Thursday's Blog - Fleeting Fantasy, you Decide!

Thursday’s Blog – Fleeting fantasy or Fleeting nation?

Proverbs 30:10 – Do not malign a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.

Bible Challenges and Comments

When is the last time you got a little upset at your co-worker and ran to the boss to do a little tattling? Oh! By the way you do not have to tell me as I have done likewise. Not all but most of us occasionally partake of this form of “BMH” (bad mouth halitosis). We have also been on the receiving end of having it all fall back on us and this is something to consider the next time you find yourself in front of the boss with boos about someone else. NOW like many I did not watch the “SOTUA” the night before last but have seen and read some of the fall out.

Now I need to be careful here so I am not caught tattling, but instead presenting a picture of a man who is the number one public leader projecting his thoughts to override the Governing Authorities of our homeland and Constitution of the United States of America and telling his boss (who is his boss?) the citizens of the Nation. That he intends with a little “stuttering” to take matters in his own hands. Now I am talking to us citizens and none of the non-supporting immigrants; legal or illegal.

I like most of us have a very heavy heart over the State of the Union, in fact; I believe that most of the congressional leaders ought to just “STOP” and listen to the “HEART BEAT OF THE CITIZENS” and after listening, resign their appointed post or CHANGE their heart and begin making a difference. Someone recently said that by including the immigrants into a favored status, we would cut trillions from the deficit. What? Why not just send them home would that not save trillions too?

Ecclesiastes 10:1 – Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. Literally the verse above reads: “Flies of death in the perfumer’s ointment gives off a foul odor; so does folly where wisdom and honor is expected”. We the people of the United States of America are in need of confession since all of what we see in the United States today is not the “fault” of leadership even though they support the downward path.

Ecclesiastes 10: 4 – If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; for conciliation (literally; healing health) pacifies great offenses. In my mind our beloved nation is like a man beaten very badly from his head to his waste. Deep contusions in our shoulders and arms have taken its toll on our military, large and troublesome infections from wounds to the head; have liberalized the minds of our leaders and their eyes are full of the oozing mucus of immorality, destroying our reproductive young.

As I have said before the birthrate in this nation is so low that we cannot recover without God on our side. So here is my plea to us all; the people of the United States of America still have strength, from the waistline down we have strength; and yes I know that we have worn this verse of scripture out. I am hesitant to use it, but here it is: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Do I sound like the Ole English lamp lighter of another era who walked through the street of London a singing? “Hear Ye! Here Ye” I pray that I do and that we all listen! But then again I pray that you might instead hear the sounds of the times we live in and bend that strong knee and begin to repent the national sin that we all are committing and face up to the truth that God will restore our Land when we allow Him to restore our heart in holiness to Him.

This is no JOKE, if we do not repent as a nation; we the people will not have a nation in less than twenty years. I hope you know that your day is BLESSED of the LORD God, it is my prayer that you and I would understand this from what James says in his epistle:

James 4:7-10 – Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts, you double minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He will lift you up.

Therefore! Why does James say therefore? James 4:1-6 we will just look at verse 6; but you can be a good doer of the Word and not just the hearer only and read the context. Verse 6 – But He (God) gives MORE grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Don’t be a “humbug” be “humble”.

Thursday’s Blog – Wait on the LORD

Thursday’s Blog – Wait on the LORD

Proverbs 23:5 – Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Bible Challenges and Comments

A man suffered a heart attack while shopping. The EMT’s rushed the man to the nearest hospital and open heart surgery was provided. Recovering from the surgery he found himself face to face with a nun. The nun was seated next to his bed holding a clipboard loaded with several forms. She was the admitting and billing clerk. "Do you have health insurance?" she asked. He replied in a raspy voice, "No health insurance." She asked, "Do you have money with which to pay?" He replied, "No money!" Do you have a relative who could help you with the payments?" irritated; He said, "I only have a spinster sister, and she is a nun." The nun too became agitated and promptly replied, "Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God." The patient replied, "Perfect. Send the bill to my brother-in-law."

The world around us is NO JOKE yet we are often challenged to take living life with the attitude that whatever I want to do is okay with God, He is footing the bill anyway; isn’t He? If you have ever thought about storing up wealth in this way, my advice would be to “stop” since there is enough evidence in the world that those who gain riches by the standards of the world will reap a whirlwind of trouble. In nearly every chapter of Proverbs there is a warning to the people about gathering riches when it is the Will of God that your “first” gathering to or from God is to trust in Him.

Now I know you are thinking as I do, most of Proverbs was written by the richest man on earth during his time on earth and so why does he down play getting a larger wallet? The main reason is that Solomon understood the blessing of God for people who totally trusted Him. Mankind cannot keep a promise to himself or anyone else and I know you know this. For example when was the last time you totally fulfilled a promise, the truth is that since we have a poor track record in keeping promises we no longer like using the word in our normal day at the office.

Now why is how Solomon is able to write in the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes about the skill of living and value of practical wisdom and downplay the gathering of riches that will fly away? First, Solomon understood that God is the One and only Promise Keeper and One who promises and brings about blessing, He alone accomplishes this

2 Chronicles 1:6-12 – And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?" And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?" And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life--but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king-- wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."

Living skillfully and practicing wisdom is not a man-made exercise of self will. Like Solomon; when we seek blessing and promise, we must seek it from God, God never fails because God will never leave you. Even when Solomon turned his back to God, God did not take away Solomon’s wisdom or wealth; note Genesis 28:15 and Hebrews 13:5. God keeps His promises.

Thursday’s Blog – Weightier matters

Thursday’s Blog – Weightier matters

Proverbs 16:11 – A just weight and balance are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are HIS work.

Bible Challenges and Comments

I like what our Pastor said last night that in the study of the Word of God, it is not the quantity of chapters and verses read, but more rewarding is the contentment and thought with what is being taught by the Holy Spirit who guides us into the Truth we are studying, which may only be two or three verses. Now; these are not the pastor’s words verbatim, but is my understanding of what he said.

I would like to be able to recall his words as they are more meaningful and parallel my thoughts this morning regarding the verse of scripture I chose in Proverbs 16. To do justice in any given concern or project on this earth we MUST always give way to truth that, “All is God’s” from the very weight of the matter at hand to the fact that the last word in Proverbs 16:11 is not “work” in the Hebrew language but “concern”.

So we can see that people are capable of taking the interpretation of one’s intended message and replace a few words of similar meaning and change the whole thought or definition. Therefore I am overjoyed with the Truth that those who believe in Jesus Christ as the ONE whom took our sin upon Himself, has along with His resurrection from the dead, given us His Holy Spirit who is our tutor and guide in all things pertaining to righteousness and godliness in this present time.

John 16:13-15 – “However, when He the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to your. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you”.

Balances and weights, all belong to God; whether it is the pound of nails or hamburger you seek to sell to your neighbor, or the Living Word of God you seek to share with the lost. The physical and spiritual realms (while differ in many ways are also alike) but it is and always will be God who weighs the spirits (motives). Proverbs 11:1 and Proverbs 16:2.

Wrap your soul around the Word of God, your human desire may be to read a whole chapter or book in the Bible, but the Spirit of God may have much to say to you in just a couple of verses in the chapter. Spend your time in those two or three verses and come away with overflowing thoughts of “good themes”. Notice Psalm 45:1 – My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the KING; my tongue is the pen of a ready or skillful writer.

“Oh happy day, Oh happy day” when Jesus the Lamb of God washed away the SIN of the world. If my sin is washed away, and it is; then so is yours, you only need to believe in Him. OH HAPPY DAY, believe in Jesus and be so happy that your cup of joy will overflow with the grace of God. John 1:29-34.

Thursday's Blog - Wisdom and Foolishness are Enticing

Thursday’s Blog – Wisdom and Foolishness are Enticing

Proverbs 9:1-18 – Verse 1: Wisdom has built her house she has hewn out her seven pillars… Verse 13: A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple and knows nothing.

Bible Challenges and Comments

Solomon the wisest of men understood the wisdom and folly of the world around. We offer arguments to this from time to time but the bottom line is that while we may bark and complain about the things he has to say concerning the skills of living; he always comes out on the top of the argument. Also he is right and not because of some sort of independent effort of his own will, but because he asked God to give him this wisdom.

1 Kings 3:1-15 is a very interesting conversation between the LORD and Solomon, also in Ecclesiastes Solomon admits his season of folly and explains that the wisdom that God gave him; did not depart, but stayed with him. Well you might be saying… that’s good for kings and such, but I am a nothing; a nobody! “Stop it”! That’s right – “stop it”! Note the words of this man in Proverbs 30:1-3

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance; this man declared to Ithiel – to Ithiel and Ucal: Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One. (in the inner man I have said such things and I have no doubt… so have you).

Agur goes on to say that; “every word of God is PURE (meaning tested or refined) Agur also says that this wisdom of God is a shield to those who put their trust in God and warns that to add words to the PURE word of God will cause the one who does a reprimand from God and deem that one a LIAR. So somewhere in the life of Agur he laid aside foolishness and began “by FAITH, hearing the Word of God”.

James 1:5-8 – If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that gives to all men LIBERALLY and without reproach and it will be GIVEN to him. BUT let him ask IN FAITH with NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not; that man, suppose that he will receive anything from the LORD; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Men like Solomon and Agur understood that the choice of living by faith was the only way to live skillfully in this world. Agur took a while to come to grips with this TRUTH, while Solomon sought wisdom early in life only to drop off the chart to FOOLISHNESS later in life. Proverbs 9 helps you and me to see this wisdom and foolishness working in the minds of ALL people.

Proverbs 9:1-6 the call of wisdom to be of sound heart and faith, too forsake foolishness and to go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:7-9 the warning of wisdom to be careful, scoffing does not promote any good only shame. Try and rebuke the wicked person and you will end up with a blemished character, his hatred for your interference (today) will attack you (tomorrow) this is our culture way of retribution… the blemish will be on you, not him.

Proverbs 9:10-12 fear the LORD it is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One, by this understanding your days will be multiplied and years will be added to you. Wisdom or scoffing; one a reward and the other a visible scar for others to see; so how does this work its way into our lives? Wisdom and foolishness or folly is expressed as “feminine” thus there is a sense of enticement. Now don’t say you did not know that… yes; yes you do know that. shut the door to the clamorous and rebellious ways of the world and respond to the strong pillars of God Word.

Proverbs 9:13-18 – people every day are enticed by the world, there is no particular science about this. The apostle John warns believers about this enticement in 1 John 2:15-17, while those who do not believe are readily identified as those who are passing away in their continuing folly of lust.

Thursday’s Blog – Providing Spark that ignites Life.

Thursday’s Blog – Providing Spark that ignites Life.

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Bible Challenges and Comments

There are parents who plan for the birth of their children to be at certain times of the year; like a New Year baby, the first in your town is easier to accomplish than the first in the nation. We are happy with the local news, yet for some the desire can be aimed at national recognition. Again an always we have to throw in the “disclaimer” I truly do not seek to offend anyone who has hoped or planned for a child. All children are a blessing to family, friends and neighbors and there should be a celebration.

There is much we could say about the activity of raising children, some good disciplines and some bad ones too. The results of both the good and the bad make us adults to be who we are today and we carry this on from generation to generation. God has much to say about this in His Word but sadly there are only a few who find His Word to share it on time in training up their child; and there are the personal choices of children as they grow into adulthood… good and bad.

We do not have the time today to go into why families fail but the root cause is “idolatry” that is to worship something, someone or some so-called deity other that the ONE true God. Exodus 20:1-6 states this clearly. Below is God’s challenge to all of us (not just Israel) to worship HIM and Him alone.

5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

The course of this blog could keep spiraling downward, but we need to pull up on the flaps and get focused on a truth that will brighten the days ahead. The Holy Bible is not like the sacred writings of the world around us, all such writings are idolatry. The Living Word of God will endure time and eternity, notice what the LORD Jesus says in Matthew 5:18 – For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law until all is fulfilled.

Below is a jot and a tittle from God that is the cure for idolatry found in our homes, idolatries of the past, present and future are wiped away with the following declaration from God Himself; 1 Peter 1:22-25.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.