Posts Tagged ‘spirituality’

Spiritual Training 01 August 2012

Posted: August 1, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Samson
Judges 13:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, so the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.  

God was fed up with his people.  He was so disgusted with their disobedience that he decided to hand them over to the Philistines.  The idea was that the crack of a whip across their backs might help them see the error of their ways.  But it didn’t work.  Not only did they accept slavery as a way of life, their lack of repentance suggests that they actually grew content with it.  This suffering was not caused by God, but resulted from the fact that the people ignored God, their Judge and Ruler.  That they didn’t cry out to God is amazing, but not half as amazing as the fact that God decided to deliver them anyway.  In what could only be described as phenomenal act of grace, God decided to rise up a strong man to lead His unrepentant people out of bondage.  That man was Samson.

Lets bring it home: What will it take for us to follow God?  The warnings in God’s World are clear: if we continue to harden our hearts against God, we can expect the same fate as Israel.

Spiritual Training 26 July 2012

Posted: July 26, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Judges, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Jephthah

 Jephthah’s rash vow brought him unspeakable grief in the heat of emotion or personal turmoil it is easy to make foolish promises to God.  These promises may sound very spiritual when we make them, but they may produce only guilt and frustration when we are forced to fulfill them.  Making spiritual “deals” only brings disappointment.  God does not want promises for the future, but obedience for today.

Judges 11:30-31, 34-35 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, what ever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

34-35 Then Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines!  She was an only child.  Except for her he had neither son nor daughter.  When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried.  “Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break. 

Proverbs 25:6-7 Wisdom for the Soul

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

Proverbs 25:6-7 Do not exalt yourself in the King’s presence and do not claim a place among great men, (7) it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. 

Jesus made this proverb into a parable (Read Luke 14:7-11).  We should not seek honor for ourselves.  It is better to quietly and faithfully accomplish the work God has given us to do.  As others notice the quality of our lives, then they will draw attention to us.

Proverbs 23:13-14 Wisdom for the Soul

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

Proverbs 23:13,14 – Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 

The stern tone of discipline here is offset by the affection expressed in verse 15.  However, many parents are reluctant to discipline their children at all.  Some fear they will forfeit their relationship, that their children will resent them, or that they will stifle their children’s development.  But correction won’t kill children, and it may prevent them from foolish moves that will.

Proverbs 29:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 20, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 20:09 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?

No one is without sin.  As soon as we confess our sin and repent, sinful thoughts and actions begin to creep back into our lives.  We all need ongoing cleansing, moment by moment.  Thank God he provides forgiveness by his mercy when we ask for it.  Make confession and repentance a regular part of your talks with God.  Rely on him moment by moment for the cleansing you need.

Proverbs 19:20 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 19, 2012 in Bible Study, Book of Matthew, business pratices, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, 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!

Proverbs 18:24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 18, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Friends and Acquaintances

Proverbs 18.24 – A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Loneliness is everywhere-many people feel cut off and alienated from others.  Being in a crowd just makes people more aware of their isolation.  We all need friends who will stick close, listen, care and offer help when it is needed-in good times and bad.  It is better to have one such friend than dozens of superficial acquaintances.  Instead of wishing you could find a true friend, seek to become one.  There are people who need your friendship.  Ask God to reveal them to you, and then take on the challenge of being a true friend.

 

Proverbs 16:05 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 16, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:5 – The LORD detest all the proud of heart.  Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 

Pride is the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best” It is resisting God’s leadership and believing that your are able to live without his help.  Whenever you find yourself wanting to do it your way and looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride.  Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all he meant you to be.

Proverbs 13:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 13, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. 

“I was wrong” or “I need advice” are difficult phrases to utter because they require humility.  Pride is an ingredient in every quarrel.  It stirs up conflict and divides people.  Humility, by contrast, heals.  Guard against pride.  If you find yourself constantly arguing, examine your life for pride.  Be open to the advice of others, ask for help when you need it, and be willing to admit your mistakes.

Proverbs 12:16 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 12, 2012 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 12:16 A fool show his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 

When someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate.  But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble.  Instead, answer slowly and quietly.  Your positive response will achieve positive results.  Remember Proverbs 15:01: A gentle answer turns away wrath.

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