Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Proverbs 09:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 9, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags:
1

Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

Bottom line up front (BLUF) Wisdom begins with knowing God. He gives insight into living because he created life. To know God is not just to know the facts about him, but stand in awe of him and have a relationship with him. Do you really want to be wise? Get to know God better and better.

Fools say, “There is no God” (Ps 14:1; 53:1). They are hopelessly insane as they face life and its perplexities before meeting the Judge of the universe for their eternal sentencing. Belief in the existence of God and reverently desiring to please Him is the absolute prerequisite and foundation for wisdom. Knowing there is a holy God with eternal power and Godhead is the greatest necessity for true understanding. Choose them both today!

All men reason from chosen assumptions. Consider it well. Wise men reason from faith that Jehovah exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). Since Scripture is easily proven to be a divine revelation of truth and wisdom, they include this necessary source document for knowledge and understanding. Within the Scriptures are perfect answers for every dilemma, question, or problem (II Tim 3:16-17). Wise men, beginning with the fear of the LORD, approach life soberly and successfully.

The fool reasons from his own existence and the thoughts of his biased and depraved imagination. His opinions are peer-approved between human sentiment and self-justification. He has no absolutes or limits to restrain his hallucinations. His own heart is his god, and he worships his own feelings. He may call it science – evolution and psychology are examples – but it is only vain babbling to rid the universe of a sovereign God and the moral restraints He has imposed on His creatures (I Tim 6:20). He will read anything but the Bible, adoring profane German philosophers over inspired prophets.

Which of these two classes of men is reasonable? To enter life as a helpless, nursing, messing infant and think that your thoughts twenty years later are noble, sound, and wise is the epitome of insanity. To admit the universe has an infinitely wise Creator, Who has the right and wisdom to direct man’s life is the only sensible view. Scripture plainly declares that men without faith are unreasonable (Ps 14:1; 53:1; II Thess 3:2). Amen!

God has revealed Himself to men, but they have rejected Him, so He has justly given them over to reprobate minds, which pervert everything from the identity of God to the sexual use of the body (Rom 1:18-32). They are profanely perverse, but they have no wisdom or understanding to even recognize their depravity. They have a lie in their right hand, but they cannot deliver themselves (Is 44:20). They cannot even begin to be wise.

These educated but imbecilic nuts want us to believe they can tell us about planets 5,000 light years away but could not find Osama bin Laden for ten years on this miniscule earth that is 70% water; that a buffalo rib from 1845 is a giant woodpecker’s leg from 50 trillion B.C.; that a liberal arts college education makes a person wise; that sodomy is normal; that labor unions benefit companies and country; that the Bible is an outdated collection of fables by religious nuts; that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime; that Nicole Brown Simpson got a fair trial; that apartheid is wrong but Indian reservations are right; that spanking children is abuse; that rap is music; that Picasso was an artist; that two men having intercourse is gay; that the Flood is a myth but the big bang is fact; that an 18-year-old child in the public daycare should have an equal vote with a property-owning, 60-year-old business owner; that a jury of peers provides intelligent judgment; that Muslims are peace-loving people; that Hinduism is a respectable religion; that animals have rights but husbands do not; that Freud was sane; that two lesbians are acceptable parents; that freedom of speech includes pornographic caricatures of the president; that asking political opinions of actresses is intelligent; that a national debt approaching the nation’s GNP is wise economics; that bestiality is wrong for its harm to animals; that separation of church and state forbids attorney generals from praying; that the Beatles loved peace; that Miley Cyrus is a role model for girls; that Harry Potter novels are valuable but I and II Samuel are violent; that the Bible is not an allowable source document but Darwin’s Species is; that the greatest love of all is love of self; among many other examples of ludicrous, insane thinking.

Reader, humble yourself before your Creator, now. Confess every thought as being the selfish hallucination of a depraved and rebellious sinner. Beg Him for mercy and truth. Promise to adore and obey Him forever. Read His word with total faith and submission. Cancel your newspaper subscription. Love sound Bible preaching. Prove all things by the word of God, hold fast that which is good (Ps 119:128; Acts 17:11; I Thess 5:21).

Spiritual Training 08 April 2014

Posted: April 8, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags:
0

Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 2:6-7 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. (7) No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has ben hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

God’s “secret wisdom . . . that has been hidden” was his offer of salvation to all people. Originally unknown to humanity, this plan became crystal clear when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proved that he had power over sin and death and could offer us this power as well (See also 1 Peter 1:10-12 and the first note on Romans 16:25-27).

Lets Bring it Home: God’s plan, however, is still hidden to unbelievers because they either refuse to accept it, choose to ignore it, or simply haven’t heard about it.

Proverbs 08:24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 8, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 8:24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

Once upon a time there was no water – no oceans, seas, lakes, or pools. It was before God created the heaven and the earth (Gen 1:1-2). No man has ever seen such a universe, and the only record we have of it is the written revelation of God in the Bible. But even when there was no water, before God created the heaven and earth, wisdom already existed.

This proverb is part of Solomon’s personification of wisdom as a woman. The personal, feminine pronouns throughout the eighth chapter of Proverbs reference Lady Wisdom, as Solomon describes wisdom in lofty and beautiful terms. She offers herself to men (Pr 8:1-11), lists her rewards to men (Pr 8:12-21), describes her origin with God before any creation (Pr 8:22-31), and closes with a further appeal and invitation to men (Pr 8:32-36).

The LORD Jehovah created all water (Gen 1:1-8). The Word of God often presents Him as the Creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that in them is (Ex 20:11; Ps 146:6; Jonah 1:9; Acts 4:24; 14:15; Rev 10:6; 14:7). He is the Ruler of the seas and uses them to accomplish His holy purposes (Ps 77:19; Is 43:16; Amos 5:8; 9:6; Jonah 1:4).

Do you feel pressure on your ears at the deep end of a swimming pool – 10 feet from the surface? Have you tried scuba diving and felt the pressure at 100 feet? The submarines of World War II could not survive 500 feet. Modern nuclear submarines are not made to operate below 1500 feet. Yet the Mariana Trench in the Pacific is 35,800 feet deep. A mile deeper than Mount Everest is high! The LORD is His name (Amos 5:8; 9:6).

Consider the Asian tsunami of 2004. An undersea earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in the Indian Ocean sent a sea surge 1-2 feet high racing in all directions at 600 mph. When it reached shore it slowed to about 35 mph, but it grew in height to as much as 50 feet. A wall of water! It killed as far away as Port Elizabeth in South Africa, 5000 miles from the epicenter. Over 225,000 lost their lives, and 2,000,000 were made homeless.

The seas are considered as primitive and ancient as anything on earth. Even evolutionists hallucinate about primordial slime coming together in the dark depths eons ago to make butterflies, elephants, hummingbirds, and their baboon ancestors. They are blinded fools! While the seas are old, they are only 6,000 years old based on the Bible’s chronology.

What is the lesson? Though men consider the seas to be very old, there was something earlier. Before there was water, there was wisdom. Before the dark seas existed, the creator God possessed wisdom. If wisdom – the ability of right judgment – is more ancient than the seas and fountains of the earth, you should seek it with all your might. Go to God’s word and His teachers and learn the only true wisdom to direct your life.

 

Proverbs 7:26 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 7, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags: , ,
0

Under Gods Command

Proverbs 7:26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a might throng.

What did Samson, David, and Solomon have in common? They could not resist whorish women. Are men stronger than women? Yes, ordinarily. No, when the woman is an adulteress. Here is the wise Preacher’s warning about the danger of the strange woman – a woman other than your wife, especially a woman with a whorish heart (Pr 7:1-27).

Solomon, a wise father, soberly warned his son about the temptation and danger of a loose woman (Pr 7:1-5,24-27). After describing her seduction of a foolish young man in a lengthy parable (Pr 7:6-23), he summarized the grave danger of going near such a woman two ways – her power over men is great (Pr 7:26), and the results are fatal (Pr 7:26-27).

Adam and Eve taught a sober lesson in Eden (Gen 2:18-25; 3:1-6). Though Adam was made first and Eve was his helper, he could not resist her request to eat the forbidden fruit (Gen 3:12). Satan’s lie to Eve did not deceive Adam, but he weakly submitted to his naked wife over God and His commandment (Gen 2:16-17; I Tim 2:14). And Satan has used women to seduce men ever since, whether married or not (Job 2:9; I Kgs 11:1-11).

By wise design, God made the woman’s body, flattering speech, physical contact, and eagerness for intimacy to powerfully attract men. Used properly in marriage, it results in the great pleasures of the Song of Solomon. Used outside marriage, only a few men can resist the powerful temptation. As the proverb declares, “Many strong men have been slain by her.” The only sure way to avoid adultery is to stay far from her (Pr 7:6-8,25).

Women have altered nations by seducing their leaders. Consider Cleopatra. This conniving adulteress stole Egypt’s throne and undermined Rome’s by seducing Julius Caesar, and then she destroyed the general Mark Antony by adultery as well. These men, renowned for courage, leadership, and strength, were soft putty in her lying embraces.

But there was Joseph, who resisted the repeated advances of Potiphar’s wife, to eventually rule Egypt, second only to Pharaoh (Gen 39:7-12). Though never having the strength of Samson or killing a giant like David, Joseph is a greater hero. And the Lord Jesus Christ, tempted in all points as any man, was without sin His entire life (Heb 4:15).

What will an adulteress cost? You will be wounded and slain! Delilah took Samson to an early grave of ignominy and shame. Bathsheba cost David enormously his entire life. And pagan women from other nations ruined Solomon’s life and dynasty. Adultery is not the exciting diversion the world claims; adultery is a painful hell and death (Pr 7:27).

How can men defeat the adulteress? They cannot go near her, because they do not have the strength to resist. They must avoid her altogether. She has four wiles: looks, flattery, touch, and willingness. Reject pornography, coed swimming, and immodestly clothed women. Reject flirting, phoning, chat rooms, or email liaisons. Reject dancing, embracing, or other physical contact with another woman. And never allow personal or intimate conversation or opportunity where her willingness for sin can be communicated.

Good wives grasp the power they have and use it to please their husbands and win peace in their marriages and homes (Song 8:6-7; I Cor 7:1-5). And they rejoice in the wonderful pleasure themselves (Song 1:1-2; 2:3-7; 3:4-5; 5:9-16; 8:1-4). They will use their looks, romantic words, physical caresses, and initiate lovemaking to promote romance at home to save their husbands from whorish women (Pr 5:19-20; I Cor 7:1-5; Heb 13:4).

There is another whore in the Bible. The great whore of Revelation 17, which is the false Church of Rome and the churches that came out of her. She has also cast down many wounded, and many strong men have been destroyed by her false doctrine and abominable practices. The way to safety is the same – stay far away from her, and find a true church of Jesus Christ where you can meet, worship, and serve in apostolic purity.

Spiritual Training 07 April 2014

Posted: April 7, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags: , , , , ,
0

Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. (2) For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (3) I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. (4) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, (5) so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

A brilliant scholar, Paul could have overwhelmed his listeners with intellectual arguments. Instead he shared the simple message of Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his words.

(4) Paul’s confidence was not in his keen intellect or speaking ability but in his knowledge that the Holy Spirit was helping and guiding him. Paul in not denying the importance of study and preparation for preaching-he had a thorough education in the Scriptures. Effective preaching must combine studious preparation with reliance on the work of the Holy Sprit. Don’t use Paul’s statement as an excuse for not studying or preparing.

Lets Bring it Home: In sharing the gospel with others, we should follow Paul’s example and keep our message simple and basic. The Holy Spirit will give power to our words and use them to bring glory to Jesus.

Proverbs 02:04 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 2, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags: , ,
0

Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 2:4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure

Are wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as valuable to you as silver or hid treasures? Men pursue silver and hid treasure with excited hearts and at great expense and effort, and Solomon warned that only such desire and work will find the wisdom of God. Unless you have such zeal and diligence, you will miss true knowledge and understanding.

Just a short reading about the mysterious Money Pit of Nova Scotia’s Oak Island will prove the character of men and hidden treasures. At least six lives, millions of dollars, and enormous efforts have been invested, and countless disappointments endured over 210 years, to find the presumed treasure at the bottom of an ingenious manmade shaft.

Wisdom exists, and you must find it and get it, for it is of more value than all riches (Pr 4:7; 16:16; Ps 19:10; 119:14,72,127). You buy wisdom by giving up others things in life to redeem the time and apply the effort to study God’s word; you avoid selling it by refusing any offer of this world to distract you from your pursuit of it (Pr 23:23; 18:1).

Jesus Christ taught that the kingdom of God is life’s greatest priority (Matt 6:33), and He illustrated it by men selling all they had to buy a field or a valuable pearl (Matt 13:44-46). What have you sold, or given up, to pursue this treasure? Or are your treasures on earth?

Wisdom will not fall in your lap, for then the wrong persons could get it. Wisdom is a reward to those who ask and work for it. The just and jealous God will not give its riches for sporadic, lazy, or slight effort, but He will reward zealous seekers (Jer 29:13).

Consider ministers. They must study like workmen (II Tim 2:15); they must give themselves wholly to reading, exhortation, and doctrine (I Tim 4:13-15); and they must do so while enduring hardness as soldiers without worldly obligations (II Tim 2:3-4). If a minister compromises in any of these areas, he and his hearers will lose (I Tim 4:16).

Consider Christians. They must use wisdom or lose it, as Paul told the Hebrews (Heb 5:12-14). If they do not pay close attention to preaching, they will lose all, even the knowledge they presumed they had (Luke 8:18). The Bereans were noble for an obvious reason (Acts 17:11), and you should follow their good example (I Thes 5:21).

Dear friend, do you read the Word of God? Do you read it with passion and effort? Do you study it? Do you crave to hear it taught? Do you meditate upon it day and night? Do you speak of it to others? Do you give up pleasures for it? Do you buy tools to help?

Most men do not make the effort, so they live and die as fools. They are infatuated with the glitter of worldly toys and earthly pleasures. Only a few are ready scribes like Ezra (Ezra 7:6); only a few are fruitful trees (Ps 1:1-3). Only a few keep the words of God, meditate on them, and obey them to have Elihu and David’s wisdom (Ps 119:98-100).

Jesus Christ sought God’s wisdom all night in a mountain (Luke 6:12). And while others slept, He searched for the treasure of God’s favor and will with tears and blood-like sweat (Luke 22:39-46). Was He heard? Indeed! He sits forever as King on Zion’s hill, ruling the universe in perfect wisdom, righteousness, and truth. Seek wisdom today!

Spiritual Training 31 March 2014

Posted: March 31, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:20-24  Where is the wise man? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

Many Jews considered the Good News of Jesus Christ to be foolish, because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king accompanied by signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David’s throne as they expected. Besides, he was executed as a criminal, and how could a criminal be a savior? Greeks, too, considered the gospel foolish: they did not believe in a bodily resurrection; they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods; and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory. The Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. Our society worships power, influence, and wealth. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant, and he offers his kingdom to those who have faith, not to those who do all kinds of good deeds to try to earn his gifts.

 

Lets Bring it Home: This looks foolish to the world, but Christ is our power, the only way we can be saved. Knowing Christ personally is the greatest wisdom anyone could.

Proverbs 31:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 31, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags: ,
0

Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 31:20  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

The virtuous woman has more on her mind than just her family. Her ambitions, energy, and plans extend to the poor and needy that God has placed in her path. Rather than be content with having her husband, children, and home well cared for and happy, she has a conscience that drives her to take care of others who cannot take care of themselves.

Her thoughts toward the poor and needy are more than wishful thinking or kind words. Her thoughts result in diligent and personal action, which are the only thoughts that count in the sight of God and men (Pr 3:27-28; Jas 2:15-16). She knows that true love is in deed and truth, not merely in word and tongue (I Jn 3:16-18). Moved by God’s love for her, she has bowels of compassion to share her ability and substance with the needy.

The charitable giving here is not easy or passive action. “She stretcheth out her hand,” and, “She reacheth forth her hands.” These words do not convey casual donations or convenient acts of charity. A virtuous woman goes out of her way to meet the poor and needy and help them, even if it requires strenuous effort to accomplish the service. She is not merely available for charity; she volunteers and does the work without any prodding.

The virtuous woman has sympathy for the truly poor and needy (Jas 1:27). She does not exchange mock charity with friends, subdivision neighbors, or peers at work. She knows that giving to the rich will bring God’s judgment (Pr 22:16). Neither does she care or worry about the foolish, lazy, or wasteful (Pr 13:23; 20:4; II Thess 3:10). She, like the Good Samaritan, waits for the Lord to put an act of God in her path (Luke 10:25-37).

She knows godly charity begins with true needs in her extended family – parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents (I Tim 5:4,8,16). It then serves the poor and needy in her church (Acts 2:44-45; Rom 12:13), those in other churches (Matt 25:40; Gal 6:10), and then those God puts in her path (Job 31:16-22; Luke 10:25-37). She is given to hospitality for the saints and known for generosity to strangers (Rom 12:13; I Tim 5:10; Heb 13:2).

A man with a virtuous wife must allow her a discretionary budget for such spending, and it will come back to praise her and him (Pr 31:23,31; II Kgs 4:8-10). Stingy husbands can crush their wives’ hearts and deprive the poor, and they will suffer for it now and later.

A virtuous woman is loved by all and praised by husband and children (Pr 31:28-31; Acts 9:36-42), but her greatest glory is yet to come, when the High King of heaven will take special notice of her charity before the universe (Mat 10:40-42; 25:31-40; I Tim 6:17-19).

 

 

Proverbs 27:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 27, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags: , , , , , ,
0

Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you-better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away

Great men have great friends. Here is precious wisdom. But very few men qualify as great friends. It is very prudent to keep such friends, even above a blood brother. A small band of committed and virtuous friends is far better than the natural relationship of family. Blood may be thicker than water, as it is said, but it is not thicker than godly character in Jesus Christ! “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Pr 18:24).

When trouble comes, and it will come, you want a real friend to stand with you, one that loves at all times and considers your problems to be his own (Pr 17:17). You want a friend that thinks the same as you and will stand with you no matter the cost or difficulty. A cultivated friendship based on character, conviction, truth, and wisdom will far surpass the expected help of a natural brother that is only connected to you by blood and name.

Your success depends on great friends, for there are four benefits (Eccl 4:9-12). When God gives such a friend, it is a great blessing. Solomon used this proverb to help his son rule a great nation that stretched from the Euphrates to Egypt. He himself had benefited much by his father’s friends, Hiram the King of Tyre (II Sam 5:11; I Kgs 5:1-18) and Benaiah, captain of the bodyguards (II Sam 20:23; 23:20-23; I Kgs 1:38; 2:25-46).

Consider inspired history. Joseph found greater kindness from foreign captors than his brothers. David found greater loyalty and service from vagabonds than his envious brothers, and he found greater love and loyalty from Jonathan. Jesus found greater sympathy and loyalty from His disciples than His brothers (John 7:1-5; Luke 22:15).  He knew His true friends were those who heard the word of God and kept it (Matt 12:46-50).

God chose David for his pure heart (I Sam 16:6-13). Jonathan saw this clearer than his envious brothers did (I Sam 17:28). Though losing much, he loved him dearly (I Sam 18:1-4). Loving virtue above family and career, Jonathan chose David over his own father (I Sam 19:1-7). They made a vow against the blood ties of Jonathan (I Sam 20:1-17) and included their children (I Sam 23:42). David valued Jonathan’s love above women (II Sam 1:26), and he saved Jonathan’s son when he was in need (II Sa 9:1; 21:7).

Godly friends are superior to blood brothers, for the relationship is built on a better foundation. They are superior for their regenerated hearts, the precious blood of Christ, the absolute truth of God’s Word, godly hatred of compromise, a life pursuit of holiness, and the hope of eternal life. The Bible recognizes these friends as dear as one’s own soul, even distinguishing them from a precious wife (Deut 13:6; I Sam 18:1,3; 20:17).

Do you understand the importance of this lesson? Without great friendships based in godliness, who will help in the day of your calamity? You will go down and stay down. Two are better than one for four reasons, and you risk your future by not securing good friends (Eccl 4:9-12). A wise man will secure his life and that of his family by doing what is necessary to preserve vital friendships with noble and virtuous men.

There is a place for godly networking, though the objective and methods are infinitely superior to the world’s effort to find contacts and customers for their own selfish ends. The great God instructed His messengers to be lovers of good men (Titus 1:8), as Paul was of Timothy (Acts 16:1-3; Phil 2:19-23; II Tim 1:1-5). Most so-called Christians have no clue about great friends, because they despise men that are holy (II Tim 3:1-5).

What kinds of friends meet the intent of this proverb? The context, unusual in Proverbs, gives valuable traits of godly friends (Pr 27:4-5,9). True friends love at all times, whether you are in good or bad circumstances (Pr 17:17). They are chosen for their fear of God, love of truth, and personal righteousness (Ps 119:63). Do you know such men? You cannot cheat on any of these measures, or you will lose the benefit you are seeking.

The blood of Jesus Christ creates an immediate bond greater than human blood, when two lovers and followers of Christ meet by the kind providence of God. There is no selfishness, self-protection, fear, doubts, or hidden agenda between such friends. They fully trust each other (I Sam 14:6-7), and they strengthen each other in God (I Sam 23:14-18). And they love to unite their zeal in doing great things for God (II Kgs 10:15-16).

False friends, who comprise the vast majority of all men in the world, are fair weather friends – they only stand with you while it is easy and profitable (Pr 14:20; 19:4). Or they are carnal friends, whose friendship is based on worldly compatibility. Or they are weak friends, whom you must constantly help due to their lack of character. David had no use for false brethren or the harsh spirits of his nephews (Ps 101:3-8; 144:11; II Sam 3:39).

Do you deserve great friends? Loners do not have them, for they are too selfish to give. Rebels lose out because their unruly spirits are dangerous and offensive. Compromisers will not have any, for they cannot be trusted. The greater zeal a man has for Jesus Christ, the greater he will be loved by such men. Godliness and virtue attract godly and virtuous men; and godliness and virtue drive away carnal men. Holy living will bring holy friends.

In order to have great friends, you must be friendly (Pr 18:24). In order to keep them, you must not forsake them (Pr 27:10). Friendship is a two-way street, and you are foolish to think that great men should need no encouragement. It is the providential blessing of God that brings great friends into your life, and most of them should be found in your church, if it is a church sold out to Jesus Christ (I Cor 12:18). Some can be thankful they have double brothers or sisters, united by both family blood and Jesus Christ’s blood!

Spiritual Training 27 March 2014

Posted: March 27, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
Tags: , ,
0

Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.

Paul summarizes Isaiah 29:14 to emphasize a point Jesus often made: God’s way of thinking is not like the world’s way (normal human wisdom).  And God offers eternal life, which the world can never give.  We can spend a lifetime accumulating human wisdom and yet never learn how to have a personal relationship with God.

Lets Bring it Home: We must come to the crucified and risen Christ to receive eternal life and the joy of a personal relationship with our Savior.

Older Entries
Newer Entries