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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2021 0:37:46 GMT -6
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him” (Proverbs 18:17).
“. . . but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” There is something that is reasonable. If someone comes to you with a horror story about what brother or sister So and So did. If it is a necessary scenario of telling, and not just talebearing and not just gossiping; if it is an issue of someone bringing something necessary to you to talk to you about. Do you know what is reasonable? It is reasonable for you to ask questions to make sure that that person has their facts straight and that they are not embellishing the story as he sees it.
“. . . but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.” Preachers deal with this all the time. Somebody comes to them and tells their sad story. They all have these very heartrending, tear-jerking stories about all they have been through and why that church should give them $300 to finish out their rent this month, even though the pastor does not know them, and they have never been to a service before. So, he asks some questions. “Do you have a job?” “No.” “Why haven't you ever been to church here if you thought you could come here and get money?” “Oh Well, . . . uh . . . You know . . .” and their tale starts falling apart. Right? Now, the point is that if you're not careful, everybody knows today how to jerk you around to get your sympathy; but it is not about sympathy.
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.”
It is reasonable for someone to be asked questions about the story they are telling. “My boss hates me, and he fired me for no reason!” “What were you doing when you got fired? How many warnings were you given? Were you always on time? Did you have a record of showing up late?” Do you know what usually happens? You usually find out, and it is a sad thing to say; but you usually find out that the guy was not being forthcoming to say the least.
Most of us have learned that in some measure with our kids. It is just not that hard for brother or sister to embellish things just a little bit to make their sister or their brother look really bad to you. So, they come to you with their tales, and it is fair for you to ask some insightful questions. Right?
“The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out” (Proverbs 28:11).
We recently had a president of the United States who was not searched out at all. Apparently, nobody was even interested in checking his birth certificate. Nobody checked him out. He did not go through what a Reagan would have gone through in these days, as far as the press going into his life finding out what he really was, what he really believed, and all that. Prior to that, we had another “Democratic” president who’s most searching question was whether he wore boxers or briefs. We have people sitting in the highest office in our land that was not searched out. Of course, if that man happens to be a solid conservative nominated for the Supreme court, they will pay for any little bit of negative information they can find. If they cannot find any, they will find a college professor to make something up. Our country has come a long way from the biblical precepts that were held sacred by our founding fathers.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2021 23:44:15 GMT -6
“An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity” (Proverbs 19:28).
“An ungodly witness scorneth judgment,” because of his own wickedness and ungodliness. There are people that say, “I’m just going to go ahead and do what I want, because I can get away with it.” They scoff at judgment, it ain’t ever gonna happen. That’s what the majority pretend to think about hell. “There isn’t any hell! Oh, it’s just the grave!” Until they get there and know better.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
You can’t mock God; you can’t make fun of judgment. God said that if you sow you will reap. But there are people that look down at God’s warnings and say, “It ain’t gonna happen to me!” Haven’t we all dealt with people like that once in a while in our lives? The prisons are filled with them. They don’t think something is wrong, so it can’t possibly be wrong. How many inmates claim their innocence?
Unfortunately, there are even a few saved folks that have that mindset. “I can get away with anything, because ‘God is love,’ and He would never punish his child!” I guess they missed those verses about chastisement and lose of rewards in heaven. They probably just overlooked that verse that says they will “suffer loss” in heaven.
“My marriage isn’t gonna come apart!” You wait. “My kids aren’t going to grow up to be hoodlums.” What do you mean? They are hoodlums now?
“. . . and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity,” they eat it up.
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32). They love to do wrong, knowing the judgment of God--they know about it, but they scorn it—and they want to get as many as they can to do what they are doing so they can continue to claim, “Well, everyone is doing it!”
“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 2:11-12). Are there any more frightening words in the Bible? “God damns them.”
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2021 0:56:40 GMT -6
“It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry” (Proverbs 20:25).
This is explained in Leviticus. It has to do with a man that makes a vow. The Jews were allowed to make vows to God, but once they did, they were to stick by it. The problem here is that a man that says that his animals are holy—or whatever else he has committed and consecrated to the Lord—and then he begins to take it back.
“And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy. He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy” (Leviticus 27:9-10).
The bottom line was: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
Here is a man that has dedicated something to the Lord and then he is backing out on God. God says that that is all wrong, a bad wicked spirit.
What applies to man, God applies to Himself. Eternal life is a promise from God to save a man based upon His Holy name, recorded in His Holy word. If a man could lose that which God has sworn to, would make God a liar and Titus tells us that our God cannot lie!
Faith is the eye by which we look to Jesus. A dim-sighted eye is still an eye; a weeping eye is still an eye.
Faith is the hand with which we lay hold of Jesus. A trembling hand is still a hand. And he is a believer whose heart within him trembles when he touches the hem of the Saviour’s garment that he may be healed.
Faith is the tongue by which we tase how good the Lord is. A feverish tongue is nevertheless a tongue, and even then we may believe when we are without the smallest portion of comfort, for our faith is founded not upon feeling but upon the promises of God.
Faith is the foot by which we go to Jesus. A lame foot is still a foot. He who comes slowly nevertheless comes.
- George Muller
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2021 23:25:38 GMT -6
“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3 KJV).
There are all kinds of people in the world: some who are both righteous and religious (the godly); some who seek to be righteous but are not religious (the moralist); some who are not careful about righteousness but do try to be religious (the hypocrite); and some who are neither righteous nor religious (the out-and-out wicked). This verse is dealing with the third-listed group above (the hypocrite).
Bible History is not barren for examples of this but one that stands out is Israel’s first king, Saul. When Saul disobeyed the Lord’s direct command, the prophet Samuel goes to confront Saul in his sin. Rather than owning up to his sin, Saul tries to justify his actions.
“And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed” (1 Samuel 15:14-15 KJV).
The hypocrite makes excuses for his disobedience. Rather than owning his sin and asking for forgiveness, in pride he follows the footsteps of Adam and argues that his sin is not that big of a deal. He points the finger at everyone else rather than pointing it at himself.
Saul started out with a bright future. He was the first King of Israel. His anointing was cause for great celebration. Yet due to his sin and refusal to repent, the Lord would leave Saul and reject him as King.
“Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:19-23 KJV).
Saul’s was the wrong kind of obedience. His was what we would call pragmatic, or let the end justify the means. God does not approve of that, and that is why churches today are seeking the world’s methods for growing churches, rather than staying faithful to the Word of God, calling sins sin and proclaiming the Blood of Jesus Christ as man’s only hope for salvation.
David had the right kind of obedience, and when he committed a gross sin, he did not seek to excuse it, or cover it up, or proclaim his rights as king. He prayed:
“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalms 51:16-17 KJV)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2021 0:33:06 GMT -6
“That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge” (Proverbs 22:19-20). Dr. Kyle Stephens, from whom I owe much of these devotional materials, opened up a whole new can of worms with verse 21, and the previous four verses. They are really important to him and they became the thesis upon which he based his book, “The Certainty of the Words.” Particularly down around verse twenty-one. store.kjv1611.org/the-certainty-of-the-words/“That I [God, personally] might make thee [you individually] know the certainty of the words of truth.” Now, you can go over and have a talk to a Mormon fellow, and he is certain, that is, he knows for sure, that Joseph Smith was a latter-day Prophet, okay? He's wrong. Here, we have something different. Here God has made me to know the certainty of the words of truth. That Mormon could cite nothing to verify his opinion, other than he has a burning in his bosom which could be heartburn or could be bad pizza. “That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth,” I want to know that the words of truth are true. Do you know how you know the words of truth are true? By reading the words of truth. Do you know how God's true? By reading God's word. Do you know how to know what's right? By reading what God said. Otherwise you don't know what's right. You just think you do.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2021 23:16:31 GMT -6
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Proverbs 23:13-14 KJV).
There are very few verses in Scripture more misunderstood than the ones before us today.
Every child needs correction from time to time. Society has unfortunately attempted to criminalize corporal punishment in the home, and we are reaping the results in ways unimaginable. Children, that once had a healthy respect for authority because of early discipline in the home are now challenging their teachers, the police, and their parents in a struggle for domination. Today’s child is more interested in their “rights,” than they are of living right.
Most of us that have lived past the age of fifty or so can well recall what happened to us when we stepped out of line. Many an occasion found my dad reminding me just how much my whupping was going to hurt him more than me. It never worked to suggest then that we change places so it wouldn’t hurt so much—and it usually ended up hurting a bit more than I anticipated. We look at where we are today and thank God for it. We would not have been the men and women we are today but that life lessons were engrained into us at a young age.
One thing that should be obvious, but those that hate God, and His ways are quick to pounce on the Bible’s harsh language and yell “abuse!” Some in ignorant zeal have crossed a line and have committed abusive acts upon their children on the basis of the Bible, but anyone with a modicum of common sense know that there are other issues in play regarding those that misuse Scripture in such a way. A good many of these folks are mentally challenged and are driven by rage and perhaps alcohol.
I have to admit that any time my parents allowed anger to get the best of them, it was due to my own actions. Often, my mom would smack with whatever she could reach at the time and looking back I realize that I completely deserved it.
God disciplines His children as well: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:6-7 KJV).
Did you notice any word in the above verse that stands out? May I suggest it is the word “love?” We show our love for our children by applying the board of education to the seat of knowledge with the goal of directing our kids to the right ways. Proverbs reminds us that “a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Proverbs 29:15).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2021 23:42:13 GMT -6
“The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men” (Proverbs 24:9 KJV).
Every evil act that has ever been committed in this world was the result of a single thought. Nothing happens for good or for evil without one thinking about it first and then following through to action. All temptations originate with our mind in response to some outside stimulus.
James presents this to us: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:12-15 KJV).
One old bromide suggests that it is not possible to stop the birds from flying over our head, but one can stop them from building a nest in our hair. The world is filled with tempting delicacies that entice our desires and lusts. These are not thoughts, however. Thoughts come when one sees that item of interest and decide that that is something that they would like. Perhaps it is a neighbor’s apple tree, or an item in a store to be pilfered. Perhaps it is dwelling upon an illicit affair that has captured our attention. James says that it is our lusts, or desires, that draw us to the object just as a fish is drawn to that meaty, fat worm on a hook, and we grab for it. Sin begins with the thought, but when it is finished—death is the real prize.
James pattern for sin is repeated for us by John: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:16 KJV).
This is the very pattern which befell Eve in the garden: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6 KJV).
Eve saw that the tree was good for food, which was the lust of her flesh; then that it was pleasant to the eyes, which speaks of the lust of the eyes; and that the tree was desired to make one wise, speaking of the pride of life. Those three elements were present in the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve’s actions plunged the world into sin and death.
When you find yourself considering a thing, run down this list and see how your thoughts are being ruled by your lusts and flee the temptation. Rush immediately to the Cross and confess your thoughts and agree with God that it is wrong, and then allow the Blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse you of every stain.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 KJV).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2021 0:31:25 GMT -6
“Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness” (Proverbs 25:5 KJV).
One of the keys of reading the Bible for a personal, daily devotion consists of placing the cookies on the bottom shelf where they are easily accessible to all. In this sense, it is important to understand that every verse in the Bible has a primary interpretation, and only one. The Bible is not open to many meanings to be recast in various lights as the need to “prove” a point is met. It is, however, often open to more than one “application.” In other words, what does this verse mean to you as you face the issues of life. Doctrinal truth can only be built upon faithful biblical interpretation, but that does not mean that there are not other truths that can be discovered.
Primarily, our verse before us today is addressing the monarch of a nation and the type of advice he has available to him. Obviously, if the wicked scoundrels in court are removed, and replaced with godly men full of wisdom—the edicts of the ruler will be right, and the nation will be blessed.
That this verse is directed to a certain class does not, however, negate God’s message to you and me. It has very much to say, especially when we are in the habit of comparing Scripture with Scripture. This is called seeking the “whole counsel of God,” on a particular subject.
If you have been saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ that He shed for you personally on Calvary, the Bible says this: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6 KJV). Did you see that? We are “washed from our sins in his own blood,” and are made to be “kings and priests unto God.” The same truth is repeated again, almost verbatim: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10 KJV).
Where is our kingdom? First of all we are to rule over ourselves: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28 KJV).
If you are a parent, you rule over your home. Dad has authority over the wife, the wife has authority over the children, and in this the home is run decently and in order. The rule of a man over his wife was established back in the Garden of Eden, but the Lord has taught us that it is, in fact, a rule of love. The husband protects his family, the wife nurtures her family.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:22-26 KJV).
Truth be told, there are a lot of areas in our life as Christians where we exercise some rule. Every born-again, blood-washed believer is a full time Christian servant. At any instant of the day he may be called upon to step in with sound, biblical advice and take control of the situation for God. This is one reason why the Bible forbids “kings and priests” to partake alcohol as it dulls the senses. God has given us a sound mind, and a clouded, befuddled mind can cause great damage
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2021 0:31:15 GMT -6
“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets” (Proverbs 26:13).
Now, Solomon shifts his focus from the fool in order to consider the sluggard for a few verses. From this first verse, it appears that the slothful man will make any excuse, it doesn't matter how crazy it is, to get out of doing something. Imagine a guy laying around, saying, “Oh I can't go out today. I'm afraid. There's a lion in the streets.”
Did you know, Christian, that that lion is always out there in the streets? Peter says so, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). So, the spiritual sluggard recognizes the devil, and recognizes that he supposed to go and do right; in spite of the devil, but he's lazy. He doesn't pray, he doesn't put on the whole armor God, and he doesn't fortify himself in the word of God. He says, “Oh no! There's a lion in the streets! I'm staying in bed.”
The sluggard, the slothful man, is a subject touched on often throughout the Proverbs; and that’s something else you don't want to be. I suppose that if we were willing to admit it, that most of us would have to say that there are times that we can be pretty lazy spiritually. It sure is easy not to pray. It sure is easy not to read your Bible every day in a thoughtful, understanding, nourishing manner. Often, it's hard enough to read it through dutifully just making the check marks. It is really easy to not read it with understanding and going through carefully and trying to hear the voice of God through the process. When it all comes down to it, you say, “Well, I'm really busy.” No, you're really lazy.
You may not be lazy in life, generally. You may work your fingers to the bone; but, one of our greatest maladies, I suppose, is the fact that we are often spiritually lazy. It's slothfulness. There are things that you know you need to do, and it takes energy to do them; and you just don't do them because it's easier to not do them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2021 23:53:17 GMT -6
“Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off” (Proverbs 27:10).
I am reading this thinking in context, okay? So, apparently you have a calamity in your life. You have family that lives far away. Your brother lives 100 miles away, and you are going to have to move to live with him in the day of your calamity. Well, the fact is, it speaks there in verse 10, of “a neighbour that is near.” I reckon that neighbor is the friend he's talking about, okay? Maybe you are better off moving in, and letting your friend; your neighbor help you, then to go to family or a brother.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).
A friend loves at all times, and it has to be understood in balance. I liken it in this verse that the brother and the friend are the same guy, brothers in the Lord. Right? Well, “a brother is born for adversity,” we were we were born for fellowship; we were born to go through some stuff together. I do believe that when you get saved you get baptized into the body of Christ, whether you are a Methodist or whatever, as long as you are trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross, you are saved and you are baptized into the body of Christ. There is something very important about a local church. That local church is supposed to be tightly bound and close because you are going to go through stuff together. That is the problem with the free agent. He goes through stuff without being accountable to anybody else, and there is nobody to help him when he needs a brother that is born for adversity.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2021 13:56:28 GMT -6
CHRISTIAN LIFE PRINCIPLES FROM PROVERBS
God’s Word is written for our instruction. As one must dive deep for pearls and dig deep for precious stones, so must we dive deep into God’s Word if we are going to uncover its powerful principles.
I. LET NOT
“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine heart” (Proverbs 3:3).
“My son, let nor then depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion” (Proverbs 3:21).
Mercy, truth, sound wisdom and discretion are to be grasped. In order to take hold of them, we must turn loose of pride, error, simple-mindedness and human folly.
“Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths” (Proverbs 7-25).
One must guard his heart from being lured down a path that appears exciting but ends in evil.
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” (Proverbs 19:18).
Parents must instill accountability into their children while they still have the most influence upon them. Tears of repentance now are easier to bear than their tears of remorse later.
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth” (Proverbs 24:17).
We should never rejoice at the failings of others. Rather, we should take the high road and honor those who dishonor us (2 Samuel 1:17-27).
II. LEAN NOT
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart:; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).
Trust God in all things and never demand an explanation for what He is doing.
Ill. LUST NOT
“Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her rake thee with her eyelids.” (Proverbs 6:25).
Lust causes one to lay aside reason at the expense of reality. When one gives over to lust, he sins against his own mind, emotions and body (1 Corinthians 6:13-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7).
Read Proverbs 5-9 at lead once a month. Guard the minds of your children. All forms of immorality have their beginning in the seeds of sensuality sown in the mind (Romans 1:18-32).
IV. LOVE NOT
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread” (Proverbs 20:13).
All of nature tends to disorder. This is the second law of thermo-dynamics. Discipline and order must be learned. The disciplined life is the productive life. “In all labour there is profit” (Proverbs 14:23).
Study the words diligent(ence) and slothful(ness) in Proverbs.
V. LABOR NOT
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is nor for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4, 5).
Earthly riches are temporal and fleeting. Live not only for time, but for eternity. “One short life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Labor in the realm of faith. Your rewards, though unseen here, will shine there.
VI. LOOK NOT
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again” (Proverbs 23:31-35).
Alcohol is the number one drug in America. There are more deaths attributed to alcohol than experienced in all our nation’s wars combined.
“Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1).
The bottle you once thought you could lay aside at any time will mock you one day and say, “Can’t get enough of me, can you?”
Make a holy vow before God that alcohol will never touch your lips, and stick to it.
- Tim Cruse, Pastor, Shining Light Baptist Church Monroe, N.C.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2021 0:43:07 GMT -6
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1 KJV).
It was early on when the first innocent man became the first wicked man when he rebelled against the command of God and ate of the forbidden tree in the garden of Eden. Rather than accept this as the downfall of man, many prefer to wickedly assign this account to the realm of mythology. Rather than face the Creator and admit to their need for a Saviour, they flee. They reason, as long as there is no God, there is no judgment. If there is no judgment, then I am free to do whatever I wish.
What did Adam and his wife do? Rather than to stand and face the One that gave them life, they fled to the bushes and hid themselves. What did the Author of life do? He searched until He found them and then He restored them to fellowship by removing their fig leaves (human works) and clothed them with the coat of an animal (God’s righteousness). Yes, our first parents still eventually died physically—but they died spiritually the instant that they sinned. It was God’s love that ruled in the garden that day, not man’s fear. Perhaps Shakespeare was a Bible reader which caused him to write, “conscience does make cowards of us all.”
On the other hand, we read of a teenager that took a stand for God and faced a giant named Goliath. Consider his words as he looked upon the enemy of Israel.
“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee . . . Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:34-37, 45-46 KJV).
What was the attitude of king Saul’s men? They were not trusting God as David was so they did what anyone did that was trusting only in their own strength: they fled. “And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid” (1 Samuel 17:24 KJV).
Later on, that same boldness was found in a young deacon by the name of Stephen who willingly and boldly accepted martyrdom at the hands of the high priest, following in the footsteps and example of the Lamb of God that freely accepted death on the Cross that He might freely offer salvation to whomsoever will come and accept it. After that, how many have stood in the face of certain death at the hands of the enemies of the Gospel.
“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:37-40 KJV).
The wicked were cowards and fled from the sound of the Gospel. Rather than to accept the truth of what they were, they hid behind stones and swords and saws and flames, killing them that would convict their souls.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2021 23:50:51 GMT -6
“When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall . . . An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression . . . A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Proverbs 29:16, 22-23).
“When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth,” well that just makes sense, “but the righteous shall see their fall,” now that's not always so obvious. That's that prudent business, knowing that the outcome is that God’s going to make everything right. Now, verse 16 is a Tribulation passage, when the wicked are multiplied. In the tribulation, transgression will increase. Recall what he said about in the Holy Place where the abomination of desolation will occur. In Daniel 9:24 it is called the “transgression:” “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”
“When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth,” Tribulation, “but the righteous shall see their fall,” Second Coming.
“An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Now, this verse is just like 15:18, “A wrathful man stirreth up strife.” Notice in our verse how anger and fury go together. It takes one to create the other. A furious man is generally full of sin. When you see a man that is just mad, and mad, and then madder; you are dealing with a man whose heart is just full of wickedness, and full of sinfulness. And until that is rooted out, that fury and that anger will never be controlled.
There's room in a mans character for anger, but is to be controlled: and he's never to let the sun go down on his wrath. and he's only to display it when there is a just cost.
“A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Now, that's honor from God, generally; of course, you get it from man too. If a man is humble, people appreciate it. Nobody loves a proud individual. I can remember in school; you always had those guys who are just so full of pride. You know, they always talk about themselves, me, me, this is what I’ve done. I can just remember that everybody hated those characters, and you almost felt sorry for them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2021 23:52:24 GMT -6
“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Proverbs 30:7-9 KJV).
Jesus would later teach us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3), and Paul would remind us that “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6). Agur is simply saying here, “Lord, meet our needs.” He does not ask for more of that lest he forget to depend upon God’s goodness and his faith grow complacent. He does not hope for less, lest he become angry with his heavenly benefactor and curse Him. Because of his special, child-like relationship of trust with the God of the universe, Agur also begs God to keep him from the sin of pride and any vain idea that he might be better than others. To let on that he was one of God’s more special saints would be a lie of a most ugly fashion.
As Israel was finishing up their long ordeal in the wilderness and was contemplating crossing the Jordan this very warning was given to them. Agur was by no means the original author of this concept, for the Lord had already presented Israel with the fact that it was He that gave Israel all they had or ever would have—and not their own cunning or the power of their own hands.
“Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:12-17 KJV).
Christian, everything you are and everything you have is from God. And all of our rich blessings are far more than we’ll ever deserve. Be content with what you have, and use it all—your life, your time, your talents, your possessions, everything—for the glory of God realizing that if any of us were given what we truly deserve we would already be in the flames of hell.
Consider the spiritual weight of Agur’s prayer. Many pray against poverty. But few pray against prosperity. Is it possible in an age of greed and covetousness for a man to pray against poverty and prosperity? Is your affection on things above? Or do you mind earthly things? Can your soul make the prayer sincerely?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2021 23:23:41 GMT -6
“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard” (Proverbs 31:13-16).
In verse 10, we saw her principles. In verse 11, her prudence. In verse 12, her persistence. Now, in verse 13, we see her positive attitude.
That “flax” is a delicate blue flowers and seeds that make linseed oil, and the fibers of the stem are spun into linen thread. But notice, it says “she worketh it willingly with her hands.” In Genesis 3:16, God said that her desire shall be to thy husband, so she works willingly for her husband and her home.
In verse 14, we see her provisions, “she is like the merchant’s ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”
What is a merchant ship? Well, one thing about a merchant ship it operates many times in storms all day and yet it continues on doing what it's supposed to do. Another thing about a merchant ship is it carries great wealth. It depends upon the stars of heaven sometimes for navigation, in other words, this woman is a praying woman. Another thing about it is that very seldom do you see the merchant ships resting. Very seldom do you see the merchant ship keeping anything for itself. It delivers the cargo to somebody else, for somebody else’s good.
The positive attitude of this virtuous woman for provision makes her a wonderful helpmeet for her husband. And we see her preparation in verse 15, “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
The Bible says Luke 12:42 that that makes her “a faithful steward.” I don't know what kind of steward you are, but a faithful steward is one that learns to control themselves and to get up and get things going. The Lord said, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” (Luke 12:42).
This woman rises up early, gives her meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. That portion is described in Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Notice also her purchasing in verse 16, “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” She sees a good field, and since her husband trusts her with the checkbook, and trusts her with the money, he knows that she's very prudent about those things and not a spendthrift. She sees something that would be a good buy and would produce good fruit, so she considers the field and buys. One commentator thought she was a real estate agent on the side. I don't think that's what it's saying, the passage doesn't say anything about her selling it; just says that she bought it, and then with the fruit of her hands, she planted vineyards. The fruit of her hands would be seedlings, sprouts and seeds that she herself had grown.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2021 5:42:07 GMT -6
Thank all for your prayers. God heard and answered in a wonderful way! What could have been quite major surgery with the loss of approximately 43% of my liver with all that entails for future health, it ended up with only a 5.6 cm golf ball-sized tumor being removed using microwave ablation, and I am even home a day or two earlier than expected. God answers prayers, and even when He doesn't - He is good . . . all the time. Still doing some narcotics though . . . man do they work! 🙂 Oh yeah, man!
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Post by Keith on Apr 3, 2021 7:59:38 GMT -6
Thank all for your prayers. God heard and answered in a wonderful way! What could have been quite major surgery with the loss of approximately 43% of my liver with all that entails for future health, it ended up with only a 5.6 cm golf ball-sized tumor being removed using microwave ablation, and I am even home a day or two earlier than expected. God answers prayers, and even when He doesn't - He is good . . . all the time. Still doing some narcotics though . . . man do they work! 🙂 Oh yeah, man! Good to hear, Virgil, stay well!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 3, 2021 8:46:27 GMT -6
Glad to hear you are on the mend...just don't get too attached to those meds.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 6:35:21 GMT -6
“The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:19).
In my generation, the average kid grew up in a relatively naive environment. Many of them lived in a dry county [no liquor supplier on every corner]. Many of them could only get two channels on their TV’s because they lived in a very rural community. So, there was only a limited amount of corruption that came from that source. Many were downright country boys and worked hard from morning to night. Often, they would get up at 3:00 in the morning and milk cattle and do chores, and after a long day they went to bed at night and slept well.
In that rural environment, it was easier to find oneself meditating on the things of God, even at an early age. One young man, when he was 8 years old; started to get convicted about his sin and, he says: “The funny thing is that I knew exactly what my problem was. I mean, exactly. You know, my problem was that I had stolen, and did as a habit, steal my mother's baking pecans. In the big old Chester freezer that was out in mom's laundry room outside across the carport, I would sneak out there and by the handful steal her frozen baking pecans that she had painstakingly hand shelled. This was a no-no! And I knew it was a big no-no, and I knew that I was going to hell because of that thing. And so, by the time the Lord started sticking his finger in my chest from about 8 1/2 years old till 10 years old when I finally conceded the point; I knew exactly what was wrong. It was sin. And you know what? At 8-9 years old I was smarter in that respect than the average college professor is, because they don't know what's wrong.”
We educate and philosophize ourselves out of what we know to be the truth. Now, here are some folks had done wickedly and they knew it, but it says: “Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness” (Isaiah 59:9).
That's something, isn't it? You have this bunch of evolutionists, for example, and they don't have any proofs at all but they're sure it has to be true. All these creationists keep coming up with these things that point to creation. With creation, you have to deal with design, you have to deal with order; and yet all these evolutionists are still “waiting for light, but they get obscurity.” They are looking for brightness, but they walk in darkness. Verse 10 goes on to say: ““We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.” That’s a pretty good description, is it not?
“They know not at what they stumble,” well, they stumble over the word of God, they stumble over the stone of stumbling; the rock of offense, the Lord Jesus Christ. and they die not even knowing it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 6:36:23 GMT -6
Glad to hear you are on the mend...just don't get too attached to those meds. Yes'm! Anyway they only gave me 30.
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