Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Proverbs 22:12 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: August 22, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 22:12 – The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

True knowledge is eternal. Jehovah God of the Bible has had all of it from the beginning (Pr 8:22-31). And He will preserve all of it forever (Ps 119:152,160). But He despises arrogant thoughts of the wicked (Ps 119:113). He will destroy and humiliate them by exposing their words as lies and their thoughts as hallucinations (I Cor 1:19-20; 3:19-20).

“Knowledge” refers to those who have knowledge, those who live right and speak the truth. It takes discipline, determination, and hard work to live God’s way, but God protects and rewards those who make the commitment to follow him.

The eyes of the LORD are a metonym for His providence in the affairs of men. Eyes are used for His providence because they are the human sense that perceives and guides, and this usage is easily found elsewhere in Scripture (II Chron 16:9; Ps 32:8; Zech 4:10). The God of heaven has committed His government of the universe to the preservation of true knowledge and the revealing of it to His dear children. You should thank Him gratefully.

But the dreadful and terrible God is just as committed to expose and destroy the thoughts and words of sinners. He is committed to blind, confuse, deceive, harden, and damn those who reject the knowledge He offers in creation, providence, conscience, and Scripture. Do you know the God of the Bible? Most preachers have replaced sound doctrine with entertainment and fables to scratch the itching lusts of carnal Christians (II Tim 4:1-4)!

Introduce yourself to the God of the Bible, Who will do exactly as described above, by reading any two of these passages: I Kgs 22:1-4; Job 5:8-14; 12:14-25; Ps 147:19-20; Is 8:13-16; 19:11-17; 29:9-16; Jer 4:9-10; Ezek 14:1-11; Matt 11:25-27; 13:10-15; 15:12-14; John 12:37-41; Rom 1:18-32; I Cor 1:17-24; 3:19-20; II Thess 2:9-12; I Pet 2:6-8. There are more passages, but these should get the sober point across to noble readers.

Pharaoh, the greatest ruler on earth, told Moses, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Famous last words! After destroying Egypt, killing their firstborn, giving their wealth to Israel, and drowning Pharoah and his army in the Red Sea, the world knew the LORD. God had blessed Pharaoh’s life and rise to power just for this event (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:17). In fact, He told Moses beforehand exactly how the event would play out (Ex 14:4,17; Rom 9:18).

On March 31, 1912 the Harland and Wolff shipyard in England had finished their finest project. In just two years, 1000 workers had built the world’s largest and finest ship. So confident were the architects and workers that some called the ship unsinkable and said, “Not even God Himself could sink this ship.” Famous last words! Two weeks later the Titanic was in two pieces at the bottom of the North Atlantic with the loss of 1507 lives. Great human confidence, wealthy luminaries, and many children did not move the Lord!

God has reserved knowledge to Himself, which are His secret things, but He has also revealed much for His people to learn and do (Deut 29:29). He inspired men to write the Bible, and then He preserved its copying and translating so that His knowledge is available for those who will read it (Ps 12:6-7; 45:1; Is 30:8; II Tim 3:16-17; I Pet 1:25; II Pet 1:19-21). He prepares men to preach His word and form churches, which are the defense and support of knowledge on earth (Jer 3:15; Eph 4:8-16; I Tim 3:15; Jude 1:3).

Education is a handicap for finding true knowledge (Matt 11:25-27; I Cor 1:19-20; 3:19-20; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). The faithless speculations of educated men have created the following absurdities among many others: the universe and reproducing life resulted from an explosion, mankind evolved from monkeys, capital punishment is not a deterrent, sodomy is normal, men and women are equal, the greatest love is self-love, Picasso was an artist, rap is music, war helps economies, corporal punishment warps children, etc.

Though great efforts have been made by secular and religious powers to destroy Bible Christianity, it is still represented in most every city on every continent. Bibles have been burned, ministers and believers imprisoned or put to death, threats issued, counterfeit doctrines created, religious ridicule used, and worldly temptations offered. But the eyes of the LORD have preserved His knowledge and His people in the earth. Glory to God!

What is the lesson? There is only one place to go for knowledge – the Creator God and His Bible. All other thinking is total darkness (Is 8:20; Ps 119:128). The information explosion has not helped at all, for men are ever learning without any truth (II Tim 3:1-7). Humble yourself before the God of heaven and beg Him to teach you true knowledge. Seek out a true preacher of the word that you might have help in learning (Acts 8:30-35).

Proverbs 20:28 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: August 20, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 20:28 Love and faithfulness keep a King safe; through love his throne is made secure.

The Secret Service does little. Public opinion does less. Presidents desire both and often significantly overestimate both. Mercy and truth are their greatest allies and preservers.

God ordained civil rule, and He raises up the men that fill the offices in every nation, no matter what you think (Dan 2:20-22; 4:17; Rom 13:1-7). As the Supreme Ruler of the universe, He protects or punishes rulers, and this proverb teaches clearly on what basis.

Political science is taught in the Bible. Since the Bible reveals God’s will, it reveals His will about civil government. Since Solomon was a king writing in particular to his son, he also covered this subject by God’s direction for the lasting benefit of the nation of Israel.

Every ruler on earth, whether great or small, should humble himself before the divine wisdom of this proverb. Their personal survival, the length of their time in office, and the future of their nation or other political subdivision depends on their mercy and truth.

Truth is what is right, especially as defined by the true God in the Bible. Truth is the consistent application of honesty, integrity, justice, judgment, equity, righteousness, and virtue. Truth rejects all deception, dishonesty, lies, fraud, corruption, or compromise.

Mercy is compassion or forgiveness to those under a ruler’s authority who have no claim to receive kindness nor the power to defend themselves from the strict sentence of the law. Mercy is benevolence, gentleness, and graciousness to offenders or the powerless.

God is a God of truth, and He expects truth from all men, but especially from those in positions of rule (Deut 32:4; Ex 18:21; Is 16:5; 59:4,14-15; Jer 5:1; Zech 8:16). Any man that rules over others must be fully committed to truth defined by God (II Sam 23:3).

God is a God of mercy, and He expects mercy from all men, but especially from those in positions of rule (Mic 7:18; Ex 34:5-7; Ezek 33:11; Luke 15:7; Eph 2:4-7). Any man that rules over others must be fully committed to mercy for the oppressed (Pr 31:8-9).

God will preserve a ruler, a government, or a nation that exalts mercy and truth. He will destroy rulers, governments, or nations that compromise or corrupt either or both. The security of rulers and nations is right here, not in bodyguards, military strength, or polls.

David’s life and reign, recorded in great detail in the Bible, show many cases of mercy and truth, so you should not be surprised that God mercifully forgave him for sins in his own life, because he had been very merciful to others (Ps 18:25; Ps 41:1-4; 112:4-6).

David mercifully forgave Abner, King Saul’s military commander that had tried to kill him (II Sam 3:12-21). However, David’s nephew Joab killed Abner in jealous revenge (II Sam 3:22-27). So David in truth had Joab killed (II Sam 3:28-29; I Kgs 2:5-6).

At times mercy may seem to compromise truth, but truth rightly understood includes mercy. God punishes sinners, but it is His strange work (Is 28:21). God is merciful to sinners, and it is His delight (Mic 7:18). Mercy rejoices against strict judgment (Jas 2:13).

David with 600 men pursued Amalekites that had taken his family, but 200 had to stop because they were too tired. The 400 did not think the 200 should get any spoil because they in truth did not recover it, but David mercifully included them (I Sam 30:9-25).

How did David eat the shewbread (I Sam 21:1-6)? As a matter of truth, the shewbread was to be eaten only by the priests (Lev 24:5-9). Yet David knew God’s mercy allowed him to eat the holy bread (Pr 21:3; Hos 6:6). Jesus totally exonerated him (Matt 12:3-4).

But consider Rehoboam, David’s grandson, and Solomon’s son. The nation asked for a little mercy in reduced taxes, but he exaggerated the truth of civil authority, threatened them foolishly, and lost ten of the nation’s twelve tribes to a competitor (I Kgs 12:1-20).

Consider Pilate, the Roman governor. He had neither mercy nor truth. When examining Jesus, he asked skeptically, “What is truth?” (Jn 18:38). And when he found no crime in His life, he had Him killed anyway for political expediency (Is 53:7-9; John 19:12-16).

How merciful is America, killing 1.2 million unborn children a year? Choosing deficit spending and inflation to transfer wealth and confiscate savings from bondholders and widows? Enforcing penalties for cruelty to animals while sheltering human murderers?

How truthful is America, requiring evolution in its public schools to the exclusion of creation or intelligent design? Allowing the media to spin every event to promote secular humanism or social Darwinism? Calling two men or two women in bed a marriage?

What is America’s future? God will throw her down to hell (Ps 9:15-20), and He will laugh derisively while He does it (Ps 2:1-12). She has only made it to 2013 in her present sorry condition for the sake of the praying righteous in her (Gen 18:23-33; Jer 29:4-7).

Reader, do you practice mercy and truth for the preservation of your life, family, business, and church? Every husband (I Pet 3:7), father (Eph 6:4), employer (Eph 6:9), and pastor (I Tim 5:21) had better practice both, for they preserve and uphold all rulers.

The truth is all men deserve an eternal hell for their sins, but God’s true justice punished Jesus Christ in place of His elect, so He might have mercy upon them, while righteously being both just and justifier (Rom 3:26)! What a glorious combination of mercy and truth are found in Jesus Christ – they are met and kissed together in Him (Ps 85:10; 89:14)!

Spiritual Training 20 August 2014

Posted: August 20, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command
Warning from Israel’s History
1 Corinthians 10:1-10

1-5: For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wildernesses.

The cloud and the sea mentioned here refer to Israel’s escape from slavery in Egypt when God led them by a cloud and brought them safely through the Red Sea (Exodus 14). The spiritual food and drink are the miraculous provisions God gave as they traveled through the desert (Exodus 15; 16).10:2 “Baptized into Moses” means that just as we are united in Christ by baptism, so the Israelites were united under Moses’ leadership in the events of the exodus.10:7–10

6-10: Now these things occurred as examples’ to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

The incident referred to in 10:7 took place when the Israelites made a golden calf and worshiped it in the desert (Exodus 32). The incident in 10:8 is recorded in Numbers 25:1–9 when the Israelites worshiped Baal of Peor and engaged in sexual immorality with Moabite women. The reference in 10:9 is to the Israelites’ complaint about their food (Numbers 21:5, 6). They put the Lord to the test by seeing how far they could go. In 10:10, Paul refers to when the people complained against Moses and Aaron, and the plague that resulted (Numbers 14:2, 36; 16:41–50). The destroying angel is referred to in Exodus 12:23. 10:10 Paul warned the Corinthian believers not to complain. We start to complain when our attention shifts from what we have to what we don’t have. The people of Israel didn’t seem to notice what God was doing for them—setting them free, making them a nation, giving them a new land—because they were so wrapped up in what God wasn’t doing for them. They could think of nothing but the delicious Egyptian food they had left behind (Numbers 11:5).

Lets Bring it Home: Before we judge the Israelites too harshly, it’s helpful to think about what occupies our attention most of the time. Are we grateful for what God has given us, or are we always thinking about what we would like to have? Don’t allow your unfulfilled desires to cause you to forget God’s gifts of life, family, friends, food, health, and work.

Proverbs 15:33 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: August 16, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor

How important is the fear of the LORD for getting wisdom? Absolutely crucial! You will not get close to wisdom without fearing God (Job 28:28). How important is humility to getting honor? Absolutely crucial! You will not get close to true honor without it (Pr 11:2; 16:18; 18:12; 29:23). If you love wisdom and seek the favor of God and men, then here are the rules for your life: humble yourself before God and men in the fear of God.

What is the fear of the Lord? It is a reverent awe for Him and His power, a deep respect for His commandments and laws, and a fearful regard for the punishment He can bring on the foolish. It is not a slavish, demoralizing fear that causes terror or distress. It is a fervent and holy desire to please Him in all things and fulfill His desire for your life as close as possible. It is the sober realization that He is God and you are His mere creature.

 What is humility? It is the knowledge that you are very fallible, very foolish, and very weak. It is the willingness to reject your own thoughts and opinions in order to be taught by God or men wiser than yourself. It is the ability to take correction, confess your faults, and change your methods based on the instruction of others. It is the discipline to keep your mouth shut, avoid the conflicts of others, and forgive their offences against you.

 The importance of these two prerequisites cannot be overstated. Moses taught the fear of the Lord (Deut 10:12), and so did Joshua (Josh 24:14), Samuel (I Sam 12:14,20,24), David (Ps 34:9-11), and Solomon (Eccl 12:13-14). It was the conclusion of Solomon’s conclusive experimentation! It is the whole duty of man! The very foundation of wisdom requires the fear of God: without it you cannot even get started (Pr 1:7; 9:10; Ps 111:10).

The surest and shortest way to honor is the hovel of humility! Get down, before God and men put you down! If you get down, God and men will put you up! The lesson is certain; the law is infallible. God resists the proud, but He helps the humble. It is the way of Him Who cannot stand the stench of human confidence! Joseph reached the throne through the slave market and prison. Jesus reached the throne of glory through a stable and a cross!

 Moses and David became pastors of a nation after pastoring sheep in great obscurity. Gideon and Jephthah had little pedigree or position, but God promoted them over His people. Rahab and Ruth were despised foreigners, one a prostitute and one a widow, but both are in the lineage of Jesus Christ! Daniel and Esther were orphaned early and captured by pagan kingdoms, but both rose to the right hand of power! Abigail said she was unworthy to wash the feet of David’s servants, but he chose her to be his wife!

 When you fear the Lord, you have no fear of man, which corrupts the hearts of most men (Pr 29:25). If peer pressure does not bother you, and if threats do not intimidate you, then you will be proportionately wiser by not wasting mental effort or making moral compromise based on what others might think or do. Can you grasp this wisdom?

 When you fear the Lord, you have wonderful knowledge, precepts, and principles that others do not have – you have the words of God to guide your thinking and actions. The man who fears the Lord trembles before His word (Is 66:2). Even pagans can recognize the great advantage of the Bible (Deut 4:5-8; Ps 19:7; 111:10; 119:98-100).

 When you fear the Lord, you are accountable to a Judge higher than earthly authority. Men sin easily when the only risk is the displeasure or punishment of other men, but the fear of God brings the greatest motivation for a man to make wise and righteous choices. It was this fact that kept Joseph back from Potiphar’s wife and David from killing Saul.

 When you are humble, you think before you speak, and you speak gently and kindly, because you know the foolishness of your heart and lips. Such caution and reservation brings respect and honor, even from kings (Pr 15:1; 16:13; 17:27-28; 22:11). Grasp it!

 When you are humble, you get down before God and men. In that position, He gives grace and wisdom. In that position, He avenges you from your enemies. In that position, He exalts you above others, for He will crush the proud and promote the humble. In that position, He knows that exalting you will not bring the arrogance of self-confidence.

Reader, you have been shown the way of wisdom and honor. The blessed God of heaven inspired these words through the wisest and most honored king in history. Do you love and fear the God of heaven with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? If not, get down now and begin! Do you despise your deceitful heart, foolish lips, and weak flesh enough to cry unto God that you are a lost cause? If not, confess your arrogance and begin!

Spiritual Training 15 August 2014

Posted: August 16, 2014 in Uncategorized
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1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. Don’t merely observe from the grandstand; don’t just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning. Train diligently your spiritual progress depends on it.

Lets Bring it Home: These principles are just as valid for us as they were for Paul.

Proverbs 30:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 30, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverb 30:21 Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up

The goal of wisdom is to please God and men (Pr 3:3-4; Luke 2:52), so Agur listed four kinds of people that are irritating and annoying. If you are wise, you will never be one, and you will reject those who are. Here are four kinds of people that disrupt the world, and you must learn to avoid being like them, being around them, or approving of them.

This chapter of Proverbs contains lists of things to teach wisdom (Pr 30:11-31). The wise prophet Agur used this method to teach inspired wisdom to Ithiel and Ucal (Pr 30:1-6). In this particular list, four kinds of people disquiet the earth – disturb the peace and pleasure of life. The earth cannot bear them; they are irritating and frustrating to most men.

Most men love a quiet life – one of peace, pleasure, and security. But that goal is ruined, if one of these four is near. You will be angered by their disrespectful and intolerable conduct. Relaxation and rest will be impossible, for they are bent on making life miserable for others, even though they never grasp how much they are despised.

The first is a “servant when he reigneth (ruled).” God made masters and servants, leaders and followers. When this divine order is altered, and a person God created to serve is put in authority, the power corrupts their weak character and makes them unbearable. Solomon despised this perversion of roles (Pr 19:10; Eccl 10:5-7). It is found today in labor unions, employee committees, some deacon boards, political polls, and spoiled children.

The second is a “fool when he is filled with meat.” Prosperity and pleasure are a curse to the fool, for they flatter his depraved soul and cause him to boast and offend. The best thing for a fool is a beating and starvation (Pr 20:4; 26:3). The worst thing you can give a fool is honor and kindness (Pr 19:10; 26:1,8). Such fools are found today in rebellious youth with pampered lives, athletes with excessive salaries, and actors with contracts.

The third is an “odious woman when she is married.” Here is a common curse to mankind – an irritating, overbearing, and obnoxious wife. Many men have had their lives ruined by these deplorable creatures. Solomon warned about her many times (Pr 11:22; 12:4; 19:13; 21:9,19; 25:24; 27:15-16). She will hide her ugly soul and character while dating in order to entrap a foolish man, but after marriage he will discover marital hell. It is wise and important for young men to let married men interview their dates.

The fourth is a “handmaid that is heir to her mistress.” A female servant could become heir of her mistress by legitimate service, earning the approval of her mistress, or by marrying her master (Gen 16:1-4). Either the prospect or the possession of the mistress’s position had a subverting effect. Though of low origin and character, the servant would swell in pride and haughtiness. If promotion comes, men must remember their humble beginnings and reject arrogance. Today you see excessive divorce settlements, haughty politicians from slums, critical employees with stock option plans, and estate battles.

These four kinds of people ruin a peaceful and pleasant life. You must examine yourself to see if you are like any one of them, and repent before God and men if you are. Do you seek or have a position above your God-given abilities? Does your foolishness come out when prospered or in pleasure? Are you an overbearing woman? How many good men and women love your company? And are you from humble origins? Then stay humble!

You must also identify such people around you and oppose them. Do not approve promoting employees over employers. Do not allow fools to enjoy honor or pleasure. Do everything you can to keep odious girls and women single. Protect foolish young men. And remind those from poverty that their promotion is by God’s grace (I Cor 4:7).

Proverbs 29:09 Wisdom from the Soul

Posted: July 30, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 29:09 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs and there is no peace.

Fools are hopeless! And they are a pain! No matter what methods you use, they cannot and will not learn wisdom. They are incorrigibly foolish, stubbornly conceited, and rebelliously wicked. You can try anger or humor, but nothing will change their foolish hearts. There is only one Physician for this disease, only one Counselor for these lunatics.

What is a fool? A fool denies God’s authority – in words or actions (Ps 14:1). A fool trusts his own heart and rejects instruction (Pr 28:6; 15:5). He hates wisdom and loves folly, though he will not admit it. He is not merely foolish; he has been given over to folly. He thinks, speaks, and acts contrary to wisdom and convention. He loves himself.

You will meet these cantankerous creatures. Solomon here prepared his son for these frustrating encounters. Rather than fall into despair over helping them, Solomon warned that there are no methods available to man to change these difficult persons. If the Lord does not change their hearts, they will sink into hell with them (Pr 20:12; II Tim 2:24-26).

You cannot reason with them: they are unreasonable – they have no faith (II Thess 3:2). They do not seek the living God (Heb 11:6). They are incorrigible (Pr 27:22). They may know and recite Scripture or doctrine, but it means nothing. The Lord of glory will reject many accomplished Pharisees and preachers in the Day of Judgment (Matt 7:21-23).

Intimidation and threats will not teach a fool, neither will friendship and humor. You will be frustrated! There is no rest! Fools love being fools – they love their folly – and you will not change them. The wise thing to do is get away from them, as Solomon, Jesus, and Paul said (Pr 9:6; 13:20; 14:7; 26:4-5; Matt 7:6; I Cor 15:33). Stay away from them!

What horror to give birth to a fool (Pr 17:21,25)! What horror to marry a fool (Pr 30:23; I Sam 25:25)! What horror to be born to a fool (I Sam 20:30-34)! But if the truth is told, you were born a fool! You were as corrupt as the worst fool of hell (Rom 3:9-18; Ep 2:1-3; Tit 3:3). Only the renewing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit saved you (Tit 3:5)!

What evangelistic methods can save a fool? What approach can win him from his love of sin to love Jesus Christ and righteousness instead? There are none! None at all! Abraham told the rich man that even Lazarus coming back from the dead would be a worthless evangelist (Luke 16:27-31). And a change of environment will not do a thing either (Is 26:10). There is nothing you can tell a sinner to influence him in the least (I Cor 1:18; 2:14; II Cor 4:3-4). His mind is at war against God and will not change (Rom 8:7-8).

In spite of all the soul-saving braggadocio and money-begging extortion of the modern missionary movement, neither Mother Theresa nor Billy Graham can save a single fool from his depraved heart. Fools must be born again (John 3:3), resurrected from spiritual death (John 5:24-25), and quickened into life (Eph 2:1-3) by the voice of the Son of God and power of the Holy Ghost. Salvation is of the Lord! If you love wisdom and heavenly things and are living a life dedicated to God’s glory, bless His name for saving you!

Proverbs 28:23 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 28, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 28:23 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.

True friendship and esteem depend on your contribution to others’ lives. Those who flatter others may have some superficial friends or foolish companions, who enjoy the empty praise. But those who correct and teach others the way of God more perfectly will have devoted and thankful friends for the profit they obtain for their souls and lives.

What does it mean to rebuke? It means to reprove or reprimand another person for some action or trait that is not acceptable. It is telling another person they are wrong and they need to change. It means to point out their errors and express strong dislike of them.

What does it mean to flatter? It means to praise or compliment unduly or insincerely. It is telling another person positive things merely to make them happy and desirous of your friendship. It means to play on a person’s vanity and cheer them without a good basis.

The proverb does not compare two good things and suggest one is better than the other. Rebuke is a very good and holy thing, for it stops sin in others’ lives and directs them to righteousness. Flattery is an evil thing, for it comforts and encourages men to continue in a course of sin merely for a superficial relationship (Pr 20:19; 29:5; Job 17:5; Ps 12:2-3).

True love will rebuke sin in friends. In fact, loving your neighbor requires you to rebuke them for sin. If you do not rebuke them, you hate them (Lev 19:17). If you love someone, you want to help perfect him by pointing out the things that are wrong in his life (Pr 27:5-6; Rom 15:14; I Thes 5:14). You will risk the relationship in order to hopefully help him.

The rebuke under consideration here is the reproof or reprimand of sin, as measured by the word of God. This proverb has nothing to do with matters of liberty, because neither God nor good men care what you think in matters of liberty. No man has any right to judge in matters that God has not judged in the Bible. Personal opinion is just that!

Consider the value of rebuke. There can be no progress without change, and there can be no change without correction, and correction means rebuke for doing something the wrong way. Disciplinarian fathers will be loved more in the long run than pampering fathers; and athletes generally appreciate severe coaches for getting the most out of them.

Flattery, no matter how cheery, positive, or vain, does no one any good. It merely wastes the earth’s oxygen and creates noise pollution. You leave such a person worse for the experience, no matter how pleasant the flattery sounded at the moment. Eventually a righteous person will avoid flatterers, for they truly prefer rebuke (Pr 27:9; Ps 141:5).

Great men and women are trees of life – they nourish others with wisdom (Pr 10:21; 11:30). But most people are quite worthless, because they never contribute to the profit or perfection of others. They are too fearful to help. They are too ignorant to help. They are too selfish to help. Instead of being trees of life, they are merely rotting fence posts!

The value and vitality of a church depends on the practice of this proverb. There are two great benefits. If church members fulfilled their roles of rebuking one another for sin, a church would grow in grace and holiness (Rom 15:14; Eph 4:16; I Thess 5:14; Heb 3:12-13; 10:24-25). And, look again at the proverb. The church would grow in love and true esteem for one another by the benefit gained from the wise and godly rebukes. Glory!

Most churches are little more than superficial social clubs. After a short session of a form of godliness, which they call a worship service, they engage in idle chitchat and inane bantering. Then they go home backbiting and slandering one another. God forbid! They ought to be soberly confessing their faults to one another, exhorting one another to greater godliness, and rebuking any known sins (Gal 6:1; Eph 4:29; Jas 5:16,19-20).

Why do most Christians never correct or rebuke anyone in matters of godliness? Because they reject the truth of this wisdom! They assume the way to obtaining and maintaining friends is flattery, comfortable chitchat, and foolish talking. They fear losing friends and their favour – the very opposite of God’s wisdom – so they never reprove others for sin.

What is the reward for rebuking others? God is pleased you have fulfilled your role and kept His instruction, and the man you rebuked will love you for it (Pr 9:7-9). However, he may not love you at the moment of your rebuke! And for this you must be prepared. Remember the proverb. It says he will love you “afterwards.” Children will obey strict training when they are old, though maybe not that week (Pr 22:15; Heb 12:11)!

The Lord Jesus Christ, the preeminent example, was always correcting, rebuking, and instructing those He met in life, whether disciples or enemies. And Paul did the same thing, spending his life to correct and reprove the sin he found in lives. Righteous men and women loved them both, for they appreciated the holy efforts to perfect their lives.

If a person were properly convicted about the coming Day of Judgment, there would be little time for anything else but perfecting others by wise rebukes and instruction. For once you stand before the King of kings, you will very strongly wish others had rebuked you more, and others will very strongly wish you had rebuked them more. Why make it the great Day of Regret? Gently and wisely rebuke sin where you see it today.

Spiritual Training 25 July 2014

Posted: July 25, 2014 in Bible Study, Forgiveness, Mark, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Mark: 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Forgiving others is tough work—so much so that many people would rather do something totally distasteful than offer forgiveness to someone who has wronged them. For a person to pray while bearing a grudge, however, is like a tree sprouting leaves and bearing no fruit (11:13). True faith changes the heart. Real prayer dismantles pride and vengeance, filling the holes with love. Real faith seeks peace. For our churches to have prayer power, there must be harmony and forgiveness evident in the body of believers.

Lets Bring it Home: Let go of hurts, abandon grudges, and forgive others.

Proverbs 25:6-7 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 25, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Faith, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 25:6-7 Do not exalt yourself in the King’s presence and do not claim a place among great men, (7) it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

Jesus made this proverb into a parable

We should not seek honor for ourselves. It is better to quietly and faithfully accomplish the work God has given us to do. As others notice the quality of our lives, then they will draw attention to us.

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table he told them this parable:

Luke 14:7-11 When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

14:7–14 Jesus taught two lessons here. First, he spoke to the guests, telling them not to seek places of honor. Service is more important in God’s kingdom than status. Second, he told the host not to be exclusive about whom he invites. God opens his kingdom to everyone.

14:11 How can we humble ourselves? Some people try to give the appearance of humility in order to manipulate others. Others think that humility means putting themselves down. Truly humble people compare themselves only with Christ, realize their sinfulness, and understand their limitations. On the other hand, they also recognize their gifts and strengths and are willing to use them as Christ directs. Humility is not self-degradation; it is realistic assessment and commitment to serve.

Jesus advised people not to rush for the best places at a feast. People today are just as eager to raise their social status, whether by being with the right people, dressing for success, or driving the right car.

Lets Bring it Home: Whom do you try to impress? Rather than aiming for prestige, look for a place where you can serve. If God wants you to serve on a wider scale, he will invite you to take a higher place.

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