Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7-12
Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Solomon had been around some self-righteous people. Here he gives a warning and tells us that we should 'take hold of' an important lesson. It will destroy you to make yourself out to be something you are not. Have you ever been around someone who was more righteous than everyone else around them? Ray Stevens called this person "Bertha Better-Than-You". Don't be like the man Jesus spoke of.
Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
He also warns against being overly wicked. This will cut your life short! To be a self-righteous, know-it-all will destroy you and to be an outlaw will do the same. Instead, fear God and understand that true righteousness is a gift that is imputed to the person who has faith in Jesus Christ. Humble yourself before God and trust him. If you live a righteous life, it is as a result of the Holy Ghost living in you.
In Christ,
Rody
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Be not rash with thy mouth
Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-6
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Solomon is warning us to remember to whom we are talking when we worship. Familiarity with our relationship with Jesus is a good thing and he does call us friends, however, he is still God Almighty. We should address him with reverence and respect.
The sacrifice of fools is to utter too much. It is to be running off at the mouth and speaking in a manner not conducive to one who is addressing our Creator. Instead we should let our words be few. Certainly, Solomon has in mind here the making of vows before God. A fool would rashly utter vows that he or she was not capable of fulfilling. Jesus tells us not to make vows at all.
The Bible is not telling us here to pray less. On the contrary, we all should probably pray more. The Bible is here telling us to think before we speak. This is always wise before God and men. Remember that Jesus has invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). He has also given us the indwelling Holy Spirit that births within us the spirit of prayer.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
We can boldly approach the Creator of the universe as his sons and cry out to him and call him 'Abba'. He wants us to come and pour out our hearts before him in prayer. We must remember that he deserves reverence and not come to him in a demanding way or offering the sacrifice of fools. Come to him as a wise son of God and praise him. Come to him any time and ask for the things you need. Come to him and intercede on behalf of others.
In Christ,
Rody
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Solomon is warning us to remember to whom we are talking when we worship. Familiarity with our relationship with Jesus is a good thing and he does call us friends, however, he is still God Almighty. We should address him with reverence and respect.
The sacrifice of fools is to utter too much. It is to be running off at the mouth and speaking in a manner not conducive to one who is addressing our Creator. Instead we should let our words be few. Certainly, Solomon has in mind here the making of vows before God. A fool would rashly utter vows that he or she was not capable of fulfilling. Jesus tells us not to make vows at all.
The Bible is not telling us here to pray less. On the contrary, we all should probably pray more. The Bible is here telling us to think before we speak. This is always wise before God and men. Remember that Jesus has invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). He has also given us the indwelling Holy Spirit that births within us the spirit of prayer.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
We can boldly approach the Creator of the universe as his sons and cry out to him and call him 'Abba'. He wants us to come and pour out our hearts before him in prayer. We must remember that he deserves reverence and not come to him in a demanding way or offering the sacrifice of fools. Come to him as a wise son of God and praise him. Come to him any time and ask for the things you need. Come to him and intercede on behalf of others.
In Christ,
Rody
Monday, June 18, 2012
Where there is no vision
Bible Reading: Proverbs 27-29
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
How far can you see? Vision is important. What kind of future do you see? What you envision for the future will determine how you live and what kind of person you are today.
The Bible tells us that without a vision the people perish. We need a godly vision for the future. We need a clear direction to see where we are going. Without that vision, people go in dangerous and deadly directions. People without vision have a fatalistic outlook on life and they go their own way.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The great tragedy is to let men set a vision for us. We must have God's vision which comes by His Spirit and through his Word. When we heed the Word of God, we will be happy because we can see clearly. God has given us a vision of the future that comes from Him. His Word and the Holy Spirit shape our lives now for the vision of the future that God has.
Happiness comes when we heed God's Word and live for the vision that He has laid out for us. No vision or a man-made one will lead to death.
Let's follow Jesus and live for the vision that he has given us.
In Christ,
Rody
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
How far can you see? Vision is important. What kind of future do you see? What you envision for the future will determine how you live and what kind of person you are today.
The Bible tells us that without a vision the people perish. We need a godly vision for the future. We need a clear direction to see where we are going. Without that vision, people go in dangerous and deadly directions. People without vision have a fatalistic outlook on life and they go their own way.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The great tragedy is to let men set a vision for us. We must have God's vision which comes by His Spirit and through his Word. When we heed the Word of God, we will be happy because we can see clearly. God has given us a vision of the future that comes from Him. His Word and the Holy Spirit shape our lives now for the vision of the future that God has.
Happiness comes when we heed God's Word and live for the vision that He has laid out for us. No vision or a man-made one will lead to death.
Let's follow Jesus and live for the vision that he has given us.
In Christ,
Rody
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Let him not leave us, nor forsake us
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5
1 Kings 8:57-58 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: 58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple. Please notice he had an eye on the past as he prayed. He knew of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and his father, David. He wanted to know the presence of God as these men knew him.
He also wanted to know that God would not leave them or forsake them. He had an eye on the future and he wanted a promise from God of his continued presence into the future.
Solomon was looking at the present as he prayed asking God to 'incline' the hearts of his people to himself. The Hebrew word here translated 'incline' means to bend or to stretch out. Solomon was asking God to bend the hearts of the people in God's direction. To literally stretch the people toward him! Like a sapling bending from the force of the wind, Solomon wanted the hearts of the people to feel the force of God's Spirit acting upon them to incline them in God's direction.
All of these prayers were answered in Jesus! For you an I who are the beneficiaries of the New Covenant, we have these promises.
John 14:16-20 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Jesus promised his continual presence with us.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
He has also has given us his Spirit.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
The Spirit of God is at work like the wind to incline our hearts in his direction.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
What a wonderful realization that our relationship with Jesus promises us his continual presence in our lives and the promise of changing us to be more like him.
In Christ,
Rody
1 Kings 8:57-58 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: 58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple. Please notice he had an eye on the past as he prayed. He knew of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and his father, David. He wanted to know the presence of God as these men knew him.
He also wanted to know that God would not leave them or forsake them. He had an eye on the future and he wanted a promise from God of his continued presence into the future.
Solomon was looking at the present as he prayed asking God to 'incline' the hearts of his people to himself. The Hebrew word here translated 'incline' means to bend or to stretch out. Solomon was asking God to bend the hearts of the people in God's direction. To literally stretch the people toward him! Like a sapling bending from the force of the wind, Solomon wanted the hearts of the people to feel the force of God's Spirit acting upon them to incline them in God's direction.
All of these prayers were answered in Jesus! For you an I who are the beneficiaries of the New Covenant, we have these promises.
John 14:16-20 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Jesus promised his continual presence with us.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
He has also has given us his Spirit.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
The Spirit of God is at work like the wind to incline our hearts in his direction.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
What a wonderful realization that our relationship with Jesus promises us his continual presence in our lives and the promise of changing us to be more like him.
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Cunning to work
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4
1 Kings 7:13-14 And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. 14 He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
When it was time for Solomon to build the temple, he sought out a man who was right fore the job. Solomon wanted the temple to be great for he said:
2 Chronicles 2:4-5 Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 5 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
Hiram was a half Israelite. His mother was an Israelite and his father was a man of Tyre. Hiram was very skilled in his work and obviously Solomon had see his work. This was the man he wanted to do the brazen work for the temple he was building.
You may not be skilled and wise in the same ways that Hiram was, but there is something that God has enabled you to do. As a Mom, you might not be like other women you know, but there are things that you do well. As a man, you might be good at something that others are not. Maybe you are artistic, mechanically inclined, or understand the inner workings of computers. Use the wisdom and skill God has given you to do a good job and to bring glory to God. Solomon might have been thinking of Hiram when the Holy Ghost inspired him to write:
Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
the Bible tells us to do our work for the Lord Jesus rather than for men.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Any job worth doing is worth doing well. Do your work for the Lord rather than men.
In Christ,
Rody
1 Kings 7:13-14 And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. 14 He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
When it was time for Solomon to build the temple, he sought out a man who was right fore the job. Solomon wanted the temple to be great for he said:
2 Chronicles 2:4-5 Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 5 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
Hiram was a half Israelite. His mother was an Israelite and his father was a man of Tyre. Hiram was very skilled in his work and obviously Solomon had see his work. This was the man he wanted to do the brazen work for the temple he was building.
You may not be skilled and wise in the same ways that Hiram was, but there is something that God has enabled you to do. As a Mom, you might not be like other women you know, but there are things that you do well. As a man, you might be good at something that others are not. Maybe you are artistic, mechanically inclined, or understand the inner workings of computers. Use the wisdom and skill God has given you to do a good job and to bring glory to God. Solomon might have been thinking of Hiram when the Holy Ghost inspired him to write:
Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
the Bible tells us to do our work for the Lord Jesus rather than for men.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Any job worth doing is worth doing well. Do your work for the Lord rather than men.
In Christ,
Rody
Friday, June 8, 2012
Happy is he
Bible Reading: Proverbs 16, 17 & 18
Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
Do you want to be happy? Do you want to find good in life? Then the Bible says you need to trust in the Lord.
Faith is to believe what God says and to trust him in all things. We need to trust the Lord in order to have salvation from our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9). We also need to trust the Lord with our day to day existence. We trust that Jesus will come to take us to the home he has prepared for us (John 14:1-3).
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith pleases God and happiness comes from a right relationship with our Creator.
If faith is so vital, where can we get it?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The Word of God is the key to having faith. In it we have the 'great and precious promises' (2 Peter 1:4), that we are to believe. There we also gain wisdom. Jesus said:
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
To hear and to obey is the way of the wise man. Do you want to find good? Do you want happiness? Then trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and study and obey his word. If you will do this prayerfully, you will find goodness and happiness.
James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
In Christ,
Rody
Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
Do you want to be happy? Do you want to find good in life? Then the Bible says you need to trust in the Lord.
Faith is to believe what God says and to trust him in all things. We need to trust the Lord in order to have salvation from our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9). We also need to trust the Lord with our day to day existence. We trust that Jesus will come to take us to the home he has prepared for us (John 14:1-3).
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith pleases God and happiness comes from a right relationship with our Creator.
If faith is so vital, where can we get it?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The Word of God is the key to having faith. In it we have the 'great and precious promises' (2 Peter 1:4), that we are to believe. There we also gain wisdom. Jesus said:
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
To hear and to obey is the way of the wise man. Do you want to find good? Do you want happiness? Then trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and study and obey his word. If you will do this prayerfully, you will find goodness and happiness.
James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
In Christ,
Rody
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Slow to wrath
Bible Reading: Proverbs 13-15
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Can you loose your temper quickly? It will lead to folly, says the Bible. Many times we excuse ourselves and say that is just the way we are, but God wants to change us! He wants us to grow in understanding. The more understanding we have, the slower to wrath we will be.
James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
To gain understanding, we must listen. We must listen to the answer from others. We must listen to the Word of God. We must listen to rebuke and correction when we are wrong.
Controlling your temper is a spiritual matter. It is not a psychological matter - the Holy Spirit must bear fruit in our lives for our temper to be under control.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
When the Spirit bears fruit in your life, you will have temperance. Think of a thermostat that controls temper. You will not loose your temper if you have Holy Ghost controlled temperance.
To have great understanding, yield to the Holy Spirit and allow him to teach you from the Word of God. Then you will not be hasty of spirit, but you will be Spirit empowered!
In Christ,
Rody
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Can you loose your temper quickly? It will lead to folly, says the Bible. Many times we excuse ourselves and say that is just the way we are, but God wants to change us! He wants us to grow in understanding. The more understanding we have, the slower to wrath we will be.
James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
To gain understanding, we must listen. We must listen to the answer from others. We must listen to the Word of God. We must listen to rebuke and correction when we are wrong.
Controlling your temper is a spiritual matter. It is not a psychological matter - the Holy Spirit must bear fruit in our lives for our temper to be under control.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
When the Spirit bears fruit in your life, you will have temperance. Think of a thermostat that controls temper. You will not loose your temper if you have Holy Ghost controlled temperance.
To have great understanding, yield to the Holy Spirit and allow him to teach you from the Word of God. Then you will not be hasty of spirit, but you will be Spirit empowered!
In Christ,
Rody
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Love covereth all sins
Bible Reading: Proverbs 10, 11 & 12
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Strifes abound! Where do they come from? They come from hatred and hatred comes from the heart.
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Hatred comes from the lusts within and according to Galatians, it is a work of the flesh. So it comes from the fallen human nature and the flesh cannot be cleaned up, it must be crucified. The flesh causes sin. However, love covers sin.
Love does not originate from the same source as hatred. Hatred comes from the fountain of our flesh. Love comes from the spring of the Spirit of God.
John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
It is easy to see the headwaters of what is coming from our lives. If it is the flesh, we will be surrounded by strife and we will cause strife because of our hatred. However, if we are walking in the Spirit, we can see the covering love of Jesus coming from our lives.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Instead of stirring up strife, we can love and cover sins.
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
To truly love is to cover sins and pray that the person will turn to Jesus, who can take sins away.
In Christ,
Rody
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Strifes abound! Where do they come from? They come from hatred and hatred comes from the heart.
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Hatred comes from the lusts within and according to Galatians, it is a work of the flesh. So it comes from the fallen human nature and the flesh cannot be cleaned up, it must be crucified. The flesh causes sin. However, love covers sin.
Love does not originate from the same source as hatred. Hatred comes from the fountain of our flesh. Love comes from the spring of the Spirit of God.
John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
It is easy to see the headwaters of what is coming from our lives. If it is the flesh, we will be surrounded by strife and we will cause strife because of our hatred. However, if we are walking in the Spirit, we can see the covering love of Jesus coming from our lives.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Instead of stirring up strife, we can love and cover sins.
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
To truly love is to cover sins and pray that the person will turn to Jesus, who can take sins away.
In Christ,
Rody
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Watching daily at my gates
Bible Reading: Proverbs 7, 8 & 9
Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Blessed - that's a good word. I want to be blessed, don't you? I want to obtain the favour of the Lord. So what does the Bible say about being blessed? Here the Proverb tells us that the man is blessed that waits daily at the posts of the doors of wisdom. In the earlier chapter, wisdom is personified as a wise woman who is hospitable. She is contrasted with the harlot that entices young men while her husband is away.
Wisdom calls to all who pass by inviting them to come and get the wisdom of the Lord. The harlot calls to passers by to come and commit adultery.
So how do you watch daily at the doors of wisdom? Another passage of Scripture helps us to understand.
Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
To delight in the law of the Lord is watching daily at the gates of wisdom. Here is another that helps us as well:
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Do you want to find life? Do you want the Lord's favor? Then seek wisdom by prayerfully seeking God daily and meditating on his Word. Ask the Lord to show you things from his perspective and set your affection on things above.
To hate wisdom is to love death. To ignore God and his Word is to love the opposite of God. Run from that! Run to Jesus!
In Christ,
Rody
Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Blessed - that's a good word. I want to be blessed, don't you? I want to obtain the favour of the Lord. So what does the Bible say about being blessed? Here the Proverb tells us that the man is blessed that waits daily at the posts of the doors of wisdom. In the earlier chapter, wisdom is personified as a wise woman who is hospitable. She is contrasted with the harlot that entices young men while her husband is away.
Wisdom calls to all who pass by inviting them to come and get the wisdom of the Lord. The harlot calls to passers by to come and commit adultery.
So how do you watch daily at the doors of wisdom? Another passage of Scripture helps us to understand.
Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
To delight in the law of the Lord is watching daily at the gates of wisdom. Here is another that helps us as well:
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Do you want to find life? Do you want the Lord's favor? Then seek wisdom by prayerfully seeking God daily and meditating on his Word. Ask the Lord to show you things from his perspective and set your affection on things above.
To hate wisdom is to love death. To ignore God and his Word is to love the opposite of God. Run from that! Run to Jesus!
In Christ,
Rody
Monday, June 4, 2012
A man is brought to a piece of bread
Bible Reading: Proverbs 4-6
Proverbs 6:26-29 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
To be brought to a piece of bread means to be totally broke. A whorish woman will bring a man to poverty. This is serious business. God intended for a man and a woman to be faithful to each other in marriage. When a woman breaks her marriage covenant she is an adulteress and the Bible calls her a whorish woman.
The book of Proverbs is considered a wisdom book. It is written by a man to his son to teach wisdom. It is not wise to go after a whorish woman. There will be consequences. Just like carrying fire or walking on hot coals, the fire will burn you. To touch a married woman brings consequences.
It is truly amazing that this was written thousands of years ago and it directly applies today. Adultery is very common in our country and society. It gets called 'an affair', but God's Word calls it adultery. It is condemned in the Ten Commandments and the faithful marriage is commended by the New Testament as a picture of Christ and his church.
Never think for a minute that a person who commits adultery can get away with it. They will not. They will not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:32-33 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Guard your heart. Follow Jesus and his Spirit will never lead you into sin.
In Christ,
Rody
Proverbs 6:26-29 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
To be brought to a piece of bread means to be totally broke. A whorish woman will bring a man to poverty. This is serious business. God intended for a man and a woman to be faithful to each other in marriage. When a woman breaks her marriage covenant she is an adulteress and the Bible calls her a whorish woman.
The book of Proverbs is considered a wisdom book. It is written by a man to his son to teach wisdom. It is not wise to go after a whorish woman. There will be consequences. Just like carrying fire or walking on hot coals, the fire will burn you. To touch a married woman brings consequences.
It is truly amazing that this was written thousands of years ago and it directly applies today. Adultery is very common in our country and society. It gets called 'an affair', but God's Word calls it adultery. It is condemned in the Ten Commandments and the faithful marriage is commended by the New Testament as a picture of Christ and his church.
Never think for a minute that a person who commits adultery can get away with it. They will not. They will not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:32-33 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Guard your heart. Follow Jesus and his Spirit will never lead you into sin.
In Christ,
Rody
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