Did you know the advantages of the Fear of The Lord? Proverbs 14-15

Proverbs 14:26-27
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.

The theme of Proverbs is,  "The Fear of The Lord."   Throughout the book we see the advantages of those who Fear Him and those who reject Him and choose folly over fear.  In the above two proverbs we have two of the blessings or advantages of Fearing The Lord.   Solomon is telling us that we can have confidence in our lives in two ways because we fear The Lord.    One is we can find a place of refuge when we Fear The Lord.   Being in perfect reverence for God gives us a place to hide under His wings in the storms of life (Psalm 91).   The other advantage or blessing is that we can avoid traps set by Satan, folly, our flesh, the wicked, etc.   When we are in reverence of God we recognize these traps earlier, for sure.  Yet, God also covers us in a way that we can be confident that we won't be brought into snares that want to claim our spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or physical death ... unless that is God's plan for us.    We can rejoice when we Fear The Lord because we have God working in us and watching over us and waiting for us to seek shade in His almighty character.    

Do you love God because of WHO He is or because of WHAT He has done? Psalm 90-92

Psalms 91:14-16
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.”

We are often told that our coming to God for hope and salvation ought not be for the benefits that we are given in such a pursuit, but rather out of love for Him.    There would be little argument against such a thought.  We ought to love God for WHO He is and not for WHAT He has done for us.   Yet, that is so hard to do.   By real definition, the world love is an action verb, not a passive noun.   Because God IS love He DOES love.   Note the above verses from one of the most blessed Psalms every penned.   Because the Psalmist loves God note what God does for Him.  Note that as a result of what God does for him he (the psalmist) writes this psalm for us and rejoices and loves God deeper and with more gratefulness.   It is agreed that we must first  come to God in love.   So, the truth of loving God for who is finds security in the above verses, as well.   But, in our thrust to keep that truth pure, let us not forget that God promises to do MUCH for us.   We can rest assured that He will: 1). Deliver us;  2). Set us in a secure place; 3). Answer us when we call; 4).  Rescue us; 5). Honor us; 6). Give us long life; 7) Satisfy us; and, 8). Allow us to see our Salvation.    Those are great reasons we love God.   But, as the writer states, it is because we love Him that these things become true for us.  

Does it matter to God if we ingore His Word? 2 Kings 21-25

2 Kings 24:20
For through the anger of the Lord this came about in Jerusalem and Judah until He cast them out from His presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

We ought not underestimate the wrath of God and what He does about sin in our lives.    God is a loving, kind, merciful and gracious God.  But, when we think of those things and sing praises to Him about those aspects of His nature, we ought to be careful to never forget that He is a God of judgement, righteousness and truth, who hates sin.    When someone rejects His truth and begins to create their own system of worship to gods they have created that angers the righteous God of the Ages and demands that He act.   God sending Judah off to captivity, as He did Israel, is a perfect picture of what happens when we ignore God's Word and go off and create our own things to worship.   God is a God of justice.  He will show mercy to those who humble themselves (Josiah in this section is a perfect example of that truth).  But, God will show justice when even those who think they are "His" people sin and disobey and ignore the Word of God and the character of God.  

Does God have a plan for the poor of our land? Leviticus 22-24

Leviticus 23:22
‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the Lord your God.’”

My wife and I have been traveling for most of the month of July.  We have visited many midwest and southern cities in our travels.  The one thing in common in all of these cities is the number of homeless and sign-carrying men (and women) looking for food and/or money.   It is a sign of our economy, a result of our policy, and an outcome of our decisions.    However, this is not unique to the U.S.A.   Nor it is unique to this century.   In the above passage God recognized that there would be needy in the land.   He knew that the choices and the depravity of man would result is some being wealthy and some being poor and needy.  He instructs the nation of Israel to make allowance for this issue of life and to leave parts of their fields full of bounty.   He knew that the average person would want to glean the entire field and leave nothing.  But, to show mercy to the needy God instructs them to leave the edges of the field when they gather the harvest.    This would allow the needy of the land to have food available, but to have to work for the food.   The system God puts together is not based upon a free offering to the poor.   It is not solely based upon the generosity of the wealthy.  The system we have here is that the farmer is to have faith that leaving the edges of the field will be cared for by God's grace and the poor will need to get up and find the edges of the field and work for their food.  There was no welfare system in God's plan.   Both had to have faith that God would care for them.   But, God caring for them didn't mean that all the food in the field growing on the plant was theres.  Nor did it mean that God will care for them by dropping money in a bucket at their feet.   God would honor those who trusted Him on either end of that spectrum.  

What do you do when Satan hinders your most simply tasks? 1 Thessalonians 1-3

1 Thessalonians 2:17-18
But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.

The book of First Thessalonians is full of instruction and encouragement of the believers in Thessalonica.   But, it also contains some of the most valuable insight in regard to the apostle and those he lead to Christ.   Paul loved these people.   He found them to be his reward ... their continuing and growing love, bused upon their sure and established faith.   Paul so much wanted to see them and, according to Timothy, who Paul sent to them, they wanted to see him.   Here we have two believing entities who wanted something good to happen ... mutual fellowship.   Yet, Satan did what he could do to hinder them from such a basic and for granted activity.    Of course, Satan knew that if Paul went to them He would continue to grow their faith and that was something he would always want to stop.    We seldom remember the work of Satan in the lives of believers.   Satan can't touch us, but he can prevent us.   Satan can't control us, but he can control the world around us (at God's permission) and that will stop us from doing some of the most basic, yet assuring tasks in the faith, even simply fellowship.    Satan wants our lives to be solitaire and lonely.     God wants us to trust Him through it all and allow Him to remove those hinderances.   Paul couldn't go, so he sent Timothy.   The accomplished goal was still made, as Timothy strengthened their faith.  Satan can try to stop God's work, but at best he can only slow it or delay it.  He can't prevent it.  When we want to do something good for God we just have to remember that Satan will try to stop us.   Through faith we persevere to grow our faith.  

Do you know Jesus intellectually? Or, has He revealed Himself to you spiritually? Luke 23-24

Luke 24:16
But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

In the aftermath of the crucifixion, some of the most important doctrines and teaching of the church are revealed.  Perhaps none more as important as the truth we see in the above passage.   The verse is taken out of the middle of the story of the two men who were walking on the road out of Jerusalem, only to be joined, unknowingly, by the resurrected Jesus.  As Jesus pretended to know nothing about the crucifixion events, these men were amazed at His lack of being "in-touch" with the story of the day ... of the century.   However, for a couple of guys who seemed to know the whole story, they still did not recognize Jesus.  Why?  Because Jesus had not revealed Himself to them.   This entire section contains example after example of Jesus revealing Himself to people so that they would believe in Him.  Each time HE INITIATES the revelation.    He broke down the Scripture for these men and they eventually were allowed by Jesus to see Him.   Jesus did the same thing for the disciples later.   These passages teach us that the revelation of Jesus is totally dependent upon Jesus making Himself known.   When we seek Him, He must be the one who reveals Himself to us.   He does so through the Scripture and the ministry of the Spirit.   When we approach God we need to do so, at His mercy and His revelation.   He will reveal Himself to us.   We simply approach by faith, not by our intellect.  These men and the disciples knew intellectually what had happened.   But, they needed Jesus to reveal Himself to them spiritually.  

Do you know where life comes from? Ezekiel 36-42

Ezekiel 37:10

So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

In this chapter of Ezekiel we have the story of the dry bones that come to life.   Ezekiel is brought to a valley and in the valley are the dead bones of where men were laid to rest.  Ezekiel was told to prophesy over the bones and God, by His Word, would bring the bones together, bone to bone.  God when then cover them with flesh.   But, they still would have no life.   God would have to bring the life into them.   For them to have life, Ezekiel was to prophecy over the bones.   That is the only way anything has life ... by The Word of The Lord.    We sometimes think that those who we see have life.    Those who walk around in bone and flesh, might even think they have life.   But, it is God who gives life.   Jesus came to give us life.   Note what Jesus said below:

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

It is God who gives life.   We don't make it and produce it.  Only God can give real life and breath in us.   In is through God's Word we were created and it is through God's Word we have life.   We don't make it on our own.  We don't produce our own breath.   God and God alone gives us life.    He does that through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.   Through faith we experience this life as we walk by faith in the ministry of the Spirit.   

Did you know that God protects those He declares rigtheous? Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:6 (NASV)
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked.

When we think of protection we might think of law enforcement coming to our aide.  Or, we might think of the secret service who guard our dignitaries.  We might even think of a mother who watches over her children.   In the above verse we are told that those who find themselves blameless are being guarded by "righteousness."  In contrast the wicked (not blameless) are overthrown by their sin.   This truth is the essence of the Proverbs.   Those who, by faith in God, are believers and are declared blameless by Him, will find themselves protected by that very righteousness they have been given.   But, those who reject Him and remain in their sin will find that their sin is the very thing that hunts them and haunts them.  We are protected when we believe in His righteousness for us.   We are guarded by He who is Righteous.  

Did you know you can trust God's Word? Psalm 87-89

Psalms 89:33-35 (NASB Strong's Bible Text)

“But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness. “My covenant I will not violate, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. “Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David.

Here we have the beauty of reading God's Word and knowing we can believe it.  There is NO other place we can turn to something written and put complete trust in the veracity of the content.  But, God does NOT LIE.   He is true in what He says, all the time.  In the above passage we have His promise to King David to be truthful in regard to what He says to David and what He says about David.    We can't trust anyone in regard to what they say.    Only God is truthful in every word.   We can't even trust the ones who love us the most to be completely truthful.  Let's praise God for His faithfulness and take His Word for granted.  We can fully believe it and trust it and live by it ... it is God's true Word.  

Do you know that God uses His priests for outside work? 2 Kings 16-20

2 Kings 17:27-28 (NASB)

Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, “Take there one of the priests whom you carried away into exile and let him go and live there; and let him teach them the custom of the god of the land.” So one of the priests whom they had carried away into exile from Samaria came and lived at Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord.

After the nation of Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians they put other nations into their capital city: Samaria.   Since these nations did not fear God, or even know God, they would abuse the land that God had originally given to Israel.   To stop them from their abuse of the land God sent lions among them to punish them.   The King of Assyria decided to teach those he sent to Samaria the things of God.    To do so he sent a priest, that had originally been taken captive and brought to Assyria, back to Samaria to teach these nations about the things of God and how to Fear The Lord.   Later, in this same passage, we will see that although they did learn how to fear The Lord, they would also continue to serve their own gods.   Never-the-less, this priest had an obligation to teach them about God.   He was sent to his own country to teach non-believers about his God and a God they did not want to honor.   God uses His people in these ways.   God is in the business of teaching, even non-believers, about His ways.  If they don't obey and continue to worship their own gods, that is not the priest's issue.   The priest is to teach God's Word, no matter where and no matter what the result.    Sometimes God takes a man meant for the temple to teach in the trenches.   

Do you know who sanctifies us? Leviticus 19-21

Leviticus 21:8 (NASBStr)

You shall consecrate him, therefore, for he offers the food of your God; he shall be holy to you; for I the Lord, who sanctifies you, am holy.

There is a lot of debate today in the Christian world about the concept of Sanctification.   The word means, especially in the N.T., to set something aside for holiness ... to cleanse something for God.  Or, in this case, by God.   There are some who think that after they come to God in "salvation" it is their works - the things they now do as believers - that sanctify them.   There are others who see sanctification as a "joint" effort between God and Man:  He does His part and we do our part.   It would be easy to read all these laws in Leviticus and conclude that we are to work our our way to sanctification.  Yet, that is not what God is saying.  In the above passage God makes it clear who does the sanctification.   He says it here, about the priest, and also in verses 15 and 23 of this same chapter.   He is the LORD, who sanctifies you!!   In Leviticus 20:8 he said the same thing about the entire nation of Israel.   God is the one who sanctifies.   There is nothing else in the verse that dictates any other belief.    The nation of Israel (and many more today) turned the Law into a list of things you do to earn your righteousness and sanctification.   But, no man can do all this.   In the above passage God was telling them that He would sanctify them.   The doing of the Law flows from God doing something in our lives.   When we come to Him in faith He works in us to do His good will.   That is what the ministry of the Holy Spirit did then and does now.   It is God who saves us (justification).  It is God who continues to clean us (sanctification).  

What is your mind set upon? Colossians 3-4

Colossians 3:2-4 (NASBStr)

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Dissecting Biblical passages is like in biology class dissecting a frog .... good for learning, bad for the frog.   The same is true when we take apart a passage like the above.  By separating verses two-four from verse one we are going to lose some of the thrust of Paul's intent ... the Holy Spirit's intent ... as we try to grasp the message.   Paul is telling us, that now that we are believers, we have the ability to direct our minds.  We can infer from this passage that there are some believers who were, or are, setting their minds on earthly things.  Things that matter little in life and are temporal in meaning.   We have to remember that Paul is writing to new believers (most believers in the New Testament were NEW) and that they were being tempted to believe false teachings about moral areas of their lives.  Paul is telling that if if they want to maintain a life that is acceptable in God's eyes, they must begin to think different about how they live, why they live and what is important or what matters in life.   The way to change the way we walk is to change the way we think.  God was a cognitive behaviorist before it was cool.  Yet, God takes the whole matter one step farther.  It is not simply they way you think that changes  your behavior, but what you believe and where you place  your trust.   Paul is telling us, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, that we need to believe God to change our minds the same way we believed God to change our eternal status.   God has the power (and is the only one with the power) to change our mind, like He changed our heart.    As we then begin to set out mind on God's things we can be sure that our moral behavior will follow.   A change in walk and talk can only happen as I all God to change the heart AND the mind.   

Do you know how to be a great leader? Luke 21-22

Luke 22:24-26 (NASBStr)

 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors. ’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

Leadership among the Gentiles during the Lord's time on earth was very much a power and prestige reality.   As stated by The Lord above, the leaders would "lord" it over them (others).   These "leaders" had authority and would use it to abuse others.  Even Roman soldiers, being under orders from those of higher rank, could and would compel mere men to carry their equipment for them.   The disciples, like others, were caught up with this same aspect of self-importance and "I'm-large-and-in-charge" mentality.   They had this mind set because they believed Jesus was about to become King of their universe and was about to put down the Roman rule.  They knew they have followed Jesus and left everything behind.  Now, in their minds, it was time to claim the prize .... leadership positions in the new kingdom.    Yet, Jesus totally turns their minds upside down.   He gives them a new interpretation of how leadership should be viewed.   He wants them to be servants!!   This would have been totally against their mindset.   Yet, just prior to this conversation (during the Last Supper) Jesus had just finished washing their feet.   Jesus had given them a great example of how to lead ... by serving.    Jesus did want them to have positions in the Kingdom He had come to establish.  Their desire was not wrong, by their method was.   Jesus didn't tell them to NOT seek leadership.  Jesus told them to NOT seek it that way.   Leadership today seeks to be first.  They get the biggest offices, the most money and the largest seats at the table with the biggest titles.   Yet, that is not what Jesus tells us.  He tells us that we ought to seek to be servants.  To get on our hands and knees and wash the feet of others.   Whoever is the servant of all will be the ultimate follower of Jesus and the best leader.  If the God of the Universe can wash the feet of others, why can't we?  If the Son of God can give His life to ransom others, why can't we.   We must cease from our self-important attitudes and find a place serving others.  

How do you measure the success of a ministry? Ezekiel 31-36

Ezekiel 33:31-33 (NASBStr)

They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them. So when it comes to pass — as surely it will—then they will know that a prophet has been in their midst.”

Ezekiel, like most prophets, did not have a lot of visual evidence of his success.  Like most prophets, he spoke and people listened, but seldom obeyed.    Such was the life of the prophet.   Today's modern pastor or ministry would not survey much under those guidelines.  We are very, very "results" oriented.  Not just in ministry, but in all of life.  A business must show visual signs of success if it hopes to maintain a business plan.  Imagine a restaurant that has very few patrons.  People won't eat where there is not a crowd.  So, too, ministry.  Churches that lack numbers tend to die.   The pastor may be preaching the word in sincerity and truth.   Growth, internally, may be taking place.  However, if we can visual see signs of success we won't think God is there.  So, we see in the above passage that Ezekiel often had very few converts to a God inspired and directed message.    It would only be until later that he would be known as a prophet of God.   The real test of a ministry is the longevity and the legacy of it, not the immediate impact.  God is not a flash in the pan God.   He provides a message.  People don't readily hear it or obey it.  That does not diminish the message or the ministry.    It won't be until later that people know that the God of the Universe had spoken to them.  

Do you know what your "wages" actually deliver? Proverbs 11-12

Proverbs 11:18 (NASBStr)

The wicked earns deceptive wages,

But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

In Romans we are told that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.    The concept of "wages" earned in God's Word is very familiar.  Solomon gives us further insight with the above proverb.    The "wicked" earn what they get.  Since they are, by nature, deceptive in their lives, they work and earn wages, that are equally deceptive.    In Proverbs 1:14 we here the wicked crying to the naive ones to toss in their money into their pockets and they will have "one" purse.   That deception will cost the naive everything.   The wicked thinks the things they are earning for their work (done in wicked ways and not for the glory of God) will last.  But, like putting money in a purse with holes, it will only deceive.   In contrast we have the picture of the one who is declared righteous by God.   They may have little temporal or material to show for their work, but their reward is great and it is true.   A "true" reward is better than a "great" reward, however.   The word "true" here is used 120 plus times in the Old Testament.   It means something that is faithful.   So, the reward of the righteous is the opposite of deceptive.  It is a faithful reward.   Whereas the wicked and never be sure what their wages will deliver, the righteous (those who's faith is in Christ) can rejoice that they have a steadfast, faithful and sure reward that will always deliver.      

Do you know the advantage of putting your strength in God? Psalm 84-86

Psalms 84:5-7 (NASBStr)

How blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

In whose heart are the highways to Zion!

 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;

The early rain also covers it with blessings.

 They go from strength to strength,

 Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

In our own strength men can do nothing.  It is only through the strength of God that we can accomplish anything valuable to God ... anything that merits His favor.   We tend to want to go through life in our strength, talent, skill-set, knowledge, or capacity.    Yet, in the above verses the writers of this Psalm (the Sons of Korah ... little fame-big message) give us the formula for how to succeed in life.    When we put our faith in God for our strength we will have our hearts changed.  No longer will we seek a road for ourselves, but our hearts will be changed to desire the highway to Zion (the symbol of where God abides).   When we seek out strength in Him through faith even as we travel through the Valley of Bacca (a symbol of a place of tears) we will see it turned into a spring of refreshment.   From tears to a shower of blessings is the life we have when we put our faith in God for strength.   It is important, as the writer reminds us in the last two lines, above, that the strength we have today is not sufficient for tomorrow.   The Just must "live" by faith.  So, to live by faith we trust today and tomorrow ... from strength to strength.   Those who find their strength in Him are blessed in all ways. 

Did you know that God can use dead bodies to bring someone to life? 2 Kings 11-15

2 Kings 13:20-21 (NASBStr)

Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year. As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.

These two verses mark the end of Elisha's life.    These also convey one of the more unusual stories in God's Word.    After Elisha's death and burial apparently another dead man was quickly tossed into a grave alongside the dead body of Elisha.  It doesn't say how long Elisha was dead and buried, but, because it mentions his "bones" in the grave we can assume his body was there for some time.   When the dead man's body touched the dead bones of Elisha the Spirit of God was so, still, relaying power for good.   We know that the Spirit gives life (John 6:63 - "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.")   The purpose of the story might have several reasons to be added to this chronicles of the Kings' reigning.   One purpose is to remind us that it was not Elisha that had power, but the Spirit of God through Elisha.   God doesn't need men, He chooses to use them.    God can even use dead bones to do His work.   This story is a reminder to keep it all in perspective.   The second lesson here is that when God uses a man, death doesn't stop that use.   God continues to work through us, even when we are dead.  In this case it was Elisha's bones.  In Paul's life it was his writing and letters.   In the case of the widow who poured perfume on Jesus feet it was that act that would be talked about even today.  In the case of Abel it was his blood that cried out.   God doesn't need live bodies to do His work.   God can use anything to bring others to life.  Even me.  

Do you worship any goats? Leviticus 16-18

Leviticus 17:7 (NASBStr)

They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations.”’

In everyone's life we have things we worship and honor that are displeasing to God.  The nation of Israel had come to believe (by listening and observing the way the heathen nation's worshipped) that the spirit world should be worshiped and the symbol of their power was the goat.   Who really knows why they believed that.   But, then again, why do people worship their jobs, their family, their possessions, their prestige, their bodies, a feeling they get and want to return, their whatever?   It is so easy to put something in front of God.   To the Israelites it is the assumed power of a goat, to Wall Street is the allusion that there is power in money.    God established the system of worship that would remind the nation to honor Him and Him alone.   Today, the power of worship does the same thing for us.  If we, by faith, pursue a worship experience over that of our feelings, desires and fleshly power through the power of Jesus and the filling of the Spirit (Colossians 1:9-12).   If we do not, God sees this as we are playing the harlot.   When we say that we are betrothed to God and worship something else, we are committing adultery.   God has given us His Son and wants us to worship Him to keeps us from worshipping the goats of our lives.  

Do you know the formula for getting strong in the faith? Colossians 1-2

Colossians 1:9-12 (NASBStr)

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

In the book of Colossians, Paul is writing to a group of believers and is encouraging them to grow in their faith so as to avoid being swept away by the man false teachers who had landed among them.   In the opening chapter he is celebrating their new faith and then immediately, via the above verses, begins his mission of shoring up their faith for the purpose of strengthening them.  Notice the order of where their strength comes.  He doesn't start out and tell them to make a decision or be strong or to "act" in some way to safeguard against false teachers.  He begins by saying he is "asking" (praying to God) that they might first and foremost be "filled" with the knowledge about God's will, getting from God wisdom and understanding.   If we read on from there we see that they will need this wisdom and understanding (only obtained via faith through prayer) "so that" their walk is changed.   We don't change our walk without first deepening our faith.   Paul could have started out saying that in order to avoid being swept away by false teachers they should increase their Christian walk .... start to bear fruit.   Yet, he doesn't.   He does want their walk to be strengthened and he does tell them that more fruit is needed.  But, the equation is first and foremost that they be filled, by faith through prayer, with more wisdom and understanding of God's will.  They they will will have the walk, the fruit, the strength and the power to withstand false teachers.    Make no mistake, the power we need for a great walk in the Christian faith has to do with the faith we have, no the energy we have.    At the end of these verses Paul tells us that this will all result in steadfastness, patience, joy, thankfulness to the Father. who has qualified us for our inheritance.   The energy and effectiveness of our walk has to do with our continuing out Christianity in faith.  Not in works, but in faith.   

Do you know what it looks like when the gospel enters your heart? Luke 19-20

Luke 19:8-9 (NASBStr)

Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

The gospel is available to all and will be evident in all when applied to the life via faith.   The above story of the small tax-collector, Zaccheus, is an example of this truth.    Zaccheus had "heard" about Jesus and had scurried up a tree to see Jesus, because his natural stature had prevented him from seeing over the crowds.  It is no doubt that during his life he had often climbed onto something to see.   God had made him short but he had learned to compensate for that.   However, he was not able to compensate for his sin.  He was a sinner and everyone knew it.   In fact, because he was such a well known sinner, the religious leaders objected to Jesus going to his house.   Yet, Jesus came just for that reason ... to save sinners.    When Zaccheus recognizes the power of Jesus and his authority he immediately realizes his sin and demonstrates a change of heart.   The passage tells us that he was very wealthy and that he was a chief tax-collector.  That means, by what we know of that world, he was a very corrupt man.    Yet, when coming to Christ he tells Jesus he is ready and willing to give half of his wealth to the poor (a group a tax-collector would not have any familiar relationships with) and, IF he had defrauded anyone, he was willing to pay back four-times the amount.    Here is a man who has gotten the gospel.  This is what the gospel does and should do.  It should change the way we do business and the way we think about how we live our lives.    Zaccheus was not only willing to come to the aide of others, something he would never have done, he was willing to go back and make restitution where he should.    This is a change in thinking based upon a change of relationship.   That is the affect of the Gospel of Christ.   

Did you know God knows those who mock and mistreat His people and will act on that knowledge? Ezekiel 25-30

Ezekiel 25:6-7 (NASBStr)

For thus says the Lord God, “Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the scorn of your soul against the land of Israel, therefore, behold, I have stretched out My hand against you and I will give you for spoil to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from the lands; I will destroy you. Thus you will know that I am the Lord.”

In Ezekiel 25-30 God is telling the prophet about the many nations He is going to judge.  He is going to judge them for the way they treated His people, Israel.   Since they took advantage of Israel, even when Israel was being punished by God,  It matters not the state of God's people, it is not up to the wicked of the world to take out their judgement and abuse on them.   God cherishes His people. He does discipline them and He does chastise them.   But, He also protects them and takes vengeance out on those who abuse them.   We are not to worry about the vengeance.   God will take care of that portion for us.  What we need to know from the above verse is that God has knowledge of how others treat His people and He will judge those who falsely judge His people.   For us that is a great resting truth.  Others may mock, scourge and/or persecute us.   But, God sees it all and will take vengeance out on them for it.   These passage should be a terror to those who would mock believers and ridicule them.   God will and does take notice.  For us, it is good.  For them, it is terror.  

Do you know what happens when you only talk and don't listen? Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:8 (NASBStr)

The wise of heart will receive commands,

But a babbling fool will be ruined.

If you are so busy talking with your lips you might not realize the direction of your feet!! This seems to be the point of Solomon's words in the above proverb.   Those who are wise will take commands and even seek out instruction.  They stop to listen to others and are eager to learn ... prior to their walk in life.  Being willing to learn and to be instructed is a major sign of the one who has been made righteous by Christ.  In contrast the counterpart of the righteous, the wicked, is so busy talking and telling others what he thinks he knows, that he doesn't watch the path of his life.   The fool, who has rejected the knowledge of God, will babble (talk endlessly) and simply come into ruin.   His/her talking simply leads to more and more emptiness.    When you refuse to listen to the counsel of God you fill the air with noise.  That noise, however, will not prevent the wandering of your feet ... wandering that will eventually fall into ruin.   Talk is cheap ... that phrase was utter by Solomon via this proverb centuries before it was heard in our society.  The truth still holds true today.  Stop and listen to the wisdom of others and allow that to correct your walk.   If not, you only have ruin in your path.  

Did you know God holds courts for leaders? Psalm 81-83

Psalms 82:1-2 (NASBStr)

 God takes His stand in His own congregation;

He judges in the midst of the rulers.

 How long will you judge unjustly

And show partiality to the wicked?

Selah.

In Psalm 82 we have a Psalm of Asaph that seems to be written in regard to God holding a meeting with rulers.   We don't know if these are physical leaders, spiritual leaders, angelic leaders, or political leaders.  We don't know if this is metaphorical as though He were holding a meeting in picture form of all leaders, or if this is similar to the time when God held a meeting with the angelic host and Satan came before God to present himself and challenge God about Job.    What we do know from the above text is that God is standing.  In most of God's Word we read that God is sitting on His throne.  In this passage He is standing over the other rulers.   God is the supreme ruler of the universe and all others submit to Him, no matter their categorical description.   Another obvious aspect of this passage is that God knows the rulers and can call their attention and demand their response at any time He chooses.   Although some of the rulers of this world may not submit to that thought, it is never-the-less still true.   A third area of inference in the above passage is that some leaders are unjust, which is the main theme of the chapter.   These leaders, whoever they are, are not following just practices.  That would lead us to believe they are earthly leaders.  They are showing partiality to the wicked.  They are not judging in righteousness.   The sole responsibility of leaders is to uphold righteousness.   God is observant of leaders and when they refuse to honor righteousness they are brought before God to be reminded of their responsibility and judgement if they don't carry out God's character in their leadership.   God holds all responsible, but especially those in ruling authority.  Whether they recognize it or not.  

Did you know how quick God can turn things around? 1 Kings 6-10

2 Kings 7:1-2 (NASBStr)

 Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the Lord; thus says the Lord, ‘ Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. ’” The royal officer on whose hand the king was leaning answered the man of God and said, “Behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Then he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.”

How quickly things can turn when you trust in an awesome and mighty God.  In the above story the King of Amram had besieged Samaria and the city was fully shut-up.   There was so little food and water that the people began to do unheard of things.  In the previous chapter we are told two women agreed to boil and eat their children to fill their bellies.   When the King of Samaria sends a messenger to Elisha the above message is what he hears.   If you read the rest of the chapter you will see that this is exactly what happened.   The King of Samaria was not known for his Godliness.   Or, for his faith at all.   He had passed this trait onto those who worked for him, i.e. this messenger.   The messenger did not believe Elisha that things could turn from so bad to so good in less than 24-hours.    Yet, with God that is exactly what can and does happened.  God is able to turn things around in an instant.   When the nation of Israel complained that they wanted "meat' in the desert, God flew some quail in from the sea.   When Abraham was about to offer Isaac on the alter God instantly provided a lamb, apparently just caught in thicket.   When Daniel was tossed into the lions den, suddenly the lions didn't feel hungry.   Just when his enemies thought they have disposed of Daniel and were now at the top of wise-man-chart, the lions suddenly became hungry and ate them.   In less than 24-hours Daniel went from the lion's den to the king's den, all as a part of God's grace.   In our above story the messenger from the King of Samaria would see that Elisha was right but would die before he enjoyed the celebration as the siege was lifted.  How often do we give up just as God is providing relief?  How often do we fail to realize that God can turn the fortunes of man around quickly and clearly?   When God is in control it is not a matter of IF God will change mis-fortune.   It is only a matter of WHEN.  

Would you go "outside" the camp to work with a leper? Leviticus 13-15

Leviticus 14:2-3 (NASBStr)

“This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing. Now he shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go out to the outside of the camp. Thus the priest shall look, and if the infection of leprosy has been healed in the leper,

To protect the entire nation against a wide spread epidemic God gives them extensive instructions on how to handle infections and the early signs of diseases.   He gives these instructions to the priests, as they were God's ministers during these days of Israel.   In the above passage we see that the priest was to be notified about the leper, who, at the time had already been placed outside the camp to avoid a spread of the sickness.  If you were the priest you understood the instructions and you were ready to obey them.  However, you would have to have a level of faith to step outside the camp into these situations.   Those who minister for God have always had this responsibility ... to go to those outside the camp to minister to them.  They, too, have also had to have faith that God would protect them in these situations when they where asked to minister to the "outsiders."   When God requires the work He protects and enables the faith to do so.   God gave direct responsibility to the priest and they were to step into these situations in exact faith, knowing that God would use them when asking them to do so.   So, too, with us, when we are asked to step on the outside and work with those who are in extreme sickness, diseases, or situations of danger.  God protects His ministers.   

Do you know how to act when your poor or rich? Philippians 3-4

Philippians 4:11-13 (NASBStr)

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

We tend to live our lives in extremes.  We have an all or nothing mentality.   In this passage we see Paul take the two extremes of living in regard to material things and gives us a sense of balance and understanding.   The Christian life is not characterized by the amount of material things we have.   It should be characterized by how we respond to material things.   Wether we are abased or amassed we ought to have the same state of mind:  To know that whichever state we find ourselves in, it is Christ who gives us strength.   Wether we are hungry or have more than we need, the state of our mind and being should be the same, it is Christ who is our all and in all.  He gives us the states we are in.  I have personally been bankrupt and blessed with more money than I could imagine.   In one of those deepest times of my life, without material things, I came across this proverb and it has been my life verse in regard to material things:

Proverbs 30:7-9 (NASBStr)

Two things I asked of You,

Do not refuse me before I die:

 Keep deception and lies far from me,

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

Feed me with the food that is my portion,

 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or that I not be in want and steal,

And profane the name of my God.

Let us have the mind of this writer and Paul.   Let's make sure that material things don't move us from know that the one thing that is true and necessary is that it is Christ in us that gives us strength and hope.   

Did you know it takes much faith to do much forgiveness? Luke 17-18

Luke 17:5-6 (NASBStr)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea ’; and it would obey you.

In the context of this passage the above interchange between Jesus and the disciples doesn't quickly appear logically sound.   The disciples were being told to forgive those who sin against them, even if they come and ask repentance seven times.   Yet, the disciples ask nothing about forgiveness, repentance, sin or salvation.    Instead what we read is that they are immediately drawn to ask about faith.   After further examination, however, we see that their question is very logical.  They believed Jesus teaching.   But, to believe His teaching to this extent would require greater faith.  Jesus told them to forgive even if someone repents seven times.   Faith is putting your complete trust in God's Word even though it doesn't seem logically correct.   It is not logical to believe that someone would come back to life from the dead, but by faith we believe it.  It was not logical to believe water would come from a rock, but Moses believed and it did.   It is not logical that we should keep forgiving someone, even if he sins against us seven times.   Forgiveness is about faith in God's Word.  Jesus is telling them to forgive based upon His Word.   Actually, it will be based upon His sacrificial death and atonement, later.   Our forgiveness of others is based upon our belief (faith) that God will produce different results that what the eye and the feelings believe.   To forgive others when they sin constantly against us is to forgive by faith.   Jesus doesn't actually tell them "how" to increase their faith.  He simply affirms their desire for more faith is, indeed, a great request.   Increase of faith can do amazing things, not limited to forgiveness.   Throughout this chapter He will give them ways to increase their faith, but the lesson here is to realize the importance of faith in correlation with forgiveness of others (read the Lord's Prayer again and see the same thing) and that desiring great faith is key to accomplishing much for Christ. 

Do you see the ways God uses us to teach others? Ezekiel 19-24

Ezekiel 24:18-19 (NASBStr)

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded. The people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us?”

The life of the Man of God is not always filled with a great big church full of obedient people seeking hard after God and singing His praises faithfully.  Sometimes the Man of God is used for a sign to the disobedient believer and is given a hard life to follow.   Jeremiah spent as much time in the pit as he did in the Palace.    Isaiah found the word of God faithful but the people not but preached faithfully to the end.   In the above passage we see the Ezekiel is given a bitter role to play:  His wife is going to be taken by God AND he is not allowed to mourn over that taking!!   He is to be an example to the nation that God is about to take what they love (their freedom) and they are not to mourn about it, because it, too, is the will of God.   In the case of the nation of Israel, they deserve to have their freedom taken for all the abominations they committed in the land.  But, Ezekiel's wife did nothing.  She and her husband had a greater calling than living their life out in retirement.  They were created to be used as examples to the God's people to convey God's love and judgment.   Think about that in regard to our modern ministry dynamics.  We see "success" in the ministry as packed pews and glorious celebrations.   When we see a Man of God struggling and having difficulty in their ministry we don't even think that maybe God is using this as an example to teach us something.   God uses His people to fulfill His word.   That might look exciting (like Solomon) but that might look dreary (like Ezekiel).   Joseph's life was not a prize we would like to win, yet, he as exactly where God wanted him.    Don't judge success on what you see, but on what God can do with what you see.  

Do you listen to wisdom or folly? Proverbs 8-9

Proverbs 8:34 (NASBStr)

“ Blessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at my doorposts.

Sitting at Wisdom's door is better than sitting at Folly's table. Wisdom wants to bless us and will do so if we but call and stay close to her house. But, when we cross over the street to the house of Folly we have negative consequences. Although Wisdom is available to all, all don't take advantage of her. Some want the loud and enticing house of Folly. But, it is better to simply be at Wisdom's door (Proverbs 8:34) than to dwell in the house of Folly (Proverbs 9:13-18).  How easy the choice is to pen ... or type out.  How hard is it to live out.   Notice in Romans 7:15-25 that Paul, the great Apostle, struggled to get his flesh to follow hard after righteousness.   King David sat one late night on the roof of the very house these proverbs would eventually be penned by his own son.   Even though God would describe David as a "man after My own heart," David would seek folly that night and sleep with a women married to one of  his soldiers.   Abraham would listen to his wife and instead of believing in the promise of God would sleep with the handmaid, hoping to fulfill God's promise via the flesh way.   It takes great faith to "watch" and "wait" at Wisdom's door.    The flesh will be drawn away to something enticing and exciting.   But, when we sit quietly and listen to wisdom, she promises we will be blessed.   

Do we tempt God with our dissatisfaction? Psalm 78-80

Psalms 78:19-22 (NASBStr)

Then they spoke against God;

They said, “ Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

 “Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out,

And streams were overflowing;

Can He give bread also?

Will He provide meat for His people?”

 Therefore the Lord heard and was full of wrath;

And a fire was kindled against Jacob

And anger also mounted against Israel,

 Because they did not believe in God

And did not trust in His salvation.

How does God feel about our unbelief?  How does He feel about our lack of faith that He can save, through all things?  How does He feel when we are not satisfied with what we have and we want more?   In the above verses of Aspah's 78th Psalm we can see the answer to these questions.   God is not pleased with us when we lack faith.  In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that "without faith it is impossible to please God."   The above verses are exhibit A for that thought and truth.   The nation of Israel, despite the visual signs of God's awesome power, had a disbelief that God could meet their every need.  They had the attitude that sounded like this: "Well, God might be able to have water come from a rock but can He give us meat to eat when we are in this terrible desert?"   That temptation was an act of unbelief.   God had already demonstrated countless times His power.  Yet, they lacked something THEY WANTED and that demonstrated their lack of faith.  God does not take pleasure in our discontentment or our unbelief.   We need to make sure we have faith in God based upon His promises, HIs past practices and the pleasure He takes in caring for His sheep.   There is NO reason to question God or test Him.  We simply need to believe Him.  

Do you believe God can provide enough that you have "some left over?" 2 Kings 1-4

2 Kings 4:42-44 (NASBStr)

Now a man came from Baal- shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And he said, “ Give them to the people that they may eat.” His attendant said, “What, will I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left over. ’” So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.

This story is a precursor to Jesus feeding the 4,000 and the 5,000.  In the above story the prophet Elisha wanted his attendant, Gehazi, to give twenty loaves of bread to a town of people.   Gehazi, who will eventually prove to lack faith and have selfish motives, questioned Elisha's words.  He didn't have enough faith to know that God will provide more than enough if we have the faith to believe it.  In this section the prophets didn't hear Elisha has for a "double-portion" of the Spirit that was upon Elijah.   The widow only gather a few jars and therefore the oil ran out.   Here, the servant thinks God's provision will run out.  But, Elisha knew he had a double portion of the Spirit.  He knew nothing would run out.   Today we have the Holy Spirit completely indwelling us and yet we are powerless.   We don't believe what we have is enough to give us victory over sin.   When I sin it is because I don't remember to call upon the power that is within, given by Christ though the Spirit of God.   We have to realize that with the Holy Spirit there will always have "some left over."