Under Gods Command
Proverbs 2:6-7 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hold victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.
God gives us wisdom and victory but not for drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and resources. If we are faithful and keep our purpose in life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed.
Under Gods Command (Jesus Claims to be the Son of God)
John 5:22-24 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
Jesus was identifying himself with God, his Father. There could be no doubt as to his claim to be God. Jesus does not leave us the option to believe in God while ignoring God’s Son. The Pharisees also called God their Father, but they realized Jesus was claiming a unique relationship with him. In response to Jesus claim, the Pharisees had two choices: to believe him, or to accuse him of blasphemy. They chose the second.
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.
Under Gods Command (Jesus Heals a Lame Man by a Pool)
John 5:16-17 So because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”
If God stopped every kind of work on the Sabbath, nature would fall into chaos, and sin would overrun the world. Genesis 2:2 says that God rested on the seventh day, but this can’t mean that he stopped doing good. Jesus wanted to teach that when the opportunity to do good presents itself, it should not be ignored, even on the Sabbath.
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.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it all, a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Don’t be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. Remember, only God knows it all.
Under Gods Command
John 5:14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” They went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
This man had been lame, or paralyzed, and suddenly he could walk. This was a great miracle. But the needed an even greater miracle-to have his sins forgiven. The man was delighted to be physically healed, but he had to turn from his sins and seek God’s forgiveness to be spiritually healed. God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Don’t neglect his gracious offer.
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.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 31:4-7 It is not for Kings, O Lemuel-not for Kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
Drunkenness might be understandable among dying people in great pain, but it is inexcusable for national leaders. Alcohol clouds the mind and can lead to injustice and poor decisions. Leaders have better things to do than destroy themselves with alcohol.
We are told that every day in Washington there are many cocktail parties for our government officials. Republicans and Democrats both have this in common-the party membership doesn’t make any difference. It is tragic to have drinking men in high potions of government!
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 30:06 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
The Bible is totally sufficient for all righteousness, wisdom, and truth (II Tim 3:16-17; II Pet 1:19-21). There is no need for further revelation, human rationalization, or religious tradition (I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). Adding your thoughts to His inspired words is total arrogance and foolishness (Deut 4:2; 12:32; Matt 28:20). Since He has magnified His word above all His name, He will not take your profane additions lightly (Ps 138:2). He will judge you harshly for adding your lying thoughts to His pure words (30:5; Rev 22:18).
Under Gods Command
John 5:08-10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
A man who hadn’t walked for 38 years had been healed, but the Pharisees were more concerned about their petty rules than the life and health of a human being. The Jewish leaders saw both a mighty miracle of healing and a broken rule. They threw the miracle aside as they focused their attention on the broken rule, because the rule was more important to them than the miracle. It is easy to get so caught up in our man-made structures and rules that we forget the people involved. Are our guidelines for living God-made or man-made? Are they helping people, or have they become needless stumbling blocks?
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.
Under Gods Command
John 5:06 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
After 38 years, this man’s problem had become a way of life. No one had ever helped him. He had no hope of ever being healed. The man’s situation looked hopeless. But no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. Don’t let a problem or hardship cause you to lose hope. God may have special work for you to do in spite of your condition, or even because of it. Many have ministered effectively to hurting people because they have triumphed over their own hurts.
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.
Under Gods Command
Proverbs 29:11- A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Fools talk a lot. They cannot keep their mouths shut. Any little thought, no matter how frivolous, no matter how unstudied, no matter how inappropriate, has to come rushing out. But a wise man speaks carefully. He does not speak hastily, or without study, or offer opinions as truth. He rules his mouth to choose wise words and wait for the right timing.
Under Gods command 