Proverbs 10:18 (NASBStr)
He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.
Subject: Truth
We might tend to ask, which is worse? The person who hides that they hate by being false in their friendship or the person who spreads gossip about another? That Solomon penned this proverb is noteworthy. He must have noticed that these two culprits play out in most of our lives at one time or another. We all are going to have times when we experience both poor behaviors. Perhaps our answer to the above question is determined by our own experiences. Perhaps we could learned, somehow, to value one over the other. However, according to Proverbs both he who feigns friendship and he who spreads gossip are both the fool. Foolishness is in the heart of each of these people. They reject truth (wisdom) so they are left with hiding it when it would be wise to discuss the hatred and revealing untruth in its place. Both are full of malice. Both have their source in foolishness. Both are equally damaging. You can pick your poison if you want, but Solomon tells us they are both evil. Solomon is telling us to operate in truth in ever situation we encounter. If we have a struggle with another, talk to them about it. Don't feign friendship when it is not there. If we have something to say to someone, or about someone, talk to THEM and don't slander them to others. Truth wins!! Speak the truth in love.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Subject: Sin and the Stubborn Heart - Psalm 81-83
Psalms 81:11-14 (ESV Strong's)
“But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
Subject: Sin and the Stubborn Heart
When we disobey God and refuse to hear His Word, what is left? What is the result of such a choice? God holds all truth and is willing, ready, able and desirous to bless us. However, when we sin (refusing to hear and obey God's Word is sin) God has no other choice than to release us to our own stubborn hearts. What else can He do? In the above passage we se that God desire to bless us by protecting us from evil men and their evil ways. But, He can't and won't if we are not willing to submit to His rule. Man is surprised that evil happens in this world, yet, does not want to submit to God as an alternative. God wants to protect us from evil men, but only if we are willing to follow Him in faith. Once God releases a man to his stubborn heart, there is nothing left for that man than hardship and difficulty. But, pride keeps man from following in faith. A stubborn heart is one that if full of self and refuses to submit to the God of the universe ... who only wants to bless.
“But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
Subject: Sin and the Stubborn Heart
When we disobey God and refuse to hear His Word, what is left? What is the result of such a choice? God holds all truth and is willing, ready, able and desirous to bless us. However, when we sin (refusing to hear and obey God's Word is sin) God has no other choice than to release us to our own stubborn hearts. What else can He do? In the above passage we se that God desire to bless us by protecting us from evil men and their evil ways. But, He can't and won't if we are not willing to submit to His rule. Man is surprised that evil happens in this world, yet, does not want to submit to God as an alternative. God wants to protect us from evil men, but only if we are willing to follow Him in faith. Once God releases a man to his stubborn heart, there is nothing left for that man than hardship and difficulty. But, pride keeps man from following in faith. A stubborn heart is one that if full of self and refuses to submit to the God of the universe ... who only wants to bless.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Subject: Fear - 2 Kings 6-10
2 Kings 7:6 (ESV Strong's)
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us.”
Subject: Fear
At the time of the above verse, the Syrian army had besieged Samaria, the capital city of the ten northern tribes, Israel. During the time of the siege people were actually eating dung and killing their own children to eat them (see 2 Kings 6:24-31). Elisha, however, prophecied that in a single day the circumstances would change. He told the Captain of the guard of the King that in one single day food would be cheap to buy. The Captain did not believe Elisha. In the above verse we see what God did. Despite the size and power of the Syrian army, God caused them to "hear" the sounds of chariots and horses. At the "sound" of this invisible army the Syrian army ran away and left all their goods (including food) behind. Elisha's prophecy came true. God did not use an army, however. He simply used the sound of an army. God can use the "fear" inside man to accomplish the plans He has for His people. God used fear in the hearts of the Egyptians to set the nation of Israel free from being their slaves. God used fear in the heart of Rehab to conquer Jericho. God uses fear to accomplish His tasks. God can strike fear into any heart using any means. Believers have nothing, however, to fear. Note what John tells us about fear and God's love:
1 John 4:17-18 (ESV Strong's)
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
When we know that God loves us, we don't have to have fear. Because we know that God loves us we know that whatever God allows into our lives is because of that love, therefore, there is nothing to fear. God can bring torment to the unbeliever's life (see Psalm 83:13-18), but will not allow torment to the believer. We have nothing to fear.
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us.”
Subject: Fear
At the time of the above verse, the Syrian army had besieged Samaria, the capital city of the ten northern tribes, Israel. During the time of the siege people were actually eating dung and killing their own children to eat them (see 2 Kings 6:24-31). Elisha, however, prophecied that in a single day the circumstances would change. He told the Captain of the guard of the King that in one single day food would be cheap to buy. The Captain did not believe Elisha. In the above verse we see what God did. Despite the size and power of the Syrian army, God caused them to "hear" the sounds of chariots and horses. At the "sound" of this invisible army the Syrian army ran away and left all their goods (including food) behind. Elisha's prophecy came true. God did not use an army, however. He simply used the sound of an army. God can use the "fear" inside man to accomplish the plans He has for His people. God used fear in the hearts of the Egyptians to set the nation of Israel free from being their slaves. God used fear in the heart of Rehab to conquer Jericho. God uses fear to accomplish His tasks. God can strike fear into any heart using any means. Believers have nothing, however, to fear. Note what John tells us about fear and God's love:
1 John 4:17-18 (ESV Strong's)
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
When we know that God loves us, we don't have to have fear. Because we know that God loves us we know that whatever God allows into our lives is because of that love, therefore, there is nothing to fear. God can bring torment to the unbeliever's life (see Psalm 83:13-18), but will not allow torment to the believer. We have nothing to fear.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Subject: Suffering and Holiness - Leviticus 13-15
Leviticus 13:45-46 (ESV Strong's)
“The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.
Subject: Suffering and Holiness
This section is Leviticus is about a leprous disease that comes upon a person and therefore jeopardizes the entire nation. Since there was limited medical facilities (none) the priest became the main resource to contain the problem. It should be noted that the leprous person is not accused of sinning to contract such a disease. There is time in the Scripture where disobedience to God would result in a leprous affliction (see the story of Miriam's rebellion in Numbers 20), but this was not always the case. There is no indication in this section that leprosy was a result of sin. This section is simply showing us what they nation had to do when a disease comes into the camp. The main treatment was isolation and prayer for God to heal this person. There was no medical procedure prescribed by God. The above verse gives us the treatment. The priest did not treat the leprosy. The priest simply protected the rest of the nation from contracting it. When you have over a million people leaving in tents in the wilderness for 40 years, you have to have some way to protect the whole from the disease of the few. God could have given the priest a medical prescription. Why didn't He? Why isolation? I wish I knew the answer that question. I do know that this being "alone" with a disease, "outside" the camp must have been a social stigma. Imagine if that was the solution today for people with incurable diseases. God had a purpose and this was His design. We might no know the reason, but God wanted to sanctify the nation and keep it pure. At the end of this section God gives us HIS reason:
Leviticus 15:31 (ESV Strong's)
“Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.”
God's holiness and purity is always the main thing.
“The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.
Subject: Suffering and Holiness
This section is Leviticus is about a leprous disease that comes upon a person and therefore jeopardizes the entire nation. Since there was limited medical facilities (none) the priest became the main resource to contain the problem. It should be noted that the leprous person is not accused of sinning to contract such a disease. There is time in the Scripture where disobedience to God would result in a leprous affliction (see the story of Miriam's rebellion in Numbers 20), but this was not always the case. There is no indication in this section that leprosy was a result of sin. This section is simply showing us what they nation had to do when a disease comes into the camp. The main treatment was isolation and prayer for God to heal this person. There was no medical procedure prescribed by God. The above verse gives us the treatment. The priest did not treat the leprosy. The priest simply protected the rest of the nation from contracting it. When you have over a million people leaving in tents in the wilderness for 40 years, you have to have some way to protect the whole from the disease of the few. God could have given the priest a medical prescription. Why didn't He? Why isolation? I wish I knew the answer that question. I do know that this being "alone" with a disease, "outside" the camp must have been a social stigma. Imagine if that was the solution today for people with incurable diseases. God had a purpose and this was His design. We might no know the reason, but God wanted to sanctify the nation and keep it pure. At the end of this section God gives us HIS reason:
Leviticus 15:31 (ESV Strong's)
“Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.”
God's holiness and purity is always the main thing.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Subject: God's Provision - Philippians 3-4
Philippians 4:19 (ESV Strong's)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Subject: God's Provision
When we are new to the faith, this verse is a deep leap into the darkness. We know, or at least believe, that God can save our souls from hell, but we struggle that if we give our lives and resources to God, He can meet our physical needs. When you think of that logic it is somewhat funny. When the Pharisees were questioning Jesus about His power to heal the body or forgive sins, Jesus asked them which is harder (the implication being that forgiving sins makes Him God) ... See Matthew 9:1-6. After we have walked by faith for awhile, we can and do see the above text come to life. In the context of the above verse, Paul is thanking the church for being the sole supplier of his physical needs (financially). In the beginning, this church was it!! But, he wanted them to know that God would not forget their sacrifice and labor of giving to him and his ministry. God would supply any need they have. Giving by faith is not so that we get from God. Giving by faith is sacrificial because we believe in the need to further the Gospel. Yet, we should not fear we will have something lacking. God will provide. He does not give us more money necessarily. He does, however, meet our "needs.". Young believer or old believer, we have this to praise God about and believe in.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Subject: God's Provision
When we are new to the faith, this verse is a deep leap into the darkness. We know, or at least believe, that God can save our souls from hell, but we struggle that if we give our lives and resources to God, He can meet our physical needs. When you think of that logic it is somewhat funny. When the Pharisees were questioning Jesus about His power to heal the body or forgive sins, Jesus asked them which is harder (the implication being that forgiving sins makes Him God) ... See Matthew 9:1-6. After we have walked by faith for awhile, we can and do see the above text come to life. In the context of the above verse, Paul is thanking the church for being the sole supplier of his physical needs (financially). In the beginning, this church was it!! But, he wanted them to know that God would not forget their sacrifice and labor of giving to him and his ministry. God would supply any need they have. Giving by faith is not so that we get from God. Giving by faith is sacrificial because we believe in the need to further the Gospel. Yet, we should not fear we will have something lacking. God will provide. He does not give us more money necessarily. He does, however, meet our "needs.". Young believer or old believer, we have this to praise God about and believe in.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Subject: Life and the Kingdom of God - Luke 17-18
Luke 17:33 (ESV Strong's)
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
Subject: Life and the Kingdom of God
To understand the above verse you have to understand the context of what Jesus was talking about when He stated this truth. In fact, you have to go back and discover the question asked by the Pharisees of Jesus to fully understand the truth of losing your life to preserve it and losing your life to keep it. In this same chapter, verse twenty, the Pharisees asked Jesus about when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus' initial reply was, "The Kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say 'Look, here it is!' or 'There?!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.". When the Pharisees (and most of human nature) think about a Kingdom we think about Kings, armies, citizens, castles, power, wealth, and position. So, don't be surprised when the Pharisees real heart's desire is, "What is my position in you God's future kingdom.". That was what the disciples will wonder, as well. Jesus tells them all that the Kingdom of God is not like our thoughts about the kingdom. The Kingdom of God in you midst and you can't recognize it by earthly terms. There is NO position in the Kingdom. In fact, trying to gain you life in the Kingdom of God (promote yourself) is contrary to the Kingdom culture. Kingdom culture is exemplified in Jesus. He came to give His life. Our constant pursuit to promote and to move up the ladder is not a Kingdom of God mindset. That is earthly. Life (with the Kingdom of God view) is not about seeking something for yourself, but about giving something to God and, therefore, others. Giving up you life secures a place in the Kingdom. The Pharisees (and most of us) have it backwards.
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
Subject: Life and the Kingdom of God
To understand the above verse you have to understand the context of what Jesus was talking about when He stated this truth. In fact, you have to go back and discover the question asked by the Pharisees of Jesus to fully understand the truth of losing your life to preserve it and losing your life to keep it. In this same chapter, verse twenty, the Pharisees asked Jesus about when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus' initial reply was, "The Kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say 'Look, here it is!' or 'There?!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.". When the Pharisees (and most of human nature) think about a Kingdom we think about Kings, armies, citizens, castles, power, wealth, and position. So, don't be surprised when the Pharisees real heart's desire is, "What is my position in you God's future kingdom.". That was what the disciples will wonder, as well. Jesus tells them all that the Kingdom of God is not like our thoughts about the kingdom. The Kingdom of God in you midst and you can't recognize it by earthly terms. There is NO position in the Kingdom. In fact, trying to gain you life in the Kingdom of God (promote yourself) is contrary to the Kingdom culture. Kingdom culture is exemplified in Jesus. He came to give His life. Our constant pursuit to promote and to move up the ladder is not a Kingdom of God mindset. That is earthly. Life (with the Kingdom of God view) is not about seeking something for yourself, but about giving something to God and, therefore, others. Giving up you life secures a place in the Kingdom. The Pharisees (and most of us) have it backwards.
Friday, July 1, 2016
Subject: Preaching & Serving God - Ezekiel 19-24
Ezekiel 20:49 (ESV Strong's)
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! They are saying of me, Is he not a maker of parables?’”
Subject: Preaching/Serving/Ministry
Ezekiel has a tough job. He is called to give a message of doom and destruction and disciple (especially in these chapters). Israel (to the north) and Judah (to the south) had played the harlot, spiritually. they had forsaken the Lord their God that had given them everything and gone about worshiping idols - the gods of the surrounding nations. Now God was going to discipline by those same nations and it was Ezekiel who was called to deliver the message to them. In the midst of one of these prophetic events, the above words are composed and recorded by Ezekiel. It gives us some insight into what he might have been feeling. Later, in chapter 24, Ezekiel's wife is going to die and God is going to command Ezekiel to not mourn for her. God is going to use that as an illustration. So, Ezekiel is a fully vested prophet (a mouth-piece for God). Here, in the above verse, we see his concern about how the people around him view him. Like most of us, the Prophet is concerned about what man thinks. This is typical of ministers of God. Yet, God does not seem to respond to Ezekiel's informing God about what people are saying. God is above their ridicule. The Prophet is not. Note the following proverb:
Proverbs 29:25 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Ezekiel is learning the lesson of this proverb. Fearing man is not profitable. Fearing God is. God ignores his fear of man because God has bigger things in store for Ezekiel. God does not want us fearing man. When called upon God to deliver a message it matters not if others dislike the style, delivery, or even the message we bring. Our job is to be obedient to the God we serve and deliver the message we are given to deliver.
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! They are saying of me, Is he not a maker of parables?’”
Subject: Preaching/Serving/Ministry
Ezekiel has a tough job. He is called to give a message of doom and destruction and disciple (especially in these chapters). Israel (to the north) and Judah (to the south) had played the harlot, spiritually. they had forsaken the Lord their God that had given them everything and gone about worshiping idols - the gods of the surrounding nations. Now God was going to discipline by those same nations and it was Ezekiel who was called to deliver the message to them. In the midst of one of these prophetic events, the above words are composed and recorded by Ezekiel. It gives us some insight into what he might have been feeling. Later, in chapter 24, Ezekiel's wife is going to die and God is going to command Ezekiel to not mourn for her. God is going to use that as an illustration. So, Ezekiel is a fully vested prophet (a mouth-piece for God). Here, in the above verse, we see his concern about how the people around him view him. Like most of us, the Prophet is concerned about what man thinks. This is typical of ministers of God. Yet, God does not seem to respond to Ezekiel's informing God about what people are saying. God is above their ridicule. The Prophet is not. Note the following proverb:
Proverbs 29:25 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Ezekiel is learning the lesson of this proverb. Fearing man is not profitable. Fearing God is. God ignores his fear of man because God has bigger things in store for Ezekiel. God does not want us fearing man. When called upon God to deliver a message it matters not if others dislike the style, delivery, or even the message we bring. Our job is to be obedient to the God we serve and deliver the message we are given to deliver.
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