Disciplining Children

Posted: January 13, 2015 in Children and Discipline
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is carful to discipline him

It is not easy for a loving parent to discipline a child, but it is necessary. The greatest responsibility that God gives parents is the nurture and guidance of their children. Lack of discipline puts parents’ love in question because it shows a lack of concern for the character development of their children. Disciplining children averts long-range disaster. Without correction, children grow up with no clear understanding of right and wrong and with little direction to their lives. Don’t be afraid to discipline your children. It is an act of love. Remember, however, that your efforts cannot make your children wise; they can only encourage your children to seek God’s wisdom above all else!

Proverbs 13:17 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 13, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 13, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. 

Faithfulness and integrity are great character traits. You should have them yourself, and you should only associate with those who have them. When others trust you or depend on you, it is your duty and privilege to fulfill their desires and needs as perfectly as possible. This is noble performance that brings God’s approval and blessing and man’s as well.

Faithfulness and integrity are shown here by a messenger or ambassador. Wicked men get in trouble – they are easily waylaid by foolish distractions or pressure to compromise – they are not trustworthy or reliable. A faithful man brings prosperity to those trusting him, for he finishes the job as desired and expected. How often do you get waylaid?

It is a foolish sin to betray the confidence and trust of those who give you an assignment. The prosperous functioning of any society depends on men discharging their duties with diligence and honesty. Wicked men get diverted and fail their commitments. But faithful men make sure they complete the job, and they are a precious benefit to all concerned.

If you send a sluggard to do a job, his laziness will irritate you. Solomon wrote, “As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him” (Pr 10:26). If you send a fool, you beg for damage. Solomon also wrote, “He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage” (Pr 26:6).

Faithful men bring prosperity to deals. They are health to the transaction, rather than the mischief of wicked messengers. Confidence in knowing a man will finish a job right is a blessing. Solomon wrote, “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters” (Pr 25:13).

Before email, telephones, and mail, messages were sent from individuals and nations by couriers and ambassadors. Wicked men did not take it seriously, and they would not deliver the message accurately or on time. They would fall into mischief on the way, distracted or diverted by temptations. Faithful ambassadors could be counted on to get the message conveyed accurately and on time. Private and national prosperity were served.

God’s saints should have impeccable reputations before the world, as did Joseph and Daniel (Gen 41:38-40; Dan 6:1-5; I Tim 6:1; Titus 2:9-10). When given an assignment, they should seek to exceed every expectation in keeping it (Pr 22:29; Rom 12:11; Ep 6:5-9). Does everyone know you are always faithful in any assignment or duty? Anything less than total trust in you is not good enough. Start today to be faithful with integrity.

Do you think about those trusting you? Do you fall into mischief, or do you bring them health? Your professional duties are important, but do not forget your parents and others depending on you. Carefully consider your spouse, children, neighbors, church members, etc. Regardless of whether they detailed their trust or not, do you faithfully serve them?

Since God chose communication by a messenger or ambassador for this proverb, consider the importance of correct communication. Do you confuse facts, embellish events, or exaggerate situations. Do you communicate as promptly and thoroughly as you should? Or do others have to chase you down to get what they needed? Do you take the time to be detailed and orderly in communication so there is no misunderstanding?

God chose preaching to send truth to men. Most preachers are wicked messengers, who fall into mischief and do not teach His Word accurately. There were many, even in Paul’s day, which corrupted the Word of God (II Cor 2:17; 11:3-4,13-15; Phil 3:18-19; I Jn 4:1). And this evil trend was going to get worse in the last days (I Tim 4:1-3; II Tim 3:6-7; 4:3-4; II Pet 2:1-2). Timothy was rare, having Paul’s concern for the churches (Phil 2:19-21).

Ministers must be ordained cautiously (I Tim 3:1-13; 5:22). They must be faithful men (I Cor 4:1-2; II Tim 2:2; Titus 1:6-11), who will not be distracted with this world (II Tim 2:4). They must give themselves wholly to their work (I Tim 4:13-16). They must handle the Scriptures honestly (II Cor 4:2) and with much study (II Tim 2:15). When churches have faithful ambassadors, they will have spiritual health (Neh 8:1-12; I Tim 4:15-16).

You must find a minister faithful to his calling by Jesus Christ (I Tim 3:1-7; 4:13-16; II Tim 2:1-7; I Pet 5:1-4; etc., etc.). Elihu, the only man understanding Job’s situation, said of such rare men, “If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom” (Job 33:23-24). Amen!

Paul was the greatest gospel messenger and ambassador, for nothing moved him from his ordained calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, and he was more diligent than his peers (Acts 20:24; I Cor 15:10). He could say at the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Tim 4:7). Are you thankful for the health he brought? If you are a Gentile believer, you should be thankful (Rom 15:15-21).

The most faithful messenger and ambassador is the Lord Jesus Christ. He told God His Father in heaven before dying, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). What if He had fallen into mischief in the desert or Gethsemane (Matt 4:1-11; 26:36-46)? But He brought eternal health to His elect children by complete faithfulness, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:5-11; Heb 3:1-6).

Spiritual Training 13 January 2015

Posted: January 13, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, 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

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

How could the Corinthian believers ignore God’s message (“receive God’s grace in vain”)? Perhaps they were doubting Paul and his words, confused by the false teachers, who taught a different message. The people heard God’s message but did not let it affect what they said and did. How often does God’s message reach you in vain?

God offers salvation to all people. Many people put off a decision for Christ, thinking that there will be a better time—but they could easily miss their opportunity altogether.

Lets Bring it Home: There is no time like the present to receive God’s forgiveness. Don’t let anything hold you back from coming to Christ. The right time is now!

Spiritual Training 12 January 2015

Posted: January 12, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, 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

2 Corinthians 5:17-21Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.     While this newness is true individually, Paul is saying much more. Not only are believers changed from within, but a whole new order of creative energy began with Christ. There is a new covenant, a new perspective, a new body, a new church. All of creation is being renewed. So take notice. This is not a superficial change that will be quickly superseded by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ’s authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation. Does your life reflect this new perspective?

God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins (see also Ephesians 2:13-18) and making us righteous. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer God’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the “ministry of reconciliation.”

An ambassador is an official representative on behalf of one country to another. As believers, we are Christ’s ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. An ambassador of reconciliation has an important responsibility. We dare not take this responsibility lightly. How well are you fulfilling your commission as Christ’s ambassador?

When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange—our sin for his righteousness. Our sin was laid on Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is given to us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ’s atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin—something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless. How grateful we should be for his kindness to us.

Lets Bring it Home: How well are you fulfilling your commission as Christ’s ambassador?

Proverbs 12:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 12, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 12, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man. 

God can raise beggars up out of a sewer and put them on the throne of glory, and He can put the greatest monarch in world history out to pasture, literally (II Sam 7:8; Dan 4:27-33). The true God rewards your conduct in this life – think David and Nebuchadnezzar; and He rewards it in the next life – think Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31).

Dear reader, it would do you good to read Hannah’s prayer of praise (I Sam 2:1-10). She knew the LORD was a God of knowledge and that He weighed the actions of men. She praised Him for His great work of putting one person up and putting another down. He made a great difference between her and her adversary (I Sam 1:4-8,17-20; 2:18-21,26).

The LORD’s favour is wonderful. It is better than the mythical touch of Midas, better than friendship with Bill Gates, and better than the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. There is nothing like it in this world or the next (Ps 4:6-8; 16:11). How can you measure having the Lord as your Friend, Comforter, Benefactor, and Protector?

His favour can make all the difference in the world in a man’s life. Can you fully comprehend it? How can you describe it? If He blesses your soul, your body, your marriage, your children, the work of your hands, and your eternal destination, what else is there (Ps 1:1-6; 73:23-27; 128:1-6; 144:11-15)? Thank you, blessed God and Father!

But His condemnation is a horrible thing. It far exceeds any personal or natural disaster, for the Creator God becomes your enemy and will torment you in this life and the next. He can torment your soul with fear and trembling that is indescribable (Deut 28:65-68). Terminal cancer and annihilation would be a relief from what He can do to you. How can you measure the horror of the LORD God chasing you into eternity (Ps 35:5-6)?

Jesus told His disciples that pain and death were nothing at all. Why fear men, He asked? They cannot do anything of serious or lasting harm. He taught them the only true Person to fear was His Father, Who was able to kill the body in this life and then send both body and soul to hell for eternal torment. You should fear Him, Jesus warned (Luke 12:4-5).

What makes this difference – the great distances between God’s responses? Your choices today, reader. That is right! Your choices today will either be good in His sight, or they will be wicked. You think you can do what you want? You think you have a right to your own life? You think you can protect yourself from Him? You think you can avoid the consequences of your sin? You think He does not see? Does not care? Guess again, fool!

A good man is made good by God’s grace (Ps 14:1-3; Gal 5:22-23), but God’s grace must be used to be the good man here (I Cor 15:10; II Cor 6:1). A good man finds the favour of the great God by laying hold of wisdom and obeying it (Pr 8:35). A foolish man rejects wisdom and by doing so wrongs his own soul and chooses death instead (Pr 8:36).

The defining difference between the two persons is how they treat wisdom – God’s instructions for living found in the Bible. Reader, do you tremble before the words of God yet? Will you even take enough time to read and consider the warning of this proverb? Will you do anything about it? What will you do to obey God better? Today?

Reject wisdom, and God will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you (Ps 50:22; Hos 5:14; 13:8)! He will turn your life upside down and inside out (Ps 146:9). He will smash your face and break out your teeth (Ps 3:7; 58:6). If you think for one second God has changed, try Hebrews 10:26-31; 12:28-29; and 13:8. When He comes in anger, men beg for mountains to fall on them and hide them (Rev 6:16-17). Do not be a fool!

Beware, lest you think it is your idea and measure of what makes a good man. Do not let anyone, even your dear mother, flatter you into thinking you are a good man. The holy God has no regard for such foolish thoughts. He will only favour the man who trembles before His word and keeps His commandments with a humble heart (Ps 112:1-4; Is 66:2).

The difference in His response is enormous; it is immeasurable. Do you see it clearly? He can bless so abundantly and so kindly, and He can destroy so horribly and so painfully.

Did the LORD’s favour make a difference in Joseph’s life? An incredible difference! How about Abraham? Ruth? Esther? Job? David? Daniel? Mary Magdalene?

Did the LORD’s condemnation make a difference in Saul’s life? What tormenting misery! How about Cain? Lot? Eli? Nabal? Jehoram? Uzziah? Judas? Herod?

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (Jas 4:10). There is precious favour to be obtained from the LORD God. Some men walked with Him as their Friend, others walked straight into heaven without dying, and yet others had His benevolent care and protection around and upon them wherever they went and whatever they did. Do good, and you will love life and see good days (I Pet 3:10-12)!

 

Proverbs 09:16 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 9, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 09, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 9:15 Calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way

Danger ahead! Even if you are going where you should and doing what you should, an enemy that wants to take you down to death and hell may meet you on your way today. These are chance encounters of a dangerous kind, and they come in many different forms. Though you may do everything virtuously today, not everyone else is doing the same.

Young man, someone wants to meet you today. Do not be surprised, if during your day’s normal activities, an enticing woman invites you to spend intimate time with her. Are you prepared to resist her invitation? Focus your attention carefully, and commit your heart to godliness, before it is too late. You are the prey of whorish women (Pr 23:28). The more noble and virtuous you are, greater effort may be applied toward you (Pr 6:26).

Her invitation may or may not be verbal. Do you grasp this? It may not be a conversation, phone call, note, email, or text. She may call for your attention by her appearance, clothing, body language, actions, looks, or touches. She may not even be a live person, if she invites you to desire her by pictures in a magazine, in a movie, or on the Internet. She could easily be calling to men in general but catches your eye among many others.

Though you rose intending to fear God and be faithful to your sister Wisdom (Pr 7:1-5), a woman in your city wants to steal you from them both. Though you went to your God-given career by an acceptable route, she can find you. Even in noble duties to serve God and man, you will meet this woman calling to you (Pr 7:12). She will disrupt your plans and life, and unless you are very strong, she will destroy you (Pr 7:21-27; 23:27-28).

“Passengers” is not difficult: they are men passing, or going, on their way. And these passengers are not looking for her, because they are going right on their ways to their appointed stations and duties in life. But she seeks her victims from among them (Pr 9:14). Many men have been snared by a strange woman when they least expected it. It has been said that to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so Solomon warned you here.

She hunts for the precious life (Pr 6:26); base sinners and low-class men are not as appealing; you may meet her in places where wisdom is found (Pr 9:3,14). The more you are like Joseph, a noble ambition, the more she will want you (Gen 39:6-7). But she hunts for the simple, the foolish – she knows seducing a man of virtue is hard (Pr 9:16; 7:7). If you study all of Solomon’s warnings about her and sexual sins, you will be prepared.

Understand and fear the warning here. Consider that Satan does not worry about carnal Christians, for they already serve him by their compromising lives. He wants to distract or ruin men committed to godliness and Jesus Christ’s kingdom. He wants to take down good Christian young men, for the average Christian has already neutered his own power and testimony by worldly living. The more committed you are, the greater the danger.

Understand and fear the warning here. Your faithfulness and diligence to God and men does not discourage or deter her. She wants a prince. The devil encourages her to want a prince. Though you are soberly committed to godliness and virtue, she will still approach you from time to time. The advance warning of this proverb should prepare you for those events. Be a Joseph! Do not be a Samson! Be like Jesus! Do not be like David!

She may be a church member. Where would Satan desire more to cause private or public havoc? Professing Christians are not alike; they rule their lusts and lives differently. They range from the very reserved to foolish flirts. Good church members associate often, have much in common, get to know each other well, and discuss personal aspects of life. Be on guard as you go right on your way – even to worship God and serve Jesus Christ.

She is bold (Pr 7:13); she does not like domestic duties at home (Pr 7:11); she may be a fellow worker. She will use any means to get your attention, your carnal attention. She will inflame your lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life. She may speak of love, but it is only lust that intrigues and motivates her (Pr 7:15-18). She will invite you to forbidden pleasures (Pr 9:17), but she will not tell you of the death there (Pr 9:18).

You must learn to pray wisely, as the Lord Jesus Christ taught, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt 6:13). As David taught, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness” (Ps 119:36). Your Father in heaven can deliver you from even meeting her, or He can give you the strength to resist her, if you meet her. You ought to sing and pray the excellent song, “My Soul, Be on thy Guard.”

Do not let your heart decline to her ways, and avoid her haunts (Pr 7:25). She will find you anyway; you should not give her any extra opportunities. Keep your desires on noble and spiritual things (Col 3:2). Keep your heart with all diligence (Pr 4:23), for the destructive sin she offers cannot occur if you have not thought upon it. Remember your sister Wisdom and the impossibility of recovering virtue once given away (Pr 6:32-33).

The Lord is calling you by Lady Wisdom as well (Pr 9:1-6). If you disregard His call through her, He will allow calamities to swallow you alive (Pr 1:20-33). Remember your Lord and brother Paul, though greatly distracted by many duties and temptations; they set their hearts only toward the will of God in all things (Lu 9:51; Acts 20:22-24; Heb 4:15). You can fight a good fight, finish your course, and keep the faith as Paul did (II Tim 4:7).

Spiritual Training 09 January 2015

Posted: January 9, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 5:13-17 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.  So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Everything that Paul and his companions did was to honor God. Not only did fear of God motivate them (5:11), but Christ’s love compelled their actions. The word for “compels” means “to hold fast.” In other words, the love of Christ was constraining them to certain courses of action. They knew that Jesus, out of his great love, had given up his life for their sakes. He had not acted out of his own self-interest, selfishly holding on to the glory of heaven that he already possessed (Philippians 2:6). Instead, Jesus had willingly “died for all.” Because Christ died for us, we also are dead to our old lives. Like Paul, we should no longer live to please ourselves; we should spend our lives pleasing Christ.

Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.     While this newness is true individually, Paul is saying much more. Not only are believers changed from within, but a whole new order of creative energy began with Christ. There is a new covenant, a new perspective, a new body, a new church. All of creation is being renewed. So take notice. This is not a superficial change that will be quickly superseded by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ’s authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation.

Lets Bring it Home: Does your life reflect this new perspective?

Spiritual Training 08 January 2015

Posted: January 8, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 5:11-12 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

To “fear the Lord” does not mean that believers become paralyzed. On the contrary, knowing God’s perfection and that he will judge everyone’s actions (5:10) should spur Christians to good deeds, to what pleases our God. The fear of the Lord also frees believers from all of life’s anxieties and worries. Knowing that God is “for us” (Romans 8:31) can keep believers unafraid of earthly powers—people, governments, or the forces of nature (Proverbs 3:25-26). God takes care of his own. The fear of God gives us uncommon courage in the face of life’s troubles.

Those who “take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart” are the false preachers (see 2:17) who were concerned only about getting ahead in this world. They were preaching the gospel for money and popularity, while Paul and his companions were preaching out of concern for eternity.

Lets Bring it Home: You can identify false preachers by finding out what really motivates them. If they are more concerned about themselves than about Christ, avoid them and their message.

Proverbs 08:36 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 8, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 08, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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UNDER GODS COMMAND 

Proverbs 8:36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death. 

Do it my way, or die! This is the ultimatum of Lady Wisdom! She freely offered you wisdom, which is more precious than anything on earth (Pr 8:1-11). She listed fabulous blessings that follow it (Pr 8:12-21), and she described wisdom’s existence with God and role in creation (Pr 8:22-31). If you refuse her, you are choosing a slow and painful death for yourself (Pr 1:24-33). She has no mercy for those rejecting her (Pr 8:33; 9:12; 29:1).

Proverbs chapter 8 is a lengthy personification of wisdom as a woman. It is a beautiful and powerful figure of speech, but it hides the ferocious severity of this woman, if you spurn her. Calamities will surely come in your life, if you reject wisdom, and she will laugh and mock at your pain and trouble (Pr 1:26-27). She will ignore your cries, when you are drowning in anguish, distress, and fear, while your soul and life are destroyed.

She is not unjustly cruel; fools are wickedly profane! If an offer of wisdom is rejected, then the brute beast that despised it deserves to suffer. There is nothing unjust here. Since wisdom is the principal matter of life and eternity, rejecting it is arrogant suicide. Those that sin against wisdom by choosing their own ideas are wronging their own souls. Those that hate wisdom and scorn her correction and instruction must love a painful death.

Wisdom is the only way to live a happy, prosperous, safe, and successful life. If you rebel against it, you must love the dysfunctional lives that torture the souls of most today. Dysfunction is epidemic; divorce, drugs, debt, disobedient children, disease, depression, and drunkenness are rampant. Lady Wisdom offers the cure. If you reject her, you wrong your own soul. If you scorn her, you must love death, for that is where you are headed.

Neither God, nor wisdom, nor the Bible is a take-it-or-leave-it matter. There is no option for agreeing to disagree with the God of heaven (Eccl 12:13-14; John 4:24). There is no option to accept parts of the Bible and reject others (Ps 119:128; I Tim 6:3-5). Mankind has two branches – the small minority following the strait and narrow way to life, and the large majority following the wide and broad way to destruction (Matt 7:13-14).

The great and dreadful God of heaven is infinitely sovereign over your life. You are nothing. He is the Potter; you are the clay (Is 45:9-10; Rom 9:20-21). He does according to His will in heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; no one can resist or question Him (Dan 4:35). He has made all things for Himself (Pr 16:4; Rev 4:11). He created you with an eternal soul that you cannot turn off – without even asking you. He did not ask you for approval for even one circumstance of your life. Humble yourself before Him!

He revealed Himself in creation, so that all men are without excuse for not worshipping and thanking Him (Ps 19:1-6; Acts 14:17; Rom 1:18-20). Because man thinks himself wise, He hardens their hearts and blinds their minds to defile themselves with sodomy and other abominable and inconvenient sins (Rom 1:21-32). Do you know the God of the Bible (Is 45:5-7; Acts 17:23)? He changes not, and He never will (Heb 12:28-29; 13:8).

The world has entered its final stages of existence. The perilous times of the last days have brought an effeminate and compromising brand of Christianity (II Tim 3:1-7). These carnal and worldly Christians despise Bible preaching – they much prefer fables and entertainment, especially if they can wear cutoffs and flip-flops and sip Starbucks coffee while skimming 10-15 different Bible versions on a big screen (II Tim 4:3-4).

These modern frauds despise the words of the living God. They want to hear smooth things, just like the truth rejecters before them (Is 30:8-11). They want Jesus rap, Christian rock, and heavenly funk rather than sound doctrine. They want purpose driven drivel and seeker sensitive sap rather than, “Thus saith the Lord.” Lady Wisdom says, “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”

How did the Lord Jesus Christ state the same sentiments to the Jews that killed Him, “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation” (Luke 19:43-44). And He fulfilled it perfectly – to the letter – in 70AD with the Roman armies under Titus.

Reader, what will you do? The God of heaven has revealed Himself to you in creation. Lady Wisdom has spoken to you from the book of Proverbs. The Bible is the only source of righteousness, truth, and wisdom in the world, and its primary message is the supreme authority of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. What is His message for those who reject Him? If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. Let him be cursed at the coming of Jesus Christ (I Cor 16:22). Seek Him today.

Proverbs 07:24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 7, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 07, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 7:24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 

What is a father for? To bring home the bacon? To protect the home at night against intruders? To play ball in the yard? To provide an allowance for candy and junk? To finance a college education? The LORD, Creator of heaven and earth, declared fathers are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).

What should a father teach? How to ride a bicycle? How to balance a checkbook? How to drive a car? God declared fathers are to teach the fear of the LORD and to keep the way of the LORD (Ps 34:11; Gen 18:19). Since fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man, this is his primary goal of teaching (Eccl 12:13-14; Ps 78:1-8).

God condemns fornication, or sex outside marriage (Heb 13:4). Solomon used this chapter to warn his son about whorish women. After introducing the subject (Pr 7:1-5), he wrote a lengthy parable of a foolish young man seduced to destruction by a strange woman 

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

This proverb begins his summary warning (Pr 7:24-27).

It is a shame most Christian fathers are not as open, practical, and realistic as Solomon, especially in this lascivious generation. Rather than being prudish and silent about sexual temptations, fathers need to warn against them with every technique they can muster. The danger is great; the temptations are everywhere; young men need such fathers.

Solomon applied his parable by calling his children to listen to him. Due to the subject matter, they were not infants or young children. Fathers know far more about these things than sons in their teens or twenties.  He told his children to listen and pay attention. He used the horrible fate of the young man to show they needed this instruction and warning.

Father! Do not be intimidated. Do not be ashamed. Do not be reluctant. Your son faces temptations of pornography, casual sex, and forward women. Be open, practical, and realistic. Bring the word of God to bear on this important area of his life. Compare Joseph and Samson. Describe the details that made Joseph greater than David.

Children! When your father, or mother, speaks to you about the sexual matters of life, listen to them. Pay attention. You are still a simple youth void of understanding (Pr 7:7). Make it easy for them to teach you. Tell them your temptations. Thank them for talking.

Reader! Your Father in heaven has taught all things that pertain to life and godliness. Have you listened well? Do you pay attention? Have you fully obeyed Him? It is good and profitable to heed parents’ instruction, but it is much more crucial to obey God’s.

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