From John 7
Jesus is plainly, openly, among his people doing miracles. Yet there is confusion among them. Some believed and some did not. The anti-Jesus ones had these arguments: "the Messiah is supposed to come from Bethlehem, but this guy comes from Nazareth. This guy has never been to seminary." We have doubts about things because we do not know all there is to know, as some of Jesus’ contemporaries did not know that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem. Jesus had just said "if any man will do his [God’s] will, be shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I, speak of myself." The one that does God's will knows that Jesus is of God.
The Pharisees wanted the people to believe as they believed, and they used themselves as the example and rationale: they said, "Have any of us (the Pharisees) believed on him? We have all gone to seminary and are smart and understand what those who have not gone to seminary cannot understand. To know if you are correct in your thinking look at what the seminary grads are thinking . . . but this people, who do not know the law (because they have not gone to seminary), are cursed."
We think we are not so smug as the Pharisees, but before we go too far along that line of reasoning let us look inward to make sure we are not ourselves being arrogant. Do you read the Bible? so did they. They achieved some of their knowledge from listening to others, and so have you. Among the Pharisees were good men, like Nicodemus. In our inward parts may lurk a little pharisee; beware.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
WHY DID HE SHOW UP WEAK?
John 7
Jesus brothers were at odds with him. They somehow didn't like Jesus hiding himself from the Jews. Did they know they wanted to kill him? If the brothers knew they did not seem to care for Jesus’ life.
Verses 2 through 13 show what a turmoil was around Jesus. Many were seeking his harm. Why would our Lord not come in power - - rather than this way: being hated by the rulers and despised by the very family he chose to come into? Why not just come in lightning and power and destroy all who oppose him and whip the rest into submission? I think it’s because, if he came that way, most would die immediately; many others would die a short while later, most would be miserable with stripes on their backs, and only a few would be somewhat content; even if walking on eggshells.
What does God want? His will was that all should not perish, but all should come to the knowledge of the truth. He came not to give stripes - - but by his stripes are we healed. This is an example of God's just love and loving kindness - - to come with meekness and an offer of eternal salvation.
This shows the range of confusion among the people; from resentment to acceptance. If he came back the same way in our age the same would happen again, except our Lord will not come back the same way again.
Jesus brothers were at odds with him. They somehow didn't like Jesus hiding himself from the Jews. Did they know they wanted to kill him? If the brothers knew they did not seem to care for Jesus’ life.
Verses 2 through 13 show what a turmoil was around Jesus. Many were seeking his harm. Why would our Lord not come in power - - rather than this way: being hated by the rulers and despised by the very family he chose to come into? Why not just come in lightning and power and destroy all who oppose him and whip the rest into submission? I think it’s because, if he came that way, most would die immediately; many others would die a short while later, most would be miserable with stripes on their backs, and only a few would be somewhat content; even if walking on eggshells.
What does God want? His will was that all should not perish, but all should come to the knowledge of the truth. He came not to give stripes - - but by his stripes are we healed. This is an example of God's just love and loving kindness - - to come with meekness and an offer of eternal salvation.
This shows the range of confusion among the people; from resentment to acceptance. If he came back the same way in our age the same would happen again, except our Lord will not come back the same way again.
Friday, November 15, 2019
WEALTH AND POVERTY
Some thoughts from Proverbs 15
The wealth of the rich enables them to build strong cities, which protect them, which enable them to keep, and get more wealth. The poverty of the poor leaves them nothing to work with, or to use to defend against destruction. This causes them to lose even more of what they might have, which makes them poorer. This must be why God speaks so much of the strong uplifting the week and the rich feeding the poor – and we don’t have to be really strong or really rich to do this.
"He that hides hatred with lying lips and he that speaks slander is a fool". The Hater hates who or what he is talking about but tells others something entirely different. The listener does not know where he really stands. The Slanderer openly despises the one he talks about, and everyone knows it. The similarity between the two is in the heart, where there is hatred. They both seek to damage. The hatred and destruction make them fools; they are not God-like.
"The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for want of wisdom". The lips of the righteous feed. This must mean what comes out of his lips - his words of wisdom. What he says goes out (feeds) the ears of many. They feed because they are hopeful, helpful, beneficial words others can use in their lives. But there are some, the fools, that will neither speak nor hear wisdom.
The wealth of the rich enables them to build strong cities, which protect them, which enable them to keep, and get more wealth. The poverty of the poor leaves them nothing to work with, or to use to defend against destruction. This causes them to lose even more of what they might have, which makes them poorer. This must be why God speaks so much of the strong uplifting the week and the rich feeding the poor – and we don’t have to be really strong or really rich to do this.
"He that hides hatred with lying lips and he that speaks slander is a fool". The Hater hates who or what he is talking about but tells others something entirely different. The listener does not know where he really stands. The Slanderer openly despises the one he talks about, and everyone knows it. The similarity between the two is in the heart, where there is hatred. They both seek to damage. The hatred and destruction make them fools; they are not God-like.
"The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for want of wisdom". The lips of the righteous feed. This must mean what comes out of his lips - his words of wisdom. What he says goes out (feeds) the ears of many. They feed because they are hopeful, helpful, beneficial words others can use in their lives. But there are some, the fools, that will neither speak nor hear wisdom.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
GOING FOR THE MIRICLES
In John 6 we read how Jesus used the miracles to show who he was, but the people viewed the miracles because of what they could get from them. In verse 26 he tells the people they sought him, ". . . not because they saw the miracles, but because they did eat of the loves and were filled." They wanted the things that miracles produced, they did not think of the one who produced the miracles. Jesus wants us to seek the one who does the miracles, not the things we get from the miracles. The people persist in this way, in verse 31 they say, "He [Moses] gave them bread from heaven to eat." They have given credit for the mana to Moses. Jesus corrects them right away saying that the Father gave them the mana. Jesus says the bread that comes from heaven and gives life to the world is what is important. They were thinking of their own physical benefits: the bread they ate and the healing they got.
We must be glad for the maker of the miracles, not only for the benefits, the "freebies", we get from the miracles. When the stormy waters are calmed (John 6:21) we must willingly receive Jesus into our boat being glad for the person who came to us, and not concerned so much with the walking on the water. We should think, "I am glad you came to my boat. I'm glad to have you here with me because I like you, you are pleasant to have around. I like to be with you. By the way, it was neat how you walked on the water".
Jesus did the miracles to convince people of truth. Some, however, saw only the benefits of the miracles to themselves, ignoring God and his part in their lives. How crass are we when we ignore what God does in our daily lives? How many times do we overlook God's involvement, not to speak of being thankless? Maybe we should keep a "God hunt" book by our bed and write in it every night.
We must be glad for the maker of the miracles, not only for the benefits, the "freebies", we get from the miracles. When the stormy waters are calmed (John 6:21) we must willingly receive Jesus into our boat being glad for the person who came to us, and not concerned so much with the walking on the water. We should think, "I am glad you came to my boat. I'm glad to have you here with me because I like you, you are pleasant to have around. I like to be with you. By the way, it was neat how you walked on the water".
Jesus did the miracles to convince people of truth. Some, however, saw only the benefits of the miracles to themselves, ignoring God and his part in their lives. How crass are we when we ignore what God does in our daily lives? How many times do we overlook God's involvement, not to speak of being thankless? Maybe we should keep a "God hunt" book by our bed and write in it every night.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
I PLAYED PIANO ONCE
Apparently, I was once able to play the piano. After three years of practicing, using lead sheets with chord symbols, I became a passable accompanist. I could fake it in almost any key for uncomplicated songs. I had begun to pick out the melody with chords. Many times I wondered if this is was a thing I could ever do. Would it ever be worth the effort? Often I did it only because I thought it might be something God wanted. I knew I never would advance if I did not take the little steps. I did not actually know that God wanted me to do music, but I didn’t think he wanted to keep me from doing it. The little practice times over the three years added up to a useful capability.
This showed me I need to press through the failure. I need to turn my mind from a failure onto the goal, whatever it may be. I need to overcome, overcome, overcome. Overcoming is not pretty and glamorous, it does not even feel virtuous or victorious at the time. However, holding onto memories of failures or incomplete successes will drain the strength out of your overcoming effort. What might not seem to be significant, or full of a lot of value, is further diminished by the discouragement of remembered failure. It’s a deception to focus on the allusion of the unimportance of an overcoming task. We want our buckets filled with a sweeping, dramatic, Hollywood style push. We want it filled now, not tomorrow, not next week, but now. But most of the time our buckets are filled one drop at a time. No drops, no filling.
In the years since I have not continued to fill the bucket. I have not laid hands on a keyboard. I don’t remember the key signatures anymore. I think it would take considerable effort to get back to the minimal skill I once had. Now what am I doing? I am remembering my failure of keeping to the little steps, and it has drained my overcoming effort. Will I ever play the piano again?
This showed me I need to press through the failure. I need to turn my mind from a failure onto the goal, whatever it may be. I need to overcome, overcome, overcome. Overcoming is not pretty and glamorous, it does not even feel virtuous or victorious at the time. However, holding onto memories of failures or incomplete successes will drain the strength out of your overcoming effort. What might not seem to be significant, or full of a lot of value, is further diminished by the discouragement of remembered failure. It’s a deception to focus on the allusion of the unimportance of an overcoming task. We want our buckets filled with a sweeping, dramatic, Hollywood style push. We want it filled now, not tomorrow, not next week, but now. But most of the time our buckets are filled one drop at a time. No drops, no filling.
In the years since I have not continued to fill the bucket. I have not laid hands on a keyboard. I don’t remember the key signatures anymore. I think it would take considerable effort to get back to the minimal skill I once had. Now what am I doing? I am remembering my failure of keeping to the little steps, and it has drained my overcoming effort. Will I ever play the piano again?
Friday, October 25, 2019
FLY TRAP
There are some things that people write on advertisements that appear as you are perusing the web. They are meant to grab you away from what you are doing to the marvelous idea of what they are offering. I treat such attempts with scorn, do you? You know them by the phrases they use such as:
- - (blank) don’t want you to know. . .
- - (blank) is hiding this (blank) . . .
- - Guys are obsessed with (blank)
- - must see (blank)
- - (blank) can’t do without (blank) . . .
- - what (blank) won’t tell you . . .
If you fall into this trap you find yourself in a very, very long description of the process or object that will promise to disclose what it is further on in the article. You must read further to get to the point. When you get there you find that, although this item is "free", it costs money; or it might require you to disclose personal information. You have fallen into a Venus fly trap. You should have known better.
- - (blank) don’t want you to know. . .
- - (blank) is hiding this (blank) . . .
- - Guys are obsessed with (blank)
- - must see (blank)
- - (blank) can’t do without (blank) . . .
- - what (blank) won’t tell you . . .
If you fall into this trap you find yourself in a very, very long description of the process or object that will promise to disclose what it is further on in the article. You must read further to get to the point. When you get there you find that, although this item is "free", it costs money; or it might require you to disclose personal information. You have fallen into a Venus fly trap. You should have known better.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
RATTING OUT JESUS
Why did the man at the pool of Bethesda rat (tattle, blab, spill the beans) on Jesus (see John 5:15)? Was he afraid of the Pharisees that they would punish him for carrying his bed roll? Did the think, "Boy the Pharisees nearly burned me because I was carrying the bed; I'd better tell them where he is; if they find out I knew and didn't tell they'll make it tough for me."
Was he loyal to the Pharisees? Did he want to identify the man who encouraged breaking the Sabbath? Did he think, "These guys and I are brothers. I'll tell them because they want to know. I’ll get myself approval points if I tell them."
Did he tell them because Jesus spoke of him as a sinner? (Jesus told him, "go and sin no more lest a worst thing come onto thee.") The man might have thought, "How dare he assume I am a sinner? This guy is saying, 'This thing happened to you because you sinned, sin no more because a worse thing will happen to you.’ I’ll fix him, I’ll go tell the Pharisees where he is. I know they are looking for him; they’ll make his life miserable once they find him."
Knowing that Jesus is God and knows all things, why did he pick this man out for healing? Are we ever like him?
Was he loyal to the Pharisees? Did he want to identify the man who encouraged breaking the Sabbath? Did he think, "These guys and I are brothers. I'll tell them because they want to know. I’ll get myself approval points if I tell them."
Did he tell them because Jesus spoke of him as a sinner? (Jesus told him, "go and sin no more lest a worst thing come onto thee.") The man might have thought, "How dare he assume I am a sinner? This guy is saying, 'This thing happened to you because you sinned, sin no more because a worse thing will happen to you.’ I’ll fix him, I’ll go tell the Pharisees where he is. I know they are looking for him; they’ll make his life miserable once they find him."
Knowing that Jesus is God and knows all things, why did he pick this man out for healing? Are we ever like him?
Monday, October 14, 2019
WOMAN AT THE WELL
Jesus was sitting at a well in Samaria and asked for a drink from woman who came there. She was surprised that a Jewish man would even speak to her. She questioned back in an attitude that appeared to be cynical. Why would not she be cynical? Apparently, no man treated her well, and here was a man, and an enemy of Samaritans at that, that was asking a favor of her.
I wonder if we ourselves question Jesus in cynicism?
He said to the woman, "If you knew who it was that asked you for water, you would ask of him living water".
Sometimes we wonder, as the Samaritan might have wondered, “what on earth is he talking about?”
She said, "The well is deep - how is it possible for you to get water out, I do not see a bucket? Beside this, I do not understand the principles of this ‘living water’ ".
Do we fully understand the immense life Jesus has given to us? How can we get something with what appears to be no effort?
She says, "Our father Jacob dug this well; we have our own established means of religion."
Jesus says, "He that drinks this well water will thirst again, the water I give is living water will be a well springing up in him and he shall never thirst again, Your religion will leave you thirsty, the living water I give will be in you at all times, it does not depend on religion."
If we were there like the woman we would probably say, "yeah, right, prove it, give me the quote living water unquote."
Jesus says "bring your husband"
At this point her whole attitude changes when she admits she has no husband (in fact she has churned through five husbands). She is no longer cynical; she wants to get answers from Jesus. She earnestly asks, "Our tradition says worship this way, you say another; What about that?"
He says, "The time is coming when there will be no politically correct place to worship. We will worship in spirit and in truth. The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth; Those are the kind of worshippers the father seeks. The way to worship God is in spirit and in truth.
She said, "We know the end times are coming when all things will be put right, Christ will have returned and he will answer all our questions."
Jesus said, "I am here now, and I am speaking to you now."
Isn’t that what we want too? Just skip to the end of it all, let’s do this heaven thing now. Do we really realize that Jesus is with us at this very moment? He is with us even when things are falling in the toilet all around us? He is with us, though disappointed, when we are acting badly? How far, really, are we from the Samaritan woman?
I wonder if we ourselves question Jesus in cynicism?
He said to the woman, "If you knew who it was that asked you for water, you would ask of him living water".
Sometimes we wonder, as the Samaritan might have wondered, “what on earth is he talking about?”
She said, "The well is deep - how is it possible for you to get water out, I do not see a bucket? Beside this, I do not understand the principles of this ‘living water’ ".
Do we fully understand the immense life Jesus has given to us? How can we get something with what appears to be no effort?
She says, "Our father Jacob dug this well; we have our own established means of religion."
Jesus says, "He that drinks this well water will thirst again, the water I give is living water will be a well springing up in him and he shall never thirst again, Your religion will leave you thirsty, the living water I give will be in you at all times, it does not depend on religion."
If we were there like the woman we would probably say, "yeah, right, prove it, give me the quote living water unquote."
Jesus says "bring your husband"
At this point her whole attitude changes when she admits she has no husband (in fact she has churned through five husbands). She is no longer cynical; she wants to get answers from Jesus. She earnestly asks, "Our tradition says worship this way, you say another; What about that?"
He says, "The time is coming when there will be no politically correct place to worship. We will worship in spirit and in truth. The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth; Those are the kind of worshippers the father seeks. The way to worship God is in spirit and in truth.
She said, "We know the end times are coming when all things will be put right, Christ will have returned and he will answer all our questions."
Jesus said, "I am here now, and I am speaking to you now."
Isn’t that what we want too? Just skip to the end of it all, let’s do this heaven thing now. Do we really realize that Jesus is with us at this very moment? He is with us even when things are falling in the toilet all around us? He is with us, though disappointed, when we are acting badly? How far, really, are we from the Samaritan woman?
Thursday, October 10, 2019
HAVING THE RIGHT CLOTHES
I had a dream that I went onto Navy ship for the purpose of serving on one more cruise. Even though I was a Radioman I went to the Radar Shack to ask them if they had a particular kind of food. They were eating and offered what they had, but I refused. I was aware that my not eating what they offered might offend them. I left the ship to get some things from shore, but the ship was getting underway and I was caught. I realized I didn’t have adequate uniforms. The ones I had were old and too small.
If I were to spiritualize this dream, I might say I did not have the uniforms because I was not like them; they were Radarmen and I was a Radioman; I was a Christian while many others were not. I was of the Lord and they were not. I feared because my uniforms were not adequate to their purposes. Many worldly people reject the “dress” of Christians; it gets in the way of how they conduct their life. And we as Christians are aware our life is not like theirs and we are not liked because of it. Sometimes we wish to blend in – to wear the “proper” uniform, one like theirs. Let’s face it, sometimes we have not kept our uniforms well.
I pray, “Lord please make my clothing to be just what you want it to be. I want the uniform of the Lord’s Navy. I want a garment for the Wedding Supper of The Lamb. You want me to take care of my earthy uniform, please show me how.”
A cruse on a Navy ship is temporary, it lasts for a definite period or time. Time in the Navy lasts from enlistment to discharge. Whatever earthly job you have lasts for a short time. Life in the flesh is also a definite period of time. The flesh-life starts at conception and ends when the body dies. Yet life goes on eternally after the flesh dies.
I want to be clothed with godliness. I want to show up in Heaven with the proper uniform. I don't want earthly food I want the Bread of Life.
If I were to spiritualize this dream, I might say I did not have the uniforms because I was not like them; they were Radarmen and I was a Radioman; I was a Christian while many others were not. I was of the Lord and they were not. I feared because my uniforms were not adequate to their purposes. Many worldly people reject the “dress” of Christians; it gets in the way of how they conduct their life. And we as Christians are aware our life is not like theirs and we are not liked because of it. Sometimes we wish to blend in – to wear the “proper” uniform, one like theirs. Let’s face it, sometimes we have not kept our uniforms well.
I pray, “Lord please make my clothing to be just what you want it to be. I want the uniform of the Lord’s Navy. I want a garment for the Wedding Supper of The Lamb. You want me to take care of my earthy uniform, please show me how.”
A cruse on a Navy ship is temporary, it lasts for a definite period or time. Time in the Navy lasts from enlistment to discharge. Whatever earthly job you have lasts for a short time. Life in the flesh is also a definite period of time. The flesh-life starts at conception and ends when the body dies. Yet life goes on eternally after the flesh dies.
I want to be clothed with godliness. I want to show up in Heaven with the proper uniform. I don't want earthly food I want the Bread of Life.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
GETTING IMMERSED
Jesus says that if a man is not born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This compares with first John that speaks of the blood, water, and spirit. We are born naturally - the blood. We must also have the water and spirit.
I wonder if the water is the baptism - some sort of public confession of Christ. Some say it must be religious ceremony, an actual baptism rite, as when one is baptized in a church, or at least at a gathering of Christians for the purpose of baptism. Perhaps it might be the immersion into the Christian life after one is saved.
The Holy Spirit lighted on Jesus when he was baptized. Some say the baptism event is when we get the Holy Spirit. Yet Ephesians 1:13 says, "after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. . . " In other words "believe" and "receive" happen at the same time. It seems we believe the gospel, get saved and are indwelt with the Holy Spirit simultaneously.
We want grand things, but the truth is we must receive simple things. When most of us are told the gospel and believe it is through a simple voice communication, not through some fantastic, electrically-crackling incident. Only the shepherds got to see the chorus of Angels when they were given the good news. We get to hear it when someone comes up and buttonholes us on the street. Many times the messenger is not attractive. We have to accept what we are given. If we do not believe when men speak to us of earthly things, how shall we believe if they were to speak of heavenly things?
So here we have the blood, water and spirit. We all have the blood part down; do you have the water and spirit part down too?
I wonder if the water is the baptism - some sort of public confession of Christ. Some say it must be religious ceremony, an actual baptism rite, as when one is baptized in a church, or at least at a gathering of Christians for the purpose of baptism. Perhaps it might be the immersion into the Christian life after one is saved.
The Holy Spirit lighted on Jesus when he was baptized. Some say the baptism event is when we get the Holy Spirit. Yet Ephesians 1:13 says, "after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. . . " In other words "believe" and "receive" happen at the same time. It seems we believe the gospel, get saved and are indwelt with the Holy Spirit simultaneously.
We want grand things, but the truth is we must receive simple things. When most of us are told the gospel and believe it is through a simple voice communication, not through some fantastic, electrically-crackling incident. Only the shepherds got to see the chorus of Angels when they were given the good news. We get to hear it when someone comes up and buttonholes us on the street. Many times the messenger is not attractive. We have to accept what we are given. If we do not believe when men speak to us of earthly things, how shall we believe if they were to speak of heavenly things?
So here we have the blood, water and spirit. We all have the blood part down; do you have the water and spirit part down too?
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
WISDOM OR SCOFFING
People must make an effort to get knowledge and wisdom, and, they have to make an effort not to. Here are some key works related to the acquisition of wisdom: hearing, perception, reception, attaining, understanding. This seems to be a progression to me. You first hear an idea, you perceive what it means, you receive it (or refuse it), then you accrue the benefits of it; all the steps of which lead to wisdom.
Proverbs tells us Wisdom cries out to both the Simple and the Scorner. If they were to turn, she would pour out her spirit and make known her words. The Simple person is unaware of basic facts, does not know choices, or have comprehension. He may not be capable of more complex mental activities. The Scorner looks upon Wisdom’s ways as inferior and is more than willing to say so. If the Simple and Scorner will turn (steer away from the evil way of doing things), Wisdom will make them capable of understanding. The spirit of Wisdom would enable them to think the way the Wisdom thinks. Wise concepts will be revealed for them . They will be able to see as they never have seen before, as when in a dark room and the light has been turned on. What a wonderful thing this is: for the Simple to become wise and capable and for this Scorner to have a humble, hopeful view of things. But it takes the effort of turning
Some people choose not to have wisdom for they hate inconvenient truth and they do not choose the fear of the Lord. They would have none of Wisdom’s counsel. They despise all the reproofs. The turning away of the Simple will slay them. Those that choose prosperity over wisdom (and obedience and godliness) are choosing destruction. It takes effort to be wise and godly and it takes effort not to be wise and godly. If we are going spend our energy, let us make the effort that profits to godliness and results in wisdom. All such things are decisions easy to make that can have profound, if not eternal, consequences. The only difficulty comes in choosing a discipline over a want, the uncomfortable truth over a comfortable lie.
Proverbs tells us Wisdom cries out to both the Simple and the Scorner. If they were to turn, she would pour out her spirit and make known her words. The Simple person is unaware of basic facts, does not know choices, or have comprehension. He may not be capable of more complex mental activities. The Scorner looks upon Wisdom’s ways as inferior and is more than willing to say so. If the Simple and Scorner will turn (steer away from the evil way of doing things), Wisdom will make them capable of understanding. The spirit of Wisdom would enable them to think the way the Wisdom thinks. Wise concepts will be revealed for them . They will be able to see as they never have seen before, as when in a dark room and the light has been turned on. What a wonderful thing this is: for the Simple to become wise and capable and for this Scorner to have a humble, hopeful view of things. But it takes the effort of turning
Some people choose not to have wisdom for they hate inconvenient truth and they do not choose the fear of the Lord. They would have none of Wisdom’s counsel. They despise all the reproofs. The turning away of the Simple will slay them. Those that choose prosperity over wisdom (and obedience and godliness) are choosing destruction. It takes effort to be wise and godly and it takes effort not to be wise and godly. If we are going spend our energy, let us make the effort that profits to godliness and results in wisdom. All such things are decisions easy to make that can have profound, if not eternal, consequences. The only difficulty comes in choosing a discipline over a want, the uncomfortable truth over a comfortable lie.
Monday, September 9, 2019
WAYS TO AVOID
From Proverbs 31:
This is the advice of a mother -- "give not your strength to women or your ways to that which destroys Kings" . Interesting that a mother’s advice to a man she cares for, one she wants to give the inside track to, is to avoid other women. I think that "unknown women" are different from "mother", "wife", "sister": he should not spend his money, time and influence for women that are not his family or ones that cannot be trusted.
The thrust of a man's life should not be women. I think it would not be even his wife. He should not view his life’s task as living for his wife. His purpose is to serve his God. In the service of his God he cares for his wife and raises an educates his children. In the exercise of serving God, a man serves others: like wife and children. God requires it.
These should be the ways of Kings:
- - Be not we drunk
- - Open the mouth for the dumb that are appointed to destruction
- - Open the mouth in order to judge righteously
- - Plead the cause of the poor and needy
The function of government is not to distribute services and wealth but to:
- - Step in as an arbitrator and an advocate for those with little wealth, low mental capability, in desperate situations.
- - Rightly apply an administer God’s and human law.
- - To decide between one and the other .
- - Have a heart for, and be an advocate for, those that cannot speak in that are scheduled to be pushed aside.
This is the advice of a mother -- "give not your strength to women or your ways to that which destroys Kings" . Interesting that a mother’s advice to a man she cares for, one she wants to give the inside track to, is to avoid other women. I think that "unknown women" are different from "mother", "wife", "sister": he should not spend his money, time and influence for women that are not his family or ones that cannot be trusted.
The thrust of a man's life should not be women. I think it would not be even his wife. He should not view his life’s task as living for his wife. His purpose is to serve his God. In the service of his God he cares for his wife and raises an educates his children. In the exercise of serving God, a man serves others: like wife and children. God requires it.
These should be the ways of Kings:
- - Be not we drunk
- - Open the mouth for the dumb that are appointed to destruction
- - Open the mouth in order to judge righteously
- - Plead the cause of the poor and needy
The function of government is not to distribute services and wealth but to:
- - Step in as an arbitrator and an advocate for those with little wealth, low mental capability, in desperate situations.
- - Rightly apply an administer God’s and human law.
- - To decide between one and the other .
- - Have a heart for, and be an advocate for, those that cannot speak in that are scheduled to be pushed aside.
Monday, September 2, 2019
WHO WRITES THE AGENDA?
Many of the People I worked with took laptop computers home with them so they could remotely communicate with the Home Office. I didn’t want to do that. To me work was work and home was home. When there were work flurries at work there did not have to be flurries at home. I did not want work to grab hold of me and manipulate my thinking, my actions, my free time and specially my family time.
But it’s different with God. Wherever I am I can always communicate with God. I know God wants me to call back to the Home Office. God is concerned with my thinking and my actions. He always wants influence over me. While worldly work would attempt overload me with things to think about and things to do, God gives me only what is the most needful and important at the time. Even the church and brother Christians would seek to impress their agendas on me.
I believe God is the best agenda writer. He knows what items to put on, what to leave off, what to emphasize, how to order them and what to revisit. Beyond all this, He knows how our "meetings" fit and interplay with everyone else’s meetings. I want the grace to know what God’s agenda is, and how best to prosecute it.
God’s "emails" and "meetings" promote and build his Kingdom, which is where I want to live. I wish to be a "repairer of the breech restorer of paths to walk in" God’s Kingdom is good for everybody.
But it’s different with God. Wherever I am I can always communicate with God. I know God wants me to call back to the Home Office. God is concerned with my thinking and my actions. He always wants influence over me. While worldly work would attempt overload me with things to think about and things to do, God gives me only what is the most needful and important at the time. Even the church and brother Christians would seek to impress their agendas on me.
I believe God is the best agenda writer. He knows what items to put on, what to leave off, what to emphasize, how to order them and what to revisit. Beyond all this, He knows how our "meetings" fit and interplay with everyone else’s meetings. I want the grace to know what God’s agenda is, and how best to prosecute it.
God’s "emails" and "meetings" promote and build his Kingdom, which is where I want to live. I wish to be a "repairer of the breech restorer of paths to walk in" God’s Kingdom is good for everybody.
Monday, August 26, 2019
WRITING IN A CORNER
In a growing family sometimes it's hard to withdraw to a place quiet enough to write anything about God, or to hear from God. Yet within all the noise, interaction, chaos and chores is my greatest blessing. In my life I have had lively talented people: my wife and children. Although sometimes we chafed each other, we were not so empty of character so as to have small personalities.
I thank God for hands that can write with some degree of expression. We must learn to appreciate action when we would rather be quiet and be inactive. I must learn to view the cacophony through some other lens. In need to observe and learn from the process of life and activity rather than being walled away from it.
I thank God for hands that can write with some degree of expression. We must learn to appreciate action when we would rather be quiet and be inactive. I must learn to view the cacophony through some other lens. In need to observe and learn from the process of life and activity rather than being walled away from it.
Friday, August 23, 2019
MAN-MADE ORGANIZATIONS
From my journal back in 1997 I apparently joined a union at work. I don’t remember this and can only say I did now because of the Journal entry. I wrote the following:
I have been noticing a lot lately that God says that he will be found by them that seek for him. But he will refuse those who forsake his ways. This has been occurring many places in Second Chronicles. There are some, like Asa, who do well at first by seeking the Lord, yet do poorly later by seeking men's help. Lord if I did wrong by joining the union I am sorry. You delivered king Asa from the Midianites, over a million men. You could have delivered Asa without the help of the Syrians. (Asa might have even complicated your plans for the use of Israel against the Syrians). But Asa sought the help of man. Lord I know you can deliver me from work, the union, or any organization of men.
I also know you can use any man or organization in my life to deliver or prosper me. I ask that you establish two things (for you are the one who establishes - no matter what any man does): I ask for the grace to always seek your will, first an above all. And I ask that the efforts and fruits of my life be to the establishing of your Kingdom in the world and the one to come.
I also ask that my answers to any man be those which can only be used for the building of your Kingdom and the destruction of all that is against it.
I have been noticing a lot lately that God says that he will be found by them that seek for him. But he will refuse those who forsake his ways. This has been occurring many places in Second Chronicles. There are some, like Asa, who do well at first by seeking the Lord, yet do poorly later by seeking men's help. Lord if I did wrong by joining the union I am sorry. You delivered king Asa from the Midianites, over a million men. You could have delivered Asa without the help of the Syrians. (Asa might have even complicated your plans for the use of Israel against the Syrians). But Asa sought the help of man. Lord I know you can deliver me from work, the union, or any organization of men.
I also know you can use any man or organization in my life to deliver or prosper me. I ask that you establish two things (for you are the one who establishes - no matter what any man does): I ask for the grace to always seek your will, first an above all. And I ask that the efforts and fruits of my life be to the establishing of your Kingdom in the world and the one to come.
I also ask that my answers to any man be those which can only be used for the building of your Kingdom and the destruction of all that is against it.
Monday, August 19, 2019
MAKING WORK PLEASANT
When I was working, I had these thoughts:
My job is a pleasant place because it gives me challenges, new things to do, and allows me freedom to invent or discover the solutions to those challenges. But I often feel distressed when something new comes up. I even delay action on these things for worrying over them. Maybe that's why I spend so much time in the software.
Perhaps it would be better to view these challenges as part of the pleasant place, as a game I have entered, something to play seriously, but not get upset about. If I succeed (win) fine, if I lose, so what, I still have my eternal Salvation. But how does this really play in? What about the scripture, "Whatsoever thou find to do, do it with all thy might"? Should I not consider it a game, should I care about it more deeply?
God looks on how we play the game in the same way we listened to our young children at a piano recital. We go and sit in the front row, smile at the performance and invariably clinch our teeth. What is important is that the child played, did the best he could. We lasted through sour notes and hoped for the pure ones later. In the same way God waits while we perform the recital of life.
The outcome of national or business affairs will have little or no effect on the Kingdom of God. If I lose at work it is no big deal, but if I win it is no big deal either. It is how I live in the Kingdom today that matters - how I play the game. God will control the outcome of the game as he always has. We just control which side it is we play on: God’s side, or the world's side.
One driven by the wind is motivated from the outside . One driven by God is driven from the inside.
My job is a pleasant place because it gives me challenges, new things to do, and allows me freedom to invent or discover the solutions to those challenges. But I often feel distressed when something new comes up. I even delay action on these things for worrying over them. Maybe that's why I spend so much time in the software.
Perhaps it would be better to view these challenges as part of the pleasant place, as a game I have entered, something to play seriously, but not get upset about. If I succeed (win) fine, if I lose, so what, I still have my eternal Salvation. But how does this really play in? What about the scripture, "Whatsoever thou find to do, do it with all thy might"? Should I not consider it a game, should I care about it more deeply?
God looks on how we play the game in the same way we listened to our young children at a piano recital. We go and sit in the front row, smile at the performance and invariably clinch our teeth. What is important is that the child played, did the best he could. We lasted through sour notes and hoped for the pure ones later. In the same way God waits while we perform the recital of life.
The outcome of national or business affairs will have little or no effect on the Kingdom of God. If I lose at work it is no big deal, but if I win it is no big deal either. It is how I live in the Kingdom today that matters - how I play the game. God will control the outcome of the game as he always has. We just control which side it is we play on: God’s side, or the world's side.
One driven by the wind is motivated from the outside . One driven by God is driven from the inside.
Friday, August 16, 2019
AVOIDING FOLLY
A mocker resents correction, he will not consult the wise, A mocker is one who ridicules, one who points out by criticism or cynicism what he perceives to be faults. There was a lot of mockery at my old workplace. I set a task for myself to keep from indulging in mockery, to keep myself from sharing in fault finding. “The discerning heart seeks knowledge but the mouth of the fool feeds on folly" In keeping myself from the mockery and complaining mentioned above, I had to look to the essential good of every task I did. I thought I should write down the "essential purpose" of every task and "silver lining" of every apparent bad situation.
“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel". When People were getting angry, I needed to be patient. I needed to be the one to find the solution, the one who can find the solution to both sides, if I could.
“Folly delights the man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” Sometimes I found myself in this situation when I was working a software problem. For example I might be using Access to make a report. I wanted the software to do a task, like copy in some fields from a spreadsheet rather than typing them in myself. I would spend a whole day in folly (trying to make the software do the work) rather than keeping a straight course simply typing the report I needed while giving up on the rabbit trail of the software solution. In that situation I was delighting myself in folly. Working the software was more fun than the actual task I was using it for. I could have honored God by honoring my work by sticking to the task I started with, saying the course.
In spite of the above, what a wonderful privilege God had given me. At work I received challenging tasks, new ones all the time. I was given a free hand about how to achieve them. I could even go about them in a wrong way, as when I spent too much time on the software. I was given wonderful and interesting tools to work with. I traveled to many interesting places in the country. We did real work, useful work, national defense work, not merely entertainment work.
“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel". When People were getting angry, I needed to be patient. I needed to be the one to find the solution, the one who can find the solution to both sides, if I could.
“Folly delights the man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” Sometimes I found myself in this situation when I was working a software problem. For example I might be using Access to make a report. I wanted the software to do a task, like copy in some fields from a spreadsheet rather than typing them in myself. I would spend a whole day in folly (trying to make the software do the work) rather than keeping a straight course simply typing the report I needed while giving up on the rabbit trail of the software solution. In that situation I was delighting myself in folly. Working the software was more fun than the actual task I was using it for. I could have honored God by honoring my work by sticking to the task I started with, saying the course.
In spite of the above, what a wonderful privilege God had given me. At work I received challenging tasks, new ones all the time. I was given a free hand about how to achieve them. I could even go about them in a wrong way, as when I spent too much time on the software. I was given wonderful and interesting tools to work with. I traveled to many interesting places in the country. We did real work, useful work, national defense work, not merely entertainment work.
Monday, August 12, 2019
WHAT TO WRITE DOWN
Instead of the exercise of - or maybe In addition to - writing down, "I will conquer my daydreaming", perhaps I should write something like, "I will control my thinking and my activity so that I spend my effort toward things productive, toward the Kingdom of Heaven". A corollary of that is, "I will not waste my time on entertainment which is harmful to the Kingdom of God, and therefore harmful to me".
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body [and my thoughts], and bring it [them] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Joshua 24:15 . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Sometimes I feel I am in a dangerous, dry and thirsty land. I ask the Lord to please deliver me. Please create in me something where now there is nothing. God is the one who creates something from nothing.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body [and my thoughts], and bring it [them] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Joshua 24:15 . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Sometimes I feel I am in a dangerous, dry and thirsty land. I ask the Lord to please deliver me. Please create in me something where now there is nothing. God is the one who creates something from nothing.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
ONE OVER THE OTHER
Playing musical instruments can teach us more than the practice of music. A while ago (quite a while ago) Calvary Assembly called an asked that I come and play the timpani Sunday morning. This was Wednesday. We were attending another church at the time, Saint Paul’s Presbyterian. I had to decide if I would play at Calvary or play at Saint Paul’s. It was a struggle for me to make up my mind because Calvary was a more interesting and challenging venue. Finally, I decided that to choose one would show favor for the one I chose, and disfavor for the one I did not. This put the choice out of the arena of personal musical advancement and into the area of loyalty. As long as they needed my I would play at the church I was attending.
When I played at Saint Paul’s, Ron, the drummer, said he had missed me on the percussion the previous week when I had been in Seattle. When you're loyal you're missed.
When I played at Saint Paul’s, Ron, the drummer, said he had missed me on the percussion the previous week when I had been in Seattle. When you're loyal you're missed.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
DON'T GO TO MOON
I am not in favor of a manned expedition to the moon. There are many reasons the foremost of which is the enormous national cost. What will be the cost-to-benefit ratio for having humans on the moon? Unmanned machines can safely accomplish almost all tasks required for scientific or economic purposes as humans could do.
What advantage will there be? Do we want to identify and mine materials there? The cost to bring such material to earth would equal or exceed the cost to establish equipment on the moon’s surface. The cost to establish humans there would be even greater.
The money could be spent on near-earth orbit projects such as Space Lab, Satellites, medical experiments. Florida’s "Space Coast" will continue to thrive as it presently is without a moon program.
I believe we should fund the exploration of our own oceans. They are readily accessible; they are right on our coastlines. We already have extensive experience working in that environment. We could further develop the vehicles to enter that environment by modifying or re-designing them or inventing new types. We can expand our knowledge of the living organisms that live there, many thousands of which we may not yet know. There are no living organisms on the moon. If there were, they could not be kept alive on earth except at great expense. We can develop new concepts of ocean exploration and material retrieval. Any material that can be retrieved will be cheaper to retrieve from the ocean than from an object 238,900 miles away.
Ocean exploration will more directly and cheaply benefit all citizens in the United States. Explore space but limit manned exploration to near orbit ventures.
What advantage will there be? Do we want to identify and mine materials there? The cost to bring such material to earth would equal or exceed the cost to establish equipment on the moon’s surface. The cost to establish humans there would be even greater.
The money could be spent on near-earth orbit projects such as Space Lab, Satellites, medical experiments. Florida’s "Space Coast" will continue to thrive as it presently is without a moon program.
I believe we should fund the exploration of our own oceans. They are readily accessible; they are right on our coastlines. We already have extensive experience working in that environment. We could further develop the vehicles to enter that environment by modifying or re-designing them or inventing new types. We can expand our knowledge of the living organisms that live there, many thousands of which we may not yet know. There are no living organisms on the moon. If there were, they could not be kept alive on earth except at great expense. We can develop new concepts of ocean exploration and material retrieval. Any material that can be retrieved will be cheaper to retrieve from the ocean than from an object 238,900 miles away.
Ocean exploration will more directly and cheaply benefit all citizens in the United States. Explore space but limit manned exploration to near orbit ventures.
Friday, July 26, 2019
SOMETHING FROM NOTHING
Sometimes we are not even aware of what the long view should be. Most of the time, and most of what we think or do, we do not consider the long view or big picture. The only think about what we need or what right now.
Since the writer in Psalm 63 is writing from a "dry and worn out land" this may suggest a-frame of mind of trying to endure through hard times because better times are coming. An example is exercising when I do not want to because I know I will be better off if I do. And it's not because I can "feel Noble" that I've done the exercise; it is better because it really does have a different, and more gratifying reward. Perhaps every spiritual discipline will be the same way.
Psalm 33:9 speaks of God creating something from nothing. Having this in mind, maybe it is acceptable to ask God to do what seems impossible. We ask him during what seems to us an impossible situation, to create something from nothing, to supply resources where there are none. We ask God to give us that desire. In our asking God to establish our desires for us, we should not lose sight of the long view - what is God's will in this the matter and how will this have meaning in God's Kingdom in the future.
Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”
Since the writer in Psalm 63 is writing from a "dry and worn out land" this may suggest a-frame of mind of trying to endure through hard times because better times are coming. An example is exercising when I do not want to because I know I will be better off if I do. And it's not because I can "feel Noble" that I've done the exercise; it is better because it really does have a different, and more gratifying reward. Perhaps every spiritual discipline will be the same way.
Psalm 33:9 speaks of God creating something from nothing. Having this in mind, maybe it is acceptable to ask God to do what seems impossible. We ask him during what seems to us an impossible situation, to create something from nothing, to supply resources where there are none. We ask God to give us that desire. In our asking God to establish our desires for us, we should not lose sight of the long view - what is God's will in this the matter and how will this have meaning in God's Kingdom in the future.
Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”
Monday, July 22, 2019
SAY IT, MAKE IT
I've read how a person, call him Leroy, writes down what he wants to accomplish repeatedly many times a day. He says that he has attained things, even things over which he could not have control. My question is, is this a good technique, or is it something “New Age” that I should avoid? Does it really provide power over the uncontrollable? More important, is it a technique God would want me to use, or want me to avoid?
The act of writing, "Leroy will become a dedicated Christian", and believing that the writing of the phrase over and over will make it come to pass seems to border on faith theology. "I write, I believe, therefore it will happen." Where is God in all this? If we can write and make it happen who needs God? What if someone else writes, "Leroy will become a dedicated Satanist", will it cancel out what the Christian writes? What if there are 10 Satanists and 2 Christians writing, but the Christians are writing in fervent belief? What will happen to Leroy? It seems to me that if either thinks that the writing itself will accomplish the task they have made the step of using this technique as faith theology. They have attributed to this technique a power in, and of, itself. The man does not have the power, God does not have the power, Satin does not have the power; the technique has the power.
A positive reason for the technique is it would keep important things before the consciousness. I could use it for my planning for the day. Or is this crowding out some thinking or method of doing something that God would rather me do? I should always direct my life according to God’s view. As I make my plans I should ask, "Is this according to God's will"? If written, these things must be in harmony with the Kingdom of God. I should pray, “Lord, if there is any power in this technique please let it be your power, or at least let it be a power that you will use for your benefit in My life. Please protect me from harming either you, or my family, or myself.”
So how should a Christian use the technique? He should use it to refresh his mind about items of real worth. He could concentrate his mind on the details of the items. The technique could rise the items as matters of prayer: both to bring before the Lord and to hear from the Lord.
If one would pick up a paper upon which I had written, would he be able to say, "These are noble and godly things that are helpful and promote God’s Kingdom"?
The act of writing, "Leroy will become a dedicated Christian", and believing that the writing of the phrase over and over will make it come to pass seems to border on faith theology. "I write, I believe, therefore it will happen." Where is God in all this? If we can write and make it happen who needs God? What if someone else writes, "Leroy will become a dedicated Satanist", will it cancel out what the Christian writes? What if there are 10 Satanists and 2 Christians writing, but the Christians are writing in fervent belief? What will happen to Leroy? It seems to me that if either thinks that the writing itself will accomplish the task they have made the step of using this technique as faith theology. They have attributed to this technique a power in, and of, itself. The man does not have the power, God does not have the power, Satin does not have the power; the technique has the power.
A positive reason for the technique is it would keep important things before the consciousness. I could use it for my planning for the day. Or is this crowding out some thinking or method of doing something that God would rather me do? I should always direct my life according to God’s view. As I make my plans I should ask, "Is this according to God's will"? If written, these things must be in harmony with the Kingdom of God. I should pray, “Lord, if there is any power in this technique please let it be your power, or at least let it be a power that you will use for your benefit in My life. Please protect me from harming either you, or my family, or myself.”
So how should a Christian use the technique? He should use it to refresh his mind about items of real worth. He could concentrate his mind on the details of the items. The technique could rise the items as matters of prayer: both to bring before the Lord and to hear from the Lord.
If one would pick up a paper upon which I had written, would he be able to say, "These are noble and godly things that are helpful and promote God’s Kingdom"?
Thursday, July 18, 2019
IF JESUS IS LORD
Many people use the expression "Jesus is Lord". They understand the use of that phrase as proof their Christianity or of another person’s Christianity if he uses that phrase. It "proves" they are a Christian.
Yet what is more important is that he really treats Jesus as Lord in his life. Does that person actually control his actions and thinking according to what Jesus prescribes? If he does not, all he is showing is he is merely capable of voicing the phrase. The phrase is meaningful if he says the phrase because, in fact, Jesus tells him what to think, where to go, who to see, what to say, what to buy.
The phrase "Jesus is Lord" is not like a magic word such as "abracadabra". The voicing of the phrase does not cause unseen events and conditions to be true and does not show they are true. If one voices the phrase this does not necessarily demonstrate he is saved or that Jesus is really the lord of his life.
Yet what is more important is that he really treats Jesus as Lord in his life. Does that person actually control his actions and thinking according to what Jesus prescribes? If he does not, all he is showing is he is merely capable of voicing the phrase. The phrase is meaningful if he says the phrase because, in fact, Jesus tells him what to think, where to go, who to see, what to say, what to buy.
The phrase "Jesus is Lord" is not like a magic word such as "abracadabra". The voicing of the phrase does not cause unseen events and conditions to be true and does not show they are true. If one voices the phrase this does not necessarily demonstrate he is saved or that Jesus is really the lord of his life.
Monday, July 15, 2019
BEING SEEKERS
Proverbs 2
Man can seek God through experience: speaking in tongues, prophecies, healings. Man can seek God’s thoughts through the scriptures: reading the Bible, Bible classes, seminaries. Proverbs 2:5 says that after you seek wisdom, understanding, knowledge you will get to the fear of God and the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:6 says God gives wisdom; "out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding" . Maybe this is a combination of experiential man and the studying man: the "heart" man and the "head" man. We must seek with the head but be open to the heart. We must be sensitive to the heart but be controlled by the head. We cannot fill the head if we do not attend to the words of the mouth of God. We cannot fill the heart if we refuse to experience what God will give us in our heads.
Men are the thinkers, the rational ones, and woman are the feelers, the emotional ones. Both can miss God. Proverbs 2 shows that there are two types of sinners each characterized by a sex. Verse12 tells us of the evil man, the one who thinks his way away from God. Verse 16 tells us of the strange woman, the one who falls away from God through experience.
God gives wisdom. It's something we experience when we are in the right setting. God proclaims knowledge and understanding. We do not acquire understanding or knowledge unless we work for them. We cannot know if we do not read or hear. We cannot understand unless we think and meditate about what we know.
Man can seek God through experience: speaking in tongues, prophecies, healings. Man can seek God’s thoughts through the scriptures: reading the Bible, Bible classes, seminaries. Proverbs 2:5 says that after you seek wisdom, understanding, knowledge you will get to the fear of God and the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:6 says God gives wisdom; "out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding" . Maybe this is a combination of experiential man and the studying man: the "heart" man and the "head" man. We must seek with the head but be open to the heart. We must be sensitive to the heart but be controlled by the head. We cannot fill the head if we do not attend to the words of the mouth of God. We cannot fill the heart if we refuse to experience what God will give us in our heads.
Men are the thinkers, the rational ones, and woman are the feelers, the emotional ones. Both can miss God. Proverbs 2 shows that there are two types of sinners each characterized by a sex. Verse12 tells us of the evil man, the one who thinks his way away from God. Verse 16 tells us of the strange woman, the one who falls away from God through experience.
God gives wisdom. It's something we experience when we are in the right setting. God proclaims knowledge and understanding. We do not acquire understanding or knowledge unless we work for them. We cannot know if we do not read or hear. We cannot understand unless we think and meditate about what we know.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
WHO ARE OUR ENEMIES
Psalm 23 says God restores our souls (sets back to the original condition). He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.
Psalm 53 says God despises our enemies
Psalm 83 says the enemies take counsel together against God’s people. The psalmist asks for their shame and destruction.
The Church is the house of faith, it is the set of believers. Some conspire to rid themselves of the Church. For those of us in the Church, the conspirators are the enemies. Yet God will preserve us an provide for us in the face of our enemies. He will restore things we may have lost, some through our own fault as well as those that are the fault of others.
Who are my enemies? Some, like Edom and Moab, are related. Perhaps these are they who are in the church but not of the church. Others would be those who do not want God's principles to govern. These days they could be those on the extreme liberal or those on the extreme conservative margins. These are the ones who want to do away with God's order. It is not enough to throw off restraint, they must also eradicate the old system and the people (God's people) who uphold it. These are the ones who God despises. In front of these God prepares us a table. These are the ones for whom we may request destruction.
TV or Facebook or the Internet can be an official voice of the enemy if we are not careful about how we listen. They do not teach, they impress. They can leave isolated thoughts and feelings. They leave the unprepared viewer with the emotion of the enemy worldview, but not the rational back up. Viewers may have vague opinions about the proposed worldview, and they may have strong emotion about it, but they may not have been provided the reasoning behind it.
The unmovable proponents of a destructive worldview are the ones who say, “there is no God” AND would thrust believers aside to powerlessness or destruction.
We who believe, have read the Bible, and who have reasoned out our view, could reason with them but we cannot know if they would listen to our views, or even want to.
Psalm 53 says God despises our enemies
Psalm 83 says the enemies take counsel together against God’s people. The psalmist asks for their shame and destruction.
The Church is the house of faith, it is the set of believers. Some conspire to rid themselves of the Church. For those of us in the Church, the conspirators are the enemies. Yet God will preserve us an provide for us in the face of our enemies. He will restore things we may have lost, some through our own fault as well as those that are the fault of others.
Who are my enemies? Some, like Edom and Moab, are related. Perhaps these are they who are in the church but not of the church. Others would be those who do not want God's principles to govern. These days they could be those on the extreme liberal or those on the extreme conservative margins. These are the ones who want to do away with God's order. It is not enough to throw off restraint, they must also eradicate the old system and the people (God's people) who uphold it. These are the ones who God despises. In front of these God prepares us a table. These are the ones for whom we may request destruction.
TV or Facebook or the Internet can be an official voice of the enemy if we are not careful about how we listen. They do not teach, they impress. They can leave isolated thoughts and feelings. They leave the unprepared viewer with the emotion of the enemy worldview, but not the rational back up. Viewers may have vague opinions about the proposed worldview, and they may have strong emotion about it, but they may not have been provided the reasoning behind it.
The unmovable proponents of a destructive worldview are the ones who say, “there is no God” AND would thrust believers aside to powerlessness or destruction.
We who believe, have read the Bible, and who have reasoned out our view, could reason with them but we cannot know if they would listen to our views, or even want to.
Monday, July 8, 2019
THE SEEKING OF SIGNS
The Pharisees asked for a sign. Jesus says no sign will be given but that of Jonah.
The Pharisees’ generation was wicked because they asked for a sign. They wanted Jesus to prove himself to them. They would get no sign to prove who Jesus was other then his resurrection, which they would not believe anyway. Are there things about Jesus that we would not believe even though he demonstrates them to us? Are there things we are asking Jesus to prove to us by showing a sign? We might think: “you say you are this or that, Jesus; prove it by doing [fill in the blank]”. How about that thing where we have decided that he will not do it, or he is incapable, or his nature his of another sort? Are there ways we want Jesus to be and we will not accept any other way? Are we like the Pharisees, and we already have made up our minds?
Jesus gives examples showing people who did respond. The city Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. The queen of the Sheba traveled to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Neither one of these had a sign, but responded to what God was doing, and the way God was doing it. The Ninevites did not have a sign and responded to Jonah’s preaching; the Queen did not have a sign yet she traveled to seek the wisdom.
The pharisees seemed to want a sign before they did something. Do what? Jesus spoke of an evil spirit who goes out of a man and comes back bringing other, more evil spirits. The spirit leaves and while he is gone the house is cleaned up. When he comes back, he finds it clean and goes out to gather other spirits to the house. The state of the house is worse than it was the first time. How might this story of the spirit relate to the Pharisees? Leaving the house to seek rest equals "give us a sign to make us comfortable with you" . Finding no rest equals "nothing you do satisfies us" . Gathering others equals "let's commiserate with others who also do not except Jesus" . The house equals physical bodies in which they live, the organization which they run.
The wickedness of “this generation” must be in the attitude that is seeking Jesus to perform a sign. They might say “Jesus you really need to conform to the way we conceive of you, and you need to prove that you do conform. Until you do, we have no use for you.“ The wickedness is in the attitude of “we are right, Jesus has to prove himself to us.”
The Pharisees’ generation was wicked because they asked for a sign. They wanted Jesus to prove himself to them. They would get no sign to prove who Jesus was other then his resurrection, which they would not believe anyway. Are there things about Jesus that we would not believe even though he demonstrates them to us? Are there things we are asking Jesus to prove to us by showing a sign? We might think: “you say you are this or that, Jesus; prove it by doing [fill in the blank]”. How about that thing where we have decided that he will not do it, or he is incapable, or his nature his of another sort? Are there ways we want Jesus to be and we will not accept any other way? Are we like the Pharisees, and we already have made up our minds?
Jesus gives examples showing people who did respond. The city Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. The queen of the Sheba traveled to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Neither one of these had a sign, but responded to what God was doing, and the way God was doing it. The Ninevites did not have a sign and responded to Jonah’s preaching; the Queen did not have a sign yet she traveled to seek the wisdom.
The pharisees seemed to want a sign before they did something. Do what? Jesus spoke of an evil spirit who goes out of a man and comes back bringing other, more evil spirits. The spirit leaves and while he is gone the house is cleaned up. When he comes back, he finds it clean and goes out to gather other spirits to the house. The state of the house is worse than it was the first time. How might this story of the spirit relate to the Pharisees? Leaving the house to seek rest equals "give us a sign to make us comfortable with you" . Finding no rest equals "nothing you do satisfies us" . Gathering others equals "let's commiserate with others who also do not except Jesus" . The house equals physical bodies in which they live, the organization which they run.
The wickedness of “this generation” must be in the attitude that is seeking Jesus to perform a sign. They might say “Jesus you really need to conform to the way we conceive of you, and you need to prove that you do conform. Until you do, we have no use for you.“ The wickedness is in the attitude of “we are right, Jesus has to prove himself to us.”
Monday, July 1, 2019
INSIDE HIS MIND
Psalm 110
This is a psalm about the messiah, about Jesus. Verse 1: “sit at my right hand”; verse 5: “the lord is at your right hand”. From verse one we see the Father talking to the Son. From verse five we see the Son talking to the Father. This psalm is about ruling, power and judgment. It talks of ruling in the present: "in the midst of your enemies"; and later, at the judgment and destruction of the enemies (vs 5-7). It shows that the Father chooses to rule through the Son and the Son rules to bring about the Father's purposes: “I and my Father are one” because he speaks of himself as ”the lord at thy right hand”
This psalm clearly shows the Father-Son aspect of the Trinity. Perhaps it does not show the Holy Spirit part because God doesn't want us direct our praise to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s function (at least one function) is to guide us to all truth, to guide us to the Father and Son.
This psalm shows us the inside personal thinking that God does within himself. What a privilege that he shows it to us.
This is a psalm about the messiah, about Jesus. Verse 1: “sit at my right hand”; verse 5: “the lord is at your right hand”. From verse one we see the Father talking to the Son. From verse five we see the Son talking to the Father. This psalm is about ruling, power and judgment. It talks of ruling in the present: "in the midst of your enemies"; and later, at the judgment and destruction of the enemies (vs 5-7). It shows that the Father chooses to rule through the Son and the Son rules to bring about the Father's purposes: “I and my Father are one” because he speaks of himself as ”the lord at thy right hand”
This psalm clearly shows the Father-Son aspect of the Trinity. Perhaps it does not show the Holy Spirit part because God doesn't want us direct our praise to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s function (at least one function) is to guide us to all truth, to guide us to the Father and Son.
This psalm shows us the inside personal thinking that God does within himself. What a privilege that he shows it to us.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
ARE YOU QUALIFIED
Learning my wife had written a book someone asked, "what are her qualifications?” I wondered why she would ask that? What were her reasons for asking this question? Did she really want to know? Did she want to be assured she could safely consider what my wife wrote? Was she jealous? Did she wonder why my wife should have any valid point? Did she want to block out my wife’s ideas? Was my wife in opposition to her own views?
What has to happen to establish a qualification? Does it take a higher authority to bless you and therefore qualify you? Must the entity that qualifies also to have been qualified? Who has qualified the qualifier and who has qualified him? How far back must the chain of qualification go?
There are some legitimate qualifiers. The state establishes laws and agencies to test if you can safely drive a car. If you prove you can via some testing the state will therefore issue you a driver's license. Your license is a certificate thereby signifying your qualification to operate an automobile on the public roadways.
A seminary can offer training to certify that you have learned certain skills like church administration and ancient languages.
What if you do not meet the expectations of the one who asks for qualifications? If you read an English version of the Bible can you understand it for yourself, or must you be qualified to understand it by a seminary professor or by a pastor or elder? Did not the Translators to English have the qualifications to properly render a good meaning in English? Who is judging the qualification of the translators?
Does not God have the power to place in your mind the meaning and intent he has for you in the way you understand the English? Does he expect you to know Hebrew and Greek? Does not God say he places his spirit in you as he said he would do? If he did that than he can speak to you personally, individually, directly. God does not ask you to produce a license or diploma or certificate before you can read or teach the Bible. I believe God is happy for you to share with others what you believe he has told you.
What has to happen to establish a qualification? Does it take a higher authority to bless you and therefore qualify you? Must the entity that qualifies also to have been qualified? Who has qualified the qualifier and who has qualified him? How far back must the chain of qualification go?
There are some legitimate qualifiers. The state establishes laws and agencies to test if you can safely drive a car. If you prove you can via some testing the state will therefore issue you a driver's license. Your license is a certificate thereby signifying your qualification to operate an automobile on the public roadways.
A seminary can offer training to certify that you have learned certain skills like church administration and ancient languages.
What if you do not meet the expectations of the one who asks for qualifications? If you read an English version of the Bible can you understand it for yourself, or must you be qualified to understand it by a seminary professor or by a pastor or elder? Did not the Translators to English have the qualifications to properly render a good meaning in English? Who is judging the qualification of the translators?
Does not God have the power to place in your mind the meaning and intent he has for you in the way you understand the English? Does he expect you to know Hebrew and Greek? Does not God say he places his spirit in you as he said he would do? If he did that than he can speak to you personally, individually, directly. God does not ask you to produce a license or diploma or certificate before you can read or teach the Bible. I believe God is happy for you to share with others what you believe he has told you.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
ALL SINS ARE EQUAL
In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus remarks about the miracles were done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and, yet they did not believe. Had the same miracles been done in cities which are known for their sinfulness, Tire, Sidon and Sodom, they would have repented. Jesus comments that Bethsaida and Co. will not receive reward because they ignored the miracles performed in them. As he walks, he says he reveals the father to the “children” whom he chooses.
A main point of the scripture is to show mercies were extended to a few amongst a people, though outwardly righteous, refused to repent and accept the Lord. This account is to stress that some sinners will repent whereas the self-righteous will not. Jesus chooses who he will be saved, and they are the ones that choose to walk with him.
The use of the city Sodom as in illustration (Gen 19) shows that God does not exclude the sodomite, the homosexual, from mercy and Salvation. Had the city repented it would not have been destroyed. That sodomy is a sin hateful to God is clearly defined by scripture - - the destruction of the city of Sodom being a good example. But we must remember sodomy is a sin among an array of sins. All unrepentant sinners: sodomites, adulterous, thieves, murderers, liars and thieves alike will be burn in hell's fire.
And God wants ALL sinners to repent and come as children - - to take his yoke upon them. The adulterer and sodomite and gossiper must control their tendency toward sin. For the not-yet-saved it is especially important to come “as they are”. In fact, they must be as children, at the most basic entry level. Jesus wants them that way. They should not be put off by the existence of “religious” people. Everyone has a starting point and a way to travel yet.
A main point of the scripture is to show mercies were extended to a few amongst a people, though outwardly righteous, refused to repent and accept the Lord. This account is to stress that some sinners will repent whereas the self-righteous will not. Jesus chooses who he will be saved, and they are the ones that choose to walk with him.
The use of the city Sodom as in illustration (Gen 19) shows that God does not exclude the sodomite, the homosexual, from mercy and Salvation. Had the city repented it would not have been destroyed. That sodomy is a sin hateful to God is clearly defined by scripture - - the destruction of the city of Sodom being a good example. But we must remember sodomy is a sin among an array of sins. All unrepentant sinners: sodomites, adulterous, thieves, murderers, liars and thieves alike will be burn in hell's fire.
And God wants ALL sinners to repent and come as children - - to take his yoke upon them. The adulterer and sodomite and gossiper must control their tendency toward sin. For the not-yet-saved it is especially important to come “as they are”. In fact, they must be as children, at the most basic entry level. Jesus wants them that way. They should not be put off by the existence of “religious” people. Everyone has a starting point and a way to travel yet.
Monday, June 17, 2019
BRINGING THEM OUTDOORS
Jesus speaking to his disciples in Mat 10:27 says: "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light". Maybe today when God speaks to you “in the dark” he refers to the Spirit speaking to you. Or, you think, is it only you getting an impression in your mind? You wonder, “is this God speaking to me, or is it just my own mind that is coming up with this?” Is it God “whispering in your ear” via a recollection of an idea you got out of private study of God's word?
In any case, it can help to make these things public. Sometimes others can help us know whether something is from God. Maybe someone can help us get a better understanding of what we heard. Maybe someone has a caution about what we heard and can back it up with a Scripture reference. Anything truly beneficial God tells us should be told to others
In any case, we know it must conform to God's word. We cannot change the meaning of God's commandments for our own convenience as did the Pharisees when they said, “It is corban [a gift to God] by whatsoever you may be profited by me.” Instead of giving a gift for the intent of making another’s life easier, they were using this act as a bribe to God to make themselves appear somehow pious.
What was happening with the disciples in private would indeed be made public. For example: the Last Supper, the Mount of transfiguration, the fishing scene of John 21, Peter's betrayal, the widow’s two mites. “There is nothing hidden that will not be made known” demonstrates that God is open and upfront.
In any case, it can help to make these things public. Sometimes others can help us know whether something is from God. Maybe someone can help us get a better understanding of what we heard. Maybe someone has a caution about what we heard and can back it up with a Scripture reference. Anything truly beneficial God tells us should be told to others
In any case, we know it must conform to God's word. We cannot change the meaning of God's commandments for our own convenience as did the Pharisees when they said, “It is corban [a gift to God] by whatsoever you may be profited by me.” Instead of giving a gift for the intent of making another’s life easier, they were using this act as a bribe to God to make themselves appear somehow pious.
What was happening with the disciples in private would indeed be made public. For example: the Last Supper, the Mount of transfiguration, the fishing scene of John 21, Peter's betrayal, the widow’s two mites. “There is nothing hidden that will not be made known” demonstrates that God is open and upfront.
Friday, June 14, 2019
DIFFICULTY WILL COME
In Matthew 10 Jesus is sending the disciples out and they are to do great works and preach “the Kingdom of God is near”. They are not too prepare themselves; either with things, or places to stay, or with weapons of self-defense. Their mission is noble and great, yet they will encounter persecution and rejection.
In the midst of this rejection they are to remember and hold on to what God has taught them. Certainly, if they are to hold on during prosecutions, jailing, beatings; then we can hold on during our short bouts of doubt or the oppression or uncertainty. God has told us there will be dark times and we are to hold on. We must remember: our hairs are numbered; we are worth more than many sparrows.
They were to go out, yet they would experience these hard things. God intended that the they should experience the hard things. It should not be a surprise to us when difficulty comes our way. We can only trust God will not allow us to be buried so deep in them that we despair there will never be any relief.
In times of trouble we can ask for advice and comfort from other Christians. The body of Christ is good place to seek counsel. But even with Christians we must be discerning of which people we seek, for some are so opinionated they cannot provide a balanced solution. Such people can sometimes be a part of the problem. You may feel so oppressed by their opinions that you cannot talk freely. You must seek a competent believer who listens and can add a good perspective to yours - - as long as both perspectives are formed on the word of God. You can know who has good advice if you read your Bible.
In the midst of this rejection they are to remember and hold on to what God has taught them. Certainly, if they are to hold on during prosecutions, jailing, beatings; then we can hold on during our short bouts of doubt or the oppression or uncertainty. God has told us there will be dark times and we are to hold on. We must remember: our hairs are numbered; we are worth more than many sparrows.
They were to go out, yet they would experience these hard things. God intended that the they should experience the hard things. It should not be a surprise to us when difficulty comes our way. We can only trust God will not allow us to be buried so deep in them that we despair there will never be any relief.
In times of trouble we can ask for advice and comfort from other Christians. The body of Christ is good place to seek counsel. But even with Christians we must be discerning of which people we seek, for some are so opinionated they cannot provide a balanced solution. Such people can sometimes be a part of the problem. You may feel so oppressed by their opinions that you cannot talk freely. You must seek a competent believer who listens and can add a good perspective to yours - - as long as both perspectives are formed on the word of God. You can know who has good advice if you read your Bible.
Monday, June 10, 2019
IN PLAIN SIGHT
Matthew 8:29
Two demon possessed men knew who Jesus was, but the others around Jesus did not. Jesus did things and explained things that plainly showed who he was. When he healed the paralytic, he did it for the purpose of showing them he had the authority to forgive sins. The Pharisees’ statement, “who but God can forgive sins” is true, so we can know Jesus is God. Jesus uses the term "Son of Man" which refers to the second person of the Trinity, the one who became flesh and dwelt among us – the one who can forgive sins.
They found it difficult to believe what was right in front of them, and we also find it difficult. Maybe knowing this – that it is difficult - will help us to get along during our own times. Others, after all, have had difficulties grasping the truth that was plain before them. Knowing this, we can work a little harder, try harder, be a little more patient, dig a little deeper, look more closely, balancing the concept of eternity with the present time. We can also know, and not be distressed, at the existence of others who do not, cannot, will not, believe what is set before them. That others will insist on their own version of who God is in the face of what God shows them should not keep us from being locked onto the truth.
Two demon possessed men knew who Jesus was, but the others around Jesus did not. Jesus did things and explained things that plainly showed who he was. When he healed the paralytic, he did it for the purpose of showing them he had the authority to forgive sins. The Pharisees’ statement, “who but God can forgive sins” is true, so we can know Jesus is God. Jesus uses the term "Son of Man" which refers to the second person of the Trinity, the one who became flesh and dwelt among us – the one who can forgive sins.
They found it difficult to believe what was right in front of them, and we also find it difficult. Maybe knowing this – that it is difficult - will help us to get along during our own times. Others, after all, have had difficulties grasping the truth that was plain before them. Knowing this, we can work a little harder, try harder, be a little more patient, dig a little deeper, look more closely, balancing the concept of eternity with the present time. We can also know, and not be distressed, at the existence of others who do not, cannot, will not, believe what is set before them. That others will insist on their own version of who God is in the face of what God shows them should not keep us from being locked onto the truth.
Friday, June 7, 2019
BEHIND THE LEADER
In the book of Matthew Jesus said, “follow me”. Jesus was the leader. Any time we see a leader we should also realize there is much involvement by those he leads to establish him as the leader. For example, as "the leader" he dined at Matthew’s house. While at Matthew’s house there must have been involvement of Matthew, his wife, his food, his servants, his table, his plates, etc. There would not have been a meal at Matthew’s house without a Matthew and the work and provision of the others.
We would prefer to take a back seat and let the leader do all the work. It is as if he were driving the car and we are the passengers. He does the driving, spending his gas and wearing out his tires. When Jesus is leading should it not be, he is like the foreman and we are like the ditch diggers? We should be getting sweaty, and sore. He tells us where, what direction, and how deep to dig from the ditch. We like to be ministered to but sometimes grudge the ministry tasks.
The centurion came to Jesus and was known for his great faith. This shows that gentiles have their place in the Kingdom of God. They will feast with Abraham and Jacob. Our place with God depends on our faith and commitment, not upon our people-group or status.
Someone said I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man does not have any place to lay his head." Jesus did not have a hole or a nest to sleep in. Lesser created beings, like birds and foxes, have “homes”, dwellings; but not the son of man. We should not over-worry about our physical sustenance. There is a cost and a giving up of some physical elements that must occur when we follow Jesus.
We say, “I will follow you first “but”. You say you will, but you must disengage yourself from entanglement of the world. Do not worry over the tangled affairs the world makes for itself. There are some elements of the world expected of us by the world that we must disengage ourselves from when we follow Jesus.
We would prefer to take a back seat and let the leader do all the work. It is as if he were driving the car and we are the passengers. He does the driving, spending his gas and wearing out his tires. When Jesus is leading should it not be, he is like the foreman and we are like the ditch diggers? We should be getting sweaty, and sore. He tells us where, what direction, and how deep to dig from the ditch. We like to be ministered to but sometimes grudge the ministry tasks.
The centurion came to Jesus and was known for his great faith. This shows that gentiles have their place in the Kingdom of God. They will feast with Abraham and Jacob. Our place with God depends on our faith and commitment, not upon our people-group or status.
Someone said I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man does not have any place to lay his head." Jesus did not have a hole or a nest to sleep in. Lesser created beings, like birds and foxes, have “homes”, dwellings; but not the son of man. We should not over-worry about our physical sustenance. There is a cost and a giving up of some physical elements that must occur when we follow Jesus.
We say, “I will follow you first “but”. You say you will, but you must disengage yourself from entanglement of the world. Do not worry over the tangled affairs the world makes for itself. There are some elements of the world expected of us by the world that we must disengage ourselves from when we follow Jesus.
Monday, June 3, 2019
DISCERNING PROPHETS
Speaking of the false prophets Jesus says “by their fruit you will recognize them.” Then he goes on to say that some that appear good will be rejected by him. Only the ones that do the will of the Father in heaven will be accepted.
If one has an experience, and the word says something that conflicts with the experience, which do we accept? The word of God, of course. But we know that some false prophets will have worked the same sort of miracles that Jesus worked, as in the casting out of demons. How is it then that we can tell them by their fruit?
If there is a person who we see casting out demons, or healing the sick, we must reserve our judgment about them until we can know more about the fruit of the rest of their life. Does not the warning “you will know if they are my prophets if what they say comes to pass” imply a wait-and-see attitude? When a foretold event comes to pass, then we will know the one who foretold it is a prophet. The warning “try the profits to see whether they be from God” and “by their fruits you shall know them” implies a waiting. We will wait, then we will judge the fruit, whether it is good or bad.
None of this suggests we go along with what is happening assuming it is good. If someone prophesizes we do not automatically assume it is from God. If someone is “slain in the spirit” we do not automatically assume God occupied them. We wait, we observe, we compare with what we already know about God. We compare with the word. We compare with those who we know from experience have good fruit. We compare with our own good fruit. We compare with the history (tradition) of men we have known to be good.
When we hear someone speaking what is supposed to be the word of God, or healing, or casting out demons, he is either a Daniel or a Balaam, a Jeremiah or a Hananiah. From our position and the situation at the time we will have to decide, or wait and see.
If one has an experience, and the word says something that conflicts with the experience, which do we accept? The word of God, of course. But we know that some false prophets will have worked the same sort of miracles that Jesus worked, as in the casting out of demons. How is it then that we can tell them by their fruit?
If there is a person who we see casting out demons, or healing the sick, we must reserve our judgment about them until we can know more about the fruit of the rest of their life. Does not the warning “you will know if they are my prophets if what they say comes to pass” imply a wait-and-see attitude? When a foretold event comes to pass, then we will know the one who foretold it is a prophet. The warning “try the profits to see whether they be from God” and “by their fruits you shall know them” implies a waiting. We will wait, then we will judge the fruit, whether it is good or bad.
None of this suggests we go along with what is happening assuming it is good. If someone prophesizes we do not automatically assume it is from God. If someone is “slain in the spirit” we do not automatically assume God occupied them. We wait, we observe, we compare with what we already know about God. We compare with the word. We compare with those who we know from experience have good fruit. We compare with our own good fruit. We compare with the history (tradition) of men we have known to be good.
When we hear someone speaking what is supposed to be the word of God, or healing, or casting out demons, he is either a Daniel or a Balaam, a Jeremiah or a Hananiah. From our position and the situation at the time we will have to decide, or wait and see.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
BUILDING A HOUSE
What proverbs 24 says about building a house:
- - We should know how all things work together for a house: how the house fits into God's Kingdom and how it will be used.
- - The site must be made fit or ready. Before we build the house, the site must be prepared; similar to clearing trees, providing drainage, leveling the foundation area, etc.
- - It is built by wisdom. We should know and appreciate what is important for every basic purpose and function of the house.
- - It is established by understanding. It is a place where we and others will live.
- - Its chambers are filled with knowledge. The rooms should ready for knowledge so the things acquired by knowledge will find their places in the rooms.
Whatever we think of a house (building) or a household (parents and family), the beginning, and most important aspects are: spiritual, mental, understanding, common knowledge, preparation.
How we live determines where we live.
- - We should know how all things work together for a house: how the house fits into God's Kingdom and how it will be used.
- - The site must be made fit or ready. Before we build the house, the site must be prepared; similar to clearing trees, providing drainage, leveling the foundation area, etc.
- - It is built by wisdom. We should know and appreciate what is important for every basic purpose and function of the house.
- - It is established by understanding. It is a place where we and others will live.
- - Its chambers are filled with knowledge. The rooms should ready for knowledge so the things acquired by knowledge will find their places in the rooms.
Whatever we think of a house (building) or a household (parents and family), the beginning, and most important aspects are: spiritual, mental, understanding, common knowledge, preparation.
How we live determines where we live.
Monday, May 27, 2019
THE WAY WE JUDGE
The way we judge others is the way that we will be judged. We are quick to judge others, never thinking of judging ourselves to see if fault maybe within us. We judge others knowing the barest of obvious facts. Sometimes our judgement is based upon nothing but suspicions originating only form our imaginations. We have no real evidence to on which to base our judgements. If we judge others from our own inward suspicions, how do we know the others are not judging us the same way? They will not form opinions based upon what we do, but upon feelings arising within themselves. We do not want them to do that, so we should not be that way.
God never does that.
God judges us, he knows even our most minor sins. Some of these sins we are not even aware of as being sin. Yet God is full of loving kindness and patience, he is long suffering. But there will be a day when his patience will end.
We are willing to correct others but will not try to correct ourselves. Before the Final Day comes let us use God’s help correcting our own errors.
God never does that.
God judges us, he knows even our most minor sins. Some of these sins we are not even aware of as being sin. Yet God is full of loving kindness and patience, he is long suffering. But there will be a day when his patience will end.
We are willing to correct others but will not try to correct ourselves. Before the Final Day comes let us use God’s help correcting our own errors.
Friday, May 24, 2019
FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE?
Jesus tells us to simply say “yes” and “no” rather than swear by oaths. In effect this means all our indications of intent should be as strong as if we were to put an oath to them. It is as if we were signing a contract.
Apparently, in the old days, something said did not take any real effect until the speaker put an oath to it. Did that mean you did not have to stand behind anything that you said without an oath?
James 1:6 says a wavering person “. . . is like a wave of the sea driven of the wind and tossed. . .” Waves develop because of the wind; they go where the wind goes. But one who does what God's word says goes where God's word directs: This direction may be against the waves. One driven by the wind is motivated, maybe even forced, from the outside. One driven by God is motivated from the inside. When we say yes or no today, we should intend that no one should ever doubt it.
Matthew 6:1-15: God not only cares about what we do “in secret” (what is done within our own person, that which cannot be seen by others) - he desires to be a part of it. He does not want us to keep unwanted things inside like sin and unforgiveness. Our personal activity is important to God. Our corporate activity (giving, going to church, how we work) is really governed by how we are inside.
Apparently, in the old days, something said did not take any real effect until the speaker put an oath to it. Did that mean you did not have to stand behind anything that you said without an oath?
James 1:6 says a wavering person “. . . is like a wave of the sea driven of the wind and tossed. . .” Waves develop because of the wind; they go where the wind goes. But one who does what God's word says goes where God's word directs: This direction may be against the waves. One driven by the wind is motivated, maybe even forced, from the outside. One driven by God is motivated from the inside. When we say yes or no today, we should intend that no one should ever doubt it.
Matthew 6:1-15: God not only cares about what we do “in secret” (what is done within our own person, that which cannot be seen by others) - he desires to be a part of it. He does not want us to keep unwanted things inside like sin and unforgiveness. Our personal activity is important to God. Our corporate activity (giving, going to church, how we work) is really governed by how we are inside.
Monday, May 20, 2019
FALSE JUDGES
Psalm 27:12 says, “for false witnesses have risen against me, an such as breathe out violence.” In the real world there are real people, accused and accusers, testifying before a judge. In these cases, real injustice is done. But inwardly these might represent elements of ourselves: the, the accused (us), accusers (false witnesses) and the judge (the decision renderer). Hence (in our imagination) the witnesses are presenting their case before a judge about us. Sometimes this whole judgmental system can be corrupt.
What if the “corrupt judge” is part of our inward selves? The part that is deciding what to do or think? Sometimes we sit a corrupt judge at the bench. What if these "false witnesses" are wicked forces trying to get us to think or to do bad things? The courtroom is our own mind and the verdict will be just or unjust according to what our inward judge decrees. The “false witnesses” are trying to move the judgment in their favor: “watch pornography”, “think that someone hates you (even though there is no evidence of it)”
We have set up false judicial systems that render the decisions we dictate and thus build up a violent society. The only hope is to be honest within ourselves, hire only upright lawyers, seek honest judges and put the false judges out on their ears.
What if the “corrupt judge” is part of our inward selves? The part that is deciding what to do or think? Sometimes we sit a corrupt judge at the bench. What if these "false witnesses" are wicked forces trying to get us to think or to do bad things? The courtroom is our own mind and the verdict will be just or unjust according to what our inward judge decrees. The “false witnesses” are trying to move the judgment in their favor: “watch pornography”, “think that someone hates you (even though there is no evidence of it)”
We have set up false judicial systems that render the decisions we dictate and thus build up a violent society. The only hope is to be honest within ourselves, hire only upright lawyers, seek honest judges and put the false judges out on their ears.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
THE FRIENDLY COMMANDER
The Lord does not need our help, but he does want our effort, company, attention, our requests, our dependence and presence. All these and more we do through reading, prayer, listening and being with people. I think of God as Jesus – the man with us, present with us. He is the one who said, “. . . you are my friends. . .”, “. . . a friend that sticks closer than a brother . . .” He wants to know what we need, what we want, what is troubling us.
Of course, he is also the one who created all, the one that sits on the throne, the one we bow down to. He is the severe but fair judge. We stand up at attention when he comes into the room. When he commands something, we do it. While we may question the purpose and timing, we do it.
He always appreciates thankfulness.
Of course, he is also the one who created all, the one that sits on the throne, the one we bow down to. He is the severe but fair judge. We stand up at attention when he comes into the room. When he commands something, we do it. While we may question the purpose and timing, we do it.
He always appreciates thankfulness.
GAINING GODLINESS
1 Timothy
Two verses from 1 Timothy have a similar meeting - 1:6: “. . .godliness is great gain" and 4:8: ". . . godliness is profitable onto all things". Godliness produces something worth having in life. It is well worth working for. How do we get it? It is easy to work for the things we can see (healthy body, more money) but it is elusive to work for things we cannot see (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness) (1 Timothy 6:11)
We can attain godliness. Minimally we can read the Bible and pray. God wants us to do both. Although Timothy may have been somewhat reserved about expressing his faith (v8), I’m reasonably certain he did both. Timothy was also known for his unfeigned faith (1 Timothy 1:5) that came into the family through women (Lois and Eunice). Timothy had a gift from God via the hands of Paul (v6). Timothy may not have been aware, but he was equipped. You may not be aware, but you are equipped,
We are not handy tools God found alongside the road that he could use. God called us out, not to take advantage of our self-developed natural talents, but for a purpose that he had in mind before the world was created (v9). This purpose is now made possible by the work of Jesus Christ (v10). Paul is an example of these sorts of God-gifts, for God was using him as a preacher, Apostle and a teacher of the gentiles (v11).
Timothy was to "hold fast the form of sound words”; to know and to be able to repeat the gospel and teachings (v13). And he was to keep his gift empowered through keeping in touch with the Holy Ghost (v14).
Two verses from 1 Timothy have a similar meeting - 1:6: “. . .godliness is great gain" and 4:8: ". . . godliness is profitable onto all things". Godliness produces something worth having in life. It is well worth working for. How do we get it? It is easy to work for the things we can see (healthy body, more money) but it is elusive to work for things we cannot see (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness) (1 Timothy 6:11)
We can attain godliness. Minimally we can read the Bible and pray. God wants us to do both. Although Timothy may have been somewhat reserved about expressing his faith (v8), I’m reasonably certain he did both. Timothy was also known for his unfeigned faith (1 Timothy 1:5) that came into the family through women (Lois and Eunice). Timothy had a gift from God via the hands of Paul (v6). Timothy may not have been aware, but he was equipped. You may not be aware, but you are equipped,
We are not handy tools God found alongside the road that he could use. God called us out, not to take advantage of our self-developed natural talents, but for a purpose that he had in mind before the world was created (v9). This purpose is now made possible by the work of Jesus Christ (v10). Paul is an example of these sorts of God-gifts, for God was using him as a preacher, Apostle and a teacher of the gentiles (v11).
Timothy was to "hold fast the form of sound words”; to know and to be able to repeat the gospel and teachings (v13). And he was to keep his gift empowered through keeping in touch with the Holy Ghost (v14).
Monday, May 13, 2019
JUDGING IN A BIBLE STUDY
While sitting in a men’s study one night I felt some displeasure for the type of questions that seemed to originate too much in the world. They wondered why religious people are "judgmental" against such things as homosexuality. They didn’t seem to know the Bible specifically defines such acts as sin (along with adultery, fornication, stealing, murder, etc.). Why is any sin less wrong than another? All sins are wrong. All sins will be judged at the last. Why didn’t they know?
Maybe these men were at the beginning stages of a deeper journey with God. Maybe they had not yet read, or carefully considered God’s prohibitions. It is natural to love God’s mercy and forgiveness yet forget his severity. We overlook the consequences of sin. We perceive our own sins as somehow less serious.
It would be good to be in a fellowship where all brothers are those that we agree with an approve of. But we are not all the same. Some are less advanced and some are more advanced. Some are so "advanced" they have become hardened and crusty to the extent no one knows better than they. They have less room for forgiveness than God.
We “seasoned” Christians should never be that way. We ought to be available for example, teaching and consultation of the “less seasoned” Christians. Helping in their process of sanctification may be part of our own sanctification. What use is an “advanced position” if it is only to notice and annunciate the faults of others. Is not this “sitting in the seat of the scornful”? Let us be sources of direction, health, godliness and instruction in righteousness.
When making judgements we should remember, all of us are holding the position of “Learner”. We all have something to learn from another.
Maybe these men were at the beginning stages of a deeper journey with God. Maybe they had not yet read, or carefully considered God’s prohibitions. It is natural to love God’s mercy and forgiveness yet forget his severity. We overlook the consequences of sin. We perceive our own sins as somehow less serious.
It would be good to be in a fellowship where all brothers are those that we agree with an approve of. But we are not all the same. Some are less advanced and some are more advanced. Some are so "advanced" they have become hardened and crusty to the extent no one knows better than they. They have less room for forgiveness than God.
We “seasoned” Christians should never be that way. We ought to be available for example, teaching and consultation of the “less seasoned” Christians. Helping in their process of sanctification may be part of our own sanctification. What use is an “advanced position” if it is only to notice and annunciate the faults of others. Is not this “sitting in the seat of the scornful”? Let us be sources of direction, health, godliness and instruction in righteousness.
When making judgements we should remember, all of us are holding the position of “Learner”. We all have something to learn from another.
Thursday, May 9, 2019
THE CZAR OF PHONES
I would be the “Czar of Phones”. Many times I see parents walking with their children while they are looking at their phones. Today I saw a young woman interacting with her phone as she met her husband and walking with her child. The husband reached out and hugged the child but the woman continued to look at her phone. I wanted to reach over and grab her phone and say “Naughty girl! Pay attention to your daughter and your husband!”
As Czar of Phones I would have almost godlike power to control how people use their phones. They would not be allowed to pay attention to the device while in the presence of a living, breathing person. If they did, they would have their phone removed for two weeks while they meditate about how to relate to real people. If they were not associated with the person they are near they would not be permitted to use their phone in speaker mode.
People do not seem to realize a person you can actually touch has more immediate worth than a voice on a device.
As Czar of Phones I would have almost godlike power to control how people use their phones. They would not be allowed to pay attention to the device while in the presence of a living, breathing person. If they did, they would have their phone removed for two weeks while they meditate about how to relate to real people. If they were not associated with the person they are near they would not be permitted to use their phone in speaker mode.
People do not seem to realize a person you can actually touch has more immediate worth than a voice on a device.
Monday, May 6, 2019
A “TWIST” OF TRUTH
The verses of 1Timothy 6:5, 6 fit today where there are those people who seem thrive in a good argument. They want to have the high ground as victors over unfortunates who dare disagree with them. For example, they dispute the old ways in an attempt to prove that wealth and health show godliness. If a person is rich and wealthy God must be showing his approval. They use "questions and strifes about words” (v4) to pervert the meaning of scripture to prove their own point. They say "gain is godliness" (v5); but God says "godliness with contentment is great gain" We're supposed to withdraw ourselves from such people.
We need to be cautious. We shouldn’t pervert the meaning of scripture attempting to prove someone else wrong. Don't smugly think you are not one of those rich men who withholds from the poor. Maybe we are not giving enough. Let us remember we ARE rich. We never go hungry. We are air conditioned. We can always buy gasoline. We have an automobile. We dispose of our clothes before they become rags. We have jobs. We have education. We have. . .
Most important is we have the Word of God. If we read it, we have the true riches. And having the Word of God we have knowledge that can uplift others, not put them down. It is not knowledge for the purpose of achieving superiority, for demonstrating mastery. It is knowledge given us for our own security - - and to help others achieve the same security. It is not knowledge we twist to fit our own purposes.
We need to be cautious. We shouldn’t pervert the meaning of scripture attempting to prove someone else wrong. Don't smugly think you are not one of those rich men who withholds from the poor. Maybe we are not giving enough. Let us remember we ARE rich. We never go hungry. We are air conditioned. We can always buy gasoline. We have an automobile. We dispose of our clothes before they become rags. We have jobs. We have education. We have. . .
Most important is we have the Word of God. If we read it, we have the true riches. And having the Word of God we have knowledge that can uplift others, not put them down. It is not knowledge for the purpose of achieving superiority, for demonstrating mastery. It is knowledge given us for our own security - - and to help others achieve the same security. It is not knowledge we twist to fit our own purposes.
Monday, April 29, 2019
PROPER EXERCISE
1Timothy 4:8
"having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. . . . “ This is speaking of godliness not bodily exercise
When I think of exercise, I think of the benefits it will have for me in this life. Such as feeling better, more health, looking better, being more capable. When I think of godliness, I think of the benefits to come in heaven and for things that cannot be seen or touched. Somehow, I do not think of the useful benefit of godliness that comes by doing it in this present world. I feel guilty that I should be looking for a reward.
Yet this verse says that godliness, like exercise, has promises, or benefits, for the life that now is. I can do godliness, as I would do push-ups, or practice the drums, and expect benefits in this life.
I don't think I should read the Bible , or pray, thinking "this is good for me and it will improve me right now. When I pray, or read the Bible, or do a good work, I ought to think: "This is a building block. This will bring build something. This will benefit my heavenly father, but it will also benefit me and others around me.
"having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. . . . “ This is speaking of godliness not bodily exercise
When I think of exercise, I think of the benefits it will have for me in this life. Such as feeling better, more health, looking better, being more capable. When I think of godliness, I think of the benefits to come in heaven and for things that cannot be seen or touched. Somehow, I do not think of the useful benefit of godliness that comes by doing it in this present world. I feel guilty that I should be looking for a reward.
Yet this verse says that godliness, like exercise, has promises, or benefits, for the life that now is. I can do godliness, as I would do push-ups, or practice the drums, and expect benefits in this life.
I don't think I should read the Bible , or pray, thinking "this is good for me and it will improve me right now. When I pray, or read the Bible, or do a good work, I ought to think: "This is a building block. This will bring build something. This will benefit my heavenly father, but it will also benefit me and others around me.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
SHORTCUTS CAN MEAN SHORT CIRCUITS
Proverbs 9
Wisdom and Foolishness are personified as women in Proverbs. Both openly compete for the hearts and minds of mankind. Both call from their house and from the high places of the city.
A house is a place where you go, where she resides. It could be a school, a conference, a church, or any place where you can find her. It is a high place, a prominent place, a public place, a place of government.
Wisdom through, readily available, takes time to get. It’s obtained through persistence and discipline, in short: work.
By contrast the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. She calls the simple, those who lack understanding. They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge nor are practiced in the use of it. They have the idea that “Stolen waters are sweet" for the stolen takes no labor to obtain. “Have it now, why should you wait? Don't wait to spend your labor on it. Besides, the stuff that is stolen and eaten in secret has a thrill which somehow makes it pleasant"
Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want no one to see you eat it? It must be bead you should not have. You want that pleasantness and will get it even if it is wrong. It's OK if someone else works for it and you take it. The ones who the foolish woman calls are those that want things that they have not earned, do not belong to them, should not have. But the foolish woman foolish woman's ways are the ways of death, her quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Better the cottage of the Wise Woman than the mansion of the Foolish Woman.
Wisdom and Foolishness are personified as women in Proverbs. Both openly compete for the hearts and minds of mankind. Both call from their house and from the high places of the city.
A house is a place where you go, where she resides. It could be a school, a conference, a church, or any place where you can find her. It is a high place, a prominent place, a public place, a place of government.
Wisdom through, readily available, takes time to get. It’s obtained through persistence and discipline, in short: work.
By contrast the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. She calls the simple, those who lack understanding. They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge nor are practiced in the use of it. They have the idea that “Stolen waters are sweet" for the stolen takes no labor to obtain. “Have it now, why should you wait? Don't wait to spend your labor on it. Besides, the stuff that is stolen and eaten in secret has a thrill which somehow makes it pleasant"
Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want no one to see you eat it? It must be bead you should not have. You want that pleasantness and will get it even if it is wrong. It's OK if someone else works for it and you take it. The ones who the foolish woman calls are those that want things that they have not earned, do not belong to them, should not have. But the foolish woman foolish woman's ways are the ways of death, her quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Better the cottage of the Wise Woman than the mansion of the Foolish Woman.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
REWARD OF THE FOOLISH WOMAN
Proverbs 9
Wisdom and foolishness are personified as women in the Bible. They both have prepared their houses and both openly compete for mankind. They both call from the gates and the high places of the city.
Could a "house" mean a place where you can go, a sheltered place? where she resides? a school? Could a "high place" or “city gates” mean a prominent place, a public place, a place of government, a place of worship?
Wisdom for most people, through readily available, takes time to acquire, it takes persistence and discipline. In short: it comes by work.
By contrast foolishness, or the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. Verses 13 through 16 explain her well. She calls the simple, those who want (lack) understanding (v16). They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge, nor are practiced in the use of it. There has been too much TV and too little books. The Foolish Woman says, "Stolen waters are sweet" (v17) That which is stolen takes no labor to obtain. She says, "Have it now, why should you wait? You don't want to spend labor on it."
"Bread eaten in secret is pleasant" she says. Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want none to see you eat it? It must be bread you should not have. Somehow the wrongness of taking it makes it “sweet”. She encourages you to want that pleasantness and to get it even if it is wrong. She makes it seem it's OK if someone else works for it and you take it.
The ones who the foolish woman calls, are those that want things that they have not earned, things that do not belong to them, things they should not have. But the foolish woman's ways are the ways of death. Verse 18 warns, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” The quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Wisdom and foolishness are personified as women in the Bible. They both have prepared their houses and both openly compete for mankind. They both call from the gates and the high places of the city.
Could a "house" mean a place where you can go, a sheltered place? where she resides? a school? Could a "high place" or “city gates” mean a prominent place, a public place, a place of government, a place of worship?
Wisdom for most people, through readily available, takes time to acquire, it takes persistence and discipline. In short: it comes by work.
By contrast foolishness, or the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. Verses 13 through 16 explain her well. She calls the simple, those who want (lack) understanding (v16). They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge, nor are practiced in the use of it. There has been too much TV and too little books. The Foolish Woman says, "Stolen waters are sweet" (v17) That which is stolen takes no labor to obtain. She says, "Have it now, why should you wait? You don't want to spend labor on it."
"Bread eaten in secret is pleasant" she says. Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want none to see you eat it? It must be bread you should not have. Somehow the wrongness of taking it makes it “sweet”. She encourages you to want that pleasantness and to get it even if it is wrong. She makes it seem it's OK if someone else works for it and you take it.
The ones who the foolish woman calls, are those that want things that they have not earned, things that do not belong to them, things they should not have. But the foolish woman's ways are the ways of death. Verse 18 warns, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” The quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Monday, April 15, 2019
LOVE WRATH ENVY
Proverbs 27:1-6
Open rebuke is better than secret love. It is better to know where you stand, to know how someone feels than to not know it - even if that feeling is against you. However, unexpressed love is as if there was no love at all because there are no words or actions to demonstrate the love. But while there the words that come from a friend are faithful because they are intended for good; the kisses from the enemy are deceitful .because they are intended to disguise ill wishes.
"A stone is heavy, but a fool’s wrath is heavier". It is difficult and bothersome to carry around the oppression that comes from another. Wrath is difficult but envy is more dangerous. Who can stand against it - one can defend against wrath; you cannot defend against envy. Wrath you can answer with evidence and logic. Wrath has been expressed by words and actions. There is no evidence or logic in the expression of envy. It has to do with the inward personal state of the one who envies, rather than anything you did. How can you control what is in the mind of another?
Open rebuke is better than secret love. It is better to know where you stand, to know how someone feels than to not know it - even if that feeling is against you. However, unexpressed love is as if there was no love at all because there are no words or actions to demonstrate the love. But while there the words that come from a friend are faithful because they are intended for good; the kisses from the enemy are deceitful .because they are intended to disguise ill wishes.
"A stone is heavy, but a fool’s wrath is heavier". It is difficult and bothersome to carry around the oppression that comes from another. Wrath is difficult but envy is more dangerous. Who can stand against it - one can defend against wrath; you cannot defend against envy. Wrath you can answer with evidence and logic. Wrath has been expressed by words and actions. There is no evidence or logic in the expression of envy. It has to do with the inward personal state of the one who envies, rather than anything you did. How can you control what is in the mind of another?
Thursday, April 11, 2019
DECEIT FOR DOLLARS
Proverbs 12
The “The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood”. The person that lays in wait is more than just the mugger, he wants profit from the blood. The “profit” might the perverse joy of a bully who wants to dominate another, or it might be the wealth of the victim.
I think abortion providers are this type. They enjoy dominance over other humans’ lives: the Mother and child, but mostly they want the money. The murdering process is framed in euphemistic words and phrases such as “freedom of choice”. Such phrases comfortably insulate them from the eternal consequences of the act. When all is done, the practice provides a lucrative income.
There are also doctors who will recommend operations that are not needed to patients. Some of these patients stand a chance of dying. There is also the contractor that will shortchange safety for the sake of money, or schedule knowing that someone could be hurt. It is the person that takes advantage of refugees. So is one who steals the windows living by poor workmanship or unneeded jobs.
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil”
The “The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood”. The person that lays in wait is more than just the mugger, he wants profit from the blood. The “profit” might the perverse joy of a bully who wants to dominate another, or it might be the wealth of the victim.
I think abortion providers are this type. They enjoy dominance over other humans’ lives: the Mother and child, but mostly they want the money. The murdering process is framed in euphemistic words and phrases such as “freedom of choice”. Such phrases comfortably insulate them from the eternal consequences of the act. When all is done, the practice provides a lucrative income.
There are also doctors who will recommend operations that are not needed to patients. Some of these patients stand a chance of dying. There is also the contractor that will shortchange safety for the sake of money, or schedule knowing that someone could be hurt. It is the person that takes advantage of refugees. So is one who steals the windows living by poor workmanship or unneeded jobs.
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil”
Monday, April 8, 2019
OPEN TO CHANGE
Proverbs 9
Wisdom can be easily found for she is “in the gates”, the prominent places of exchange. Wisdom calls to the simple ones, to those who want, or lack, understanding. She has prepared everything for the transfer of wisdom. She has prepared her staff as it were, her space, her food, her drink and table settings. Wisdom calls to the ones who need to hear what she has to say. She invites specifically the ones who need wisdom, the simple ones. She cautions them to avoid foolish people.
We are told that the wise person is one who will be corrected (hear wisdom’s rebuke) and consequently increase in learning. There is never a point in our lives where we no longer must be open to the acquisition of knowledge, to change. The attitude of being ready to learn and to be corrected is a character trait of the wise.
She says that dealing with the scorners and wicked is a waste of time and, in fact, dangerous. We must be careful who we listen to because the foolish woman also calls to the simple. She calls to everyone who will listen and she too is “in the gates”.
Wisdom can be easily found for she is “in the gates”, the prominent places of exchange. Wisdom calls to the simple ones, to those who want, or lack, understanding. She has prepared everything for the transfer of wisdom. She has prepared her staff as it were, her space, her food, her drink and table settings. Wisdom calls to the ones who need to hear what she has to say. She invites specifically the ones who need wisdom, the simple ones. She cautions them to avoid foolish people.
We are told that the wise person is one who will be corrected (hear wisdom’s rebuke) and consequently increase in learning. There is never a point in our lives where we no longer must be open to the acquisition of knowledge, to change. The attitude of being ready to learn and to be corrected is a character trait of the wise.
She says that dealing with the scorners and wicked is a waste of time and, in fact, dangerous. We must be careful who we listen to because the foolish woman also calls to the simple. She calls to everyone who will listen and she too is “in the gates”.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
HONEY IS GOOD
PROV 25:16 It is good to eat honey, but not too much. You will vomit it if you eat too much. Verse 27: For men to search their own glory is like eating too much honey. It's ok to search (observe, acknowledge, inspect, inquire for) your glory some, but too much will cause you to vomit. Your soul will cast it out because it has become sick. Then that which was pleasant will have become unpleasant, even repulsive, not fit for any further use. Glory has been turned into repulsiveness. By our own wills we can either eat a little, or eat a lot; search a little glory, or search too much. If you find some glory, well, but do not dig and pry for it. Take what is sufficient
Monday, March 25, 2019
THE HEART OF KINGS
(Prov 25:3) The heart of kings is unsearchable.
In our day, when we speak of “kings”, we can substitute the word “leaders”, as in President, Senator, Congressman, County Commissioner, School Superintendent, etc. This verse applies to bad leaders as well as good. It means we should recognize the given authority of leaders (i.e. obey as necessary) without having to know the leader’s inward motivation. Whatever is his motivation we cannot get to it, it is unsearchable.
Is it then a waste of time to wonder why the present leader does the things he does? Is not it more effective to proceed by presenting our just causes, with their rationale, to the leader and his advisers, and pray God to get it to their hearts? Do we actually do that? Do we write letters? Do we make phone calls? Do we respond to surveys?
If we take away all the present leader’s bad advisors will he be established in righteousness? How do we keep the present leader from filling those posts again with other bad advisers? We can pray that God will place righteous advisors. We can pray God that he will show us how we can strip out the bed ones in replace them with good ones. What are those positions? Who is there now and who should be placed there? Does this country deserve a good righteous government, or do we deserve the one we have? We must believe and act on how we can change the heart of the nation. Leader by leader, voter by voter, citizen by citizen.
In our day, when we speak of “kings”, we can substitute the word “leaders”, as in President, Senator, Congressman, County Commissioner, School Superintendent, etc. This verse applies to bad leaders as well as good. It means we should recognize the given authority of leaders (i.e. obey as necessary) without having to know the leader’s inward motivation. Whatever is his motivation we cannot get to it, it is unsearchable.
Is it then a waste of time to wonder why the present leader does the things he does? Is not it more effective to proceed by presenting our just causes, with their rationale, to the leader and his advisers, and pray God to get it to their hearts? Do we actually do that? Do we write letters? Do we make phone calls? Do we respond to surveys?
If we take away all the present leader’s bad advisors will he be established in righteousness? How do we keep the present leader from filling those posts again with other bad advisers? We can pray that God will place righteous advisors. We can pray God that he will show us how we can strip out the bed ones in replace them with good ones. What are those positions? Who is there now and who should be placed there? Does this country deserve a good righteous government, or do we deserve the one we have? We must believe and act on how we can change the heart of the nation. Leader by leader, voter by voter, citizen by citizen.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
LABOR NOT TO BE RICH
Proverbs 23:23: "Buy the truth and sell it not, and instruction and understanding"
How empty it would be to get rich, to get to the top, to have all the “things” -yet - to have lost wives and children, mother and father, friends and family along the way. If you are fabulously rich and have lost all the other, are you really rich? What situation are you in? Are the others that are rich looking to steal from you? Who do you have to pay to protect you? Which is your friend and who just wants your money? Who will take care of you if you get sick if no one cares other than the ones you pay to do it?
Suppose you live in a small house, or a rented house, or a tent. Are you not rich if you have and appreciate wives and children, mother and father, friends and family? If you are “poor” and have these I say you are really rich. What situation are you in? If you are not rich in money and possessions others will look elsewhere to steal rather than stealing from you. The ones who love you and respect you will want to protect you. Your friend just wants you, not your money. The ones you take care of will take care of you if you get sick. They will take care for you even if you are not sick.
The only reason I could know that wisdom, understanding and instruction are better than riches is because God tells me so and that knowledge of itself is of immense value.
How empty it would be to get rich, to get to the top, to have all the “things” -yet - to have lost wives and children, mother and father, friends and family along the way. If you are fabulously rich and have lost all the other, are you really rich? What situation are you in? Are the others that are rich looking to steal from you? Who do you have to pay to protect you? Which is your friend and who just wants your money? Who will take care of you if you get sick if no one cares other than the ones you pay to do it?
Suppose you live in a small house, or a rented house, or a tent. Are you not rich if you have and appreciate wives and children, mother and father, friends and family? If you are “poor” and have these I say you are really rich. What situation are you in? If you are not rich in money and possessions others will look elsewhere to steal rather than stealing from you. The ones who love you and respect you will want to protect you. Your friend just wants you, not your money. The ones you take care of will take care of you if you get sick. They will take care for you even if you are not sick.
The only reason I could know that wisdom, understanding and instruction are better than riches is because God tells me so and that knowledge of itself is of immense value.
Monday, March 18, 2019
COMPULSIVE ISSUES
(PROV 23:35)
The problem with alcoholism – or any compulsive drive – is: "When shall I awake, I shall seek it yet again." The drunkard is not saying, "The purpose in my heart is that I will seek drunkenness again because I like it." (Although he may think that from time to time). He may really be saying, "When I awake from this time of drunkenness, will be ashamed again. I will not want to do it again, but I am afraid that I will, as I have done this time." This is likely true because he knows from experience he has been beaten and laying on "top of masts" (V34) as the Bible says. He has a history of it, he is suffering yet another time of regret.
There are many who have done things they should not have done. Many do not want to do it again. Drunks, who know they are drunks, do not generally want to be drunks. The warning at the front of all this is verse 31: "Look not upon the wine when is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moveth itself alright". Do not be in a place where you can look. You must stop at the beginning, before the first look, let alone the first drink, before drinking is even the issue. Or before the first pornographic link on the internet. Or before the first bit of gossip is passed on.
All compulsive issues are related. Stop. Keep to the right path before stepping onto the wrong one and turning back from it is too difficult. It would help when temptation nears to talk to yourself - out loud: “This is a good thing to do, this other thing is harmful for me.” Proverbs 5:8 says, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:” Step 1: "remove your way" (don’t take that path) because step 2, being "near the door of her house", makes staying away harder to achieve.
The problem with alcoholism – or any compulsive drive – is: "When shall I awake, I shall seek it yet again." The drunkard is not saying, "The purpose in my heart is that I will seek drunkenness again because I like it." (Although he may think that from time to time). He may really be saying, "When I awake from this time of drunkenness, will be ashamed again. I will not want to do it again, but I am afraid that I will, as I have done this time." This is likely true because he knows from experience he has been beaten and laying on "top of masts" (V34) as the Bible says. He has a history of it, he is suffering yet another time of regret.
There are many who have done things they should not have done. Many do not want to do it again. Drunks, who know they are drunks, do not generally want to be drunks. The warning at the front of all this is verse 31: "Look not upon the wine when is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moveth itself alright". Do not be in a place where you can look. You must stop at the beginning, before the first look, let alone the first drink, before drinking is even the issue. Or before the first pornographic link on the internet. Or before the first bit of gossip is passed on.
All compulsive issues are related. Stop. Keep to the right path before stepping onto the wrong one and turning back from it is too difficult. It would help when temptation nears to talk to yourself - out loud: “This is a good thing to do, this other thing is harmful for me.” Proverbs 5:8 says, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:” Step 1: "remove your way" (don’t take that path) because step 2, being "near the door of her house", makes staying away harder to achieve.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
REST AND LENGTH OF DAYS
(Proverbs 3)
Things that lead to rest and peace:
(V1,2) Remembering the law and keeping the commandments.
(V17) Paths of wisdom.
(V24) Keeping soundly wisdom and discretion.
Things that lead to length of days:
(V1, 2) Remembering the law and keeping commandments.
(V16) Finding and getting wisdom.
Length of days in the right hand, riches and honor in the left. If the right hand is the power of something, the part that is immediately available; then the left hand may be the part that is deferred, the part that does not come immediately but later, the result of keeping the commandments, sound wisdom and discretion.
If this is so, a person that applies wisdom can expect to add days to his life while riches and honor may follow later. Yet we seek first for riches and honor - and hope that wisdom will result. We have the process reversed. What happens if it actually works out this way? Will we be like the barn builder of Luke 12:16-21: the one who tore down his barns to build bigger ones? The one whose heart was not rich toward God. He did not live to enjoy his wealth.
The one who treasures first the knowledge of God and his laws and directions, has the pleasure and reward of living in them now, whether he be poor or rich. In fact, what is in his bank account really does not matter. No bank account or houses or lands can provide eternal contentment.
Things that lead to rest and peace:
(V1,2) Remembering the law and keeping the commandments.
(V17) Paths of wisdom.
(V24) Keeping soundly wisdom and discretion.
Things that lead to length of days:
(V1, 2) Remembering the law and keeping commandments.
(V16) Finding and getting wisdom.
Length of days in the right hand, riches and honor in the left. If the right hand is the power of something, the part that is immediately available; then the left hand may be the part that is deferred, the part that does not come immediately but later, the result of keeping the commandments, sound wisdom and discretion.
If this is so, a person that applies wisdom can expect to add days to his life while riches and honor may follow later. Yet we seek first for riches and honor - and hope that wisdom will result. We have the process reversed. What happens if it actually works out this way? Will we be like the barn builder of Luke 12:16-21: the one who tore down his barns to build bigger ones? The one whose heart was not rich toward God. He did not live to enjoy his wealth.
The one who treasures first the knowledge of God and his laws and directions, has the pleasure and reward of living in them now, whether he be poor or rich. In fact, what is in his bank account really does not matter. No bank account or houses or lands can provide eternal contentment.
Monday, March 11, 2019
GRIP ON WISDOM
(Proverbs 4)
(Vs 1-18, 18, 20-27) Proverbs four is re-emphasizing the need to take hold on wisdom and understanding. “How many times can I say this?” “Let me say this again.” It is so important to keep an open mind, a listening ear and an observant eye. We must “take fast hold on instruction for she is thy life”. If we are not learning, we are not growing, we are not living (V18). “. . . the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”.
Instruction is our life: observing God’s sayings as he speaks through the Scriptures, through our spirits - through other men.
I wonder if older people who are sharp are those that say, “now what am I going to learn from this?” We must always be active in listening, reading, hearing, learning from God.
(Vs 1-18, 18, 20-27) Proverbs four is re-emphasizing the need to take hold on wisdom and understanding. “How many times can I say this?” “Let me say this again.” It is so important to keep an open mind, a listening ear and an observant eye. We must “take fast hold on instruction for she is thy life”. If we are not learning, we are not growing, we are not living (V18). “. . . the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”.
Instruction is our life: observing God’s sayings as he speaks through the Scriptures, through our spirits - through other men.
I wonder if older people who are sharp are those that say, “now what am I going to learn from this?” We must always be active in listening, reading, hearing, learning from God.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
SELF-CONTROL
Proverbs 30:9 “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.” Consider the phrases: “Lest I be full . . . and deny; lest I be poor . . . and steal” Both of these conditions allow a man to overlook and go around God’s control in their life. The rich man does not have to wait on God because he can get what he wants now. The poor does not want to wait because he is under pressure and jumps to feed his belly rather than waiting for God. The rich, by his actions, says, “Who is God? I can do this for myself. I can make this come out my way.” The poor says, “God will not act for me. I must act.” Both are imposing their control on the situation. Neither waits for God.
(Verse 8) "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me . . ." By having the blessing of verse 8, truth and convenient provision, we can appropriate the opportunity of exercising self-control. I pray, “God, put me in situations where I will not fail at self-control. Fill me with your Spirit, one of the fruits of which is self-control.”
)
(Verse 8) "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me . . ." By having the blessing of verse 8, truth and convenient provision, we can appropriate the opportunity of exercising self-control. I pray, “God, put me in situations where I will not fail at self-control. Fill me with your Spirit, one of the fruits of which is self-control.”
)
Thursday, February 28, 2019
WHEN IT’S WRONG TO REJOICE
"When righteous men do rejoice there is great glory, but when the wicked rise a man is hidden." There is much openness and freedom when the righteous rejoice. There is no fear of anyone retaliating at them for celebrating, there are no double meanings in the air. Everyone is happy together.
When the wicked are empowered there is no openness or freedom. There is fear of reprisal if there is a perception of “unacceptable” (read “politically incorrect”) thoughts or actions during celebration. Indeed, the truly wrong thing, such as abortion, may be the thing celebrated. Who knows what the wicked really mean? Only the wicked are happy. One might say, "I will hide because I will not celebrate this thing. The wrong people are in power they may be seeking to hurt the righteous."
Psalm 28:5 "because they regard not the works of the lord nor the operation of his hands . . ."
This is an indictment of our land today. Many do not think the Lord exists or that what happens around them might be the work of his hands.
A person must continually adjust his thinking throughout life so that he thinks, "I am of the Lord, this has happened because of the Lord, I will do this as unto the Lord." Religion needs to be a consuming thing not a casual thing, a comfort thing, an intellectual thing or a safety tool, like a car jack.
When the wicked are empowered there is no openness or freedom. There is fear of reprisal if there is a perception of “unacceptable” (read “politically incorrect”) thoughts or actions during celebration. Indeed, the truly wrong thing, such as abortion, may be the thing celebrated. Who knows what the wicked really mean? Only the wicked are happy. One might say, "I will hide because I will not celebrate this thing. The wrong people are in power they may be seeking to hurt the righteous."
Psalm 28:5 "because they regard not the works of the lord nor the operation of his hands . . ."
This is an indictment of our land today. Many do not think the Lord exists or that what happens around them might be the work of his hands.
A person must continually adjust his thinking throughout life so that he thinks, "I am of the Lord, this has happened because of the Lord, I will do this as unto the Lord." Religion needs to be a consuming thing not a casual thing, a comfort thing, an intellectual thing or a safety tool, like a car jack.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
THE POWERFUL VOICE
(Psalm 29) . The voice of the lord is upon many waters. I’ve wondered if the waters equal the general world population. The voice of the lord is upon them. He thunders, his voice is loud and booming.
The voice of the lord breaks the cedars. If trees represent the structure of a national government: trunk and branches. The voice of the lord breaks them. The force for keeping the tree (government) from being broken does not come from within the tree. The power to keep all things entire comes from God.
The voice of the lord divides the fire. His communication is so clear that even ethereal changing subjects, like fire, can be expressed by him, and understood so that he can even separate, package, one tongue of fire from another.
(V8) The voice of the lord shakes the wilderness. No matter where anyone is, the voice of the lord shakes the remotest places.
(V9) The voice of the lord makes cows to give birth. His power and control is directly over even things we do not think of, like the conception, birth and preservation of cows.
The voice of the Lord gives glory, strength, worship; it is powerful, it has majesty; it breaks, skips, divides, shakes, births. He has all power forever. With all these things god gives strength to his people and controls his enemies.
The voice of the lord breaks the cedars. If trees represent the structure of a national government: trunk and branches. The voice of the lord breaks them. The force for keeping the tree (government) from being broken does not come from within the tree. The power to keep all things entire comes from God.
The voice of the lord divides the fire. His communication is so clear that even ethereal changing subjects, like fire, can be expressed by him, and understood so that he can even separate, package, one tongue of fire from another.
(V8) The voice of the lord shakes the wilderness. No matter where anyone is, the voice of the lord shakes the remotest places.
(V9) The voice of the lord makes cows to give birth. His power and control is directly over even things we do not think of, like the conception, birth and preservation of cows.
The voice of the Lord gives glory, strength, worship; it is powerful, it has majesty; it breaks, skips, divides, shakes, births. He has all power forever. With all these things god gives strength to his people and controls his enemies.
Monday, February 18, 2019
A BAD SCALE
"A false balance is abomination to the Lord". This shows that items in this life of flesh offend the Lord. Imagine he were walking in a market and saw a scale that was made to show false weights, weights heavier than actual. You and I would not know the scales read false, but the Lord would know. This very scale, and the one who uses it, is abomination to him. I would not like to stand next to that scale in a lightning storm. With every false ounce shown it thrusts the one using it further from God. The lying scale here will make the sin of adultery over there easy to do. The scale cheats money. The adultery will end the marriage, destroy the family, and scatter the possessions the false scale was meant to acquire.
The Lord finds the scale offensive. It was rude and inconsiderate to have it before him (not to mention degrading and dangerous.)
The wise the just scale is the Lord’s delight, it gives him pleasure. He is pleased when he walks by and sees it. It’s easy to please the Lord. Don’t stand close to a bad scale.
The Lord finds the scale offensive. It was rude and inconsiderate to have it before him (not to mention degrading and dangerous.)
The wise the just scale is the Lord’s delight, it gives him pleasure. He is pleased when he walks by and sees it. It’s easy to please the Lord. Don’t stand close to a bad scale.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
SHE LIES
Proverbs 7:19,20 . When the strange woman says, “The good man is gone a long journey and will not be back until the appointed time.” she is lying. He is in the house watching right then. God is never departed from us; his Holy Spirit is ever with us. We are compassed by a cloud of witnesses. When we do something sinful we are being watched. Our sin nature may like to think the "good man" has departed, but it is the deceitful flesh (the foolish woman) lying to us. When she says it is OK to watch the TV program with pornography in it, we must realize God is in the room watching us watch it. This is the battleground of the flesh. We must overcome our flesh that so easily deceives us. We naturally want to sin; it is hard to resist sin, to do wholesome things. The struggle is now, at this time.
We must realize the battle is not so hard to win. “Hearken unto me now, LET NOT thine heart DECLINE to her ways, go not astray in her paths.” "Decline" is a good word to describe the process.
Proverbs 5:8 says "remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house" . “Remove” is the important word. Once we are near the door of her house (the foolish or whorish woman’s house) we are closer to it and are more tempted to go in than if we had never entered her neighborhood. Keep away from the neighborhood and you will not be near the door. It’s far easier to choose the right path at the beginning of the journey than to change it once embarked.
We must realize the battle is not so hard to win. “Hearken unto me now, LET NOT thine heart DECLINE to her ways, go not astray in her paths.” "Decline" is a good word to describe the process.
Proverbs 5:8 says "remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house" . “Remove” is the important word. Once we are near the door of her house (the foolish or whorish woman’s house) we are closer to it and are more tempted to go in than if we had never entered her neighborhood. Keep away from the neighborhood and you will not be near the door. It’s far easier to choose the right path at the beginning of the journey than to change it once embarked.
Monday, February 11, 2019
UP THE MOUNTAIN
Psalm 121: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my help . . ."
When we look up the mountainside, we know our destination will require work to get there. We will have to climb up the hill, we will have to follow a path, there will be boulders in the way. It will take time. But remember, our help comes from the destination we want to get closer to. The source of all our help is coming from that place.
He is helping us on the way along the path. He will not suffer our foot to be moved: so one can push us away from the path, although we could willfully step in a different direction. It says the Lord is our shade from the sun, and maybe God will control the outward circumstances and events along the path.
Yet it is still for us to climb the trail, to sweat, to persist against difficulty
When we look up the mountainside, we know our destination will require work to get there. We will have to climb up the hill, we will have to follow a path, there will be boulders in the way. It will take time. But remember, our help comes from the destination we want to get closer to. The source of all our help is coming from that place.
He is helping us on the way along the path. He will not suffer our foot to be moved: so one can push us away from the path, although we could willfully step in a different direction. It says the Lord is our shade from the sun, and maybe God will control the outward circumstances and events along the path.
Yet it is still for us to climb the trail, to sweat, to persist against difficulty
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
CONTRASTING VIEWS
RIGHTEOUSNESS VS WICKEDNESS
PROVERBS 11
PROVERBS 11
RIGHTEOUSNESS (R) as opposed to WICKEDNESS (W)
================================================
(R) Leads to Integrity and is a guide
(W) Leads to perverseness and destroys
(R) Leads to health
(W) Riches prophet not
(R) Directs way
(W) Leads to a fall
(R) Gives deliverance
(W) Taken in naughtiness
(R) Delivered out of trouble
(W) Delivered into trouble
(R) Has a sure reward
(W) Works deceitful work
(R) Tends to life
(W) Pursues evil to own death
(R) Delivered
(W) Will not be unpunished
(R) Desires good
(W) Expects wrath
(R) Procures favor
(W) Seeks mischief
(R) Flourish as a branch
(W) His trusted riches fall
(R) Recompensed and earth
(W) Recompensed in earth more
When the wicked parish, as in the Mafia is killing each other, the city shouts because of the confusion, danger, and lawlessness.
When it goes well with the righteous, there is peace and prosperity so there can be times of rejoicing. When the upright bless the city, it is exalted. The upright with his mouth is making a proclamation of good.
But the works of the wicked can overthrow the city.
In other words, words are very powerful.
Monday, February 4, 2019
DELIGHTING
God delights in the prayer of the upright (Prov 15:8); he loves to hear it. Does this also mean he loves to answer it? The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous. Some prayers, however, he will not hear. For example, he is far from the wicked so he will not respond to their prayers. He will not answer some prayers right away because it is best answered at another time. Some prayers of the righteous are about good things, but these things may not be suitable for the person asking them. Maybe the prayers are for or about things that are reserved for other people. Maybe the person is asking for something they do not realize is not good for them.
We often put God in our shoes, we assume God is driven by the same emotions we have. We delight in something that is pleasant. Perhaps we push away some pleasant thing because some other thing is even more pleasant. Delighting is something we want to do. Does the Lord also want to delight? Does he long for it as we might? Does he stop some other things so that he can “take some time out” to delight? Does God get so crowded with pending tasks that delighting would mean that some other important thing would not get done?
“I love you Lord,
and I lift my voice
to worship you:
oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, my king,
in what you hear.
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.”
We sing this song, but what do we mean by it? Are we wishing for God to have a pleasant time, or are we just asking for his attention? Is what we want is more important than what he wants? Is this a wish from us for his well-being, or is it a request for our own sakes so that he will have favor on us?
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