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.

Thursday’s Blog – Story tales and Truth do not mix!

Thursday’s Blog – Story tales and Truth do not mix!

Proverbs 26:20-21 – Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Bible Challenges and Comments

Some golfers if you notice talk to their golf ball as if it were a wayward child and most golfers understand that all of this chatter is for naught. However, there is this one time when talking to your golf ball works very well and that would be when your opponent is teeing off or putting. Also I would add that golfers over the age of sixty have great rounds of golf since they seldom remember the bad shots.

Psalm 34:1-22

A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

 

The joy of living under the blessing and grace of God is far greater than any moment of happiness that the world around us has. One way to know this is to know that happiness must be carved out of wood, hay and stubble and by nature is temporal; while all of God’s blessings are “gifts” of grace and mercy of this the joy of knowing; these gifts are eternal.

Thursday’s Blog – What? Is there an End of the Road!

Thursday’s Blog – What? Is there an End of the Road!

Proverbs 19:20 – Listen to counsel and receive instruction; that you may be wise in your latter days.

Bible Challenges

Excerpts from 1 Corinthians 15

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.        

50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

“Are you listening to the instruction and counsel of the Holy Bible”? If you are then you are storing up wisdom for the latter days that will carry you into eternity. Unfortunately there is another side to this storeroom. Far too many people are storing up wrath in their heart and I just have to ask. If you are one of those people; WHY? Why go to the grave full of bitterness and wrath? Surely God does not want this for you; “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should be saved”.

2 Peter 3:9 – The LORD is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (Please read on through verse 13).

Did you notice? Both the earth and the works in the earth will be burned up. If you are working for earthly reward, it is all for naught. However if your focus is on the LORD Jesus Christ; this is the wisdom and counsel of God. His reward for you and me is with Him and when He returns He will bring it to disburse to those who are called by His Name. Revelation 22:12.

Thursday's Blog - Believe

Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ!

To be identified as an unbeliever is simply to say on any subject; “I do not believe this!” and it is settled, or is it? If we were to investigate the absolute condition of any belief we might find that “absolutes” are more “relative” thus absolutely fixed or written in stone is always questioned. For example: All people believe in some form of mathematics, but many do not believe the answer until proven by other an alternate method, like multiplication is verified by division and vice versa. In mathematics, this is the system I use, Proverbs 11:1.

A Virgin shall bring forth her first born Son (Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23)

Luke 2:6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,  an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

How is it then; that some people have no problem believing in “angels (truth)” and “reincarnation (fiction)” or in some other form of idolatry and reject the Virgin Birth? The answer is simple really! If a person denies the Virgin Birth there is no foundation for believing the message of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

People who are perishing are actively rejecting God by being “unbelievers” they first deny the Birth of the Christ, then they must deny the Resurrection of the Virgin born Son of God who is called; Emmanuel – God with us. They willfully reject facts and believe fiction.

Here is a question – Are you identified pertaining to the things of God as an unbeliever? If so God can change that by turning you from unbelief to “faith”. That if you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be forgiven of the sin of rejecting Christ and be saved from all sin – believing. Romans 10:9

 

Thursday's Blog - Righteousness and Justice

 Psalm 100: 1 A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;  We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

 

Does our nation serve the LORD with gladness of heart? Do we come before Him with singing? Lastly; does the land make a joyful noise of thanksgiving to God? May it be that, we the people of the land have forgotten the LORD, may it be that most today do not know Him?

 

We need to consider this; we are the people of this nation, and the sheep of HIS pasture. Return O barren land and re-enter His Gates of grace and give HIM thanks. Return men and women; enter in HIS courts of mercy with praise, be thankful to God that HE has not consumed us in His justice. Bless His Name because He is Holy.

 

The LORD is good, merciful and righteous, His Word declares these truths as EVERLASTING, it is also wonderful in that His plan for all nations is that none should perish and that He is longsuffering toward us. Praise Him for this!

 

But know this: Goodness, Mercy and Righteousness belong to God who is eternal. We the people of this land live temporally and when our time runs out; His longsuffering continues. But if we do not know Him, how can we expect His eternal blessing? It is fool-hearty to expect to receive something from someone we do not know.

 

These times we are living in today are rapidly approaching the words of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 25:31-46. The signs of these times begin in Matthew 24:32 and continue to Matthew 25:30. If you have the time, please read. Weep if you need too, but repent also. Psalm 25:1-5 and Romans 10:8-13.

 

Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.  Jesse <><