PROVERBS 31
"Do not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings."
(vs 3)
Oh, dear saints, I feel a sermon building up within me as I read through this Proverb! But I’ll try to keep it short. For now. ;)
Interesting verse above... "Do not give your strength to women..." In 1 Peter, the Apostle charges men to "live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." (1 Pet 3:7) Paul taught that "the head of woman is man", just as "head of every man is Christ", and ultimately the "head of Christ is God." (1 Cor 11:3)
So, I gather that the Proverb is not speaking against a man protecting, helping, supporting, caring for, or loving a woman. In fact in this very Proverb, just a few verses later we read -
"Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life."
(vs 10-12)
She does him good. Her worth is far above any earthly riches.
In an earlier Proverb we read -
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD."
- Prov 18:22
It is a good thing. The Lord is pleased when a man and woman come together according to His design. Yet, again, we read above - "Do not give your strength to women..." Of what is King Lemuel speaking? First let us look at what the Scripture tells us we are to do with our strength...
Under the old covenant, Moses brought the commandment of God to the people - "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
- Deut 6:5
Under the new covenant, Jesus commands us -
"To love (God) with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
- Mark 12:33
With all of our strength, all of who we are, we are to love God above all else. He is to be our first priority. As we read the words of Jesus at the end of the verse in Mark’s Gospel, I believe we gain a little insight on our opening verse from Proverbs 31. We can honor God with our lips, yet our hearts have not put Him first (Isaiah 29:13) We can bring offerings and sacrifices to God, in the sight of man, yet He is not our first love, and His commands to love others above ourselves are not operating in our lives. We have given our strength to things other than God. It can indeed be a woman, if a man has her in a way displeasing to the Lord. Among many examples throughout the Scripture, we can see it clearly in the life of Samson. He was called before he was born to be a leader and a judge of God’s people. He was given great strength. Yet he was enticed by, and fell to, the pleasures of the flesh -
"Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her." (Judges 16:1)
In Samson’s passion for women, he placed them above God, and in doing so he lost his strength. He lost the fellowship with the Lord. And he lost his sight; his ability to see in either the physical, or I believe, even the spiritual realm. This once mighty man, who had forsaken the Lord for his own desires, cried out at the end of his life -
"O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." (Judges 16:28)
"Do not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings."
(vs 3)
Samson had not heeded that advice. King Solomon was warned of this very thing, and fell as well. Even in all his wisdom, and his relationship to Almighty God, he allowed himself to be ensnared by that which the Scripture declares will destroy a king.
"Did not Solomon king of Israel sin regarding these things? Yet among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless the foreign women caused even him to sin."
- Neh 13:26
We see from the second half of Proverbs 31:3, that there are other ways in which we can destroy our witness, and ultimately destroy ourselves, if we continue in them. Jesus spoke to those in the church, who offered right sacrifices, yet allowed themselves to be drawn away to follow ways that satisfy man and not God -
"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place - unless you repent."
- Rev 2:4-5
God has called us to be kings, from before we were born. And He gives us His strength. His joy. May we not compromise, and allow the things of the world to turn our strength away from Him who has granted it to us in the first place. May we always love, protect, help, support, and encourage those the Lord has placed in the path of our life. And above all, may He always remain our first love, that we not fall.
God bless us, each one, and keep us in His Way,
Michael
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Proverbs 30
PROVERBS 30
"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."
(vs 5-6)
A promise and a warning. To those who trust in the Lord, and keep His words, He is a shield. Every word of God is pure. Every word, every commandment, every statute, every law, every judgement.
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward."
- Psalm 19:7-11
To those who add to His Holy word, He rebukes and calls a liar. Those called to be God’s children are warned not to add to His word or subtract from His commands. The passage below from Deuteronomy chapter 12, spoken to God’s people Israel, was given also for our example. The New Covenenat did not change the Word of God. The promises and the warnings that were to the nation Israel in the Old Testament, are now to the True Israel, the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16), which is the body of Christ (Jew and Gentile alike) in the New Testament (Rom 9:4-8) The promises and the warnings given to them, apply to us. (1 Cor 10:1-13). As Paul taught us - "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." - 1 Cor 10:11-12
Looking at that admonition in Deuteronomy: to God’s people it was written -
"When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ’How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.
Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it."- Deut 12:29-32
When the Lord Jesus forgives our past sins, and delivers us from our bondage, and we become His disciples, we still dwell in a world full of false gods. Truth is, dear saints, when we accept the call of God on our lives, the lure of those false gods often becomes stronger, as the enemy of our souls seeks to steer us off the Path of Life, and back into the world, and our former way of life (or rather death). The way that leads to death is wide, and the enticements are many. The Lord exhorts us -
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to Life, and there are few who find it."- Matt 7:13-14
The Lord commands that we follow not after those false gods. God is unchanging. Some would have us believe that He changes with the times, and that He now accepts certain sins, and abominable lifestyles. He does not. His Word is pure, His law is perfect. In an attempt to justify our sins, we add to, or subtract from the Holy Scripture. Where His command is to love Him with all our mind, heart, soul and strength... we have loved rather ourselves, at the expense of God and the body of Christ. (I’m speaking here about the the Christian religion as a whole). We rob God of sons and daughters He desires, as we put our own passions and desires first. We sacrifice our children, or even prevent children from being born, to satisfy our own pleasures. These things ought not to be. We are to be multiplying and raising our children properly, in the fear of the Lord, training them in the way that they should go.
May we be found among those who do trust in the Lord God, who do desire His righteous judgments, who do yearn for His Truth. Be encouraged, brothers & sisters, for as the Proverb declares -
"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."
(vs 5)
God’s wisdom and understanding to all,
Michael
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Proverbs 29
PROVERBS 29
"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
(vs 1)
We read throughout the Old Testament how Israel often refused to listen to the Lord, and accept His discipline. Even after He had delivered them many times, they would once again need to be rebuked, as they turned from following Him, and stubbornly rejected His correction.
Nehemiah recounts the many rises and falls of the Israelites, and tells of the deliverers (the Judges) that God had sent time and again to rescue them and set the nation back on God’s path and give them rest. But...
“But after they had rest, they again did evil before You.
Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,
So that they had dominion over them;
Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven;
And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,
And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law.
Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments,
But sinned against Your judgments,
‘ Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’
And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear.
Yet for many years You had patience with them,
And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets.
Yet they would not listen;
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands."
- Neh 9:28-30
Elsewhere in the Book of Proverbs we read -
"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you."
- Prov 9:8
"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise."
- Prov 15:31
Rebuke or correction is meant to be a good thing. Those who are wise will recognize, accept, and be thankful for a reproof that opens their eyes to God’s Truth on a matter. The Bible says in several places - The Lord rebukes those He loves... for our own good, that He may rid us of the sin in us that cannot dwell in His Presence. He chastens and corrects us... so He can bless us with His goodness.
"Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
- Rev 3:19
God is preparing a Church, a body for His Son, kings to rule with the King over all creation. I see a strong connection between verse 1 above, and the following verse -
"The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever."
(vs 14)
The second book of Samuel 7:12-17 was the passage I was led to that tied them together, and I hope to share more on that later, after I pray and seek God’s understanding on these verses.
May we never refuse the correction of the Lord, which comes in prayer, through the reading of the Word, from a pastor or discerning elder. May we always judge rightly and in Truth. Friends, may all we say and do, and hope for, be pleasing unto God.
Peace & blessings,
Michael
"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
(vs 1)
We read throughout the Old Testament how Israel often refused to listen to the Lord, and accept His discipline. Even after He had delivered them many times, they would once again need to be rebuked, as they turned from following Him, and stubbornly rejected His correction.
Nehemiah recounts the many rises and falls of the Israelites, and tells of the deliverers (the Judges) that God had sent time and again to rescue them and set the nation back on God’s path and give them rest. But...
“But after they had rest, they again did evil before You.
Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,
So that they had dominion over them;
Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven;
And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,
And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law.
Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments,
But sinned against Your judgments,
‘ Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’
And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear.
Yet for many years You had patience with them,
And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets.
Yet they would not listen;
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands."
- Neh 9:28-30
Elsewhere in the Book of Proverbs we read -
"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you."
- Prov 9:8
"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise."
- Prov 15:31
Rebuke or correction is meant to be a good thing. Those who are wise will recognize, accept, and be thankful for a reproof that opens their eyes to God’s Truth on a matter. The Bible says in several places - The Lord rebukes those He loves... for our own good, that He may rid us of the sin in us that cannot dwell in His Presence. He chastens and corrects us... so He can bless us with His goodness.
"Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
- Rev 3:19
God is preparing a Church, a body for His Son, kings to rule with the King over all creation. I see a strong connection between verse 1 above, and the following verse -
"The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever."
(vs 14)
The second book of Samuel 7:12-17 was the passage I was led to that tied them together, and I hope to share more on that later, after I pray and seek God’s understanding on these verses.
May we never refuse the correction of the Lord, which comes in prayer, through the reading of the Word, from a pastor or discerning elder. May we always judge rightly and in Truth. Friends, may all we say and do, and hope for, be pleasing unto God.
Peace & blessings,
Michael
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Proverbs 28
PROVERBS 28
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father."
(vs 6-7)
Worldly wealth means nothing in the Eternal scheme of things. What does matter is our behavior. Are we honest in our business. Are we faithful to our loved ones. Do we walk humbly and with integrity before the Lord.
Discernment is the result of practice (Heb 5:14), of inquiring of the Lord always, of keeping His commands and spending time in His Word. Those who live as such are called God’s sons. Those whose time is spent rather on the appetites of our earthly nature, shame our heavenly Father.
As we’ve seen all throughout the Proverbs, we read yet again an emphasis on obedience to God’s Word. Being under the New Covenant we have been freed from the Mosaic Law, but as Paul writes often, we will always be under Law, only now it is the Law of the Spirit of Life that we are subject to (Rom 8). Of himself, and Timothy and Titus, Paul said they were "ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor 3:6) The Apostle knew the Law of Moses inside and out, and had stuck by it to the point where he once persecuted those who were believing in the Name of Jesus. Yet now he knew and could boldly speak the Truth - The letter of the Mosaic Law brings death, but the Law of the Spirit brings Life.
As Jesus prepared His disciples for what was to come after His sacrifice and Resurrection, and His return to the Father, He told them -
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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 you."- John 16:12-14
Obedience to the Law which the Spirit reveals to us, is of the utmost importance, and the consequences are eternal.
"Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."- 1 John 3:24
"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination."
(vs 9)
Again, that Law is the Law of the Spirit, that brings Truth and Life. If we turn from that Law, if we allow ourselves to be preoccupied with other things so that we cannot hear Him speaking to us, then what we do pray is an abomination to God. The Spirit knew the time would come when men would turn from the Truth which He came to impart to us, and through Paul, warns us -
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."- 2 Tim 4:3-4
Indeed, we are to "turn away". Not from hearing, and walking in, the Law of the Spirit, but rather we who are God’s people are to turn away from the sin, and the false gods in our lives -
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, ’Thus says the Lord GOD, "Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.
"For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I the LORD will be brought to answer him in My own person.
"I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among My people. So you will know that I am the LORD."
- Eze 14:6-8
May we never be found turning away from hearing the words of God. May we never allow iniquity to remain in us that will hinder our relationship to God, and our Eternal destiny. Rather may we be able to confidently say -
"Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!"
- Psa 66:16-20
Peace & blessings to you & yours,
Michael
Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
(vs 18)
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father."
(vs 6-7)
Worldly wealth means nothing in the Eternal scheme of things. What does matter is our behavior. Are we honest in our business. Are we faithful to our loved ones. Do we walk humbly and with integrity before the Lord.
Discernment is the result of practice (Heb 5:14), of inquiring of the Lord always, of keeping His commands and spending time in His Word. Those who live as such are called God’s sons. Those whose time is spent rather on the appetites of our earthly nature, shame our heavenly Father.
As we’ve seen all throughout the Proverbs, we read yet again an emphasis on obedience to God’s Word. Being under the New Covenant we have been freed from the Mosaic Law, but as Paul writes often, we will always be under Law, only now it is the Law of the Spirit of Life that we are subject to (Rom 8). Of himself, and Timothy and Titus, Paul said they were "ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor 3:6) The Apostle knew the Law of Moses inside and out, and had stuck by it to the point where he once persecuted those who were believing in the Name of Jesus. Yet now he knew and could boldly speak the Truth - The letter of the Mosaic Law brings death, but the Law of the Spirit brings Life.
As Jesus prepared His disciples for what was to come after His sacrifice and Resurrection, and His return to the Father, He told them -
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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 you."- John 16:12-14
Obedience to the Law which the Spirit reveals to us, is of the utmost importance, and the consequences are eternal.
"Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."- 1 John 3:24
"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination."
(vs 9)
Again, that Law is the Law of the Spirit, that brings Truth and Life. If we turn from that Law, if we allow ourselves to be preoccupied with other things so that we cannot hear Him speaking to us, then what we do pray is an abomination to God. The Spirit knew the time would come when men would turn from the Truth which He came to impart to us, and through Paul, warns us -
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."- 2 Tim 4:3-4
Indeed, we are to "turn away". Not from hearing, and walking in, the Law of the Spirit, but rather we who are God’s people are to turn away from the sin, and the false gods in our lives -
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, ’Thus says the Lord GOD, "Repent and turn away from your idols and turn your faces away from all your abominations.
"For anyone of the house of Israel or of the immigrants who stay in Israel who separates himself from Me, sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me for himself, I the LORD will be brought to answer him in My own person.
"I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from among My people. So you will know that I am the LORD."
- Eze 14:6-8
May we never be found turning away from hearing the words of God. May we never allow iniquity to remain in us that will hinder our relationship to God, and our Eternal destiny. Rather may we be able to confidently say -
"Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!"
- Psa 66:16-20
Peace & blessings to you & yours,
Michael
Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
(vs 18)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Proverbs 27
PROVERBS 27
"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
(vs 17)
This verse speaks of the importance of fellowship, and accountability. We are strengthened in our own personal walk, and as the body of Christ, as we meet together (Heb 10:25), as we pray together (James 5:14-16), as we intercede (Eph 6:18-19), as we share the body and blood of Christ together (Acts 2:42-47)
Brothers & sisters, I cannot stress enough the need for fellowship, and I could go on and on on this topic, but I want to take a look at a couple other verses today...
"Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;
So he who waits on his Master will be honored.
As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man."
(vs 18-19)
One of my favorite Psalms, that talks a great deal about the relationship between our behavior and the blessings of the Lord, Psalm 37, exhorts us to wait on the Lord, our Master, and walk in His way.
"Wait on the LORD,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it."
- Psalm 37:34
King David, who knew well that relationship, and desired to receive the blessings of the Lord, cried out to Him -
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
- Psalm 139:23-24
David wanted his heart to be pure and blameless before God, and asked Him to bring conviction where it was needed, that he might repent and turn from any wickedness. He did not try to tell God what was in his heart, rather he asked God to point out any areas in it that might cause offense to Him or any others, that he could make it right, and be found walking in the Lord’s way. That was made very real when, through the Prophet Nathan, God brought conviction upon King David for a sin which he had committed. David made no excuse for his action, but immediately repented. (2 Sam 12:13)
May our actions always be pleasing unto the Lord, and if we do slip, and commit iniquity, may our response be to immediately acknowledge that we have caused offense, to repent before God, and allow Him to cleanse us (1 John 1:9). David was defiled by that which he had done, but his heart was revealed in his response to the conviction brought upon him for his sin. He repented, fasted and prayed before all for the offense he had committed.
In a New Testament account, we read of Peter’s admonition to a man whose actions brought offense - "your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8:21-23)
The Apostle saw what was in the man’s heart, by his behavior.
Many times I’ve heard said, "... but God knows my heart". I remember using that expression myself, and usually to make excuse for something I did that was not quite right. But as the Scripture tells us, it is what is seen that is true of us. "As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man." When we look into a pool of water, or into a mirror, we see what is there, and so it is with our hearts... our behavior shows what is in our hearts, and reveals to others and to God who we truly are.
If we are one of His, then we will show forth the fruit of the Spirit of God - "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Gal 5:22)
If we are of the world, then that is what is in our hearts, and that is what will be revealed when push comes to shove. If what is revealed in our behavior is wicked, then we will be cut off from the promised inheritance of God. The Lord will not accept the excuse "but I really have a good heart." If our deeds are evil, then we are defiled.
"That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."- Mark 7:20-23
We can tell people all about the kind of person that we are, but, friends, the proof is not in words, but in action. How we behave is who we are. John writes -
"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us."
-1 John 3:18-23
The enemy will often play on our hearts, and try to condemn us of things that are not True. But, as John wrote, if we are actually loving God, and one another in deed and truth, then our hearts are assured before Him. We can have confidence in Him, not because of things we say, but because we have obeyed His commands, and it is evident in the things that proceed from our hearts.
Dear saints, may we be living our lives free from condemnation, as we walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:1-4). But may we seek, and welcome, the conviction of that same Spirit, to reveal any wicked, offensive ways within us that will defile us, that we may seek His help, and even the help of our brothers in Christ, to keep us in the "way everlasting."
Thank You, Lord God, for Your words of Truth and Life. May they sink into our very being, our soul, our heart, and cause us to become those with whom the Master is pleased. Guide us, Lord, and keep us in Your Way.
God bless you and keep you,
Michael
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him
(vs 21)
"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
(vs 17)
This verse speaks of the importance of fellowship, and accountability. We are strengthened in our own personal walk, and as the body of Christ, as we meet together (Heb 10:25), as we pray together (James 5:14-16), as we intercede (Eph 6:18-19), as we share the body and blood of Christ together (Acts 2:42-47)
Brothers & sisters, I cannot stress enough the need for fellowship, and I could go on and on on this topic, but I want to take a look at a couple other verses today...
"Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;
So he who waits on his Master will be honored.
As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man."
(vs 18-19)
One of my favorite Psalms, that talks a great deal about the relationship between our behavior and the blessings of the Lord, Psalm 37, exhorts us to wait on the Lord, our Master, and walk in His way.
"Wait on the LORD,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it."
- Psalm 37:34
King David, who knew well that relationship, and desired to receive the blessings of the Lord, cried out to Him -
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
- Psalm 139:23-24
David wanted his heart to be pure and blameless before God, and asked Him to bring conviction where it was needed, that he might repent and turn from any wickedness. He did not try to tell God what was in his heart, rather he asked God to point out any areas in it that might cause offense to Him or any others, that he could make it right, and be found walking in the Lord’s way. That was made very real when, through the Prophet Nathan, God brought conviction upon King David for a sin which he had committed. David made no excuse for his action, but immediately repented. (2 Sam 12:13)
May our actions always be pleasing unto the Lord, and if we do slip, and commit iniquity, may our response be to immediately acknowledge that we have caused offense, to repent before God, and allow Him to cleanse us (1 John 1:9). David was defiled by that which he had done, but his heart was revealed in his response to the conviction brought upon him for his sin. He repented, fasted and prayed before all for the offense he had committed.
In a New Testament account, we read of Peter’s admonition to a man whose actions brought offense - "your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8:21-23)
The Apostle saw what was in the man’s heart, by his behavior.
Many times I’ve heard said, "... but God knows my heart". I remember using that expression myself, and usually to make excuse for something I did that was not quite right. But as the Scripture tells us, it is what is seen that is true of us. "As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man." When we look into a pool of water, or into a mirror, we see what is there, and so it is with our hearts... our behavior shows what is in our hearts, and reveals to others and to God who we truly are.
If we are one of His, then we will show forth the fruit of the Spirit of God - "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Gal 5:22)
If we are of the world, then that is what is in our hearts, and that is what will be revealed when push comes to shove. If what is revealed in our behavior is wicked, then we will be cut off from the promised inheritance of God. The Lord will not accept the excuse "but I really have a good heart." If our deeds are evil, then we are defiled.
"That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."- Mark 7:20-23
We can tell people all about the kind of person that we are, but, friends, the proof is not in words, but in action. How we behave is who we are. John writes -
"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us."
-1 John 3:18-23
The enemy will often play on our hearts, and try to condemn us of things that are not True. But, as John wrote, if we are actually loving God, and one another in deed and truth, then our hearts are assured before Him. We can have confidence in Him, not because of things we say, but because we have obeyed His commands, and it is evident in the things that proceed from our hearts.
Dear saints, may we be living our lives free from condemnation, as we walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:1-4). But may we seek, and welcome, the conviction of that same Spirit, to reveal any wicked, offensive ways within us that will defile us, that we may seek His help, and even the help of our brothers in Christ, to keep us in the "way everlasting."
Thank You, Lord God, for Your words of Truth and Life. May they sink into our very being, our soul, our heart, and cause us to become those with whom the Master is pleased. Guide us, Lord, and keep us in Your Way.
God bless you and keep you,
Michael
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him
(vs 21)
Proverbs 26
PROVERBS 26
"As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly."
(vs 11)
This verse above speaks loud and clear to me, friends. The Holy Scripture contains many incredible promises of God. Born into this world in a sinful state, we have the opportunity to partake of God’s wonderful plan when we accept the blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and turn from the wicked ways of the world.
When Messiah Jesus stood to teach in the temple of His hometown...
"He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
“ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty (set free) those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
- Luke 4:17-19
I lived in the world for too long, made many mistakes, and brought sadness to the heart of God by my sinful behavior. Having been set free and given the opportunity to receive His promises, I would be a fool if I were to return to any of the ways I once lived. Jesus said we are only truly disciples of His IF we continue in His word. Then we will know the Truth, and t he Truth will make us free. Jesus is the Truth. Once we have accepted His atonement for our past sins, repented, and been baptized into His Name, we have become of the family of God. When we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus, we become His disciples. We become part of the household of God. Then He tells us, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine."
Can we now allow sin to remain in our lives? Jesus tells us - "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin." Everyone. He goes on to say that that slave (of sin) will not remain in the house forever. If we continue to sin, we show that we are not His disciple, and we will not remain in His house. Only those who are truly sons will remain. Then will the Son, Himself, make us truly free.
This word Jesus spoke not only to the Jews of His day, but to all who would believe in Him. It is a Kingdom principal that will stand til the end of this age.
"So Jesus was saying to those who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free."
"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (from John 8:31-36)
As I've written previously, I believe the Apostle Paul would be greatly disappointed to see how his teachings have been distorted to a point where Christians are taught that God doesn't see their current sinful behavior anymore, and that regardless of how we live our lives we will remain in the house of God forever because of His grace.
"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting Life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Rom 6:15-23
That entire passage above, and the entire book of Romans, was written to Christians. I’ve actually heard pastors say that verse 23 was written to the unsaved. Have any of us ever composed a letter to someone, and then, all the sudden, write a sentence to someone else in the middle of it, and then continue on writing to whom the letter was addressed? Might I say, that would be ridiculous. Dear saints, the entire New Testament wwas written to believers. All the promises and all the warnings are to us, the body of Christ. Paul continued on in his letter -
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."- Rom 8:1-8
Can we say this day that God is pleased with our behavior? Are we indeed walking according to the Spirit, in obedience to the Word, and in the fear of the Lord? For that is what sets us free from condemnation.
I know what I share here is not what many hear from the pulpits on Sunday morning, and may even contradict what many others preach. Yet it is the Word of God. He has given me a heart for those in the body of Christ who are hurting. And it saddens me to see Christians who accept sin in their lives because they are ’taught’ that it is okay for Christ will continue to forgive them anyway. The Scripture warned this day would come, that the people of God would say to their spiritual leaders - "Speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions." (Is 30:10).
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the Truth, and be turned aside to fables."- 2 Tim 4:3-4
I judge no one’s salvation, ever. And I down no one for their belief in a doctrine. I only share what the Lord puts on my heart, and what the Holy Spirit has made clear to me in the Scripture. And I write to encourage and strengthen my brothers & sisters in Christ. The Apostle Peter, on the other hand, does make bold statements about those who teach false doctrine, to satisfy their own desires, increase their fame, or pad their pocketbooks.
"For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who are barely escaping from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.
It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A dog returns to its own vomit, " and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."
- 2 Pet 2:18-22
And we see that Peter quotes our opening verse from Proverbs 26, to describe what it is like for those who turn back to the things we have been set free from. May that never be true of us. May we never allow ourselves to be enticed and become entangled by that which brings only separation from God.
Brothers & sisters, my prayer is that we will hold firmly to that which is True, that we will look always to Christ for understanding, and that our hope will remain in the promises of God. Yea, that we ourselves will remain in His house, His family, forever.
God’s peace and blessings to you & your loved ones,
Michael
"As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly."
(vs 11)
This verse above speaks loud and clear to me, friends. The Holy Scripture contains many incredible promises of God. Born into this world in a sinful state, we have the opportunity to partake of God’s wonderful plan when we accept the blood sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and turn from the wicked ways of the world.
When Messiah Jesus stood to teach in the temple of His hometown...
"He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
“ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty (set free) those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
- Luke 4:17-19
I lived in the world for too long, made many mistakes, and brought sadness to the heart of God by my sinful behavior. Having been set free and given the opportunity to receive His promises, I would be a fool if I were to return to any of the ways I once lived. Jesus said we are only truly disciples of His IF we continue in His word. Then we will know the Truth, and t he Truth will make us free. Jesus is the Truth. Once we have accepted His atonement for our past sins, repented, and been baptized into His Name, we have become of the family of God. When we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus, we become His disciples. We become part of the household of God. Then He tells us, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine."
Can we now allow sin to remain in our lives? Jesus tells us - "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin." Everyone. He goes on to say that that slave (of sin) will not remain in the house forever. If we continue to sin, we show that we are not His disciple, and we will not remain in His house. Only those who are truly sons will remain. Then will the Son, Himself, make us truly free.
This word Jesus spoke not only to the Jews of His day, but to all who would believe in Him. It is a Kingdom principal that will stand til the end of this age.
"So Jesus was saying to those who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free."
"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (from John 8:31-36)
As I've written previously, I believe the Apostle Paul would be greatly disappointed to see how his teachings have been distorted to a point where Christians are taught that God doesn't see their current sinful behavior anymore, and that regardless of how we live our lives we will remain in the house of God forever because of His grace.
"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting Life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Rom 6:15-23
That entire passage above, and the entire book of Romans, was written to Christians. I’ve actually heard pastors say that verse 23 was written to the unsaved. Have any of us ever composed a letter to someone, and then, all the sudden, write a sentence to someone else in the middle of it, and then continue on writing to whom the letter was addressed? Might I say, that would be ridiculous. Dear saints, the entire New Testament wwas written to believers. All the promises and all the warnings are to us, the body of Christ. Paul continued on in his letter -
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."- Rom 8:1-8
Can we say this day that God is pleased with our behavior? Are we indeed walking according to the Spirit, in obedience to the Word, and in the fear of the Lord? For that is what sets us free from condemnation.
I know what I share here is not what many hear from the pulpits on Sunday morning, and may even contradict what many others preach. Yet it is the Word of God. He has given me a heart for those in the body of Christ who are hurting. And it saddens me to see Christians who accept sin in their lives because they are ’taught’ that it is okay for Christ will continue to forgive them anyway. The Scripture warned this day would come, that the people of God would say to their spiritual leaders - "Speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions." (Is 30:10).
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the Truth, and be turned aside to fables."- 2 Tim 4:3-4
I judge no one’s salvation, ever. And I down no one for their belief in a doctrine. I only share what the Lord puts on my heart, and what the Holy Spirit has made clear to me in the Scripture. And I write to encourage and strengthen my brothers & sisters in Christ. The Apostle Peter, on the other hand, does make bold statements about those who teach false doctrine, to satisfy their own desires, increase their fame, or pad their pocketbooks.
"For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who are barely escaping from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.
It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A dog returns to its own vomit, " and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."
- 2 Pet 2:18-22
And we see that Peter quotes our opening verse from Proverbs 26, to describe what it is like for those who turn back to the things we have been set free from. May that never be true of us. May we never allow ourselves to be enticed and become entangled by that which brings only separation from God.
Brothers & sisters, my prayer is that we will hold firmly to that which is True, that we will look always to Christ for understanding, and that our hope will remain in the promises of God. Yea, that we ourselves will remain in His house, His family, forever.
God’s peace and blessings to you & your loved ones,
Michael
Proverbs 25
PROVERBS 25
"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls."
(vs 28)
Dear friends, this past week has been a busy one, and has left me physically and mentally drained. But I wanted to share a quick thought on the last verse of this Proverb.
As we see elsewhere in the Proverbs, and in many of Paul’s epistles, the necessity of self-control for the Christian. If we have not self-control, or discernment, we let our guard down, and find ourselves an easy prey for the enemy. Without those walls standing firmly in place, representing the Eternal Law of God, then sin can easily enter and lead us astray. We see that all around us today, in the world, and even in the church as well, as those without self-control fall, time & again. Rather than ruling our own spirit, by keeping it humble before the Lord, and allowing it to be renewed and strengthened day by day, we have allowed our spirits to be ruled by money, greed, and pleasure.
Of these days the Apostle Paul prophesied -
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 2 Tim 3:1-7
Oh, there is much to be said about this subject. There are many accounts in the Old Testament of God’s people failing to keep a reign on their spirits and practice self-control, and the results where always disastrous. Perhaps we will study more on this next month, or in an upcoming Proverb.
"Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."- Heb 5:13
May we be found among those who do indeed practice self-control, rule their spirits, and have trained their senses to discern good & evil. The result being that the Lord will grant us to partake of the solid food of His Word, that we may come to the knowledge of the Truth.
God’s peace & blessings to all,
Michael
"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls."
(vs 28)
Dear friends, this past week has been a busy one, and has left me physically and mentally drained. But I wanted to share a quick thought on the last verse of this Proverb.
As we see elsewhere in the Proverbs, and in many of Paul’s epistles, the necessity of self-control for the Christian. If we have not self-control, or discernment, we let our guard down, and find ourselves an easy prey for the enemy. Without those walls standing firmly in place, representing the Eternal Law of God, then sin can easily enter and lead us astray. We see that all around us today, in the world, and even in the church as well, as those without self-control fall, time & again. Rather than ruling our own spirit, by keeping it humble before the Lord, and allowing it to be renewed and strengthened day by day, we have allowed our spirits to be ruled by money, greed, and pleasure.
Of these days the Apostle Paul prophesied -
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 2 Tim 3:1-7
Oh, there is much to be said about this subject. There are many accounts in the Old Testament of God’s people failing to keep a reign on their spirits and practice self-control, and the results where always disastrous. Perhaps we will study more on this next month, or in an upcoming Proverb.
"Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."- Heb 5:13
May we be found among those who do indeed practice self-control, rule their spirits, and have trained their senses to discern good & evil. The result being that the Lord will grant us to partake of the solid food of His Word, that we may come to the knowledge of the Truth.
God’s peace & blessings to all,
Michael
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