Archive for the ‘Under Gods Command’ Category

Proverbs 25:9-10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 25, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 25:9-10 If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.

Private and personal matters should stay private and personal. If you have an issue with a person, take care of it with them. No one else needs to know, and telling anyone else about it becomes the sins of backbiting and whispering. Not only should you keep this rule of wisdom yourself, you should strictly help others keep it also (25:23).

Here is rich wisdom. Here is plain condemnation of a very popular sin. Most men and women are so selfish and hateful, that they would rather broadcast their controversies with others, rather than deal with them in direct kindness. Much of the dissension and strife among men is caused by the frequent violation of this simple proverb (26:20).

Exposing private information about a person is to rape their reputation. It is a serious offence. It is summarized in the Ten Commandments by the sixth article, “Thou shalt not kill,” for any hateful activity toward another breaks this law (Matt 5:21-22). Only foolish or wicked people have no regard for the character or reputations of others.
The quantity and severity of warnings against this sin in the Bible prove how much God hates it. It is addressed in both testaments numerous times (Lev 19:16; Ps 15:3; Rom 1:29-30. And Solomon frequently condemned it in these Proverbs (11:13; 20:19; 26:22).

There are two kinds of causes with your neighbor. Either they have offended you by an action of theirs, or you have offended them by an action of yours. In either case, the rule is the same: settle the matter directly with them. Do not spread any knowledge of the issue to anyone else. Both kindness and wisdom will keep the matter secret between you.

Jesus expanded this proverb beautifully. He taught very clearly your course of action when someone has offended you. He said, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother” (Matt 18:15). Note His careful wording that keeps the matter private.

He also taught very clearly your course of action when you have offended someone. He said, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt 5:23-24).
If you do not have the glory to overlook the personal offences of others (19:11), at least show a little righteousness by keeping their offences between you and them (17:9).

Spiritual Training 24 January 2012

Posted: January 24, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, 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
Jesus Teaches about the Vine and the Branches

John 15:12-13 – My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.

We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love: listening, helping, encouraging, and giving. Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more.

Proverbs 24:17-18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 24, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 24:17-18 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.

David, Solomon’s father, refused to gloat over the death of his lifelong enemy Saul. On the other hand, the nation of Edom rejoiced over Israel’s defeat and was punished by God for their attitude. To gloat over other’s misfortune is to make you the avenger and to put yourself in the place of God, who alone is the real judge of all the earth.

Spiritual Training 23 January 2012

Posted: January 23, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, 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
Jesus Teaches about the Vine and the Branches

John 15:9-11 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

When things are going well, we feel excited. When hardships come, we sink into depression. But true joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with his, he will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating, lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us levelheaded, no matter how high or low our circumstances.

Proverbs 23:29-35 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 23, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 23:29-35

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.  Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.  Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.  You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.  “They hit me, “ you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

The soothing comfort of alcohol is only temporary.  Real relief comes from dealing with the cause of the anguish and sorrow and turning to God for peace.  Don’t lose yourself in alcohol; find yourself in God.

Be alerted to the dangers of wine (drinking) It dulls the senses, it limits clear judgment, it lowers the capacity for control and it destroys a person’s efficiency.  To make wine an end result in itself, a means of self-indulgence, or as an escape from life is to misuse it and invite the consequences of the drunkard.

Spiritual Training 20 January 2012

Posted: January 20, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, 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
Jesus Teaches about the Vine and the Branches

John 15:5-8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in your, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Fathers’ glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Remaining in Christ means (10 believing that he is God’s Son (2) receiving him as Avior and Lord (3) doing what God says (4) continuing to believe the gospel, and (5) relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body.

Many people try to be good, honest people who do what is right, but Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch attached to the vine. Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful. Are you receiving the nourishment and life offered by Christ, the vine? If not, you are missing a special gift he has for you.

When a vine bears “much fruit,” God is glorified, for daily he sent the sunshine and rain to make the crops grow, and constantly he nurtured each tiny plant and prepared it to blossom. What a moment of glory for the Lord of the harvest when the harvest is brought into the barns, mature and ready for use! He made it all happen. This farming analogy shows how God is glorified when people come into a right relationship with him and begin to “bear much fruit” in their lives.

Proverbs 20:27 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 20, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 20:27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.

Man is not an animal, and he is not like any animal. Jehovah of the Bible, Creator of heaven and earth, put something in man that makes him very different. God gave man a conscience, and this conscience is a law, teacher, and judge for each man, woman, and child. This candle of God inside you examines and tries your thoughts, words, and deeds.

The word conscience has two parts: con (with) + science (knowledge) = knowing with and within yourself about yourself. This invisible spirit inside you has a sense of right and wrong, and it will approve right things and condemn wrong things you do. It will also reflect on what others do and make judgments as to whether they were right or wrong.

Consider how you can have a thought within yourself and yet analyze and judge that thought as well! A man can truly only know himself by his conscience; he cannot know another man by it (1 Cor 2:11). Sometimes your spirit is full of joy, and sometimes it is full of bitterness, and no other person can fully feel or know either emotion (14:10).

Your conscience can convict you that what you or others have thought, said, or done is wrong (Rom 2:15). This internal sense of guilt can be very strong, and it can control or influence what you do or not do. The accusers of the woman taken in adultery left her alone, when their consciences were confronted about the justice of their actions (Jn 8:9).

How did you get a conscience? The LORD gave it to you, so it is called the candle of the LORD. It is a light from God to help you make decisions. It also proves your sinfulness, for you have sinned against your conscience many times. Even if God has not condemned a thing, it is sin for you, if your conscience condemned it (Rom 14:22-23): Jas 4:17).

Great men and women have great consciences, and they follow them. A great conscience is one that is well taught and very active in assessing all parts of life, and great men listen to it and obey it. Such persons are very sensitive to doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. They are very opinionated against evil. God gave you a conscience to be a daily companion to keep you doing right things and avoiding wrong things. Exalt it! Use it!

You must teach your conscience the truth and wisdom of God, and you must obey it when it tells you to do certain things and when it says other things are wrong. God gave you a candle to help make you great, but the sinful world around you seeks to quench your conscience so you will approve all they want to do! You must not allow worldly lifestyles, communicated by various media, corrupt or numb your conscience!

Your conscience can and must be taught. The more you learn, the better your conscience will serve you. If you acquire God’s wisdom by these proverbs and the rest of scripture, your conscience will help you more (! Cor 8:1-7). You can even keep your conscience ignorant to stop it from condemning you in matters of liberty (1 Cor 10:25-27).

Some societies have had women live bare-breasted. The consciences of their women are formed to see no harm in it at all. They are amused and offended by any objection to it. Only careful teaching can put shame in their consciences about the practice. Now, think carefully about what your children see at home, on the television, or at school!

Your conscience must be taught. In order for you to please God, you need a conscience that knows the will of God and will seek to enforce it in your life. This conscience that loves truth and wisdom only exists in born again children of God, and yet it needs the instruction of God’s word to form its opinions properly on most every subject (Heb 5:14).

Your conscience must be obeyed. If you ignore it, then it becomes calloused, cauterized, and less sensitive to things, leaving you vulnerable to most any temptation (1 Tim 4:2: Eph 4:19). If you reject God and His word, He can and will blind your conscience, leaving you without the candle of the LORD to direct you (Rom 1:21-28: II Cor 4:2-4).

Do you prize your conscience from God? Self-examination, a duty of true Christians, is done partly through the conscience (Ps 26:2: 139:23-24). It could have saved the Corinthians from trouble (1 Cor 11:28-31). Do you meditate with your own heart at night (Ps 4:4; 16:7)? Do you let the preaching of God’s word convict you (Ps 73:17,21)? The confidence of a pure conscience is an exceedingly wonderful and powerful thing (Pro 28:1).
Your conscience should always consider others (1 Cor 10:28-33). Paul lived virtuously to avoid offence in his conscience toward God or men (Acts 24:16)Acts 24:16). Such conscientiousness toward God will help you fulfill the first commandment to love God, and toward others it will help you keep the second commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself.

Your goal is to grow in favor with God and men (3:1-4; Luke 2:52). Your goal is to be perfect. Your conscience can help you achieve these goals by accusing you for wrongdoing and excusing right choices. Paul kept a good conscience at all times (II Cor 1:12: Heb 13:18), and he required it of Timothy and deacons.

Reader, your conscience should approve or accuse you right now. If you have been living a godly and righteous life, your conscience should approve you as having been faithful to this proverb. If you have been living a foolish or worldly life, your conscience should accuse you of wrongdoing. What will you do with the candle of the LORD?

Proverbs 19:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 19, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise.

Are you wiser today than last year? Than ten years ago? These are important questions to answer. How wise will you be later in life? A godly person will greatly desire to grow in wisdom. And the way to increase wisdom is easy – you need to hear the counsel of wise people and accept their teaching. You need to appreciate and apply instruction from others.
Today is your opportunity to change your latter end. Will you be an older wise man or women, sought by family and others for wise advice? Or will you be an old fool, more a burden than a blessing? What you do today determines what you are tomorrow! You are not too young, and you are not too old. Consider your latter end, and receive instruction today!

Spiritual Training 19 January 2012

Posted: January 19, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, 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
Jesus Teaches about the Vine and the Branches

John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Nether can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Christ is the vine, and God is the gardener who cares for the branches to make them fruitful. The branches are all those who claim to be followers of Christ. The fruitful branches are true believers who by their living union with Christ produce much fruit. But those who become unproductive-those who turn back from following Christ after making a superficial commitment will be separated from the vine. Unproductive followers are as good as dead and will be cut off and tossed aside.

Jesus makes a distinction between two kinds of pruning (1) separating and (2) cutting back branches. Fruitful branches are cut back to promote growth. In other words, God must sometimes discipline us to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk because not only are they worthless, but they often infect the rest of the tree. People who won’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk because not only are they worthless, but they often infect the rest of the tree. People who won’t bear frit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be cut off from his life-giving power.

Spiritual Training 18 January 2012

Posted: January 18, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, 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 14:30-31 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming.  He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.  “Come now; let us leave.       

Although Satan, the prince of this world, was unable to overpower Jesus (Matthew 4), he still had the arrogance to try.  Satan’s power exists only because God allows him to act.  But because Jesus is sinless, Satan has no power over him.  If we obey Jesus and align ourselves closely with God’s purposes, Satan can have no power over us.

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