A Voice For Wisdom

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

2008-07-29T12:30:00.001-04:00

PSALM 119:89-91 (KJV)

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants."

A MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION

2008-07-22T17:18:00.003-04:00

MATTHEW 16:13-17 (KJV)

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?'

And they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.'

He saith unto them, 'But whom say ye that I am?'

And Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

And Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.'"

WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

2008-07-14T08:40:00.002-04:00

JOHN 15:18-21 (ESV)

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me[Jesus] before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me,they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me."

A PRAYER FOR FELLOW BELIEVERS

2008-07-10T09:51:00.002-04:00

PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11 (ESV)

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

WORSE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE

2008-07-02T10:38:00.002-04:00

JEREMIAH 17:9-10 (AMP)

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."

A LOSER--NOW OR LATER

2008-06-27T09:37:00.003-04:00

MATTHEW 16:24-27 (AMP)

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

'For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]?

'For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory (majesty, splendor) of His Father with His angels, and then He will render account and reward every man in accordance with what he has done.'"

PRACTICAL HOLINESS

2008-06-26T10:28:00.003-04:00

LEVITICUS 19:1-3; 11-18 (MSG)

"God spoke to Moses: 'Speak to the congregation of Israel. Tell them, Be holy because I, God, your God, am holy.

Every one of you must respect his mother and father.

Keep my Sabbaths. I am God, your God.

Don't steal.

Don't lie.

Don't deceive anyone.

Don't swear falsely using my name, violating the name of your God. I am
God.

Don't exploit your friend or rob him.

Don't hold back the wages of a hired hand overnight.

Don't curse the deaf; don't put a stumbling block in front of the blind; fear your God. I am God.

Don't pervert justice. Don't show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

Don't spread gossip and rumors.

Don't just stand by when your neighbor's life is in danger. I am God.

Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.

Don't seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.

Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.'"

A BUSY BODY OR A BUSYBODY?

2008-06-24T07:36:00.002-04:00

2 THESSALONIANS 3:10-13 (KJV)

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

A ZERO WITH THE RING RUBBED OUT

2008-06-23T09:10:00.002-04:00

ISAIAH 40:15-17 (ESV)

"Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness."

A PLACE TO HANG OUR HOPE

2008-06-16T18:12:00.002-04:00

EZRA 9:8-9 (KJV)

"And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem."

GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS

2008-06-12T09:13:00.002-04:00

NEHEMIAH 1:8-9 (CEV)

"Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped."

LOVE WHAT IS ABOVE!

2008-06-10T20:25:00.004-04:00

COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 (KJV)

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

OH, BE CAREFUL LITTLE . . .

2008-04-04T23:10:00.002-04:00

PROVERBS 4:24-27 (KJ21)

"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Let thine eyes look right ahead, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil."

SURPRISE!

2008-01-09T20:08:00.000-05:00

MATTHEW 7:21-23 (ESV)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"

A CLEAN SLATE

2008-01-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

ROMANS 8:1-2 (NIV)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO

2007-12-29T17:34:00.000-05:00

JOHN 14:1-3 (KJV)

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

STARTING THE NEW YEAR RIGHT

2007-12-28T12:19:00.000-05:00

JAMES 4:7-11 (AMP)

"So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

[My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it]."

THE BIG BANG AND GLOBAL WARMING: AN UNDERSTATEMENT

2007-10-19T23:04:00.000-04:00

2 PETER 3:9-11 (KJV)

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?"

ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS

2007-10-15T16:50:00.000-04:00

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

PAINFUL ON PURPOSE

2007-10-13T09:26:00.000-04:00

HEBREWS 12:3-11 (CEV)

"So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.

None of you have yet been hurt in your battle against sin. But you have forgotten that the Scriptures say to God's children, 'When the Lord punishes you, don't make light of it, and when he corrects you, don't be discouraged. The Lord corrects the people he loves and disciplines those he calls his own.'

Be patient when you are being corrected! This is how God treats his children. Don't all parents correct their children? God corrects all of his children, and if he doesn't correct you, then you don't really belong to him.

Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn't it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us?

Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is. It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace."

OH, BE CAREFUL LITTLE BLOGGER WHAT YOU BLOG.

2007-10-08T12:17:00.000-04:00

MATTHEW 12:35-37 (NKJV)

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

2007-09-28T22:42:00.000-04:00

PHILIPPIANS 4:7-9 (KJV)

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

THE WORTH OF THE WILDERNESS

2007-09-10T20:49:00.000-04:00

DEUTERONOMY 8:1-20 (KJV)

"All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God."

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAVE, BUT RATHER WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE THAT MATTERS.

2007-09-01T21:57:00.000-04:00

LUKE 19:11-26 (NASB)

"While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

So He said, 'A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Do business with this until I come back.'

But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.'

When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done.

The first appeared, saying, 'Master, your mina has made ten minas more.'

And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.'

The second came, saying, 'Your mina, master, has made five minas.'

And he said to him also, 'And you are to be over five cities.'

Another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.'

He said to him, 'By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?'

Then he said to the bystanders, 'Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.'

And they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas already.'

I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away."

DON'T BE ONE OF THE AMERICAN IDLE

2007-06-06T17:38:00.000-04:00

2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-15 (NIV)

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother."

A TUMBLEWEED OR A TREE?

2007-06-05T08:08:00.000-04:00

JEREMIAH 17:5-8 (NIV)

"This is what the LORD says:
'Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.'"

LEADING BY THE "NO'S"

2007-05-30T20:26:00.000-04:00

ACTS 16:6-8 (NKJV)

"Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'

Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them."

DON'T EVEN GO THERE!

2007-05-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

PROVERBS 1:10-16 (KJV)

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse.

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood."

HOPE--LOST AND FOUND

2007-05-12T00:17:00.000-04:00

LAMENTATIONS 3:1-33 (NKJV)

HOPE LOST

"I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He has led me and made me walk in darkness and not in light.

Surely He has turned His hand against me time and time again throughout the day.

He has aged my flesh and my skin, and broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and woe.

He has set me in dark places like the dead of long ago. He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy.

Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer. He has blocked my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked.

He has been to me a bear lying in wait, like a lion in ambush. He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces; He has made me desolate.

He has bent His bow and set me up as a target for the arrow. He has caused the arrows of His quiver to pierce my loins.

I have become the ridicule of all my people—their taunting song all the day.

He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drink wormwood. He has also broken my teeth with gravel, and covered me with ashes.

You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity.

And I said, 'My strength and my hope have perished from the LORD.'

Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers and sinks within me.

HOPE FOUND

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I hope in Him!'

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone and keep silent, because God has laid it on him; let him put his mouth in the dust— there may yet be hope. Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, and be full of reproach.

For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men."

DEAL OR NO DEAL

2007-05-04T08:08:00.000-04:00

GENESIS 13:8-17 (NKJV)

"So Abram said to Lot, 'Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.'

And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.

And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: 'Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.'"

SAMARITAN IDOL

2007-04-27T19:13:00.000-04:00

MICAH 1:2-7 (CEV)
2 CORINTHIANS 6:16-18 (KJV)

"Listen, all of you! Earth and everything on it, pay close attention.

The LORD God accuses you from his holy temple. And he will come down to crush underfoot every pagan altar.

Mountains will melt beneath his feet like wax beside a fire. Valleys will vanish like water rushing down a ravine.

This will happen because of the terrible sins of Israel, the descendants of Jacob.

Samaria has led Israel to sin, and pagan altars at Jerusalem have made Judah sin.

So the LORD will leave Samaria in ruins--merely an empty field where vineyards are planted. He will scatter its stones and destroy its foundations.

Samaria's idols will be smashed, and the wages of temple prostitutes will be destroyed by fire. Silver and gold from those idols will then be used by foreigners as payment for prostitutes."
.........................................................................................................................................................................
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

WHOLLY HOLY

2007-04-20T19:08:00.000-04:00

I THESSALONIANS 5:23 (KJV)

"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."

SERVING GOD THE HARD WAY

2007-03-30T17:15:00.000-04:00

JUDGES 16:23-30 (NIV)

"Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, 'Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.'

When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, 'Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.'

While they were in high spirits, they shouted, 'Bring out Samson to entertain us.'
So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, 'Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.'

Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform.

Then Samson prayed to the LORD, 'O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.'

Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines!'

Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it.

Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived."

YOUTH WITHOUT REGRETS

2007-03-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

ECCLESIASTES 12:1, 13-14 (AMP)

"REMEMBER [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now] in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], I have no enjoyment in them--"

". . .fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil."

BLIND IS AS BLIND DOES

2007-03-16T07:14:00.000-04:00

JOHN 9:13-34 (NIV)

"They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.

Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. 'He put mud on my eyes,' the man replied, 'and I washed, and now I see.'

Some of the Pharisees said, 'This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.'
But others asked, 'How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?' So they were divided.
Finally they turned again to the blind man, 'What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.'

The man replied, 'He is a prophet.'

The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 'Is this your son?' they asked. 'Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?'

'We know he is our son,' the parents answered, 'and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.'
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, 'He is of age; ask him.'

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. 'Give glory to God,' they said. 'We know this man is a sinner.'

He replied, 'Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!'

Then they asked him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?'

He answered, 'I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?'

Then they hurled insults at him and said, 'You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from.'

The man answered, 'Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.'

To this they replied, 'You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!' And they threw him out.

GIVING GOD HAND-ME-DOWNS

2007-03-09T22:58:00.000-05:00

MALACHI 1:6-14 (CEV)

"I, the LORD All-Powerful, have something to say to you priests.

Children respect their fathers, and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master, so why don't you respect me?

You priests have insulted me, and now you ask, 'How did we insult you?'

You embarrass me by offering worthless food on my altar. Then you ask, 'How have we embarrassed you?' You have done it by saying, 'What's so great about the LORD's altar?'

But isn't it wrong to offer animals that are blind, crippled, or sick? Just try giving those animals to your governor. That certainly wouldn't please him or make him want to help you.

I am the LORD God All-Powerful, and you had better try to please me. You have sinned. Now see if I will have mercy on any of you.

I wish someone would lock the doors of my temple, so you would stop wasting time building fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you priests, and I refuse to accept any more of your offerings.

From dawn until dusk my name is praised by every nation on this earth, as they burn incense and offer the proper sacrifices to me.

But even you priests insult me by saying, 'There's nothing special about the LORD's altar, and these sacrifices are worthless.'

You get so disgusted that you even make vulgar signs at me. And for an offering, you bring stolen animals or those that are crippled or sick. Should I accept these?

Instead of offering the acceptable animals you have promised, you bring me those that are unhealthy. I will punish you for this, because I am the great King, the LORD All-Powerful, and I am worshiped by nations everywhere."

SAMARITAN IDOL

2007-03-01T00:35:00.000-05:00

MICAH 1:2-7 (CEV)

2 CORINTHIANS 6:16-18 (KJV)

"Listen, all of you! Earth and everything on it, pay close attention.
The LORD God accuses you from his holy temple. And he will come down to crush underfoot every pagan altar.

Mountains will melt beneath his feet like wax beside a fire. Valleys will vanish like water rushing down a ravine.

This will happen because of the terrible sins of Israel, the descendants of Jacob.

Samaria has led Israel to sin, and pagan altars at Jerusalem have made Judah sin.

So the LORD will leave Samaria in ruins--merely an empty field where vineyards are planted. He will scatter its stones and destroy its foundations.

Samaria's idols will be smashed, and the wages of temple prostitutes will be destroyed by fire. Silver and gold from those idols will then be used by foreigners as payment for prostitutes."
........................................................................................................................
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

THINK INSIDE THE BOOK

2007-02-28T08:33:00.000-05:00

PSALM 119:9-16 (NASB)

"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your Word.

With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Your Word I have treasured in my heart,That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.

With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.

I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your Word."

TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK

2007-02-24T00:30:00.000-05:00

ROMANS 13:11-14 (AMP)

"Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).

The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.

Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.

But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts)."

HOW TO BE A HAPPY CAMPER

2007-02-18T05:24:00.000-05:00

II CORINTHIANS 5:1-10 (NASB)

LIVE FOR THE FUTURE

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.

For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

LIVE BY FAITH

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

LIVE TO PLEASE GOD

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

BELIEVERS NEED TO BE HOLY

2007-02-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

I PETER 1:13-25 (NIV)

BECAUSE WE HAVE A FUTURE HOPE.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

BECAUSE OUR FATHER IS HOLY.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN BOUGHT.

Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

BECAUSE WE NEED TO LOVE.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.

BECAUSE OUR LIVES ARE BRIEF.

For, 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.'
And this is the Word that was preached to you."

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE LIGHT?

2007-02-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

JOHN 3:16-21(ESV)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God."

THE BEST THING IN LIFE IS FREE

2007-01-31T07:54:00.000-05:00

ISAIAH 55:1-5 (NASB)

"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.

Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, And a nation which knows you not will run to you, Because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you."

GOD'S FORGIVENESS

2007-01-26T04:42:00.000-05:00

PSALM 51:1-17 (CEV)

THE SOURCE

"You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins. Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.

THE NEED

I know about my sins, and I cannot forget my terrible guilt. You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for you to correct and punish me. I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born.

THE PROCESS

But you want complete honesty, so teach me true wisdom. Wash me with hyssop until I am clean and whiter than snow. Let me be happy and joyful! You crushed my bones, now let them celebrate. Turn your eyes from my sin and cover my guilt. Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again. Don't chase me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me. Make me as happy as you did when you saved me; make me want to obey!

THE RESULT

I will teach sinners your Law, and they will return to you. Keep me from any deadly sin. Only you can save me! Then I will shout and sing about your power to save. Help me to speak, and I will praise you, Lord.

THE BENEFIT

Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want. The way to please you is to feel sorrow deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse."

GOT MILK--ONLY?

2007-01-22T07:04:00.000-05:00

HEBREWS 5:11-14 (NIV)

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

SOME THINGS GOD HATES

2007-01-12T05:31:00.000-05:00

PROVERBS 6:16-19 (NIV)

"There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

a false witness who pours out lies

and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

KEEPING GOD'S TEMPLE HOLY

2007-01-06T01:24:00.000-05:00

II CORINTHIANS 6:14-18(NIV)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.

For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?

Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?

What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?

For we are the temple of the living God.

As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT

2006-12-29T22:01:00.000-05:00

JEREMIAH 9:23-24 (KJV)

"Thus saith the LORD, 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight', saith the LORD."

A GOOD MYSTERY

2006-12-18T05:02:00.000-05:00

EPHESIANS 3:1-12(NASB)

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him."

FAITHFULNESS--DANIEL'S ONLY FAULT

2006-12-11T06:15:00.000-05:00

DANIEL 6:1-13, 16, 20-22(NASB)

"It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss.

FAITHFUL IN WORK

Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.

Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.

Then these men said, 'We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.'

Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: 'King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den.

Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.'

Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

FAITHFUL IN WORSHIP

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, 'Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?' The king replied, 'The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.'

Then they answered and spoke before the king, 'Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day."

FAITHFUL IN WITNESS

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den The king spoke and said to Daniel, 'Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.'

When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?'

Then Daniel spoke to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.'

SOME BIBLICAL RULES FOR A BELIEVER

2006-11-30T06:59:00.000-05:00

ROMANS 12:9-21(CEV)

"Be sincere in your love for others."

"Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good."

"Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself."

"Never give up."

"Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord."

"Let your hope make you glad."

"Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying."

"Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home."

"Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them."

"When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad."

"Be friendly with everyone."

"Don't be proud and feel that you are smarter than others."

"Make friends with ordinary people."

"Don't mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone."

"Dear friends, don't try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, 'I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.'"

"The Scriptures also say, 'If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.'"

"Don't let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good."

THE POWER OF CONVICTIONS

2006-11-24T06:55:00.000-05:00

DANIEL 3:8-30(CEV)

"Some Babylonians used this as a chance to accuse the Jews to King Nebuchadnezzar. They said,'Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! You commanded everyone to bow down and worship the gold statue when the music played. And you said that anyone who did not bow down and worship it would be thrown into a flaming furnace. Sir, you appointed three men to high positions in Babylon Province, but they have disobeyed you. Those Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to worship your gods and the statue you have set up.'

King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. So he sent for the three young men and said, 'I hear that you refuse to worship my gods and the gold statue I have set up. Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don't, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. No god can save you from me.'

The three men replied, 'Your Majesty, we don't need to defend ourselves. The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. But even if he doesn't, we still won't worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.'

Nebuchadnezzar's face twisted with anger at the three men. And he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. Next, he commanded some of his strongest soldiers to tie up the men and throw them into the flaming furnace. The king wanted it done at that very moment. So the soldiers tied up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and threw them into the flaming furnace with all of their clothes still on, including their turbans. The fire was so hot that flames leaped out and killed the soldiers.

Suddenly the king jumped up and shouted, 'Weren't only three men tied up and thrown into the fire?'

'Yes,Your Majesty,' the people answered.

'But I see four men walking around in the fire,' the king replied. 'None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a god.' Nebuchadnezzar went closer to the flaming furnace and said to the three young men, 'You servants of the Most High God, come out at once!'

They came out, and the king's high officials, governors, and advisors all crowded around them. The men were not burned, their hair wasn't scorched, and their clothes didn't even smell like smoke. King Nebuchadnezzar said: Praise their God for sending an angel to rescue his servants! They trusted their God and refused to obey my commands. Yes, they chose to die rather than to worship or serve any god except their own. And I won't allow people of any nation or race to say anything against their God. Anyone who does will be chopped up and their houses will be torn down, because no other god has such great power to save.

After this happened, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in Babylon Province."

NO PAIN, NO GAIN

2006-11-20T06:31:00.000-05:00

HEBREWS 12:1-13(NIV)

DENIAL

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

DIRECTION

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

DETERMINATION

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.'

DISCIPLINE

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

DEDICATION

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

GENERATION W[ICKED]

2006-11-17T04:36:00.000-05:00

PROVERBS 30:12-14(KJV)

"There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men."

A COUPLE OF BIG "IF'S"

2006-11-16T06:41:00.000-05:00

PSALM 37:21-40(CEV)

"An evil person borrows and never pays back; a good person is generous and never stops giving.

Everyone the LORD blesses will receive the land; everyone the LORD curses will be destroyed.

If you do what the LORD wants, He will make certain each step you take is sure. The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall.

As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food. They gladly give and lend, and their children turn out good.

If you stop sinning and start doing right, you will keep living and be secure forever.

The LORD loves justice, and he won't ever desert his faithful people. He always protects them, but destroys the children of the wicked. God's people will own the land and live here forever.

Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice. They remember God's teachings, and they never take a wrong step.
The wicked try to trap and kill good people, but the LORD is on their side, and he will defend them when they are on trial.

Trust the LORD and follow him. He will give you the land, and you will see the wicked destroyed. I have seen brutal people abuse others and grow strong like trees in rich soil. Suddenly they disappeared! I looked, but they were gone and no longer there.

Think of the bright future waiting for all the families of honest and innocent and peace-loving people. But not a trace will be left of the wicked or their families. The LORD protects his people, and they can come to him in times of trouble. The LORD helps them and saves them from the wicked because they run to Him."

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

2006-11-11T02:44:00.000-05:00

PSALM 37:1-20(CEV)

"Don't be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don't envy them. They will soon disappear like grass without rain.

Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire.
Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right.

Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.

All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the LORD, the land will be yours. Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found, but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.

Merciless people make plots against good people and snarl like animals, but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon.
The wicked kill with swords and shoot arrows to murder the poor and the needy and all who do right. But they will be killed by their own swords, and their arrows will be broken.

It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. The wicked will lose all of their power, but the LORD gives strength to everyone who is good.

Those who obey the LORD are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. They won't be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.

Wicked people are enemies of the LORD and will vanish like smoke from a field on fire."

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY--THE RIGHT TO DO RIGHT

2006-11-09T07:25:00.000-05:00

ROMANS 14:13-23(NIV)

LOVE LIMITS LIBERTY

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."

WHOM ARE YOU WATCHING?

2006-11-03T18:35:00.000-05:00

PSALM 123(NAS)

"To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, [and]as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God,until He is gracious to us.

Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious to us, for we are greatly filled with contempt. Our soul is greatly filledwith the scoffing of those who are at ease,and with the contempt of the proud."

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED

2006-11-03T06:10:00.000-05:00

II PETER 3:1-18(CEV)

"My dear friends, this is the second letter I have written to encourage you to do some honest thinking. I don't want you to forget what God's prophets said would happen. You must never forget what the holy prophets taught in the past. And you must remember what the apostles told you our Lord and Savior has commanded us to do.

But first you must realize that in the last days some people won't think about anything except their own selfish desires. They will make fun of you and say, 'Didn't your Lord promise to come back? Yet the first leaders have already died, and the world hasn't changed a bit.'

They will say this because they want to forget that long ago the heavens and the earth were made at God's command. The earth came out of water and was made from water. Later it was destroyed by the waters of a mighty flood. But God has commanded the present heavens and earth to remain until the day of judgment. Then they will be set on fire, and ungodly people will be destroyed.

Dear friends, don't forget that for the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years is the same as one day. The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.

The day of the Lord's return will surprise us like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a loud noise, and the heat will melt the whole universe. Then the earth and everything on it will be seen for what they are. Everything will be destroyed. So you should serve and honor God by the way you live. You should look forward to the day when God judges everyone, and you should try to make it come soon. On that day the heavens will be destroyed by fire, and everything else will melt in the heat. But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to that! My friends, while you are waiting, you should make certain that the Lord finds you pure, spotless, and living at peace. Don't forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too.

My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing.

Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen."

THE "ILLOGICAL" GOSPEL

2006-11-02T05:43:00.000-05:00

I CORINTHIANS 1:18-31(CEV)

"The message about the cross doesn't make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God's power at work. As God says in the Scriptures: 'I will destroy the wisdom of all who claim to be wise. I will confuse those who think they know so much.'

What happened to those wise people? What happened to those experts in the Scriptures? What happened to the ones who think they have all the answers?

Didn't God show that the wisdom of this world is foolish? God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about Him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach. Jews ask for miracles, and Greeks want something that sounds wise.

But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish. Our message is God's power and wisdom for the Jews and the Greeks that He has chosen. Even when God is foolish, He is wiser than everyone else, and even when God is weak, He is stronger than everyone else.

My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn't think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame.

What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important. God did all this to keep anyone from bragging to Him. You are God's children. He sent Christ Jesus to save us and to make us wise, acceptable, and holy. So if you want to brag, do what the Scriptures say and brag about the Lord."

THE BELIEVERS' FUTURE

2006-10-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

ROMANS 8:18-30(CEV)

"I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.

The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free. And this hope is what saves us. But if we already have what we hope for, there is no need to keep on hoping. However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it. In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God's people. We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children. God then accepted the people he had already decided to choose, and he has shared his glory with them."

YOUR MIND--WHO'S IN CONTROL?

2006-10-28T05:40:00.000-04:00

ROMANS 8:1-17(CEV)

"If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be punished. The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ's body to condemn sin.

He did this, so that we would do what the Law commands by obeying the Spirit instead of our own desires. People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God's laws. If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.

You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by God's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him. But Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you, even though your bodies must die because of your sins. Yet God raised Jesus to life! God's Spirit now lives in you, and he will raise you to life by his Spirit.

My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God's Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God's Spirit are his children.

God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him."

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN OR A CRETIAN?

2006-10-23T06:05:00.000-04:00

TITUS 1:5-16(CEV)

"I left you[Titus] in Crete to do what had been left undone and to appoint leaders for the churches in each town.

As I told you, they must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage. Their children must be followers of the Lord and not have a reputation for being wild and disobedient. Church officials are in charge of God's work, and so they must also have a good reputation. They must not be bossy, quick-tempered, heavy drinkers, bullies, or dishonest in business. Instead, they must be friendly to strangers and enjoy doing good things. They must also be sensible, fair, pure, and self-controlled. They must stick to the true message they were taught, so that their good teaching can help others and correct everyone who opposes it.

There are many who don't respect authority, and they fool others by talking nonsense. This is especially true of some Jewish followers. But you must make them be quiet. They are after money, and they upset whole families by teaching what they should not. It is like one of their own prophets once said, 'The people of Crete always tell lies. They are greedy and lazy like wild animals.'

That surely is a true saying. And you should be hard on such people, so you can help them grow stronger in their faith. Don't pay any attention to any of those senseless Jewish stories and human commands. These are made up by people who won't obey the truth.

Everything is pure for someone whose heart is pure. But nothing is pure for an unbeliever with a dirty mind. That person's mind and conscience are destroyed. Such people claim to know God, but their actions prove that they really don't. They are disgusting. They won't obey God, and they are too worthless to do anything good."

GOD'S FORGIVENESS

2006-10-20T08:08:00.000-04:00

BENEFITS OF WISDOM

2006-10-19T09:12:00.000-04:00

PROVERBS 2:1-15(CEV)

"My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions. Keep in tune with wisdom and think what it means to have common sense.

Beg as loud as you can for good common sense. Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the LORD God.
All wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and understanding. God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects all of those who live as they should. God sees that justice is done, and He watches over everyone who is faithful to him.

With wisdom you will learn what is right and honest and fair.

Wisdom will control your mind, and you will be pleased with knowledge.

Sound judgment and good sense will watch over you.

Wisdom will protect you from evil schemes and from those liars who turned from doing good to live in the darkness. Most of all they enjoy being mean and deceitful. They are dishonest themselves, and all they do is crooked."

MICAH'S LAMENT FOR OUR DAY

2006-10-14T00:46:00.000-04:00

MICAH 7:1-7(CEV)

"I feel so empty inside--like someone starving for grapes or figs, after the vines and trees have all been picked clean.

No one is loyal to God; no one does right. Everyone is brutal and eager to deceive everyone else. People cooperate to commit crime. Judges and leaders demand bribes, and rulers cheat in court. The most honest of them is worse than a thorn patch.

Your doom has come! Lookouts sound the warning, and everyone panics. Don't trust anyone, not even your best friend, and be careful what you say to the one you love. Sons refuse to respect their own fathers, daughters rebel against their own mothers, and daughters-in-law despise their mothers-in-law. Your family is now your enemy.

But I trust the LORD God to save me, and I will wait for him to answer my prayer."

WHAT GOD DESIRES

2006-10-12T08:08:00.000-04:00

MICAH 6:6-8(CEV)

"What offering should I bring when I bow down to worship the LORD God Most High?

Should I try to please Him by sacrificing calves a year old? Will thousands of sheep or rivers of olive oil make God satisfied with me?
Should I sacrifice to the LORD my first-born child as payment for my terrible sins?

The LORD God has told us what is right and what He demands: 'See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God."'

GOD'S RESPONSE TO UNACCEPTABLE WORSHIP

2006-10-09T07:20:00.000-04:00

ISAIAH 1:10-17(CEV)

"You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah!
So listen to the LORD God: 'Your Sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the blood of bulls or lambs or goats. Who asked you to bring all this when you come to worship me? Stay out of my temple! Your sacrifices are worthless, and incense is disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship. I hate your New Moon Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired of carrying. No matter how much you pray, I won't listen. You are too violent. Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds.

Stop doing wrong and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need."'

HOW LOW CAN MAN GO?

2006-10-06T17:47:00.000-04:00

ROMANS 1:18-32 (CEV)

"From heaven God shows how angry He is with all the wicked and evil things that sinful people do to crush the truth. They know everything that can be known about God, because God has shown it all to them.

God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse. They know about God, but they don't honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark. They claim to be wise, but they are fools. They don't worship the glorious and eternal God. Instead, they worship idols that are made to look like humans who cannot live forever, and like birds, animals, and reptiles.

So God let these people go their own way. They did what they wanted to do, and their filthy thoughts made them do shameful things with their bodies. They gave up the truth about God for a lie, and they worshiped God's creation instead of God, who will be praised forever. Amen.

God let them follow their own evil desires. Women no longer wanted to have sex in a natural way, and they did things with each other that were not natural. Men behaved in the same way. They stopped wanting to have sex with women and had strong desires for sex with other men. They did shameful things with each other, and what has happened to them is punishment for their foolish deeds.

Since these people refused even to think about God, He let their useless minds rule over them. That's why they do all sorts of indecent things. They are evil, wicked, and greedy, as well as mean in every possible way. They want what others have, and they murder, argue, cheat, and are hard to get along with. They gossip, say cruel things about others, and hate God. They are proud, conceited, and boastful, always thinking up new ways to do evil.

These people don't respect their parents. They are stupid, unreliable, and don't have any love or pity for others.They know God has said that anyone who acts this way deserves to die. But they keep on doing evil things, and they even encourage others to do them."

POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE--THE POWER TO DO RIGHT

2006-10-05T17:45:00.000-04:00

DANIEL 3:8-18(CEV)

"For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: 'O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.

There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.'

Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king.

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?'

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'"

THE DANGER OF PEER ADVICE

2006-10-04T08:52:00.000-04:00

I KINGS 12:1-16(CEV)

"Rehoboam went to Shechem where everyone was waiting to crown him king.

Jeroboam son of Nebat heard what was happening, and he stayed in Egypt, where he had gone to hide from Solomon. But the people from the northern tribes of Israel sent for him. Then together they went to Rehoboam and said, 'Your father Solomon forced us to work very hard. But if you make our work easier, we will serve you and do whatever you ask.'

'Give me three days to think about it,' Rehoboam replied, 'then come back for my answer.' So the people left.

Rehoboam went to some leaders who had been his father's senior officials, and he asked them, 'What should I tell these people?'
They answered, 'If you want them to serve and obey you, then you should do what they ask today. Tell them you will make their work easier.'
But Rehoboam refused their advice and went to the younger men who had grown up with him and were now his officials. He asked, 'What do you think I should say to these people who asked me to make their work easier?'

His younger advisors said: 'Here's what we think you should say to them: "Compared to me, my father was weak. He made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!"'

Three days later, Jeroboam and the others came back. Rehoboam ignored the advice of the older advisors. He spoke bluntly and told them exactly what his own advisors had suggested: 'My father made you work hard, but I'll make you work even harder. He punished you with whips, but I'll use whips with pieces of sharp metal!'

When the people realized that Rehoboam would not listen to them, they shouted: 'We don't have to be loyal to David's family. We can do what we want. Come on, people of Israel, let's go home! Rehoboam can rule his own people."

DON'T TWO-TIME ON GOD!

2006-10-02T06:05:00.000-04:00

JAMES 4:4-10 (NASB)

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: 'He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us'?

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.'

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."

A LION ON THE LOOSE

2006-09-29T18:48:00.000-04:00

I PETER 5:6-11(NASB)

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert for Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

To Him be dominion forever and ever." Amen.

RELIGIOUS BUT LOST

2006-09-22T07:14:00.000-04:00

ACTS 17:22-34(NASB)

So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD ' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, 'We shall hear you again concerning this.'"

LOVE FOR GOD=LOVE FOR BELIEVERS

2006-09-21T05:45:00.000-04:00

1 JOHN 4:19-21(NASB)

"We love because he first loved us. If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."

THE BLAME GAME: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

2006-09-20T05:28:00.000-04:00

JEREMIAH 31:29-30; EZEKIEL 18:20(NASB)

"In those days they will not say again, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.' But every one will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge."

"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself."

YOU DO WHAT YOU ARE

2006-09-19T09:29:00.000-04:00

1 JOHN 3:2-9(NASB)

"Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him because we shall see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.

Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. The one who practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.

The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin because he is born of God."

OBEDIENCE=ASSURANCE

2006-09-18T06:39:00.000-04:00

1 JOHN 2:3-6(NASB)

"And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.

By this we know that we are in Him: The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He[Christ] walked."

LIAR, LIAR

2006-09-17T03:33:00.000-04:00

1 JOHN 1:5-10(NASB)

"And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and still walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."

SELF-EXAMINATION

2006-09-15T19:40:00.000-04:00

2 CORINTHIANS 13:5-7(NASB)

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith! Examine yourselves! Do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?

But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we should appear unapproved."

SELF-DECEIVERS

2006-09-14T05:16:00.000-04:00

JAMES 1:19-26(NASB)

"This you know, my beloved brethren: But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the implanted Word which is able to save your souls.
But prove yourselves doers of the Word and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

2006-09-13T09:58:00.000-04:00

JOHN 8:38-45(NASB)

"I[Jesus] speak the things which I have seen with My Father; likewise, you also do the things which you have heard from your father.
They[the Jews] answered and said to Him, 'Abraham is our father.'
Jesus said to them, 'If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the deeds of your father.'

They said to Him, 'We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.'

Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.'"

LIFESTYLES OF THE DEAD AND CARNAL

2006-09-12T10:01:00.000-04:00

EPHESIANS 2:1-3; GALATIANS 5:16-21(NASB)

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest."

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

BAD EXAMPLES--GOOD WARNINGS

2006-09-11T05:42:00.000-04:00

1 CORINTHIANS 10:5-11(NASB)

Nevertheless, with most of them[Israelites] God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved.

And do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written,'The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.'

Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.

Nor let us test the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.

Nor [let us] grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages have come."

TODAY'S HEADLINES

2006-09-10T02:10:00.000-04:00

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-7(NASB)

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious, gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.
Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

A VISITOR OR A RESIDENT?

2006-09-09T09:49:00.000-04:00

COLOSSIANS 3:15-16(NASB)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the Word of Christ richly dwell[reside] within you with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

WALK IN LINE--BE WISE!

2006-09-08T04:36:00.000-04:00

EPHESIANS 5:15-21(NASB)

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation[intemperance], but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

WALK IN LIGHT--BE DIFFERENT!

2006-09-07T08:35:00.000-04:00

EPHESIANS 5:7-14(NASB)

"Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light(For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth.) trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

WALK IN LOVE--BE PURE!

2006-09-06T04:41:00.000-04:00

EPHESIANS 5: 1-6 (NASB)

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children: and walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or crude jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience."

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

2006-09-05T06:09:00.000-04:00

2 PETER 1:3-11(NASB)

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS EXPECTED.

"Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence; for by these he has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."

SPIRITUAL GROWTH REQUIRES EFFORT.

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith, supply moral excellence; and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control; and in your self-control, perseverance; and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love."

SPIRITUAL GROWTH CAN BE HINDERED.

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless or unfruitful[undeveloped] in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or nearsighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins."

SPIRITUAL GROWTH GIVES PRESENT AND FUTURE BLESSING.

"Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."

NOWHERE TO HIDE

2006-09-04T05:14:00.000-04:00

PSALM 139:7-12 (NASB)

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,' even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You."

GOD'S POSSESSION

2006-09-03T05:57:00.000-04:00

TITUS 2:11-14 (NASB)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that 'He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession,' zealous for good works."

EXEMPLARY YOUTH

2006-09-02T09:18:00.000-04:00

1 TIMOTHY 4:12 (The Amplified Bible)

"Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example(pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

FREEDOM TO SERVE GOD

2006-09-01T20:14:00.000-04:00

1 PETER 2:9-12, 15-16 (NASB)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."

THE SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING

2006-08-31T05:44:00.000-04:00

PROVERBS 2:6-12 (NASB)

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His Godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil."

KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING

2006-08-30T08:53:00.000-04:00

In my initial entry, I said that my intention for this blog is to share the wisdom of God's Word. I don't want this to become a place to pontificate. However, I felt that I would share why I feel compelled to write this blog.
I have taught in Christian schools for over twenty-five years. During this time, I have seen many young people grow into adulthood willing, eager, and well-equipped to live for the Lord. Unfortunately, I have also seen many Christian young people, who, although they have received a working knowledge of spiritual truth, don't use that truth to live committed,victorious lives. I find myself asking, "Why?"
The book of Proverbs uses three related terms when discussing spiritual truth. The first word is knowledge. This is the basis of spiritual truth. Knowledge is doctrine, the teachings of the Bible. Knowledge provides the tools one needs to conduct spiritual activity.
The next word is wisdom. This Hebrew word signifies skillfulness. Wisdom could be understood to be the ability to correctly use the tools of knowledge. I know what a hammer and a chisel are; however, I would not be able to create a masterpiece of marble with them because I am not skillful with the tools(knowledge) that I possess.
The third term, understanding, is one's capability to evaluate a situation correctly in order to skillfully use knowledge. In other words, understanding enables a person to diagnose a problem, choose the right tools, and then use those tools in such a way that the right outcome is achieved.
It it my heart's desire that this blog might reach some believer who for whatever reason is not skillfully using the knowledge he has received. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will find willing hearts where He can minister.

A VOICE FOR WISDOM

2006-08-29T08:37:00.000-04:00

Here in Seoul, our ears are barraged daily by the voices of vendors selling their goods. Men in small trucks with roof-mounted speakers drive through the neighborhoods blaring their message to come buy. Little old ladies call out from the street corners to entice passersby to take a look at their merchandise. Even in grocery stores, salesmen call out from their various departments telling shoppers of the good deals waiting for them. The calls are loud and insistent. The book of Proverbs tells us that the same situation occurs in the marketplace of life. Wisdom is calling out to any who will listen. She tells of the excellence of her merchandise. Foolishness also is hawking her wares. She cries boisterously and attracts many customers. As I have ventured around the "marketplace" of the internet, I have heard many voices supporting foolishness and what she has to offer. I fear the voice of wisdom is nearly drowned out. I want to be a voice that lends itself to the cause of wisdom. That is the intent of this blog. I want to share God's wisdom(His Word) through this site. Scripture will be posted with little or no comment from me. The Holy Spirit is a far better teacher than I. However, if you as a reader desire to comment or discuss(not argue) a passage, I would be happy to hear from you