It saddens us when we see prosperity preachers at work. Just like state run lotteries, and “legalized” gambling casinos – the participants in these schemes are most often those who can least afford it.
Our blessed Savior lived His earthly ministry in poverty. His life was to be an example to us. There is no place in Scripture, that equates material wealth with spiritual wealth. Money is not evil – the love of money is.
Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.
Our spiritual father – Abraham – lived a spiritually rich life, in such close fellowship with the LORD, that he was allowed to speak directly to the pre-incarnate Christ! When we think of the faith of Abraham, leaving his comfortable life and venturing to an unknown land, and then offering his beloved son on an altar to the LORD, we must be humbled. How can we have this kind of richness – with no sorrow added? We must walk as closely with the LORD as Abraham did. With no interference from the world and its trappings. Abraham’s life in the desert, was “separated” from the surrounding heathen nations.
That kind of rich life, may entail separating your “tribe” from the pagans that surround you. He lived among them (surrounded actually!) but he did not live with them. That is an important distinction everyone needs to make note of.
Beloveds – do you live with the pagans? Or among them? If you separate yourself from the world – you will be spiritually rich, with no sorrow. We’re talking about overflowing abundance, so glorious that you are praising Him from morning till night – in any and all circumstances. This rich life may require you get rid of your cable, if you can’t watch it in good faith [ you know what I’m talking about.] It may entail purging yourself of many possessions – if they are controlling you. How much mental space is devoted to your source of bondage? Bondage being anything from your hair, your children, even to your mortgage payment. Abraham was willing to place his son on the altar – what are you willing to place on the altar?
Decide now to live for him, and only him, and you will be richly blessed – with no added sorrow.
Can we think too much about what we say? Not according to the Book of Proverbs. Almost from start to finish, the Proverbs contend that our words have great ability to do harm or good. I think of parents who speak unguardedly in their children’s presence, and then are shocked when later, the little ones repeat verbatim EVERYTHING their parents said!
Well, it’s not just children who record our words – our every thought and word is recorded in heaven. Thankfully – if we are saved under the Blood of Christ – we will not have to pay for our verbal refuse. But that does not give us license to say whatever pops into our heads.
I beseech you to have the mind of Christ – and filter everything you say and do through the Bible. And you can only do that by being immersed (baptized) in His Word to the point that His Word becomes a part of you. You are what you eat – after all!
Proverbs 10:20-21
20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver:the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Indeed – the Pharisee and the Publican are an exemplary picture of this Proverb. As Christ said – the Publican was “justified.” That means his humble words were – “as choice silver.” The Pharisee’s self aggrandizing was of very “little worth.”
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Certainly, Paul is our master example of Christian speech and behavior. His written words, authored by the Holy Spirit, have “fed many.” Just with his Epistles, we can lead a sinner to a saving knowledge of Christ. Think how remarkable that is. In China – people are happy just to have one page out of the Book of Romans! They are known to sleep with it, love it, and memorize it so they can pass it on to another. Are the words of Mohammed, or Joseph Smith, revered in such a fashion? Hardly. Those who feed on the words of false shepherds will “die for lack of wisdom.” And that death will be ETERNAL DEATH IN THE LAKE OF FIRE!
Which brings to mind what the work of a believer is. To spread the Gospel of Christ to the whole world. It is not righteous or wise to keep it to yourself. If you are reading this, and you do not know what it means to be “saved,” please read the following:
(1). Admit you are a sinner (have disobeyed God).
Sin separates man from God. Imperfect man cannot come into the presence of a perfect God.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” -1 John 1:8
(2). Repent (be sorry for and turn from your sins, to a new life in Christ).
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”-Acts 3:19
(3). Salvation is available only through Jesus Christ.
“Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” -John14:6
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” -1 Timothy 2:5
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” -Acts 4:12
(4). Accept the free gift of eternal life through Christ.
You cannot earn salvation by your own efforts.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ephesians 2:8,9
“That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” -Romans 10: 9,10
(5). Do it now.
“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” -II Corinthians 6:2
(Jesus said) “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” -Revelation 3:20
It would be presumptuous and proud to think that only the behavior in the illustration qualifies as mischief. Any act of mischief – vandalism, gossip, back-stabbing, pilfering, cheating, cruelty, bullying, flirtations, or the host of evil things that people do qualify as mischief; because the persons who do such things, never think that what they are doing is of any consequence. It is “sport” to them.
They are fools!
but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus is where true wisdom and understanding is to be found. As we can not sit at His physical feet at this moment in time, we can sit at His spiritual feet by going to church and reading His Word. The more His Holy Spirit fills us – the less chance we have of playing the fool. If we put Him on the back-burner, there is every chance that we will commit some sort of mischief, that we do not think is very serious.
If we think in our minds that “It’s not that big of a deal. It’s not like I killed somebody,” then we are making sport of the mischief we are doing, and are counted a fool.
Fill your time and mind with His Word – and there will be no chance for mayhem and foolishness.
Gossiping, backstabbing, and lying – are all traits that should never be named in the Body of Christ – but they are there all the same. Hidden jealousy, covetousness, and bitterness don’t really stay buried – they ooze out of our mouths with the greatest of ease – but leave a sticky coating that is hard to escape from. Words once spoken can never be taken back.
Proverbs 10:18-19
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Wow! Hiding hatred with lying lips. . . how awful. But it’s all too true. We comfort ourselves by sugar coating what we are doing, thinking we are not hurting anyone, but it puts us in the category of fool no matter what the reason. Cutting up someone’s appearance, children, marriage – whatever – is nothing more than slander. If it’s not something you can say directly to the person – then do not say it! This includes tearing apart the pastor’s sermon in the car on the way home from church. Repeating something you’ve heard is a dangerous and shameful practice. So is embellishing and exaggerating something that may be true in order to make it more interesting to your listeners.
slander, lying, and gossiping are all acts of self centeredness. they are the hallmark of the baby christian. this sin is one of the greatest detriments to the furtherance of the gospel to a lost and dying world. it is a demonstration of the opposite of love – which is hate.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin:
Did you realize that the more you talk, there is more chance of you saying something wrong? The odds are against you. Those who run-off at the mouth, are notorious for putting their foot in that same mouth. Even when you are not talking about yourself (which most talkers do) you are still feeding your ego, by holding your listener(s) hostage. Parents – this includes lecturing of your children or spouse. Less is more in this case, and in every case. The longer your spiel – the greater chance you will sin, and sin big, during the overflow.
20but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
There is a reason why God gave us two ears, and only one mouth!
Television is replete with “ministers of prosperity.” They generally preach that sowing money to their individual ministries, will result in prosperity for those who give. Some, even refer to such funds as “seed money.” With a casual reference to this passage of Scripture, as well as others, they manage to convince even those who have very little, to give what little they have. But if we look at this Scripture closely, we can see, that it is not directed at the poor.
Proverbs 11:24-26
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
Though progressives speak long and loud on matters of “social justice,” and caring for “the less fortunate,” reality says that those same people are rather stingy with their personal assets.
The godless in our government have impoverished many families in this country, through their pseudo-compassionate practices. Their kind of “withholding” leads to poverty. One only needs to study the staggering wealth of the Roman Catholic church, and be amazed that there are any poor Catholics. Yet – the majority of Catholics in Central and South America, as well as in India and other parts of Asia, are desperately poor. Why is that? Because, oligarchical entities like these, do not actually sow, they withhold. And what they withhold even more than money – is the Truth. The truth about abortion, about sodomy, and more importantly, the truth about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Liberal in the above verse is not a political category, but rather a personality. It deals with those who give generously of themselves without expecting anything in return. I stress – giving of themselves – not to be confused with the notion of social justice and redistribution of wealth.
What this verse is describing is the abundant life that truly born-again Christians can experience. We know from His Holy Word, that whatever we sow, we will reap. How wonderful our Lord is, to add unto that with fountains of spiritual riches that no tongue can tell . . .
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
One need only think of Joseph, and the God given wisdom he displayed. He sold the corn generously to the famine stricken populace. (he did not give it away) Now, try taking out the word corn, and replace it with – crude oil. Think how you feel when there is a contrived “gas shortage.” Now think how you feel when there is a nice drop in price at the pump! The life application is clear. What we sell, produce, perform, sow, should be done with a spirit of genuine generosity. It doesn’t matter if you are a home maker, or a garbage collector. What you have is what God has given to you. He allows you to determine how you will dispose of it. Do you “hold back?” Be honest. Is there somewhere you need to sow what you have, and you have been resisting? The Bible says, that kind of thinking and behavior will lead to poverty. And there is more than one kind of poverty. There is the material kind of poverty, which is very uncomfortable, but there is also spiritual poverty, which can be devastating.
No where in Scripture does it say we need to be someone’s doormat, or personal punching bag. What it does say is clear in the above Proverb. Everything we do as believers, must be done in the right spirit. Never for personal gain, yet even if we are doing it for a salary – it should be to His glory. Joseph did not sell the corn for personal gain – he did it in obedience to the Lord. Like Joseph, within His will and righteousness, we may be showered with such blessings that will only bring us closer to Him every day. What bliss!
While it is one hundred percent certain, that each member of the human race is responsible to the Creator for their own sins, there are things sheeple do, which can adversely affect their offspring – or seed. The obvious things are consuming drugs and alcohol during pregnancy – but there are the more subtle – and equally devastating things mankind does which seeps down to their kids. Global leaders, politicians, business owners, school boards, churches leaders, voters, and every other sort of human interaction that you could imagine – regularly compromises in agreement with the Devil. It is tossed off as a “necessary evil,” “choosing the lesser evil,” or “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.” We sinners may make light of such agreements, but our Heavenly Father takes serious note.
Proverbs 11:21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:
These compromises, treaties, contracts, and agreements may give us a temporary feeling of success, but in the long run, we and our children will suffer for it. Legal maneuvers are frequently mentioned in the media as “burdens placed on our grandchildren.”
President Trump’s daughter (Ivanka Trump) and Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter (Ella Emhoff).
President Donald Trump’s son, (Barron Trump) and Former President Barack Obama’s daughter (Sasha Obama).
Thankfully, if we are walking closely to the Lord, His Holy Spirit will guide us farther and farther away from the worldly things and into the deep things of God. But the perpetually infantile Christians who continue in the world without spiritual growth, in every way resemble the pagans they contract agreements with. And it doesn’t matter what kind of contract it is. From marriage to global treaties – any contract that omits God is a deal with the devil.
but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Young people are like sponges and mirrors. Whatever they see and hear becomes an integral part of them. When they live with televised politicians who don’t know the difference between right and wrong, hypocritical and ignorant teachers, and parents who are lazy, liars, and compromisers – they will both reflect and absorb such ungodliness in their teenage and adult lives. Additionally, they develop a hardness of the heart against the things of God. Believers have the ability and opportunity to give their offspring a great example to follow. While this is not a guarantee that your children will be saved, in my observation, those parents that are steadfast in their devotion to the Lord (with minimal hypocrisy) are respected by their adult kids. And many, many times, even those children who have walked the Prodigal trail, return and repent. If you live prudently, gently and without avarice – you are doing a wonderful thing for your descendants. Salvation is an individual’s choice. At the same time – we are doing God’s will in helping our children along the path to Godliness. What a kindness you are doing for them, when they see you praying and reading your Bible! And as our children walk closely to the Lord – our families are a wonderful testimony to a lost and dying world.
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back.
Singh was raised a member of the Sikh religion. Prior to his conversion, Sundar attended a primary school run by the American Presbyterian Mission where the New Testament was read daily as a “textbook.” Sundar “refused to read the Bible at the daily lessons…To some extent the teaching of the Gospel on the love of God attracted me, but I still thought it was false.”
In the midst of such confusion and while only fourteen years old, his mother died, and Sundar underwent a crisis of faith. His mother was a loving saintly woman and they were very close. In his anger, Sundar burned a copy of one of the Gospels in public. Within three days Sundar Singh could bear his misery no longer. Late one night in December 1903, he rose from bed and prayed that God reveal himself to him if he really existed. Otherwise — “I planned to throw myself in front of the train which passed by our house.” For seven hours Sundar Singh prayed. “O God, if there is a God, reveal thyself to me tonight.” The next train was due at five o’clock in the morning. The hours passed. Suddenly the room filled with a glow. A man appeared before him. Sundar Singh heard a voice say, “How long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you.” He saw the man’s hands, pierced by nails.
Amazed that his vision had taken the unexpected form of Jesus, Sundar was convinced in his heart that Jesus was the true Savior, and that He was alive. Sundar fell on his knees before Him and experienced an astonishing peacefulness which he had never felt before. The vision disappeared, but peace and joy lingered within him.
Despite his family’s pleas, bribes, and threats, Sundar wanted to be baptized in the Christian faith. After his father spoke words of official rejection over him, Sundar became an outcast from his people. He cut off the hair he had worn long like every Sikh man. Against great opposition, he was baptized on his birthday in 1905, in an English church in Simla.
Conventional Indian churches were willing to grant him a pulpit, but their rules were foreign to his spirit. Indeed, he felt that a key reason the gospel was not accepted in India was because it came in a garb foreign to Indians. He decided to become a sadhu, so that he could dedicate himself to the Lord Jesus. He was convinced that this was the best way to introduce the Gospel to his people since it was the only way which his people were accustomed to. As a sadhu, he wore a yellow robe, lived on the charity of others, abandoned all possession and maintained celibacy. In this lifestyle, he was free to devote himself to the Lord. Dressed in his thin yellow robe, Sundar Singh took to the road and began a life of spreading the simple message of love and peace and rebirth through Jesus. He carried no money or other possessions, only a New Testament.
Sundar journeyed much. He traveled all over India and Ceylon. Between 1918-1919, he visited Malaysia, Japan and China. Between 1920-1922 he went to Western Europe, Australia and Israel. He preached in many cities; Jerusalem, Lima, Berlin and Amsterdam among others. Despite his growing fame, Sundar retained a modest nature, desiring only to follow Jesus’ example: to repay evil with kindness and to win over his enemies by love.
He was quite independent of outward Church authority in all his religious life, thought, and work. He dropped out of a Christian seminary that he briefly attended. Neither did he attach much importance to public worship because in his experience the heart prays better in solitude than in a congregation.
He traveled in India and Tibet, as well as the rest of the world, with the message that the modern interpretation of Jesus was sadly watered down. Sundar visited Tibet every summer and in 1929, he visited there and was never seen again.
The story of the song is covered in the Book by Dr. P.P. Job and Indian preacher in His book “Why God Why”
An excerpt from the book is given below:About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales, England. As a result of this, many missionaries came from England and Germany to North-East India to spread the Gospel. At the time, north-east India was not divided into many states as it is today. The region was known as Assam and comprised hundreds of tribes. The tribal communities were quite primitive and aggressive by nature. The tribals were also called head-hunters because of a social custom which required the male members of the community to collect as many heads as possible. A man’s strength and ability to protect his wife was assessed by the number of heads he had collected. Therefore, a youth of marriageable age would try and collect as many heads as possible and hang them on the walls of his house. The more heads a man had, the more eligible he was considered. Into this hostile and aggressive community, came a group of Welsh missionaries spreading the message of love, peace and hope of Jesus Christ. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One Welsh missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:
I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
But the man sang these words in reply:
Though no one joins me, still I will follow. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”
In the face of death the man sang the final memorable lines:
The cross before me, the world behind me. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago? There must be some supernatural power behind the family, and I too want that supernatural power.”
In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is the power of [God in] demonstration.
John 12:26
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.
This magnificent old hymn is pure praise from start to finish, and is chock full of solid doctrine. Turn up your speakers and see His glory. The chord progressions are spectacular.
All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always, For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is for ever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom Heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore.
Hymn Story
All People That on Earth Do Dwell
In the Reformation, there was a difference of opinion between Luther and Calvin concerning music for congregational singing. Luther advocated the use of hymns and carols, and even wrote a number of those. Calvin was concerned that hymns not clearly based on scripture might introduce false doctrine into the church, and so he advocated the singing of Psalms. He said that there were “no better songs nor more appropriate to the purpose (of congregational singing) than the Psalms of David which the Holy Spirit made and spoke through him.”
Calvin, of course, was based in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1551, a Psalter was published in Geneva that included a song based on Psalm 134 and set to a tune by Louis Bourgeois. In 1561, the Anglo-Genevan Psalter (an English-language Psalter) was published in Geneva that included “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” set to that earlier tune by Bourgeois.
The words to “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” were written by William Kethe, a Scottish clergyman who had fled the persecutions of Queen Mary. His exile took him first to Frankfurt, Germany and thence to Geneva. Kethe helped with the translation of the Geneva Bible in 1560 and contributed 25 psalms to the Anglo-Genevan Psalter.
Kethe left Geneva for England in 1561, and took a copy of the Anglo-Genevan Psalter with him –– thereby introducing this music to the English. A number of his psalms found their way into the English Psalter of 1562, which was published by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins. All of his psalms were included in the Scottish Psalter two years later.
“All People That on Earth Do Dwell” is based on Psalm 100. That Psalm is five verses in length, and the song is four verses. The first verse of the song is based on verses 1 and 2 of the psalm, and each of the subsequent verses of the song is based on one verse of the psalm. It is probably the oldest hymn in common use today.
The tune by Bourgeois is known today as “Old Hundredth,” and is one of the best-known tunes in modern hymnals –– in large measure because it is also sung to the Doxology, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.”
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
sage
p.s. I post this as part of my continuous effort to point up the dangers of CCM, and hope and pray that God’s people will wake up to the serpent in the singing. Can you see what is being lost as the old hymns are cast aside for simple lyrics and rhythmic melodies? CCM is now firmly in IFB churches everywhere.
It is a fact – the bigger they are – the harder they fall. The Pharisee in the illustration was full of himself, totally unaware that he was doomed. We also, as believers, can fall to this sort of pride.
One pastor of a large and beautiful church, was a very confident man. He had a beautiful family, and was well received by his congregation. He was a learned man, and gifted teacher. This continued on for some time, and his pride grew along with his successes. One day, his teenaged daughter ran away from home. They had no idea where she was. Then his church began to splinter as he attempted to accommodate both progressives and conservatives within his congregation. The “blended” church service ensued, which was followed by uprisings within the sheepfold. Half the congregation left to join a contemporary worship church, while another half left to join a traditional church. His church went bankrupt, whereupon he was fired by the board.
How about us? Are we foolish and prideful enough to think we can accommodate the world in our hearts? The pastor in the story, is the story of each and everyone of us. He allowed his daughter to closely associate with worldly teenagers. He allowed young and fleshly people to hold sway in his congregation. We all try in varying degrees to accommodate the world. Perhaps our teenaged daughter has not run away from home, but put in perspective – we all have our own kind of “runaways,” don’t we? Take your pick – job? marriage? favorite sin? addiction? Do you know where they are?
but with the lowly is wisdom.
Daily, minute by minute, moment by moment, we must strive to keep the world, the flesh, and the devil under complete subjection. Any compromise or accommodation will lead to our shame. If we think we can master the devil without copious prayer and Bible study – we give the evil one mastery over us because we are accommodating him. Don’t think for one second that you can outfox the fox on your own. Humble yourself, and rely only on God’s wisdom and knowledge. Never attempting to put your own thinking or understanding into what you think God thinks. The only wisdom in this world is in God’s Holy Word – the Bible.
Oh – those loud, attention seekers. They speak without thinking, and put their proverbial feet in their mouths at every opportunity. Well, as annoying as they may be – the jabber mouths will not go on forever. The ones who take delight in mocking and ridiculing the Lord and His people will not get the last laugh!
Proverbs 10:31-32
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
Recalling that only those who are under the Blood of Christ are considered “just” by God – it does not bode well for those who have a froward tongue!
adjective: froward
(of a person) difficult to deal with; contrary.
In point of fact – our blessed Redeemer made mention of this very thing, while He was here in the flesh:
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
How do we know what is “acceptable?” By reading, studying, and memorizing the Word of God. Being a Christian does not automatically cause you to speak with wisdom! This kind of righteousness comes only with having the mind of Christ, and making His thoughts and Words a part of you. And to prove that our own words can not count as wisdom, we look to our Savior once again, and see how He responded to the Devil during the temptation.
Matthew 4:3-10
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Notice that the Lord ONLY used Scripture to respond to the Devil. This is especially important for those Christians who somehow think the Old Testament no longer has meaning or importance to the Church! If the Living Christ thought it was important enough to quote – how are Christians confident in not doing so as well? Are we responding to temptation with our own logic and reason? Are we foolish enough to think that our own resources can outfox the Fox? The Devil? The Tempter? This one thing – failing to use the Word of God against temptation – is the greatest weakness of the Church.
Don’t get bogged down in debate with the evil one and his minions – you can’t possibly win against a supernatural intelligence like that using your own abilities. Use the Word of God as the sword of Truth! Memorize it, inhale it, study it, devour it. The wicked will flee. . .
Saturday is the day where many home schools “fill in the gap.” That is – get to the stuff not compatible with the ordinary school week. I stress here – I am only sharing with you what worked for our family. Every family is different, with unique needs and interests.
The bread machine at our house chugs away almost every day of the week. But – I really enjoy baking, and my family loves eating what I bake. Depending on other activities – I make it a point to bake something tasty every Saturday. Sometimes I bake in the morning, sometimes afternoon. Sometimes – all day long – as in the case of holidays and special occasions. Pies, cookies, or cakes. . . from scratch. Here is where I strive for variety. The quantity aimed for was an amount that would last until the next Saturday. Once in awhile there was a sudden invading army of teenagers, and what was intended for a week only lasted a couple of hours! But most of the time, the calculations were correct.
If you choose to involve your kids in an extracurricular activity – Saturday is the ideal day for it. It was important to us that our children be competent swimmers – so all were enrolled in swim classes at some point. If you can get them in at the same time, with different class levels – it becomes easier. Saturday is also a good day for any music class, horseback riding, or whatever else is right for your family. Again – if you have more than one child – try to consolidate. For instance, while one of my kids was having a guitar lesson, another was having voice lessons in the same music academy.
I will add this caution – it is far more important for your kids to become grounded in the Word of God, than to become a star athlete, math genius, or musical child prodigy.
Try to adhere to the same sleeping and eating schedule that you follow during the week. You can avoid a lot of trouble if you do, and may quite possibly ward off some infections ( the ones that come when kids don’t eat right or get enough sleep.) Again – teens and pre-teens need a LOT of sleep. They are the ones most likely not to get enough.
Saturdays should be enjoyable, not stressful. Don’t try to squeeze so much in that you don’t know if you are coming or going! Be creative – some piano teachers will even come out to your house! Your kids do not need more than one or two extra curricular activities a week at the most. Make Jesus the priority – not recitals, trophies and certificates.
And – the horror of it all – Saturday afternoon is the best time for “practice driving” with teenagers. [God help you]
Off the Grid (health and self sufficiency articles from a conservative, Christian perspective) http://www.offthegridnews.com/
I encourage you try a “baking Saturday.” The way to man’s heart may be through his stomach, but don’t underestimate the effect of hot cookies or brownies on the rest of your family as well. The routine of Saturday baking is a wonderful tradition, that reaches back hundreds of years. It satisfies a longing for simpler, unhurried times. Ask yourself – will your adult children remember you driving them to soccer practice? Or will they remember long talks over homemade peanut butter cookies and milk? [My husband’s testimonial -“Have a hot pie off the rack, you’ll never go back.” He loves, loves, loves hot cherry- apple pie with ice cream!]
To emphasize how serious I am about this – one of the therapies employed at a local children’s home (for severely emotionally disturbed kids) is having female volunteers bake cookies for and /or with the kids, in a one- on- one setting. The therapists haven’t even come close to understanding why this means so much to these poor young people.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9
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Recipe for cherry-apple pie
pie crust for double crust, 9 ” pie
1/4 tsp. almond extract
3 lbs. peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 21 oz. can cherry pie filling
1 egg, lightly beaten
Place baking sheet in center oven rack (I line mine with foil.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Prepare homemade or store bought pie crust, adding the almond extract. If your kitchen is warm, divide the dough into two, one slightly larger than the other, flatten into disks and store in the fridge.
Spray 9″ deep dish pie pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, toss apples with sugar and cinnamon. (I use a mechanical apple peeler – a truly wonderful doo-dad!) Stir in pie filling. On floured surface, roll out larger dough disk into 12 ” circle, and fit into pan.
Spoon the fruit mixture into pie shell. Roll out the remaining dough into 11″ circle and fit over pie, or cut into strips and weave lattices. Cut slits for steam to escape if using solid top crust. Seal, trim, and crimp edges, using ice water as “glue,” if needed. Lightly brush crust with beaten egg.
Bake on hot baking sheet for about 1 hour, 15 minutes. After the first 20 minutes, I always rotate the pie, and then tent it loosely with foil for the remainder of baking time.
I do not add any “thickeners,” such as flour or cornstarch to this recipe, because the canned cherry pie filling usually does the trick. But brands vary! I use Comstock, which is very dense. If you are concerned about too runny pie filling – don’t add more than a tablespoon or two to the filling, or it might get gluey in texture. Also , do not attempt to substitute another apple for Granny Smiths in this recipe, or else it will be too sweet. It is very important that you set this pie on a hot baking sheet at the start of the baking time – or the center will not bake! Not only that -it helps keep your oven cleaner. This type of fruit pie is notorious for bubbling over. Happy baking – but a warning – if your spouse is a fruit pie lover, you may find yourself making this one a lot!
The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Once again, the Proverbs make a clear demarcation between the saved and the lost. The pagan world is stymied when Christians repeatedly stand tall in the face of adversity. They would prefer, if when faced with calamity, that we collapse and fall into the abyss of sinful behaviors that they are mired in. But – the Proverb states that the Lord is our strength. We do not need to resort to the world’s accepted methods – we have the Word of God. Nothing more is required to see us through life’s darkest hours.
Psalm 1:6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Proverbs 10:30
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
That’s right all you Mother Earth worshipers, you do NOT inherit the earth. No matter how much you do to “save the planet,” it won’t help – because it’s not yours to save. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it – and He will give it to whom He chooses. It will not be given to the unrepentant, that is a fact.
Psalm 37:29
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Revelation 21:6-8
6 And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Those that are unsaved and living for the world system, fear death to the point they will do almost anything to avoid it. Because they have no hope for the future, and no concept of an eternity – they cling with fervor to this earthly realm. Being completely self centered, they think nothing of killing the unborn, or using their body parts to extend their own lives.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
As believers, we know that our future is already sealed. That is our hope – something the wicked couldn’t possibly understand. With Jesus Christ as our Righteous and Everlasting foundation, we are known by name, are built onto – and permanently attached to Him. Once we are in heaven with the Lord, the wicked will no more come to our minds. Or to the Lord’s mind! And how grateful we should be for that! Not to think about what the evil are up to anymore – that sounds like heaven to me.
Isaiah 65:11-17
11 But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget My holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before Mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, My servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
14 Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto My chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call His servants by another name:
16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from Mine eyes.
17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
How many of us think, that if we only had enough money in the bank, or enough food in storage, or enough gold coins, or enough whatever – that we would be safe from impending doom?
Or conversely, how many of us rely on our poverty to sustain us? Believing that some entity or other will always be there to pick us up after we fall, or feed, clothe, shelter, and educate us merely because we exist? Assuming no harm can befall us because “they” will help?
Proverbs 10:15
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city:
This image applies to both aspects of the Proverb – because within a city or any metropolitan area like that – both the wealthy and the poor live within yards of each other. Artificial insulation deceives the dwellers into thinking that all is well. The wealthy thinks his high tower protects him, and the poor thinks the system will protect him. And it doesn’t only apply to cities – think of the wealthy plantations in the South before the Civil War. They were micro-complexes of supra-independence. But many of them were razed and burned to the ground – lock, stock, and barrel.
the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Do people trust in poverty? Absolutely! It is the same assumption that the wealthy make – trusting in the world. Content to let others care for them – the poor will end in destruction says the Proverb.
Not everyone who is poor or wealthy must end this way. It is a matter of where we put our trust. Trusting in ourselves, in money, in “prepping,” in the government, in family, in religion, in education, in the media, in anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ – is folly and destruction for both the rich and the poor.
Psalm 118:8-9
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
Please look at verse 8 above – putting confidence in man – includes yourself! V. 9 – putting confidence in princes is the same as putting confidence in politicians.
Psalm 9:9-10
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed, Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began; Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933
“The Hymn of Joy“[1] (often called “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” after the first line) is a poem written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 with the intention of musically setting it to the famous “Ode to Joy” melody of the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s final symphony, Symphony No. 9.[2]
Van Dyke wrote this poem in 1907 while staying at the home of Williams College president Harry Augustus Garfield. He was serving as a guest preacher at Williams at the time. He told his host that the local Berkshire Mountains had been his inspiration.[3] The lyrics were first published in 1911 in Van Dyke’s Book of Poems, Third Edition.[3]
Van Dyke wrote of this hymn:
These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.
“This hymn is generally considered by hymnologists to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language.”
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Revelation 15:3-4
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.
1 Once to ev’ry man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth and falsehood, For the good or evil side; Some great cause, some great decision, Off’ring each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever ‘Twixt that darkness and that light.
2 Then to side with truth is noble, When we share her wretched crust, Ere her cause bring fame and profit, And ’tis prosperous to be just; Then it is the brave man chooses While the coward stands aside. Till the multitude make virtue Of the faith they had denied.
3 By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track, Toiling up new Calv’ries ever With the cross that turns not back; New occasions teach new duties, Ancient values test our youth; They must upward still and onward, Who would keep abreast of truth.
4 Tho’ the cause of evil prosper, Yet the truth alone is strong; Tho’ her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong; Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above His own.
Short Name:
James Russell Lowell
Full Name:
Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891
Birth Year:
1819
Death Year:
1891
Lowell, James Russell, LL.D., was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 22, 1819; graduated at Harvard College, 1838, and was called to the Bar in 1840. Professor of Modern Languages and Literature (succeeding the Poet Longfellow) in Harvard, 1855; American Minister to Spain, also to England in 1881. He was editor of the Atlantic Monthly, from 1857 to 1862; and of the North American Review from 1863 to 1872. Professor Lowell is the most intellectual of American poets, and first of her art critics and humorists. He has written much admirable moral and sacred poetry, but no hymns. One piece, “Men, whose boast it is that ye” (Against Slavery), is part of an Anti-Slavery poem, and in its present form is found in Hymns of the Spirit, 1864. Part of this is given in Songs for the Sanctuary, N.Y., 1865, as “They are slaves who will not choose.” [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] –John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) http://www.hymnary.org/person/Lowell_JR
1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Unruly behavior is one thing – unruly mouths are another. Using our mouths to glorify Him is wisdom, which only comes from Him.
Proverbs 10:13
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found:
Any wisdom that comes forth from our mouths comes from Him. Having understanding is different than having knowledge. The depth of our understanding will be commensurate to our walk with Him. Many sheeple devote their energies to earning advanced degrees or to studying the evil antics of politicians. From a humanistic perspective, they could be identified as having great knowledge. Yet – they do not have understanding. No passage in Scripture expresses this difference better than the following:
Job 42:5-6
5 I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
In the forty-two chapters of the Book of Job, he makes an arduous journey from the mere knowledge of God – to the true understanding of God. When Job submits – he receives understanding.
but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
At its very essence – the above verse means exactly what it says . . . rejecting Jesus Christ demonstrates a complete void of understanding.
Is it enough to worry only about our own sins? So many lovely Christians feel they should not ever judge, and allow people to work out their own misery. But where do we draw the line? Do we let someone drown in water? Do we let someone drown in sin? Is there any difference?
Proverbs 10:10
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow:
In the true understanding of the 1611 KJV, “winketh with the eye,” quite literally means “turning a blind eye.” This is something that everyone is guilty of, including Christians. We need to speak up, not sit on our hands! Just the fact that Christians as a whole have been cowed into passivity in the past does not mean we need to let it continue. If you see something that is wrong – speak out! Yes – especially if it is in your church. . .
God has “turned a blind eye” intentionally to the world’s free-fall into utter depravity, but He will not always do so!
Acts 17:29-31
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.
but a prating fool shall fall.
We all know them, even at church. Give them a mic and they never want to let go. I am saying this as kindly as possible to my brothers and sisters – listening is a great gift that every believer should try to cultivate within themselves. Let’s not think about ourselves, but let us always have in mind the well-being of others. Many times, the well being of others involves listening to them with hearing, understanding and compassion. The less time we spend thinking and talking about ourselves, the more time we will have for others and even more importantly The LORD, and the more filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit we will be.
The title pretty much says it all, but on this blog we like to delve into the “deep things of God.” Most Christians make a cursory pass through the Book of Proverbs, especially the chapters consisting of scores of one verse axioms. Is that really how the Lord wants us to study His precious Word? No, it isn’t. We are admonished over and over again throughout the Bible that His Word is paramount to knowing and serving Him. Each Word. Not just the easy passages which “speak to your heart.”
Proverbs 10:9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely:
Merriam Webster: upright – marked by strong moral rectitude <an upright citizen>
Marked by “strong moral rectitude?” That means it should be observable by others. No one should ever be able to say – “why would I want to be a Christian – you’re no better or different than anyone else!” The public failures of prominent Christians have done great damage to the furtherance of the Gospel. We have a great obligation – famous or not – to walk uprightly. Not only for our own safety and well-being; but for a walking testimony. Christians will be held to a higher standard because we are a target of the evil one. Do not let the lusts of this world spoil your testimony! Walk surely and safely on the narrow path – for your own sake, as well as the sakes of those watching you.
but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Merriam Webster: pervert
a: to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right :corrupt
b: to cause to turn aside or away from what is generally done or accepted :misdirect
This second part of the Proverb is interestingly phrased. How often the sinner thinks that he’s “getting away with it.” The idea of “secret sin” is a misnomer if there ever was one. It is sold to us as a “guilty pleasure,” and that you have a “right to indulge yourself.” One of the most over-used copouts of the porn addict is that “it’s not hurting anyone.” Prominent pastors caught in adultery never go into the affair with the idea that they will be found out!
Famous pervert, Oscar Wilde, gave the practice of “secret sin,” the literary treatment in his classic – The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Wilde and his friends knew the effects of the libertine, perverted lifestyle only too well. In this fantasy novel, the beautiful Dorian Gray makes a deal with the evil one, which would cause all the excesses of his licentious activities to only appear on his portrait – not his own face or body. The catch to this was, that the more his sins were hidden, the more perverted he became, even offending his libertine friends. It has long been a trick of Satan to sell the bills of goods, without revealing the “side effects.” Those most deeply immersed in a sinful lifestyle, are usually the last to know how their choices have caught up with them. There is no hiding it – the Proverb says – “his ways shall be known!”
If you are struggling with an addiction, please realize that it is rooted in sin. And sin is sin is sin. Calling it something else does not change what it is. Face up to it, and call on the Lord Jesus Christ to free you from that bondage. Bondage to sin and perversion is not freedom, even though at the outset – it may seem very freeing to be released from moral constraints. But it is not freedom at all – rather – it is the worst kind of bondage to a very harsh taskmaster known as the Father of Lies. And he does not love you or care whether you live or die. But Jesus Christ loves you so much that He died for all the terrible things you’ve done – so that you can live forever and spend eternity with Him.
As wickedness grows apace in this world, believers sometimes wonder longingly when the LORD will call them home. The Word of God is implicitly clear – He is keeping track – and He will hold all accountable.
Proverbs 10:6
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
It is extremely important to understand the meaning of the word “just” in the first section of this Proverb. Who are the just? Those who seek after righteousness through saving faith in God’s Christ! No one can be just on their own – because no one can obtain their own righteousness. And Who is our Head? Jesus Christ of course!
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
It is evident in this Proverb that blessings come to us only through Jesus Christ – Who is both our Head and our Righteousness. And what blessings they are! Pardon from sin, limitless peace, rest for our souls, every sanctifying grace, adoption, eternal life. . . need I say more? What joy! What bliss! What a Savior!
The second part of this Proverb is sad indeed. We see the wicked prospering in the world, and it “vexes our souls,” as it should! But look closely at that verse – and you will see it says something far more than most think it does. “Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.” Picture this, because this is what the Word is saying – the unrepentant will NOT be able to answer when the charges are brought against them at the Great White Throne Judgment! Their mouths will be “covered with violence.” There will be no pleading or bargaining involved, such as the courts of law hold today. No negotiating – no reduced sentences – no parole. . .no purgatory!
If you belong to an organized religion or cult, or are an atheist or agnostic – please think carefully about this Proverb – because it tells the future in one short sentence. Think about a trial – where you are not even allowed to speak – and every idle word, deed, and thought you ever had is exposed and read aloud for all to hear. You will have no defense – because your mouth will be covered.
Do not think this is some cruel fate – you have had ample time to repent, and the Lord is not willing that any should perish. Now is the time – not next year, or in a couple of years after you get done “living your life.” The time is never going to get better than right this minute. Turn to Jesus Christ, your Creator and Savior, please do it now because you may not get the chance later.
Luke 12:16-21
16 And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
The ease with which food can be procured in this country, gives us a false sense of security. The entitlement syndrome has left the populace with the idea that they are owed something. Food, clothing, shelter, education – all are deemed “rights” by a sinful and lazy flock of sheeple. The evil shepherd of our nation, is placed in judgment over us – as we demand more and more – the evil shepherd promises more and more. And leads the lazy sheeple to slaughter.
Proverbs 10:5
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
You need not be involved in agriculture to make a life application out of this particular Proverb. Allow me to give a personal example of how I use it it, and have ignored, it to my great discomfort.
Living in the Great Lakes area guarantees mercurial weather. Thanks to John Coleman, we have the blessings of the Weather Channel, and are able to chart the weather for more than one day. In times past, when looking at the weather, there might have been in winter time, a one or two day window biweekly, where the weather was more amenable to driving (ergo – safer and less stressful.) Did I wisely take advantage of this window? I am ashamed to say that I did not always do so – and found my family on several occasions having to go without some things for days before it was safe to drive again. Shameful and lazy!
When we have plenty, we tend to take it for granted – just as the ancient Hebrews did . . .
Deuteronomy 6:10-15
10 And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which He sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by His name.
14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
If you think about it honestly – do you really thing about where your water is coming from? How about your clothing? Do you thank God for every bite of food that goes into your mouth – or do you wish you had something better? How about your shelter? Clothing? Do you take care of and give thanks for what you have? Can you do better at working for the comfort and safety of your loved ones? This could even be applied to shoveling the snow off the roof, sidewalk or driveway – before the ice storm! Or if you live in an arid region – putting out the rain barrels before the rainy season! You’d be surprised how many people put off these things when it is the best time to do them – because of electronic distractions/addictions – like TV, internet, and telephone.
The Laodicean church mood of today, promulgates the notion that “God loves me no matter what I do.” While that is a true statement, it is incomplete. Just like our earthly fathers when faced with rebellion, He loves us as children, but hates what we do.
Bible believers are commanded in many places in the Word to do their best. Today’s Proverb follows this theme:
Proverbs 10:4
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Living in the greater Detroit Metro area, we are treated to the frequent teacher’s strikes that occur every few years in that crumbling, once great city.
I am forced to wonder why so many of them are overweight, so much to the point that they are wider than the poster boards they brandish!
It is sinful human nature to gravitate towards pleasure and away from pain and discomfort.
This Proverb applies to all of us – from home maker, to bottom rung corporate employee, to the head of a massive organization. We do not work for money – we work to honor the God we serve!
Homemakers – do you have laundry and dishes piled up? Are you allowing food to go to waste? Are you shopping with care and thrift? If not – then you are dealing with a slack hand.
Hourly worker – are you frittering away time when you could be getting things done? Do you spend time thinking about how the managers aren’t working as hard as you are? Do you help yourself to things at your place of work because everyone else does it? Then you are dealing with a slack hand.
CEO – do you spend hours at the golf course now that you’ve “made it?” Do you take advantage of tax exemptions to make your life more cushy with “business expenses” that aren’t really business expenses? Do you take advantage of underlings? Then you are dealing with a slack hand.
Remember brothers and sisters, we are concerned with treasures in heaven – not here on earth! If you are feeling unappreciated, underpaid, and overwhelmed in your sphere of labor, whether in the home or in a factory – so what! So what if you are unappreciated by your boss. If you work with a diligent hand – you are appreciated by Someone much more powerful than your boss, ( or kids or spouse for that matter.)
Please see the studies on the Rewards of Crowns on our apologetics page to see where and how, you, beloveds, will be truly rewarded for your diligence.
Even if you are working in a situation (very likely) that does not allow you to speak about your faith – your life can be a witness!
1 Peter 2:11-17
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Some would look at this illustration and think it belongs to another, “less civilized” era. Mankind has not changed, just the dressings have. There are more that will deceive and take advantage of others, than there are that won’t. We all need to be very circumspect in this matter. Even pocketing extra change mistakenly given to you by a cashier constitutes as a “treasure of wickedness.” There may be some people who seem to be “getting away with it,” but they will be judged. Perhaps not in this life, but definitely in the next.
but righteousness delivereth from death.
Not deliverance physical death, perhaps, but deliverance from eternal death in the Lake of Fire – yes. Only those who have admitted their sinfulness, and turned towards Jesus Christ and asked Him into their hearts are considered righteous. In God’s eyes there are only two kinds of people in the world – sheep and goats – or – saved and unsaved.
Matthew 25:31-33
31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:
32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Last week, the lesson for us was that godly wisdom is eternal riches – unlike the fading riches of this world. Today – we learn to listen to wisdom’s call. . .
Proverbs 9:1-12
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Here, wisdom is likened to a home maker, whose house is well kept, and furnished with comforts of food and drink. Hardly anyone can deny the appeal of a well laid table. In vs. 4 – wisdom pleads with “the simple,” to come and eat and drink their fill of the riches of godly wisdom. Wisdom finishes by adjuring the simple ones to forsake foolishness, and LIVE in wisdom.
The Proverb goes on to give an example for living in godly wisdom. I can’t help but think of the recent debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham in regards to this Proverb. See if you agree with me!
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
It is unfortunate, but true, that the only thing that was accomplished by that entertaining debate – was funding. Bill Nye is a scorner – he proved that in his ridicule of the Bible. God would call Mr. Nye a fool – yet the world loves him. Scorners are not to be rebuked! If you just look at the eyes of those two men – the difference between the flint hard glare of Mr. Nye and the tender expression of Mr. Ham’s is a good indication of the condition of the heart. Scorners have hearts of stone.
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Ken Ham will be blessed by God for his tenacious defense of the Gospel. Was he shamed? In the eyes of the fallen world – yes. Bill Nye will receive the world’s accolades.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
After a thorough examination of the immoralities connected to our flesh, we move to delve into the wonders of godly wisdom.
Proverbs 8:1-5
8 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
A cynic would respond to this by saying they do not see or hear wisdom anywhere. They only see and hear the evil doings of men. We would wonder then, at the hardness of the cynic’s heart. The majesty of God and His natural world is available to anyone, anywhere. To be oblivious to His work is to be lost.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Godly wisdom can never be false – it is His truth out of our mouths and actions. Godly wisdom will never be unruly, or ignorant.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Oh you prosperity preachers – shame! The riches of the Lord are never material!!!!
7 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Although the dressings have changed – the behavior of people has not. What Solomon advises his son, still applies today. “The attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart,” could describe millions of immoral women in the world today. They are everywhere now – so much to the point that a man, young or old, would have to put his eyes out to avoid seeing them!
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
This immoral woman is married! And even admits to the foolish fellow with the wandering eye that her husband has taken money with him and won’t be home.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
O dear lord – how many are seduced by flattery?
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
How do the wiles of harlot entrap men now? How about internet porn? “Adult” entertainment? Television? Cheer leaders? Office flirtations? Beaches? Malls? Magazines? Just walking down the street? Church???? Is there any escape?
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
The LORD will always provide you with a way out of temptation. The best thing to do is avoid it – entirely. If you can not look without lusting – DO NOT LOOK!!!! Even if you have to throw out your television! Avert your eyes, and your heart will be safer. I know this is easier said than done, but it can be done.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
Instruction from godly parents is to be integral to the young Christian. Holding tightly to such counsel, will be a boon to resisting the world, the flesh, and the devil!
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
Often people blame the man in instances of adultery. Certainly – in cases where the female is underage, he is 100% responsible. But – in the sin of two adults – both are responsible. Women who pursue married men are considered whores in the Bible. Not long ago in our culture – women who did such things were called home-wreckers. Now they are glorified in the media, and money is thrown at them for their evil doings.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
The Proverb summarizes in the next six verse, by comparing adultery to stealing bread. If one steals because he is starving, it is more easily forgiven. If one steals when one has plenty – it is deserving of revenge.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Why is fidelity in marriage stressed over and over again in the Bible? Because the marriage between one man and one women is God ordained, and is intended to picture the relationship between Christ and His church.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Last Friday, we studied that falsehood can ruin our lives. The next passage of Proverbs is so dramatic and intense, that it has received the Hollywood treatment, being featured in a movie, a television series, and a four part mini-series.
These six things doth the lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him.
abomination = a person or thing that is disgusting; an action that is vicious, vile, etc.; intense loathing
Sin is a very, very, serious offense against God.
A proud look
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A lying tongue
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and hands that shed innocent blood.
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a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.
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feet that be swift in running to mischief.
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a false witness that speaketh lies.
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and he that soweth discord among the brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19
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All sin is wicked in God’s sight. Humans tend to “categorize” sin by making relative comparisons. In man’s eyes, lying is not as serious of a sin as murder is – but this famous Proverb proves that lying is an abomination to The LORD. Even the “smallest” sin will keep a person out of heaven. That means, even our “little white lies,” and gossiping had to be placed on Jesus Christ at Calvary. We all need to embrace God’s perspective of sin, and completely eliminate man’s perspective.
The Vine Vigil 
