Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Proverbs 17:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 17, 2011 in Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command Proverbs 17:9 – He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

This proverb is saying that we should be willing to forgive others’ sins against us. Covering over offenses is necessary to any relationship. It is tempting, especially in an argument, to bring up all the mistakes the other person has ever made. Love however, keeps its mouth shut-difficult though that may be. Try never to bring anything into an argument that is unrelated to the topic being discussed. As we grow to be like Christ, we will acquire God’s ability to forget the confessed sins of the past.

Spiritual Training 14 Oct 2011

Posted: October 14, 2011 in Bible Study, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus Christ is the Creator of life, and his life brings light to mankind. In his light, we see ourselves as we really are (sinners in need of a Savior). When we follow Jesus, the true Light, we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin. He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live. He removes the darkness of sin from our lives. In what ways have you allowed the light of Christ to shine into your life? Let Christ guide your life, and you’ll never need to stumble in darkness.

We need to follow Christ as a soldier follows his Captain, so we should follow Christ, our Commander. As a slave follows his master, so we should follow Christ, our Lord. As we follow the advice of a trusted counselor, so we should follow Jesus’ commands to us in Scripture. As we follow the laws of our nation, so we should follow the laws of the Kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs 14:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 14, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 14:09 Fool mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

How rarely we find goodwill around us today. Angry drivers scowl at each other in the streets. People fight to be first in line. Disgruntled employers and employees both demand their rights. But the common bond of God’s people should be goodwill. Those with goodwill think the best of others and assume that others have good motives and intend to do what is right. When someone crosses you, and you feel your blood pressure rising, ask yourself, “How can I show goodwill to this person?”

Spiritual Training 13 Oct 2011

Posted: October 13, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

John 8:3-11 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such woman. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

This is a significant statement about judging others. Because Jesus upheld the legal penalty for adultery, stoning, he could not be accused of being against the law. But by saying that only a sinless person could throw the first stone, he highlighted the importance of compassion and forgiveness. When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgment? To do so is to act as through you have never sinned. It is God’s role to judge, not ours. Our role is to show forgiveness and compassion. Take an honest look at your life. Recognize your sinful nature, and look for ways to help others rather than hurt them.

Jesus didn’t condemn the woman accused of adultery, but neither did he ignore or condone her sin. He told her to leave her life of sin. Jesus stands ready to forgive any sin in your life, but confession and repentance mean a change of heart. With God’s help we can accept Christ’s forgiveness and stop our wrongdoing.

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

Proverbs 13:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 13, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

“I was wrong” or “I need advice” are difficult phrases to utter because they require humility. Pride is an ingredient in every quarrel. It stirs up conflict and divides people. Humility, by contrast, heals. Guard against pride. If you find yourself constantly arguing, examine your life for pride. Be open to the advice of others, ask for help when you need it, and be willing to admit your mistakes.

Spiritual Training 12 Oct 2011

Posted: October 12, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

John 7:50-52 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

Nicodemus is the Pharisee who visited Jesus at night (Chapter 3). Apparently Nicodemus had become a secret believer. Since most of the Pharisees hated Jesus and wanted to kill him, Nicodemus risked his reputation and high position even though he only spoke up indirectly for Jesus. Nicodemus confronted the Pharisees with their failure to keep the own laws. The Pharisees were losing ground –the temple guards came back impressed by Jesus. (7:46), and one of the Pharisees own, Nicodemus, was defending him. With their hypocritical motives being exposed and their prestige slowly eroding, they began to move to protect themselves. Pride would interfere with their ability to reason, and soon they would become obsessed with getting rid of Jesus just to save face. What was good and right no longer mattered.

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

Spiritual Training 11 October 2011

Posted: October 11, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

John 7:46-49 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the man declared. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law-there is a curse on them.”

The Jewish leaders saw themselves as an elite group that alone had the truth, and they resisted the truth about Christ because it wasn’t theirs to begin with. It is easy to think that we have the truth and that those who disagree with us do not have any truth at all. But God’s truth is available to everyone. Don’t copy the Pharisees self-centered and narrow attitude.

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

Proverbs 11:27 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 11, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 11:27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

What are your goals? What is your reputation? How does your life affect others? If the answer to all three questions is doing good and helping others, you will obtain the blessed favor of God and men (Luke 2:52). If the answer is to serve yourself and cause trouble for others, then certain punishment is coming from God and men (Ps 7:15-16; 9:15-16).

This proverb offers blessing or trouble. Which will you choose? The key is how you treat others. If you are good to men, you will be blessed. David and Peter wrote, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no deviousness: Let him avoid evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (Ps 34:12-16; I Pet 3:10-12).

If you are selfish or hurtful to others, if you are critical or negative, if you are bitter or envious, or if you sow discord or irritate others, then you are in for a painful and troubled life. It is that simple. As the saying declares, “What goes around comes around.” David wrote, “The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined” (Ps 10:2). You will be exposed and punished (11:29; 26:17-28)!

Spiritual Training 07 Oct 2011

Posted: October 7, 2011 in Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

John 7:40-44 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Christ.” Still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?

The crowd was asking questions about Jesus. Some believed, others were hostile, and others disqualified Jesus as the Messiah because he was from Nazareth, not Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
But he was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7), although he grew up in Nazareth. He may have had a pronounced Galilean accent. If they had looked more carefully, they would not have jumped to the wrong conclusions. When you search for God’s truth, make sure you look carefully and thoughtfully at the Bible with an open heart and mind. Don’t jump to conclusions before knowing more of what the Bible says.

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

Proverbs 07 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 7, 2011 in Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Warning against the Adulteress

Proverbs 7:4-23 (4) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; (5) they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. (6) At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. (7) I saw among the simple, I noticed among young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) (13) She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! (16) I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. (17) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. (18) Come let’s drink deep of love morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! (19) My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. (20) He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon. (21)With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox gong to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose (23) till and arrow pierces his liver like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Proverbs 7:24-27 Now then my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Although this advice is directed toward young men, young women should heed it as well. The person who has no purpose in life is simple-minded (7:7). Without aim or direction an empty life is unstable, vulnerable to many temptations. Even though the young man in this passage doesn’t know where he is going, the adulteress knows where she wants him. Notice her strategies: she is dressed to allure men (7:10); her approach is bold (7:13); she invites him over to her place 7:16-18); she cunningly answers his every objection (7:19, 20); she persuades him with smooth talk (7:21); she traps him (7:23). To combat temptation, make sure your life is full of God’s Word and wisdom. (7:4). Recognize the strategies of temptation, and run away from them-fast.

You can take definite steps to avoid sexual sins. First, guard your mind. Don’t read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that stimulate the wrong desires. Second, keep away from settings and friends that tempt you to sin. Third, don’t think only of the moment-focus on the future. Today’s thrill may lead to tomorrow’s ruin.

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