Friday Proverb – Are You His Delight?

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We will begin by first looking at the definition of the theme words of this Proverb study. 

FRO’WARD, adjective [Latin versus:turned or looking from.]

Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish; as a froward child.

ABOMINA’TION, noun

1. Extreme hatred; detestation.

2. The object of detestation, a common signification in scripture.

3. Hence, defilement, pollution, in a physical sense, or evil doctrines and practices, which are moral defilements, idols and idolatry, are called abominations. The Jews were an abomination to the Egyptians; and the sacred animals of the Egyptians were an abomination to the Jews. The Roman army is called the abomination of desolation. Matthew 24:15. In short, whatever is an object of extreme hatred, is called an abomination

Proverbs 11:20

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord:

This image is of Nadab and Abihu, the priestly sons of the first High Priest – Aaron.  Their story is well known.  As priests of the Most High God – they offered “strange fire,” before the Lord.  Whereupon the Lord sent out fire from heaven and consumed them. 

The significance of this event should not be overlooked.  What should the Christian take away from this?  Quite simply, that our God is very, very Holy, and we can not offer “strange fire” to Him.  Rock music, back beats, sensualized “praise teams,” speaking in gibberish, being “slain in the spirit,” – these and many other offerings and worship practices are strange fire.  They do not conform to the Scriptural outlines for worshiping the Almighty Creator of the Universe. 

The Charismatic movement is creeping into even the most conservative churches via the music.  Make no mistake – this is “strange fire.”  Country, CCM, and Southern Gospel music is inherently sensuous.  And God will, in fact, rain down fire again on the apostate church, only this time, instead of the two sons of Aaron,  it will be worldwide and they will “die before the Lord.”  True worship music is reverent and respectful.  It should not give you the sensation that you “really worshiped God!!!!”  Rather, it should put you in a place of adoration and humility before your Savior, and convict your soul.

but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

Heads bowed, and sincere prayer are His delight.  Before you “lift up holy hands,” be sure that your hands are indeed holy!  I never feel that mine are.  Not even for a second.  I am too proud of what I can do with my hands.  It is also important to realize, that at the beginning of this country, the Pilgrims allowed no musical instruments into the congregation.  Why?  Because of the natural tendency of musicians to “spice things up.”  In the same fashion that a good cook will enliven what they make, a musician will do the same thing with music.

The pop preachers of today, speak loud and clearly that “you can’t grow a church with the old ways.”  Well, that’s not what the Lord God of Heaven and earth has to say.  We are no different than the Jews of the Old Testament.  We, in our sinful flesh, desire and lust after the “leeks and onions” of Egypt.  We desire to feed the flesh rather than the spirit.

Jeremiah 6:15-17

15 Were they ashamed when they had committed  abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.

16 Thus saith the Lord,  Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

sage

Friday Proverb – Being Merciful is Healthy!

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Mature Christians rarely need to be reminded to show mercy.  Young believers, on the other hand, can lapse into their flesh more easily.  This Friday Proverb study is devoted to our young brothers and sisters in Christ, who are growing and learning in all the doctrines of God.  As young Christians, you also need to know, that we were also young once, and can recall with vivid clarity how impulsive and unwise we could be in those early days of our earthly sojourn. 

Proverbs 11:17-19

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Animal shelters unite pets with owners.
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

This study by secular scientists agrees  with what the Word of God has said all along.  Kindness is a boon to your health.  Those who are saved under the Blood of Christ, do not need a scientific study to tell them anything.  The King James Bible is all sufficient for every life question you will ever have.  Mean spirited people, will reap such nastiness in their own flesh.  Our Lord in the Beatitudes said:

Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

forgiveness

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Psychologists like to tell us that everything we do is a reaction to things that other people did to us.  While this may be true for the flesh, it is not so for those who have been made free in Christ Jesus.  The flesh tells us to justify what we do – because so and so did that to us.   The flesh tells us to hold grudges and get revenge.  This Proverb tells us that those kinds of machinations are wicked and deceitful! 

My wife gained a lot of weight during pregnancy.  She’s tired all the time, and doesn’t take care of herself.  That’s not what I wanted from marriage.  I think it’s OK for me to look at porn, because I’m not hurting anyone, and I need some kind of outlet.

My husband doesn’t give me any attention.  I feel like eating because it makes me feel better.  I also like to buy things I don’t need, because it’s self medicating for me.

My employer doesn’t pay enough for this terrible job.  I’m not going to kill myself working for nothing.  The company has enough money.  They should give me some.

Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life:

Make no mistake about it.  Satan hates you.  He will try everything in his substantial bag of tricks, to cause you to kill yourself before you can get saved, or, if you are saved, before you can lead any others to God’s salvation.  Let’s look at the short list in Satan’s suicidal bag of evil.  All of these will lead to death – eventually.  Some sooner rather than later.

  1. surfeiting (overeating, gluttony)
  2. smoking (smoking anything!)
  3. risky behavior (too numerous to list – including sodomy and drug use)
  4. alcohol (Christians should not drink alcohol under any circumstances)

These behaviors are evil, and also appear evil to the unsaved world.  They know in their hearts that it is wrong.  All ungodly and fleshly desires are different forms of the sin of lust.  We are to be separate and sanctified.

so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

James 1:15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Personal holiness is something believers should strive for every day while wandering in this wilderness of sin. 

sage

Friday Proverb – Godly Honor and Riches

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It is very distressing to see the continual corruption of the Laodicean church of today.  The Word of God speaks to us on every aspect of how we should live in this sinful, fallen world – while being in the world – but not of it.  This is Biblical separation – it is sanctification.  And by living and walking with the Lord – our lives give testimony to His majesty and power.  Full surrender to Him is the only means  to true prosperity. 

Proverbs 11:16

A gracious woman retaineth honour:

GRA’CIOUS – Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings.

Thinking of truly gracious women from the Bible, we have to acknowledge Abigail.  She was 1 Samuel 25:3 – “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.”  This does not mean she was a cover girl model – but that her inner beauty expressed itself in her countenance and behavior.   Despite the fact that she was married to a churlish man, she kept her honor in every situation.  For this reason – she was blessed by God.  She became the bride of King David – who is an Old Testament “type” of Jesus Christ.

This same Biblical principle applies not only to Christian women – but to the Bride of Christ as a whole.  We are to appear to the world, as Abigail did.  With good understanding, and a beautiful countenance.  The unsaved will judge Our Holy God by how the church  behaves, and how we appear.  If we act with wisdom and the kind of serenity that Abigail exhibited, we will testify of our King.  She was not passive, but her positive actions were done in such a way, that they earned the favor of the King.

and strong men retain riches.

scales from the bible

Ahh – money, money, money.  That is not the kind of riches the Bible is talking about.  Laodicea says God wants you to be rich.  This is true – but only half true.  When Solomon’s kingdom began to crumble, it was because of his personal weakness.  Your home and family are your kingdom.  Resisting temptation is the kind of strength the Lord is talking about here.  And the riches?  Well, such riches that we can only get a glimpse now.

Romans 11:33-36

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?

36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen.

sage

Satan Tricked Their Minds…

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December 31 — Satan Tricked Their Minds… Ensign, Come What May, and Love It, November 2008, p. 28 “‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.’ The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our […]

Satan Tricked Their Minds…

Friday Proverb – Seeking Godly Advice

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Many great and powerful men, have been brought to ruin through trusting bad advice.  Conservative media outlets often express incredulous wonder at the kind of counselors the United States president keeps around himself.  Any studier of sinful human nature would not need to ponder why this is.  Birds of a feather DO flock together.  We like to keep company with those who think like we do.  If we are in darkness, we will be drawn to yet deeper darkness.  If we are in the Light of Christ, we will be drawn to yet more of His light. 

Proverbs 11:14

 Where no counsel is, the people fall:

The infamous incident, wherein the nation of Israel began to divide, is prime example of the first half of today’s Proverb.  In 1 Kings 12, the son and heir of Solomon, Rehoboam, is met with representatives of the congregation.  They ask him, quite politely, if he will reduce the heavy tax burden Solomon had levied.  He tells them to come back in three days, at which time he will give them an answer.  Rather than consulting his father’s old counselors, priests or prophets, he turns to his “friends,” who are as young and inexperienced as he is.  Perhaps even more so.  In following their advice, he states – “My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”  This was not received well!  It is the spirit of rebellion at work.

1 Kings 12:15 states that  the reason this happened was in the will of God –   “the cause was from the Lord.”   His purposes for Israel are not license to sin.  Don’t make the mistake of justifying the use of ungodly advice via this Scripture.  Born again believers are never to take the mistakes made by Old Testament persons as an excuse to sin.  “David did it, Adam did it, Solomon did it. . .”  There is no Biblical justification for following in the path of sinners.  And, they were sinners all.

A godly counselor, will always lead you to Living Water.  If you tire of their reading relevant Scriptures to you, then you are not really wanting godly counsel.  You more than likely want affirmation, as Rehoboam did.  The desire to be accepted, colors all of our decisions.  If you really want godly advice, really – then seek the counsel of the aged men and women in your church family.

but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

sage

The Vine Vigil wishes you a merry Christmas!

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Please enjoy these treasured hymns as you read the following Scripture.

We here at The Vine Vigil wish you a lovely and very merry Christmas.

Luke 1:26-37

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Amen.

~ Cat Mahm

Friday Proverb – Don’t be a Talebearer!

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Satan, and the media he controls, is the master talebearer.  It is he that inspires every bit of salacious gossip and slander in the world today.  He camps out in churches too – leading sheeple to verbally destroy their brethren with “something they’ve heard.”  It is sinful human nature to be attracted to darkness.  Talebearing is a slippery slope that is often looked-on as harmless, yet the ones who do it are caught in Satan’s sticky web of darkness.  The more they do it, the more they want to do it.  It is exceedingly sinful.  

Proverbs 11:13

 A talebearer revealeth secrets:

but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Brothers and sisters – we have enough of our own sins to be concerned about.  Your church family’s, spouse’s and children’s sins should not be shared with others.  Not unless you want them talking about you to their friends!  We will reap what we sow, no matter what it is.  Lying, stealing, greed, and talebearing will all come back to us 10, 100, and even 1,000 fold. One of the reasons  FOX News is so incredibly popular is because of its gossipy nature.  On the website, it features un-newsworthy items such as “More Sex for Grilled Cheese,” or “Get the latest news on celebrity scandals!”  Yes, garbage like that is prominently featured, while zero attention is given to the church’s works of righteousness.  The reason News Corp does this, lies in the love of money.  As  stated before, sinful human nature is drawn to darkness.  Darkness makes money.  Oprah Winfrey’s wild success is proof positive of this.  Not only should we not bear tales ourselves – but we shouldn’t listen to it either! 

Do you really want to resemble the “father of lies” in any way?  When you do his work, he will not reward you – he will be your accuser!

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Don’t give him any ammunition to accuse you with! 

sage