“Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 6:24).
The word of God is a mirror. When we read and meditate on it, it shows us who we really are: there is no hiding from our own reflection. When we look in a mirror, we notice immediately if there is something amiss in our appearance. We might see a new blemish, a hair out of place or a patch of dry skin, and because we are so familiar with ourselves, we recognize it immediately. The Word reveals our sins, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies in the same way a mirror reflects our appearance. Not only is it a mirror, but it is also a light and a lamp. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105). The Word is a lamp to shine on our immediate path so that our feet do not trip and stumble or become ensnared in traps that have been set for us. It is also a light or beacon that illuminates the path ahead of us, so that we can see obstacles and temptations in order to avoid them. The Word also directs its beam inward, into the very dark recesses of our heart, to expose the hidden sins that lurk there. God’s Word quickens our heart in order to drive us to repentance. When God’s Word reveals an area of sin or disobedience, we should confess it to God and then turn from it. Make no mistake; the Word of God is painful. It will cut to the quick and show us sides of ourselves we do not like to admit reside within us. Nevertheless, we must face them, admit to their presence and conquer them through the power and blood of Jesus.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Where Is Your Treasure?
“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.” (Proverbs 10:2).
When a man came to Jesus and asked the Master to tell his older brother to divide the inheritance with him, Jesus gave the man these words of wisdom: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: For man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15). Yet in our society, the measure of a man is often based on the material possessions he has acquired. Jesus went on to tell the parable of a rich man whose land produced so much crop that he had no where to keep it. The rich man decided that he would tear down his barns and build even greater storehouses to stockpile his harvest. He was so proud of his accomplishments that he said: “Soul, thou has much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21). Men of God, do not be consumed by the world’s definition of success. Your value does not come from the size of your bank account or your position in the community, but it comes from your position with Christ. When we stand before God, He will not be impressed with our earthly treasures and corruptible possessions. He will only be interested in the treasures we have laid up for ourselves in heaven.
When a man came to Jesus and asked the Master to tell his older brother to divide the inheritance with him, Jesus gave the man these words of wisdom: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: For man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15). Yet in our society, the measure of a man is often based on the material possessions he has acquired. Jesus went on to tell the parable of a rich man whose land produced so much crop that he had no where to keep it. The rich man decided that he would tear down his barns and build even greater storehouses to stockpile his harvest. He was so proud of his accomplishments that he said: “Soul, thou has much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21). Men of God, do not be consumed by the world’s definition of success. Your value does not come from the size of your bank account or your position in the community, but it comes from your position with Christ. When we stand before God, He will not be impressed with our earthly treasures and corruptible possessions. He will only be interested in the treasures we have laid up for ourselves in heaven.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Out of the Abundance of Your Heart
“Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.” (Proverbs 6:14).
We cannot separate what comes out of our mouths from what is in our hearts. When Jesus chastised the Pharisees, He said: “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35). Note the effects of having frowardness or perverseness in the heart: the wicked heart produces mischief and discord. A man that seeks mischief will have no trouble finding it. Proverbs 11:27 says “it shall come unto him.” “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head.” (Psalms 7: 15-16). When a man has a corrupt heart, he will also be a sower of discord. Satan loves to sow discord and cause disunity in the Church, because he is the author of confusion. Sowers of discord are a cancer in the body of Christ. They are unhealthy cells that attack the good cells and continue to do so until the body is so full of malignant cells that it dies. Many Churches have died as a result of the cancer of discord. Godly men, be careful of what comes out of your mouth. Are you building people up or tearing them down? Examine yourself to see that you are in the faith. Do you need to confess to God any sins of mischief, discord or impurity of the heart?
We cannot separate what comes out of our mouths from what is in our hearts. When Jesus chastised the Pharisees, He said: “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35). Note the effects of having frowardness or perverseness in the heart: the wicked heart produces mischief and discord. A man that seeks mischief will have no trouble finding it. Proverbs 11:27 says “it shall come unto him.” “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head.” (Psalms 7: 15-16). When a man has a corrupt heart, he will also be a sower of discord. Satan loves to sow discord and cause disunity in the Church, because he is the author of confusion. Sowers of discord are a cancer in the body of Christ. They are unhealthy cells that attack the good cells and continue to do so until the body is so full of malignant cells that it dies. Many Churches have died as a result of the cancer of discord. Godly men, be careful of what comes out of your mouth. Are you building people up or tearing them down? Examine yourself to see that you are in the faith. Do you need to confess to God any sins of mischief, discord or impurity of the heart?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Guard Your Heart
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23).
Our heart must be guarded at all times. Keeping our hearts pure is a minute-by-minute task that must be maintained with diligence. The moment we slip up, Satan is standing by to tempt us. He is hoping to trip us up or gain a foothold in our lives. In boxing, the trainer is always at the boxer to “keep his guard up.” The trainer can sense when the pugilist is getting tired and knows that it only takes one correctly timed punch to knock out a boxer who drops his guard. Guarding our heart is a constant battle. We must fight against the dominion of darkness in order to keep it pure. “If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven. For He who giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in His grace.” (Thomas A. Kempis). Men of courage, stand up against the forces of darkness that seek to conquer your heart. Let those that are strong bear the infirmities of the weak.” (Romans 15:1). Train young men to stand up and fight for themselves. Above all, guard your own heart!
Our heart must be guarded at all times. Keeping our hearts pure is a minute-by-minute task that must be maintained with diligence. The moment we slip up, Satan is standing by to tempt us. He is hoping to trip us up or gain a foothold in our lives. In boxing, the trainer is always at the boxer to “keep his guard up.” The trainer can sense when the pugilist is getting tired and knows that it only takes one correctly timed punch to knock out a boxer who drops his guard. Guarding our heart is a constant battle. We must fight against the dominion of darkness in order to keep it pure. “If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven. For He who giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in His grace.” (Thomas A. Kempis). Men of courage, stand up against the forces of darkness that seek to conquer your heart. Let those that are strong bear the infirmities of the weak.” (Romans 15:1). Train young men to stand up and fight for themselves. Above all, guard your own heart!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Gaining God's Wisdom
“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.” (Proverbs 4:5, 6).
Around the ages of twelve or thirteen, most boys received “the talk”– the dreaded birds and bees discussion. My step-mother actually gave the talk to me and she didn’t do too badly; however, I can only recall one thing she said: “Don’t forget what I told you, because it will keep you from getting hurt and out of a whole lot of trouble.” The Lord gives us similar instructions with today’s proverb. In essence, He is saying, “Don’t forget this. It’s important. If you do what I say, it will protect you.” One of the reasons I love Proverbs so much is because it is full of these Father-son talks of wisdom, guidance, and instruction. God commands us to not decline from the words of His mouth. To decline means “to turn away or to put aside.” In other words, don’t neglect the advice He has given us. When He says to forsake her not, it means we are not to relinquish the wisdom and understanding He has given us. When we relinquish something, we give away what is rightfully ours. As men of God, we are entitled to the wisdom and understanding of God. They are gifts that He longs to bestow on His sons, if only we would ask. “Ask and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Around the ages of twelve or thirteen, most boys received “the talk”– the dreaded birds and bees discussion. My step-mother actually gave the talk to me and she didn’t do too badly; however, I can only recall one thing she said: “Don’t forget what I told you, because it will keep you from getting hurt and out of a whole lot of trouble.” The Lord gives us similar instructions with today’s proverb. In essence, He is saying, “Don’t forget this. It’s important. If you do what I say, it will protect you.” One of the reasons I love Proverbs so much is because it is full of these Father-son talks of wisdom, guidance, and instruction. God commands us to not decline from the words of His mouth. To decline means “to turn away or to put aside.” In other words, don’t neglect the advice He has given us. When He says to forsake her not, it means we are not to relinquish the wisdom and understanding He has given us. When we relinquish something, we give away what is rightfully ours. As men of God, we are entitled to the wisdom and understanding of God. They are gifts that He longs to bestow on His sons, if only we would ask. “Ask and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Friday, April 2, 2010
Walk with Jesus
“Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.” (Proverbs 3:23).
Charles Spurgeon said: “Losses and crosses are heavy to bear: but when our hearts are right with God, it is wonderful how easy the yoke becomes.” When we couple ourselves in a yoke with Jesus, He will gently lead and guide us. He will carry the brunt of the load, so that our only responsibility is to walk beside Him. He will keep us on a safe path, so that we will not stumble or fall. Usually, we flounder because we have been following our own path. Contrary to the theology of some, when we walk with the Lord, He doesn’t guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen to us. We still live in a sinful world with an enemy who desires to destroy us. Some Christians become disillusioned with God when tragedy strikes and they have been “faithfully living for the Lord.” These believers are victims of a false gospel that teaches God will give you everything you want if you ask in His name and nothing bad can happen to you if you are under the blood. This perverted gospel removes the suffering of Christ and the temptations and trials of the Christian faith. It is a feel-good gospel that has propagated in America as a result of our lavish lifestyle. The God who is able to prevent us from stumbling is the same God who picks us up when we fall. (Psalm 37:24). Men of God, be followers of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Trust the Lord and lean on him no matter what life sends your way. After all, the very worst thing that can happen to us is death, and for the believer, that is also the very best thing.
Charles Spurgeon said: “Losses and crosses are heavy to bear: but when our hearts are right with God, it is wonderful how easy the yoke becomes.” When we couple ourselves in a yoke with Jesus, He will gently lead and guide us. He will carry the brunt of the load, so that our only responsibility is to walk beside Him. He will keep us on a safe path, so that we will not stumble or fall. Usually, we flounder because we have been following our own path. Contrary to the theology of some, when we walk with the Lord, He doesn’t guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen to us. We still live in a sinful world with an enemy who desires to destroy us. Some Christians become disillusioned with God when tragedy strikes and they have been “faithfully living for the Lord.” These believers are victims of a false gospel that teaches God will give you everything you want if you ask in His name and nothing bad can happen to you if you are under the blood. This perverted gospel removes the suffering of Christ and the temptations and trials of the Christian faith. It is a feel-good gospel that has propagated in America as a result of our lavish lifestyle. The God who is able to prevent us from stumbling is the same God who picks us up when we fall. (Psalm 37:24). Men of God, be followers of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Trust the Lord and lean on him no matter what life sends your way. After all, the very worst thing that can happen to us is death, and for the believer, that is also the very best thing.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
True Treasure
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14).
Every young boy dreams of finding a treasure map and venturing off in search of buried treasure. Dreams of gold coins, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and silver riddle his head with fantasies of wealth, adventure and fame. In a spiritual sense, God has already given every man a treasure map for living: His Word. The Bible tells us how to get eternal treasures that will never fade, rust or corrupt. It instructs us in how to obtain wisdom and understanding, how to live godly lives and how to mark the pitfalls and quagmires so that we can avoid them. Wisdom and understanding from God are better than anything the world has to offer. They are priceless and cannot be found in the land of the living. (Job 28:13). “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalms 19:10). God says: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” When God gives the privilege of hearing from Him, we have the obligation to obey and to share what we know with others. “Obey God in the thing he shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. God will never reveal more truth about himself until you have obeyed what you know already.” (Oswald Chambers).
Every young boy dreams of finding a treasure map and venturing off in search of buried treasure. Dreams of gold coins, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and silver riddle his head with fantasies of wealth, adventure and fame. In a spiritual sense, God has already given every man a treasure map for living: His Word. The Bible tells us how to get eternal treasures that will never fade, rust or corrupt. It instructs us in how to obtain wisdom and understanding, how to live godly lives and how to mark the pitfalls and quagmires so that we can avoid them. Wisdom and understanding from God are better than anything the world has to offer. They are priceless and cannot be found in the land of the living. (Job 28:13). “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalms 19:10). God says: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” When God gives the privilege of hearing from Him, we have the obligation to obey and to share what we know with others. “Obey God in the thing he shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. God will never reveal more truth about himself until you have obeyed what you know already.” (Oswald Chambers).
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