Posts Tagged ‘religion’

Spiritual Training 19 March 2013

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
More than Conquerors

Romans 8:35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37-39: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with us. Go tell us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him.

Lets Bring it Home: If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.

Proverbs 19:23 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 19, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rest content, untouched by trouble.

The good life is possible! Even probable! Even certain! All you need is to understand this precious proverb and put its simple requirement into practice. The good life can be yours!

Read this marvelous sentence and comprehend it. You can have a great life, with lasting satisfaction in your heart, and avoid the pain and trouble that afflict others. What could be better? How could God and Solomon offer you more? Is this the best proverb? Maybe.

First, the fear of the LORD leads to life. The word “lead” means much more than an inclination or possibility of occurrence. Here it means to have a specific result, if allowed to act; to lead or conduce to some state or condition. It means more than possibility, or even probability – it means definite certainty (Pr 10:16; 11:19,24; 14:23; 19:23; 21:5).

What kind of life is offered? A great life! Great in every way of happiness, prosperity, and success. David and Peter called it loving life and seeing good days (Ps 34:9-16; 112:1-3; I Pet 3:10-12). Solomon called it a rich, long, and honorable life avoiding dysfunction and death (Pr 10:27; 14:27; 22:4). Jesus called it the abundant life (Jn 10:10).

Second, the fear of the LORD brings lasting satisfaction. The world is unhappy. Consider their divorces, drugs, drunkenness, and extreme everything. They crave fulfillment and peace, but they cannot find it. God will not let them have it (Is 48:22; 57:21). God reserves peace for those that fear Him (Ps 25:12-14; 128:1-6; 149:19; Pr 14:26; 15:16).

Third, the fear of the LORD saves from evil. Pain and trouble are everywhere, because worldly men have no Protector like God is committed to those that fear Him (I Tim 4:10; Ps 145:19; II Chron 16:9). Read Psalm 91 and see how God protects those that fear Him from every danger. No wonder the righteous are as bold as a lion (Pr 28:1; 14:26).

What must you do to have these three great benefits, guaranteed by God and King Solomon? Fear the LORD. Do you fully understand this short expression used often in the Bible (Pr 1:7; 9:10; 15:33; 23:17; Deut 10:12; II Sam 23:3; Job 1:8; Ps 36:1; Eccl 7:18; 12:13-14; Luke 12:4-5; Acts 10:22; II Cor 7:1; Eph 5:21; Heb 12:28-29)?

First, to fear the LORD, you must know Him. Who is the LORD? These letters, all capitalized, represent the tetragrammaton of the Hebrews – four consonants for the true and living God’s name – I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14). When pointed up with vowels to pronounce, it is the name JEHOVAH (Ex 6:3). Do you know Jehovah God of the Bible?

No other god will do. Allah, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha, the Great Spirit, the Great Architect of the Universe, and other gods are lies! They are the manmade names for imagined deities of nations and men that reject Jehovah of the Bible. They have no more reality or value than Zeus, Jupiter, Aphrodite, and Venus of the Greeks and Romans.

No false concept of Jehovah will do. The followers of Charles Taze Russell, the so-called Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not know Him. The Russellites, as they should be called, stole God’s name from the Bible to justify their cult of false prophecies, adoration of pyramids, and the blasphemous demotion of Jesus Christ to merely “a god” (John 1:1).

Do you know God Jehovah of the Bible? The God that created all things from nothing in six 24-hour days by His voice just 6000 years ago (Gen 1:1; Heb 11:3)? The God that made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil (Pr 16:4)? The God that will soon send Jesus Christ as God to judge the earth (Heb 1:8-12; Acts 17:29-31)?

Second, to fear the LORD Jehovah, you must fear Him. To rightly fear God is to greatly love Him, reverently worship Him, and faithfully serve Him (Deut 10:12; Eccl 12:13-14; Heb 12:28-29). It is not the terror that Adam and Eve had in Eden when they hid from Him, and it is not the terror of the devils that met Jesus Christ when He was on earth.

The fear of the LORD is belief in the Creator God of the Bible with an awestruck consciousness of His glory and greatness and a loving desire to obey all He requires to please and worship Him and avoid disappointing Him in any way. It is like the humble adoration and affection that good children give a loving yet authoritative father.

Do you fear the LORD? Unless God has regenerated you, it is impossible, for the men of this world do not fear Him (Ps 36:1; Rom 3:18; 1:18-32). You must be born again by the Spirit of God to fear Him (John 1:13; 3:3; 8:47; Gal 4:6). If you have a sincere desire to love and serve this God, then you have been saved like Cornelius (Acts 10:2,22,35).

Do you fear the LORD? Thank Him for your existence to know Him (this is why you exist)! Thank Him for His word, including Proverbs, to know how to please Him! Thank Him for His Son Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death to save His elect people! Confess your sins, beg His forgiveness in Christ Jesus, and commit to always love and serve Him.

The three wonderful benefits and blessings of this proverb are yours! Humbly claim them before this glorious God, giving Him all the praise and worship due to His great name. Trust Him and His word in all matters of life and eternity (Ps 119:128), and He will be with you for a great life, for lasting satisfaction in your soul, and to deliver you from evil.

You might ask, but what about the martyrs? Surely they feared God, but look what happened to them. Their testimonies before dying and the witness of those who watched them die prove contented joy that cannot be fully described. They have eternal life, were and are fully satisfied, and the lions’ teeth or flames only sent them to Paradise early!

You might ask, but what about Job? The Bible states that he feared God, yet look how he suffered (Job 1:1). Did he have a good life, with great satisfaction, and protection from evil before his trial? Indeed (Job 1:2-3,10)! Did he get everything doubled to him in the end? Indeed (Job 42:10-17)! And he got to meet God up close and personal in between!

The greatest life is to walk with God on earth and to have eternal life with Him in heaven.

The greatest satisfaction is to know God personally, including all eternity (Ps 73:23-28).

The greatest protection is passing through death into heaven and being judged righteous.

Those that fear the LORD get all three, bought and guaranteed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 18:06 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 18.06 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

Foolish talkers should be beat. You have heard them. They are obnoxious. Arguments and debates follow them wherever they go. Are you ever one? Do your words grate, irritate, frustrate, or provoke others? Wisdom and success depend on ruling your speech.

Consider the next proverb, which is related. “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Pr 18:7). A man that cannot rule his speech will destroy himself. His mouth will get his soul into trouble in all sorts of ways. He needs to be beat.

Do not think Solomon’s conclusion is too harsh. The beating is for their own good! The beating would increase peace and quiet by silencing those that make a loud nuisance with their mouths. If they had potential for success, the beating would help them find it. If it were done, it would not be done much, for fools would control their speech to avoid it.

A problem today is a gross misunderstanding of so-called free speech. No one has the right to say anything they wish. All men have the responsibility to only say those things that please God and profit men. But now with the flick of a finger, emails or texts or tweets send arrogant words, haughty speech, and disrespectful retorts all over the place.

A fool prefers talking to listening, especially if corrected. He would rather argue and contradict than humble himself to instruction. Lacking respect for authority and others, he speaks when he ought to be silent. His froward speech leads to confrontations, and his inappropriate remarks beg for someone to give him stripes on his back with a rod.

Here is another common theme in Solomon’s Proverbs – ruling your speech. The tongue is a powerful thing; it can be used for good or evil, life or death (Pr 18:21). A wise man studies to answer (Pr 15:28); he is slow to speak and says no more than necessary (Pr 17:27-28). But a fool pours out foolishness, letting everyone know he is a fool (Ecc 10:3).

Fools cannot control their mouths (Eccl 10:12-14). They talk too much. They talk without thinking. They retort quickly. They talk when they should not. They fight fire with fire. They answer issues before they even hear them (Pr 18:13). They are disrespectful and irritating. They question things not to be questioned; they argue about words to no profit.

Fools have no discretion. They do not know that different situations call for different words and tones. They just plow ahead verbally, like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Their quarrelsome approach to conversation is offensive and confrontational, resulting in hurt feelings, contention, and strife. They cause fights, and they deserve to be beaten!

Solomon taught soft answers turn away wrath and end fights (Pr 15:1). Gideon knew such wisdom, as he flattered Ephraim to take away their anger at not being invited to the early stages of the battle (Judges 8:1-3). Wise men know such discretion, but fools can never learn it. There is only one way to teach a fool – stripes from a rod (Pr 26:3).

Parent, do you consistently and diligently teach your children the rules of gracious speech? It is a very valuable thing you can teach them. Success in every part of life, from marriage to their professional success or a role in a church, requires sober and thoughtful speech. You are with them every day; you can fulfill this proverb literally. Do not allow them to bicker or argue with siblings, dominate conversations, jest, or talk back to you.

Christians always speak with grace (Col 4:6; Eph 4:29). If salty criticism is needed, only a small amount is to be used. Open debate and wrangling are wrong (I Tim 6:3-5; Titus 3:9). Saints reject blustery exchanges about anything! Once a fool is corrected, no more words should be used (Pr 26:4-5; 23:9). Let him fall into his ditch (Matt 7:6; 15:12-14).

But fools will be meddling. They want to question everything. They want to argue any and every point. They want to object. They want to get their two cents in. They want to remember past offences. They want to correct details. They want to whisper about others.

They are saucy and insolent. They are critical and negative. They are crude and rude. They are hasty and loud. They are impulsive and obnoxious. They are graceless and shameful. They are fools – they cause contention and fights – they deserve to be beaten.

Are you one of them? Are you ever guilty of disturbing the peace of those around you and getting into unnecessary conflicts – unnecessary in the minds of others, for every fool is always right in his own eyes. Will you humble yourself and change your speech habits?

How important is this little proverb? After this life you will stand before the Creator God and give account for every idle word you spoke while on earth – your speech will help determine your destiny (Matt 12:34-37). You will then wish you had been beaten for foolish talking. Instead, God in kind mercy sent you this proverb by the pen of Solomon.

God is more severe than Solomon! He hates the perversity of filthy speech, foolish talking, or jesting; He calls for giving of thanks instead (Eph 5:4). He is sending Jesus soon to judge men for these sins. “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (Eph 5:6).

Proverbs 15:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 15, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 15:1 A gently answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

God loves peacemakers. He blesses them greatly. You can be a peacemaker. You can end fights. This short proverb is one of the best. You can use it every day for God’s blessing.

The wisdom is simple. If someone is angry, use gentle speech to calm them. Do not use defensive or harsh words, for that will increase anger. You can end conflict and fighting by calming words. Reject the foolish and wicked response of fighting fire with fire.

Can a person fight a pillow? Impossible! The pillow will take any blows given to it without hitting back. This is no fight; all punches are absorbed, and the pillow is not hurt; so anger quickly gives up, and the fight is over. Can you be a pillow to others’ anger?

How can there be a fight, if one person turns the other cheek (Matt 5:38-42)? What rare wisdom taught by Solomon’s greatest son, Jesus Christ! Rather than fight personal enemies, love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them (Matt 5:39-43)!

Here is one of Solomon’s most valuable proverbs. If you remember this rule, you can handle every angry adversary and any confrontation. If everyone practiced this rule, peace would be increased in every place. What a blessed rule, from the Prince of Peace!

A common phrase from schoolyards to explain fighting declares, “It takes two to fight.” How true! If either party were to stop fighting and show kindness, every fight would end. School teachers and principals know this rule and use it to find both offenders in a fight.

You can have a profound influence for peace by ending fights in your part of the world. Starting in your marriage and family and working all the way out to your business, church, and neighborhood, you should be known by God and men as a great peacemaker.

But provocative and offensive words, the ones you naturally think of when angrily confronted or defending yourself in pride, cause fights to continue and escalate. Sometimes they are rightly called “fighting words.” A fight will get worse and do greater damage, unless you quickly bring the anger and contention to an end (Pr 17:14; 26:21).

If a person is angry with you, even if it is your fault, you can end the matter peaceably by responding gently and kindly, rather than with your own anger in defense (Pr 12:16; 15:18; 29:22). Will you crush your pride and end the fight (Pr 13:10; 21:24; 28:25)? The rule works with family members, job situations, the government, or anyone else. Use it.

Measure yourself by this rule of self-discipline and peacemaking. Do you get irritated by others’ provocation? Must you retort to anything said about you? Do you have to get the last word in? Are you prone to self-justification rather than self-deprecation? Do you excuse your tendency to argue by appealing to principle, even though it is clearly pride?

Solomon taught men to fear kings or other civil rulers, for kings in those times had dreadful authority and power (Pr 19:12; 20:2; Eccl 8:2-5). But he also taught that yielding could pacify even their great wrath (Pr 16:14; Eccl 10:4). Soft words are your most powerful weapon against an offended prince, or anyone else (Pr 25:15). Learn the habit!

God loves peacemakers (Matt 5:9), and He taught those who offended others to go and be reconciled to them (Matt 5:23-26). Jesus applied the proverb by teaching you to agree quickly with your adversary to bring peace. His spirit, which every true saint desires to have, is peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, and actively makes peace (Jas 3:17-18).

The sons of Zeruiah, David’s famous nephews known for their military success and great passion, were too hard for him (II Sam 3:39). They could never use soft words, for they did not have soft hearts. Jesus even rebuked the sons of thunder, James and John, for their ungodly spirit toward some ignorant and disrespectful Samaritans (Luke 9:51-56).

To be the peacemaker you should be to please God and be successful with men, you must start on the inside with your spirit toward others (Jas 3:13-18). Gracious and soft words can only come from a pure and gentle heart (Pr 22:11; Luke 6:45). Your gracious speech should only rarely be seasoned with salt like that of Jesus Christ (Col 4:6; II Cor 10:1).

Spiritual Training 14 March 2014

Posted: March 14, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
More than Conquerors

Romans 8:35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

These words were written to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years, Paul’s hypothetical situations would turn into painful realities. This passage reaffirms God’s profound love for his people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to his love.

Lets Bring it Home: Suffering should not drive us away from God, but help us to identify with him further and allow his love to reach us and heal us.

Proverbs 14:32 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 14, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 14, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

All men die. But no one talks about it. Men distract themselves with jobs, politics, sports, music, drugs, etc. They act like death will not find them. But it is the surest thing in life!

All men die. But the wicked die much worse than the righteous. Death rips wicked men away from their toys and security and throws them into eternity without God or comfort. The righteous lie down in peace and choose to depart life for their destination of heaven.

You will die. How will you die? The King of Terrors, death itself, is stalking you now. He will rip you away from every relationship, from every helper, from every asset. You will stand alone, helpless, naked, and guilty before God. This is how the wicked die.

The world exalts the wicked over the righteous. They eulogize and memorialize persons like Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana until the difference of this proverb is not seen. You had better see the difference, lest the world’s lies seduce you to the death of the wicked, for these two examples were driven away by death from all their vain comforts.

Jesus described the death of a rich man, who had so much you would have thought he was living the good life. “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). This rich fool was driven out of life by the King of Terrors without a single cent.

The wicked get their heaven now, for their portion is in this life (Ps 17:14). God allows them good things, children, and large estates. But even then they often are depressed, divorced, dysfunctional, and resorting to drugs and drunkenness for comfort. But David knew he would be satisfied when he awoke after dying with God’s likeness (Ps 17:15).

Dear reader, you will die soon. What have you done today to prepare for it? Solomon warned about it often (Pr 10:2; 11:4,19; 12:28; 13:14; 14:12; Ec 12:1-7). Jesus and Paul both taught the importance of making preparations (Matt 7:21-27; I Tim 6:17-19). The wicked die very differently than the righteous. Which are you? How will you die?

As in many of Solomon’s proverbs, two parallel clauses are contrasted by the adversative “but.” By comparing the two clauses, “driven away” is understood as death. A wicked man, though confident in his wickedness, will be rooted out of the earth by death. But the righteous dies comfortably and with hope, for death is the door to something far better.

Who are the wicked and the righteous? The wicked are those whose pride keeps them from thinking seriously about God (Ps 10:4; 14:1). They choose the popular way in life rather than God’s way (Matt 7:13-14). They do not care that the Bible condemns most of what they think and do, for they have committed their lives to what the world approves.

The righteous know they have a Creator. They want to please God in life, and they know they will give an account to Him after death (Eccl 12:13-14). They choose to live by the Bible, even though it may not be popular, for they know it leads to eternal life (Matt 7:13-14). They hate the world, for they know it is God’s enemy (I John 2:15-17; Jas 4:4).

The wicked are confident in life. They presume they will live forever (Ps 49:6-13). The worst thought to them is death, and they do all they can to ignore it and defer it. But God said, “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished” (Pr 11:21). There is no discharge in the war with death, and wickedness will not save a man from it (Ec 8:8).

Death drives the wicked away. “His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world” (Job 18:7-8). It happens fast, “Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath” (Ps 58:9).

“The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place” (Job 27:19-23).

But the righteous has hope in dying, for he has evidence of eternal life in his good works (Matt 25:31-40; I Thess 1:2-4; Rev 14:13). They know that death is only the temporary sleep of the body of those who shall live forever (Acts 7:60; 13:36). Their bodies simply wait in the grave for the great change of the resurrection (Job 19:25-27; Ps 49:15; 73:24).

The righteous believe and love Jesus Christ, Who died in their place, so that death has no more power over them (John 5:24; 10:26-29; 11:25-26). They know doing the will of God proves their salvation, not a sinner’s prayer (Matt 7:21-23). They add many good works to their faith to make their election to eternal life sure (II Pet 1:5-11; Jas 2:14-26).

Death is a mercy to the righteous, and they know it (Is 57:1-2). They consider it far better to depart and be with Christ (Phil 1:23). They know death is a blessed event and precious in the sight of God (Ps 116:15; Rev 14:13). They believe the day of their death is better than of their birth (Ec 7:1). This is hope! Glorious hope! And only the righteous have it!

Proverbs 13:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 13, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 13, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grow wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm

You are the company you keep. This well-known saying is a short and weak version of Solomon’s true warning. Here is one of the most valuable proverbs for your advancement.

Though you may be wise, foolish friends will eventually destroy you. Though you may be foolish, wise friends will show and teach you success. This is an easy way to prosper.

What a simple rule for wisdom and life! Get rid of foolish friends, and choose the wise for friends. You will grow in wisdom and avoid much trouble in life. Good athletes use superior competition to bring out their best, even if it means frequent training losses.

Giving up your friends is hard. You may believe the lie you can resist foolish friends. Or you may find your best friends are fools. Or your foolish friends may be popular, costing you status with peers. Or you may naively think you can help foolish friends.

The Bible declares, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (I Cor: 15:33). The warning about deception is to save you, since many think friends are not dangerous. But if you allow an evil input in your life, you will lose your good manners.

How did Lot, Abraham’s nephew, end up in a cave with nothing but his two daughters pregnant by his incest? How? He moved toward Sodom and made friends in that wicked city (Gen 13:12). What a disaster for him, his wife, and five daughters. Be not deceived!

The best parents monitor every friend, for foolish friends are a great threat to children and youth. Many decent parents make schooling decisions to protect their children, but fail to monitor individual friends from school, work, church, family, sports, and neighbors.

This is one of the most important things you can do for the success of your children. Read the proverb again. The results are certain, but children and youth are not wise enough to choose their own friends, so you must reduce their choices to those meeting the criteria.

Fools cannot be real friends to a child of God. It is impossible, for they are incompatible by nature. They have nothing of value to offer. What is a fool? They do not fear God (Pr 1:7; Rom 16:17-18). Ignore your feelings or past history, and cut off your foolish friends.

David rejected fools (Ps 1:1; 101:1-8; 119:115); he chose friends of those fearing God (Ps 119:63,79). Did he have good friends? He had Jonathan (I Sam 18:1-4; 20:16-17; 23:16; II Sam 1:26)! He had King Hiram (I Kgs 5:1)! He had Ittai the Gittite (II Sam 15:21)!

How can you get rid of foolish friends? Be unavailable. Or hang around wise people, and foolish friends will flake off, because they do not like wise people. Or say you cannot do former activities due to conscience or Bible. Or tell them plainly your friendship is over.

How can you find wise friends? Look in faithful churches of Jesus Christ around the world, though these churches are few in number with few members. It is in these churches that God’s faithful children gather around the God and truth taught there.

Godly men are lovers of good men, so you must learn to discriminate wisely (Tit 1:8; Ps 16:3). Men can easily be ranked on a scale of virtue and wisdom, so wise men move toward those on the top of the scale, even selecting friends from a church’s membership.

How far should you flee fools? Very far! Do not go in their direction (Ps 1:1; Pr 1:10,15; 4:15; 9:6), and have no fellowship with them (Pr 14:7; Am 3:3; Eph 5:11-12)! Your soul and future are at stake. Find the way of good men, and go in that direction (Pr 2:20-21).

Marriage is picking a companion for life! Use this proverb for a spouse. Carefully prove a personal and independent fear of God, the prerequisite of wisdom. If you do, wisdom will guide and bless your marriage and family. If you do not, both will be severely damaged.

The friends you need above all others are God Himself and Jesus Christ. Abraham was God’s friend for carefully obeying Him and passionately worshipping Him (Jas 2:23). Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha for similar reasons (Jn 11:1-5). What about you?

Spiritual Training 13 March 2013

Posted: March 13, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
More than Conquerors

Romans 8:29-34 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What than, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

If God gave his Son for you, he isn’t going to hold back the gift of salvation! If Christ gave his life for you, he isn’t going to turn around and condemn you! He will not withhold anything you need to live for him. The book of romans is more than a theological explanation for God’s redeeming grace-it is a letter of comfort and confidence addressed to you.

Paul says that Jesus is interceding for us in heaven. God has acquitted us and has removed our sin and guilt, so it is Satan, not God, who accuses us. When he does, Jesus, the advocate for our defense, stands at God’s right hand to present our case.

Lets Bring it Home: Do you ever think that because you aren’t good enough for God, he will not save you? Do you ever feel as if salvation is for everyone else but you? Ten these verses are especially for you.

Proverbs 12:25 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 12, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 12, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

What is the cheapest and easiest gift? Giving a kind word away! It can make a sad heart glad! Such love will not cost you anything. What a cheap way to be rich to others! You could send a person skipping down the street. You could lay another brick for eternal life.

Your mouth can do more than swallow food. It can cheer a heavy heart. You can learn kind, complimentary, encouraging words of truth to do it. Can you spot a heavy heart or sad spirit? Do you know good words it needs? Will you get excited to fulfill this proverb?

Christians are to love one another (Jn 13:34-35). Church members are to consider one another (Heb 10:24; 13:3). Both are one-on-one duties. Speech is often used to cut and hurt, but considerate words in love can be very healthful (Pr 12:18; 16:24; 25:11; 27:9).

Have God and Solomon got your attention? But God knew something important Solomon did not. He knew you would have ability to communicate a kind word easier than ever e.g. phone, email, text, Facebook, tweet, etc. You could lift a heart right now. Do it!

Most men are too selfish and preoccupied with their own lives to notice others, and most do not have the affection or concern to say something kind and helpful. They are too lazy to consider another person and do something about it. The rest are too fearful or ignorant.

Sad sacks cannot be justified: saints should be the happiest people on earth (Ps 4:7; 63:5; 92:4; I Pet 1:8). Great men get cast down, but they are not overwhelmed (Ps 42:1-11; II Cor 4:8-10). An unruled melancholy spirit is a devilish curse (Pr 15:15; Jas 3:14-16).

But for those justly cast down, you have someone deserving attention and affection. A heavy heart carries weighty burdens that make it stoop; it is a soul pressed down by cares, circumstances, and troubles. King Lemuel’s mother suggested wine to help (Pr 31:6-7)!

Think of this wine! Mary Magdalene, a sinful woman Jesus had forgiven, was crying after finding her Lord’s tomb empty. But a Man appearing to be the gardener said, “Mary.” With one good word, she was better and said, “Master.” Read it (Jn 20:11-18).

Think of this wine! Zechariah was a prophet to encourage Jews that returned to rebuild Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. He saw a vision of a great angel asking God when He would be merciful to Jerusalem. God answered with “good words and comfortable words,” which lifted Zechariah to a great message of hope (Zech 1:12-17).

It is cruel to dance around those cast down. It is like taking away a coat in cold weather (Pr 25:20). This cheap affection does more harm than good. “Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,” are good words; but men with real burdens and sad hearts need more (Pr 14:10; 15:13; 17:22; 18:14). Weep with them instead of dance (Rom 12:15; I Cor 12:26).

A book of the Bible describes Job’s three self-righteous friends, who did not have a good word to gladden his heavy heart. Instead, they joined together in accusing him of hypocrisy. No wonder he called them miserable comforters. But many often follow their lead and blame trouble on God’s judgment, though it may only be an affectionate trial.

When did you last compliment someone directly and sincerely? How often do you do it? A kind thought about another not expressed – is worthless! If you have a good thought about someone, tell them! How much better would the world be if people complimented those deserving it? How much would righteous men be encouraged in righteousness?

Bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ (Gal 6:2), and it might be as easy as an encouraging word. This includes comforting the feebleminded, which may be the result of a heavy heart (Ps 38:1-22; I Thess 5:14). If you are strong in the Lord, it is your duty to look for those who are weak and help them (Rom 15:1-3). Say something kind!

Solomon’s proverbs have been read for 3000 years. But no one could communicate so easily and freely over any distance as you can by phone, email, text, Facebook, tweet, etc. When you give an account to God, He will remind you (Luke 12:48; Rom 14:10-12).

The tongue has power of life or death; godly saints use it for health and life (Pr 12:18; 15:23; 16:24; 18:21; 27:9). Only a pinch of salt – criticism or rebuke – should flavor a wise man’s gracious words (Eph 4:29; Col 4:6). The goal is to edify, or build up, one another, as Jonathan built up David, when he was hiding in the woods (I Sam 23:16).

If you gladden a sad heart by a good word, you lay another brick for eternal life. Heaven is a free gift by God’s grace for His people, but you can assure your heart and increase your confidence of it by kindness to others (I Tim 6:17-19; I Jn 3:14-19; Heb 6:10).

Increase life expectancy and success by a good word to your parents (Eph 6:2-3). Secure your children’s obedience by a kind word (Col 3:21). Enhance your love life by a tender word to your spouse (Gen 34:3). Thank your boss by a good word (I Tim 6:1). Encourage a policeman (Rom 13:7; I Pet 2:17). Uplift your pastor by a word to him (I Thes 5:12-13).

Jesus during His life comforted and encouraged many, because God had given him a wonderful gift of speech “that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Is 50:4). As He carefully placed himself to comfort Mary with a single word after His resurrection (Mark 16:9), you should think of someone right now you could lift.

Angels comforted and strengthened Jesus Himself several times, especially when His spirit was greatly troubled in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-34). He sends His Spirit to comfort you, when you humble yourself before Him and cry for help. Follow His holy example and use the good words of His good Word to make many sad hearts glad!

Spiritual Training 12 March 2013

Posted: March 12, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
More than Conquerors

Romans 8:29-30 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Some believe these verses mean that before the beginning of the world, God chose certain people to receive his gift of salvation. They point to verses like Ephesians 1:11 that says we are “predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Others believe that God foreknew those who would respond to him and upon those he set his mark (predestined). What is clear is that God’s purpose for people was not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world. People are to serve and honor God. If you have believed in Christ, you can rejoice in the fact that God has always known you; God’s love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect you until you one-day stand in his presence.

Lets Bring it Home: What is God’s purpose for you, or are you living out his purpose? If not, what is getting in your way from you doing God’s will in your life?

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