abominate something, you abhor, detest, and loathe it. God abominates lying – He finds it abhorrent, detestable, and loathsome. He considers lying disgusting, and He hates it with holy hatred. He loves truth, honesty, integrity, sincerity, and the men who love these things.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira were members in the church at Jerusalem. They sold some property and gave a large offering to the apostles. But they lied in keeping back some for themselves. What did the blessed God do about this fudging of the facts? He killed them both in the church (Acts 5:1-11). Do not even think about compromising truth!

God expects more than just telling the truth; He demands your dealings to be in truth. This is honesty in speech and action. All conduct should be governed by integrity and sincerity. You should say exactly what is right and true, and you should do it completely. Reject exaggerating or modifying facts at anytime, and then perform exactly what you said. You can and should be known as a person of perfect integrity in word and deed.

God’s blessing, which makes huge differences among men, is promised to those who are honest and true. David wrote, “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile” (Ps 34:12-13). Peter then quoted it, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (I Pet 3:10).

A family can only be blessed when lying and liars are rejected (Ps 101:1-8). A church can only be blessed when hypocrites and liars are exposed and eliminated (Ps 144:11-15). But when God delights in either a truthful family or church, He will bless them graciously and generously. This is one of the simplest means for obtaining God’s blessing and favor in your life. Choose to make honesty and integrity very important at home and at church.

Children must learn to hate lying, so parents must teach them. The Bible says they are born liars (Ps 58:3). Honest and observant parents know this to be true. Children must be taught the importance of truth and punished severely for lying. Conversations must be checked for confirmed truth without exaggeration. Do not allow your children to speak without verifying facts to be certain and provable and to limit their words accordingly.

Lying and truth are significantly different to God, and He will make a tremendous variation in how He treats men based on their degree of honesty. What an opportunity for God to delight in you! What an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself before God and men! Starting now, replace all deception and exaggeration with total truthfulness. Who knows what God will do when He delights in you for your honesty and integrity!

Proverbs 11:08 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 11, 2012 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 11:8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. 

Let the wicked suffer instead of you! Fair enough? God will save you from disaster and punish the wicked instead, if you live righteously. He makes a difference among men by protecting those who live godly lives and judging the wicked in their place. Wonderful!

There is a reward for a righteous man (Ps 58:11). God delivers him from trouble, and He puts the wicked in his place. When the righteous is saved out of trouble, God puts the wicked instead under the trouble and judgment (Pr 24:15-16). The LORD loves the righteous, and He sacrifices the wicked for him. Wonderful! See Proverbs 21:18.

What is the lesson? God blesses and favors those who obey Him, and He judges and punishes those who do not. If you are on the Lord’s side, He will protect and prosper you, and He will despise and destroy His enemies. This is the God of the Bible, though most do not know Him. The crucial point is that you are convicted to live wholly for Him.

The LORD has not promised the righteous will not have troubles, but He has promised to deliver them from those troubles (Job 5:17-27; Ps 34:4-7,17-19; 50:14-15; 66:12; 91:14-16). You can see Jacob, Joseph, David, Job, Daniel, Paul, and others delivered out of trouble (Gen 39:1-3; 48:15-16; II Sam 22:1; Job 42:10-17; Dan 1:17-21; II Tim 4:17).

Here you have the divine reversal of fortune that replaces the righteous with the wicked. The righteous often find themselves in a hopeless situation, for the profit of their souls by God’s providence. And the wicked are sometimes involved in persecuting them in their troubles, but He then switches their cases and leaves the wicked to destruction. Glory!

Pharaoh and Egypt thought they could abuse the Israelites living in their nation. He tried to kill their children; he overworked them without compensation; he mocked Moses and Moses’ God. What happened? God moved Israel to Canaan, ravaged the nation by a variety of plagues, killed Pharaoh’s son and the firstborn in every family, confiscated the nation’s wealth for Israel’s back pay, and drowned the army in the Red Sea! Wonderful!

Haman plotted in hatred to hang Mordecai on gallows he had built for the purpose, but God delivered Mordecai, and Haman was hung in his place (Esther 7:9-10). Instead of Mordecai twitching with a snapped neck, it was Haman! Understanding Christians have rejoiced with smiles at this reversal of fortune for centuries. But that was not all; before he got to hang, Haman had to lead Mordecai through the streets for special honor!

Wicked Medes in the government of Darius conspired and had Daniel thrown to the lions merely for his faith in God and daily prayers, but they and their families ended up being ravaged and eaten by the same lions that the previous night had no dietary interest in Daniel (Dan 6:24). This is violence perfectly suitable for the children of the righteous.

Nebuchadnezzar’s best soldiers were burned alive by the very flames they had prepared for Daniel’s three friends (Dan 3:22). They overheated their furnace for capital crimes, and it torched them to death while not even singeing the hair of the three! They had purposed they would not participate in false religion, and God delivered them for it.

Sixteen Roman soldiers died instead of Peter by the Lord’s glorious deliverance of him from prison (Acts 12:18-19). The angel of God woke Peter during the night and saved him from prison and execution the next day, but the foolish soldiers loyal to Rome died in his place. The proverb before you is very true. Are you one of the righteous?

The righteous are so precious in God’s affections that He will gladly sacrifice the wicked for them (Is 43:3-4). Israel was sure they were doomed when trapped against the Red Sea by Pharaoh’s armies (Ex 14:10-12), but the LORD delivered them gloriously through it and drowned Pharaoh’s army in it (Ex 14:21-31). Consider the celebratory song and dance of Israel in light of the fulfillment of this proverb (Ex 15:1-21). Wonderful!

Peninnah, the cruel wife with children, persecuted Hannah for being barren (I Sam 1:1-6). Yet consider; the Lord gave Hannah favor in the eyes of her husband, Samuel as her first child, and five more children as well (I Sam 1:7-8,19-28; 2:21). Peninnah lived out her days knowing her husband loved Hannah far more, knowing the greatest man in Israel was Hannah’s son, and daily seeing and hearing Hannah’s other five happy children!

Saul persecuted David horribly, chasing him with large forces into wild places of Israel, where David was in constant fear for his life. Yet the LORD brought war with the Philistines on the nation to save His righteous servant David (I Sam 23:19-29). Would you rather die the death of Saul (I Sam 31:1-13), or the death of David (II Sam 23:1-5)?

Jesus Christ was betrayed, persecuted, falsely accused, abused, and finally crucified between common thieves. Yet He was delivered from death to God’s right hand, and His enemies were miserably destroyed (Matt 21:33-46; 22:1-7; Luke 19:27). For the death of one Man, more than one million of them were starved or killed in the siege of Jerusalem.

Enemies have persecuted and troubled the righteous for two thousand years, but their Lord is coming soon to rectify the situation, when there will be a great reversal of fortune lasting through eternity (II Thess 1:3-10; Rev 6:9-17). The smoke of their enemies’ eternal torment will rise into heaven as incense for a perpetual reminder (Rev 14:10-12).

There is a reward for the righteous! There is no need to fret because of the prosperity or the persecutions of the wicked. They do not see their day coming, but the righteous do! The LORD laughs about what He is going to do to the wicked (Ps 2:1-12; 37:12-13), and the righteous should laugh with Him (Ps 52:1-7; 58:6-11). Are you one of the righteous?

Proverbs 10:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 10, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 10, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. 

Many die needlessly due to ignorance. Others have so much wisdom they share it with many more. Do you grasp the great difference? Which one are you? What a privilege to be able to help others by your speech, but you first must gain the knowledge to share.

Righteous men have wisdom, so they can help others by teaching and warning about life’s pitfalls. But fools do not have even enough wisdom for themselves, so they fall into pain and trouble, dying early and unnecessarily. First, save yourself! Then, save others!

Wisdom is not only for self-preservation and success. Wisdom is also to help save others from the results of foolish decisions. Righteous men are not selfish: they are eager to use their wisdom to serve others. Righteous men are not hateful: they rejoice only when men are walking in the truth (I Cor 13:6). It grieves them to see men fall into sin foolishly.

Do you feed many? Will your funeral be filled with affectionate memories of advice and instruction you gave to save men from dangers and difficulties and lead them to success? Or will your funeral be moving a dysfunctional fool to the cemetery? Will men fondly recall your help and wisdom? Or remember your ignorance and that you helped no one?

While the righteous feed many, fools die for lack of wisdom. Do you understand there is more than one way to die? You can die physically by foolishness, as by accidents, drunkenness, AIDS, suicide, murder, execution, lung cancer, and other terminal consequences. But you can also die to love, joy, peace, hope, and prosperity in your life.

Divorce is the death of a marriage. Being fired is the death of a job. Being in prison is the death of freedom. A rebel child brings the death of peace. Guilt and shame are the death of joy. Bitterness and revenge are the death of love. Debt and poverty are the death of success. These things happen due to lack of wisdom. There is more than one way to die!

Do you have wisdom to avoid these painful troubles? As Proverbs declares repeatedly, wisdom is easily available to any man who will humble himself and seek her. Where is she found? In the precious word of God, especially these short inspired sayings of Solomon. His purpose was to teach wisdom to young men (Pr 1:1-4). Are you learning it?

The best wisdom you can share with another is the certain words of truth found in the Bible (Pr 22:17-21). God put perfect knowledge in writing for you, so that by listening to preaching and reading the Bible, you have much to give to others (Ps 19:7-11; I Pet 3:15).

What keeps you from feeding many? If you lack wisdom, get some. If you are selfish, confess and forsake it. If you can allow others to suffer needlessly, learn godly charity. If you are afraid to answer questions, then take courage and consider you might save a life.

You should aspire to be like Philip, who was able to answer the eunuch’s question in the desert, leading to his baptism (Acts 8:26-40). Consider Aquila and Priscilla, the husband and wife team that corrected Apollos, though he was a learned man (Acts 18:24-28).

It is the law of God to love others by correcting them when they need it (Lev 19:17). It is the duty of saints to warn the unruly (I Thess 5:14) and save brethren from error (Jas 5:19-20). Righteous men will be trees of life and save the souls of many (Pr 11:30; 27:9).

Proverbs 7:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 7, 2012 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 7:18  Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

Is lust love? Is sex love? Does lust or sex prove love? Is an offer of sex an offer of love?

The truth is – you can love another person without sex as easily as you can have sex without love. Sincere and true love does not lust for personal gratification from another, nor would it consider sex outside marriage for all the guilt, pain, and trouble it brings.

Here are the enticing words of a strange woman, lying words of a whore, damning words of hell and death (Pr 5:5; 7:27; 9:18). These are the words of Potiphar’s wife, Delilah, Jezebel, Cleopatra, and other wicked women. Hate these words! See the lies! Feel the painful consequences (Pr 5:4-5,9-11)! Know the mouth speaking them is a deep ditch (Pr 23:27)! Prepare against her now, for when you hear her words, it will likely be too late.

Such words have destroyed many strong men, for flattering attention from a strange woman is a powerful attraction and deadly device (Pr 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5,21). How can a man resist the affectionate invitation and passionate desire for intimate pleasures coming from a beautiful and confident woman (Pr 6:13-17)? He is powerless before her, as Samson proved (Judges 16:4-21). For every Joseph, there are a thousand Davids.

Young man, this is an invitation to hell! The words may be exciting and gratifying to hear, but they disguise and hide the heinous sin. Solomon knew the horror of these words, and he thought them worse than death (Eccl 7:26). Make this warning dear to your soul, and stay far from her (Pr 7:1-5). Purpose in your heart now to reject and hate her ways. Despise these words and women who speak them. Flee to the mountains! Save yourself!

Consider the lies, for they are many. She says, “Come,” but her heart is not with you (Pr 23:6-8). She has no commitment; she does not truly want you; she is just using you (Pr 6:26). If you go to her, she will take you down to hell in this world and in the world to come. When Potiphar’s wife said, “Lie with me” (Gen 39:7,12), Joseph looked beyond the short-term pleasure to see the long-term consequences; he knew to rebuke her wickedness and then to run from her with no regard for propriety or safety.

She says, “Let us take our fill.” But there is no satisfying fulfillment. Sin never satisfies the soul, especially the soul of the righteous (Eccl 5:10). You will not find the pleasure you imagine. Amnon hated Tamar more than he had loved her, when the much-desired moment was over. Samson woke from tender arms to find darkness and weakness. The goodman eventually returns, and then what shall become of the young man (Pr 7:19-20)? He will find the emptiness of death, hell, and soul destruction (Pr 6:26-33).

She calls it “love.” And she and others like her speak and sing of it constantly. What can possibly be wrong with love? With love this tender and pleasant? With love this mutual and moving? But it is only lust, for love requires truth, righteousness, and commitment (I Cor 13:4-7; Song 8:6-8). Love desires the best for its object, not for itself; and a woman giving her body to you outside marriage is selfishly damning your soul to destruction.

She says, “Until the morning.” Will she love you differently tomorrow? Will tonight’s sin bring tomorrow’s reward? Will the night be without guilt and fear? And what will the morning bring? Peace and joy? No! The pleasures of sin are only for a season (Heb 11:25), and in sexual sins the season is shorter than most. What will morning bring? It will bring guilt, fear, confusion, doubts, insecurity, and frustration. Hate the night!

She says, “Let us solace ourselves with loves.” But there is no solace, no comfort or pleasure; for your guilt-stricken and fear-filled soul will devour you with pain and regret, even if you try to recall her tender embrace, as Samson discovered so painfully. There is no consolation or cheer with the uncertainty and guilt of a strange woman. What solace is there in walking on coals? Or taking fire in your bosom (Pr 6:27-28)?

Young man, she lies! She does not truly want you; she does not love you; she cannot satisfy you; short-term pleasure is hardly pleasure at all; and your soul will punish you far more than any pleasure she gives. You will lose your virtue and boldness, and all you will have for it is guilt, fear, shame, and regret. She lies! It is not love! It is lust and sex without love. She does not even know what love is, let alone have the ability to give it.

Destroy her power by taking this instruction to heart and making it an important rule of your life today (Pr 7:1-3). Make wisdom your favorite woman and constant companion, rather than the strange woman (Pr 7:4-5). Avoid places where she lives and works (Pr 4:15; 5:8; 7:8; Rom 13:14). And run from her at full speed (II Tim 2:22). Be like Joseph and spurn the woman, rather than have God spurn you for choosing the woman!

Young woman, men lie as well. They also can feign love for lust. Good men will pursue you through your father, and they will gladly wait for marriage. Reject any words of “love” until he has promised before many to be your committed husband for life. Many girls have given away what they cannot get back for the simple words, “I love you.”

But he lies! If he will steal this treasure from you before marriage, he is no better than Amnon, and the results will likely be the same (II Sam 13:1-17). He will not love you in the morning, for you will have given away your gift and cheapened yourself. Run to your father, and be safe. Do not hear or speak of love until your father approves marriage.

The Whore of Rome and her harlot daughters invite weak souls with such words, “Come to me, and I will solace you with the pleasures of my beautiful religion.” They decorate their beds with whorish care (Pr 7:16-17), only to seduce and trap vulnerable souls. But those who commit spiritual fornication with them shall be lost in the congregation of the dead and damned in this world and the next (Pr 21:16; II Thess 2:9-12).

Hold fast your profession of faith, making the true church of Christ the only object of your affection, avoiding any compromise toward the Whore’s wicked advances, and earnestly contending against her false doctrines. Be faithful to your glorious bridegroom, the true Lover of your soul, He Who is True and Faithful, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 06:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 6, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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 Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

Sleep can be a dangerous thing, if you get too much of it, or if you like it too much. It is especially hazardous for young men, whom Solomon emphasized in writing Proverbs.

When do you get up? How do you get up? The time and manner in which you rise in the morning affects your success or failure in life. Great men get a head start on the day.

They attack every day as an opportunity, rather than dreading it as a punishment. There are other factors also, but love of your bed in the morning will squander your potential.

What a practical book! Those who think the Bible is irrelevant and an old theological dust collector have never read it. Solomon, the wisest and most successful king ever, knew the folly of youth and humanity, so he warned his son and you against loving sleep and sleeping too long (Pr 6:6-11; 10:5; 19:15; 20:13; 21:17; 23:21; 24:30-34).

Young men play hard and sleep hard. Since they have not had the weight of responsibility and burden of producing for a family, they will take every minute they can get under the covers before falling out and stumbling into a day. But they are not the only ones. Some older men think they deserve extra sleep because they have already worked hard in life.

Some women think they can make the day go away by staying in bed under warm covers. Cuddling with blankets helps them procrastinate and fantasize about not working. Instead they have fewer hours, less energy, and more to do when they get up. Young women, who play much of the day in today’s world, cannot imagine why they should ever get up.

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” is credited to Benjamin Franklin, though it was a saying before he was born. Mark Twain, who thought that rising before 9:30 was a terrible evil, ridiculed Ben’s proverb. But God and Solomon had given the inspired rules 3000 years before. An early approach does lead to wisdom (Pr 8:17). And an early approach does lead to wealth (Pr 6:9-11; 20:13; 24:33-34).

Are you tired in the morning? Then go to bed earlier. Sleeping during prime time will not only help you rise in the morning, but it will also save you from the worst that Hollywood offers. Do you not sleep well at night? Then get on a schedule and allow yourself less sleep. All other things being equal, a laboring man will sleep very peacefully (Eccl 5:12).

Is it hard to get up in the morning? Build a habit and routine that is good for you. A strict schedule and routine help most people. Do not use a snooze button on your alarm clock. When it is time to get up, then get up, right then. Immediately take a shower or apply water to your face in some other way. Wake up! Get up! Get dressed! Get going! Life is short, why waste it in bed!  You need a sense of time urgency to attack days (Eccl 9:10)!

The world has conspired against the wisdom here. Daylight saving time provides more time for playing in the evenings and less sunshine for rising in the mornings. If saving daylight is important, why not save it in the morning by moving the clocks back an hour? Men could get a day’s work done before lunch. But men would much rather play late.

The proverb has a definite limit. Night and sleep are part of God’s plan for men. In fact, He does not want you going without pleasant sleep, thinking that success depends mainly on your efforts (Ps 127:1). He expects you to only apply this proverb within reason, for any efforts beyond that are vain and worthless; He wants you to sleep (Ps 127:2)!

Getting up early and not sleeping too long are only part of life. Once you get up, what will you do? God commands you to have a good job and be diligent at it (Rom 12:11; Eph 4:28; I Thess 4:11-12). This is the main intent here so you can follow the example of the industrious ant (Pr 6:6-8)! After work you have your other duties – marriage, children, parents, church, finances, house, neighbors, nation, exercise, and so forth.

There is a better reason to rise early. You can seek the Lord and wisdom then. You are sharper (once fully awake!). There are fewer outside or mental distractions. You will be interrupted less. It puts the priority on God and wisdom. It prepares your soul for the day. And it is Scriptural (Ps 5:3; 55:17; 119:147). Reading your Bible, praying, and meditating before anything else is the way to a successful life (Job 23:12; Ps 19:7-11; 119:103,127).

Spiritual Training 05 December 2012

Posted: December 5, 2012 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 3:5-8 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say?  That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us?  (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?  Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?  Why not say as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result” Their condemnation is deserved. 

Some may think they don’t have to worry about sin because

  1. It’s God’s job to forgive
  2. God is so loving that he won’t judge us
  3. Sin isn’t so bad-it teaches us valuable lessons, or
  4. We need to stay in touch with the culture around us.

Lets Bring it Home: It is for too easy to take God’s grace for granted.  But God cannot overlook sin.  Sinners, no matter how many excuses they make, will have to answer to God for their sin.

  

 

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