Get Smart

In proverbs 9:10 we find this phase “THE FEAR OF THE LORD”  that phrase is used only 26 times in the O.T. Once in the N.T. Now what I found interesting is that that phrase is used 14 times in the book of Proverbs that’s more than half. Webster says this about FEAR “To feel a painful apprehension of some impending evil; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotions of alarm or uneasiness of mind. We fear the approach of an enemy or of a storm. We have reason to fear the punishment of our sins.” 

The word AFRAID “Impressed with fear or apprehension;” Adam and Eve placed in a perfect world with only one rule but they were tempted and failed and the first two things that came into their lives was Shame “Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God” and Fear “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid,” 

Sin does two things it make us shameful for our action and causes fear to come into our lives.

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Maybe that’s it, we are just not fearful enough? Somewhere we may have gotten an attitude there nothing to be afraid of. Maybe from a video game or horror movie. In a video game you don’t stay dead in a horror movie there’s no one after you. If the rolls were reversed one would feel fear. Do your thing now while you are young and healthy but leave the doctors office with the news that what you have is inoperable your tune might change. Have someone after you that’s going to do you real harm and see how fearful you become.  Get smart “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:”

Don’t Forget

Proverbs 3:1

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Don’t forget; Judy tells me that all the time, don’t For get to get.....before you come home. She reminds me of something we need at the House, she has already told me she want to make sure I don’t  forget. In verse one we are reminded not to forget God’s law. 

We were told back in chapter 2 to hide God’s commandments.

Proverbs 2:1

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

Why are these commandments so important? First to keep God’s commandments one must first receive them (God’s Word) then we’re are told not to forget them. Why? Because they will be very beneficial to us; length of days, long life, peace, shall God’s law add to us. Wow Receive, Hide, Keep now I understand why they want them removed. Remove them we can’t receive them because we are not seeing them therefore no peace in our lives. 

In Pittsburgh there’s a mother who doesn’t believe in God and has taught the same to her child, now she wants the 10 Commandments removed from School grounds. The marker was placed there in 1957, sixty years that marker has stood and now one mother and her child wants it removed. The sad thing is they are going to remove it. Who cares how the multitude feels we have two that’s upset; someone should have just said “really lady if you don’t like it go somewhere else.” But no, let’s don’t upset this poor fool.

Psalms 14:1

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 The New Kensington-Arnold School District says it’s removing the six-foot granite marker as part of a settlement with the group that went to court challenging the religious display on school property.

The challenge was filed by a student and her atheist mother in 2012.

Who wants to go to a school where there’s a red flag that says everyday DON’T COMMIT FORNICATION, DON’T STEAL, DON’T LYE?? Why would anyone want to go to school where there’s peace?

That’s why God said “Don’t Forget.”

Who RU Learning From?

Proverbs 12:1

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge:......

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness:.....

Knowledge is learned by instruction from those who know and I can never be knowledgeable of right things by wicked people. Wicked people can only teach me wicked and wrongful deeds. Just as Good, Righteous and Godly people can teach me right, wicked people can only teach things I don't need to learn. Be careful who you listen to and who you learn from.

Just Ask

Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

For the Lord "GIVES" Webster says this about GIVE "The sense of give is generally to pass, or to transfer, that is, to send or throw.]"

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son (transfer His Son from Heaven to Earth) that whosoever believes in Him (put trust and confidence in) should not perish (be destroyed) but have everlasting life. (Never die, never be destroyed)

He "GIVES" WISDOM "The right use or exercise of knowledge;"

Here we are being taught that the Lord gives the right to exercise knowledge. How? James says if you want WISDOM ask God for it.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

We become knowledgeable as we study God's Word. But understanding comes by knowing God and doing what He says. There was a saying going around in 90's "What Would Jesus Do!" The only way someone would know what someone else would do would be to know that person really well. If I were asked what my wife would do in a certain matter I would be able to say "she would do this or that." I could do that because I know her and spend time with her in other words I spend time building a relationship with her. If I wasn't sure I could just ask her. Same with the Lord if I don't know just ask Him "out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."

Gone Astray

Matthew 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

The Son of man; who is this Son of man?
Matthew 8:20
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Matthew 9:6
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Without doubt the Son of man is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. His purpose for coming to this earth is the save sinners from an awful place called hell. It's wonderful that He does so much more but the main reason for His coming is to save sinners or the lost.

The apostle Paul said it this way.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Not only did Jesus come to save sinners but also to keep the saved.

John 18:9
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

Jesus is not just in the saving sinners business He is also in the keeping saints business.

Matthew 18:12
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?


ASTRAY "Out of the right way or proper place,  it signifies wandering from the path."
Here we see a picture of a sheep going astray . The Shepherd leaves the rest of his sheep and goes back and finds the one that went astray. For God so loved that He gave but God so loves that He goes. If a parent looks around and their child is missing they immediately go in search for their child.

Luke 2:43
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

If your child is missing you stop what you are doing and nothing is more important than finding that child. The Lord is no different He goes seeking to bring that sheep back to the fold.

Matthew 18:13
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Why does He do this?

Matthew 18:14
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Think

7 August 2017

Matthew 18:1
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Chapter 17 closes with the tax collectors in Capernaum wanting Jesus to pay taxes which Jesus does. Now in chapter 18 we read "At the same time came" His disciples come to Jesus with a question. "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Why did they asked that question? I'm not sure unless they thought it would be one of them. Can you image the disarray that would have brought on if Jesus would have named one of them? Jesus does something much different and I should learn from His example. Jesus turns and calls a child and places them for His disciples to see.

Matthew 18:2
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Them Jesus teaches an object lesson; why did He do that? Because Jesus knows we will remember more of what we see than what we hear. Jesus brings this child into the center, now all the disciples are looking and watching as well as hearing. Jesus begins.

Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus tells His disciples "Except ye be converted" Strong say
CONVERTED "to twist, that is, turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively): - convert, turn (again, back again, self, self about)."

Jesus bring this child and says "Except he turn around and reverse your way of thinking.  These disciples thinking was wrong it was worldly thinking who's the greatest, the best, the most important. Jesus says no boys you have the wrong thinking going on. You see this child? It doesn't matter to them who's the best, greatest, fastest, richest none of these things  matter to them, they could care less, change the way you think.

Matthew 18:4
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Listen "WHOSOEVER" humbles themselves as this little child. Jesus called a little child to come to Him and without question that child came straight to Jesus. That child humbled themselves and came. Jesus said but you disciples are standing around here wanting to know who's the greatest but this child could care less. But there something else I want you see and learn. This child humbled themselves and came and I received them, now you boys do the same.

Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

There's that word "WHOSO" again Webster has this to say about that word"Any  person whatever."
It does not matter any person that shall be OFFEND ("To attack; to assail.") one these that have humbled themselves that believe in me, it would be better that a millstone were to be placed around their neck and that they were drowned.

Would you think that would refer to our talking bad against one another? Maybe even taken side? "Who is the greatest" when we take sides listen to gossip and even gossip ourselves we may be hurting one of God's little children as Aretha Franklin said in her song "Think" which was released May 2,1968 “You better think about what you're trying to do"  I'm afraid to many times we speak before we think. If God so loved the world and that is more than just me. God loves us all and when I run someone down I'm saying God who's the greatest in your eyes me or them? It's far better to keep your mouth shut. Lord help me to do just that.

Mom's Right

Proverbs 31:1

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

There's no doubt who this boy's mother was.

1- My Son

2- The Son of my Womb

3- The Son of my Vows

She is saying your mine, your mine, your mine therefore because you are listen to my teachings of what will destroy you and your character. 

1- Women 

Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

2- Wine

Proverbs 31:4

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

You'll never find a virtuous  woman (Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice;) if all she trying to do is lure you to the bedroom for sexual pleasures. Neither will you make wise decisions for those who are under you while under the influence of alcohol. 

There's the story of King Ahasuerus who made a very bad decision while under the influence. The drinking had been going on for 7 days when King Ahasuerus decides to call his wife Vashti to undress before the servants, princes and nobles to show them her beauty. 

Esther 1:11

To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

But she refused 

Esther 1:12

But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

She refused to lower herself and perform before a bunch of drunken men.

Esther 1:15

What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

Refusing her husband the king, cost her, her Queenship. 

Esther 1:19

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

Doing what's right will not always promote you to a higher level but you can never do right by doing wrong. 

Son keep yourself from wild women and wine for you will never find happiness in either they will only bring you lower says King Lemuel mother. She Right!

Who's in Charge

Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

At the time , the period of time of day is morning and a period of time is night. At the time the Righteous are in control the people rejoice: but at the time the wicked have rule the people morn. In one I see no rules just control in the other there are rules. A RULE is To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority. Sounds like a play on words but one brings joy and another bring mourning grief or sorrow. As I think about this verse, how does it apply to my life? There are fruit that come from both, one has the fruit of joy and the other has the fruit of weeping. One gives while the other takes away. There's no way I can keep weeping out of my life completely and there's no way I have joy every minute. But in this verse there is the AUTHORITY, who I allow to have control in my life. There must be a difference. Until 1973 I had a mixture of both joy and weeping I didn't know the Lord so my joy and sadness was based on what was happening at the time. But something happened in April of 1973 that changed my life for eternity. On that day in April of 73 I willing gave my heart to the Lord; I asked Jesus into my heart asking Him to forgive me of my sins, and He did. On that day I allowed the Righteous God of heaven to come in and I began to see what real joy was. When I allow wickedness to have control I mourned because of the sadness that came because of the rules. I deserve a drink with friends which lead to another and another and now I'm no longer in charge it is now ruling my decisions and those bad decisions brought morning into my life. One bad decision after another soon brought sorry into my marriage not joy. I didn't know nor did I understand why I kept letting the wicked bear rule. When I heard that God loved me and sent His son to die for me to pay a debt I could not pay but owed. I loved Him because He first loved me.

1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

Guess what?  RIGHTEOUS was now in authority and I rejoiced and have been for the last 44 years. Last night it was almost midnight when I got home I had spent 2 hours talking with a young preacher that God sent my way to encourage and help. We rejoiced in the goodness of God and when I opened my eyes this morning after a few hours of rest I was still rejoicing in the Lord. I also knew where I had been and with who I had been with no feeling bad, no head ache, no upset stomach no feeling bad throughout the day none of those things that bring mourning. All because who was in authority? 

Right King

Proverbs 25:5

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Take away meaning there's wickedness there. Can't take something away if it's not there to start with. I have 4 apples I take 2 away and I have 2 apples left. 

First time we read the word "WICKEDNESS" in the Bible is in

Genesis 6:5

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Wow look at it at where this wickedness was in mans movie theater of his mind, thoughts which were in his heart. The wickedness is already there but no one can see it. It's like electricity it's there you just can't see it but when you plug the lamp up to it, it lights up. So it is with wickedness plug the right thing up to it and it will light up. Remove the wickedness and establish it with "RIGHTEOUSNESS"  and things will light up differently. Abram whom God would change his name to Abraham was given a promised from God that he would have a son that came from his own Bowels. The first time we read this word "RIGHTEOUSNESS" is in 

Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

The Son whom God promised would be Isaac, Isaac is an Old Testament picture of one who is to come; Jesus Christ.

Then to get "WICKEDNESS" out of my Imagination, Thoughts and Heart is to allow more Jesus in.

First time we read the word "THOUGHT" in the New Testament is in.

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Wickedness had moved into Joseph thoughts. He finds out the woman he loves is pregnant and he knows it's not his.

Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Joseph decides to just put her away privately.

Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he though on these things. 

He did the thinking, he let his imagination run wild and the Lord had to take away the wicked thinking. Same thing in my life. Put myself in Joseph place and I would have the same though pattern. It's worldly thinking, I must turn worldly thinking into Godly thinking.

Philippians 2:5

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Change my thinking and the right King will be enthroned.

The Roaring of the Lion

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

In verse 1 we read of the MOCKER, of the RAGING of the DECEIVING.

MOCKER one who mimick  acts like another, out of character. 

RAGING To be furious with anger; a strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control.

DECEIVING To mislead the mind; to cause to err; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true;

We read of the word WINE first in Genesis 9

Genesis 9:21

And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

Look what has happened there is a willfully partaking which caused an unwillingness of the mind. Let me explain Noah whom God had used to build a huge ship over a long period of time now willing not only partake of this strong drink but makes it himself. Why Noah  made something that is so destructive  we may never know, but he did. He not only made it but he also knew what it would do to him. Alcohol causes one to lose control of their mental functions and always causes one to make wrong decisions.  Here we read that Noah drank then was drunken or overpowered by spirituous liquor. Now here the question how was wine used in those days? Did Noah drink and before he knew it the wine was making decisions for him that he would not normally make? Well I'm not too sure about that and the reason I say that is Noah should have felt, known that this wine was making him feel funny yet he kept on drinking it and before long it had overtaken him to the point that he passed out.

Genesis 9:24

And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

Noah had drank more than a little for his stomach sake, more than a glass with his meal. Noah had drank way to much. This wine had effected his CHARACTER his self CONTROL and CAUSED his mind to believe what was not true. Causing him to not be wise in his thinking. The next verse I believe also is dealing with the unwise decisions made in verse one. First we read of a KING, that's someone who makes decisions. Then we read of a ROARING LION now it's the king of the jungle and this king is now ROARING. the we read of ANGER and this anger is spoken of as SIN and this sin is against his own soul. 

 The FEAR of what this King could and would do was not noticed. Do lion roar before they chase down their prey? I wouldn't think a lion would not make a loud or numerous loud noises to warn their prey that they were in danger of becoming a meal. The time of roaring was when they have got their prey, 

Amos 3:4

Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?

Happiness, Trust and Desire

Proverbs 16:20

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. 

Being happy should be a goal that is set for all of us. Webster says this about HAPPY "Being in the enjoyment of agreeable sensations from the possession of good; enjoying pleasure from the gratification of appetites or desires." True happiness would be a desire that we find  enjoyment in. When I was a young boy back in elementary  school I was to do a report on a state and something that was in that state. I picked Arizona not knowing anything about Arizona as I looked at this state I read about what is called the Grand Canyon. I was fascinated with it and told myself that one day I would love to see it. From that young age of 12 I had a desire to see the Grand Canyon. About the same time a read something about a comet they called Halley's Comet. I read about Halley's Comet in 1962 the next sighting would be in 1986 and I had a desire to see that too.  I was able to see both, but those desires came and went happy to see them but I must asked myself what are my desires for this day? What are my desires Dailey? Do my Dailey desires bring real happiness? The key to real happiness is found in verse 20 "whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he." What am I trusting in? Is what I have placed my trust in causing happiness to flow through my life? Do I feel safe in what I have placed my trust in? 

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Yes, I not only feel safe in what I've placed my trust in but also have a desire to know more about my Lord. As I awoke this morning my first real desire was to get my Bible and see what the Lord will show and teach me. Today it was about trusting Him and being happy. Can never go wrong placing my trust in the Lord. The desire to view Halley' Comet came and is gone the same with the Grand Canyon but the desire to spend time with the Lord is an ongoing desire that I never want to say it came and it went.

Psalms 25:4

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Deceit

Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

DECEIT "the misleading of a person; the leading of another person to believe what is false"

IMAGINE "To form a notion or idea in the mind; "

COUNSELOR "Any person who gives advice;"

PEACE "freedom from disturbance or agitation;"

Misleading is in the heart of those who form ideas in their mind of evil but to the person who gives advice from disturbance of the mind there is joy. 

Our heart can be mislead by others they can place ideas of evil in our mind if we allow them too. An evil action mixed with pleasure over a period of time, if we mediate on it may bring shame of and action performed. Adultery will bring shame and suffering to the one who mediates on doing such an evil action. Our attitude should be "if Gods against it so am I." Steve Currington principal #1

Exodus 20:14

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Is God against adultery? Yep!

Ever thought about the marketing of things that try to instill wrong in our minds? 

Tonight's lottery is worth 10 million can't win if you don't play. Sounds inviting doesn't it? It's only a dollar and that dollar could produce millions for me and my family. Who couldn't use 10 million?  The problem could be you've not learned to be satisfied with who you are and what you have. 

Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Not satisfied with your hair color? Then change it. Not satisfied with the color of your eyes? Get the color you want with contacts and change it. Husband , wife have become boring? Change them. Not happy with the sex God has given you change it. Life is too short for you to be unhappy. Forget God's laws and rules what does He know anyways  the Bible is over rated and out of date, we are in the 21 century. Forget standing in front of Him one day, do your on thing; sure why not be happy! But the problem is those things will not bring happiness. What will then?

Psalms 144:15

Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

Proverbs 3:13

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 16:20

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

It's not things nor change that bring happiness it's the Lord! Don't allow deceit into your heart.

Life or Death?

Proverbs 11:19

As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

RIGHTEOUSNESS "Purity of heart "

PURSUE "To follow; to go or proceed after or in a like direction."

Here we have the picture of one that is guarding their life and another that's not guarding their life. One is pursuing right living and the other could care less. The Bible says there is a narrow way and there is a broad way.  

Matthew 7:13

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The narrow way leads to life but the broad way leads to destruction. On this road to destruction there are many travelers, the Bible puts it this way "many there be which go in thereat:"  not a few but many. Then there's the narrow way, now this narrow way leads to life but we read there's only a few that find it. The broad gate travelers are lead to destruction; what does this mean? In both case there's leading. It's leading not driving, you take a horse by the reins and you lead but you may wave your hands even use a dog to drive cattle. Also to lead means there's something or someone who follows. The serpent was used by the enemy ( the devil) to persuade Eve into doing wrong. God said no and if you do then there will be consequences. The serpent changed the consequences. God said the consequences were death the serpent said the consequences will be opened eyes, knowledge  and not only that it taste good. This broad way pictures a better more fuller richer life. Drink this, smoke this, take that, lay with them, go here go there, look at this, you deserve it. It's broad if you can think it you can have it. This broad way leads to death 

"he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death." Sounds like the serpent of old! This narrow way may not have the flashing of lights, the loud music along with the feel good for a while atmosphere but don't do as Eve and follow after death. The lights may not flash on this narrow way but nothing will ever compare to a moment when the Lord of Lords takes time out of His busy schedule to speak to you personally. The Bible may only have word pictures but nothing is like the Lord speaking and teaching you with those pictures. The enemy has a great way of marketing evil into something you just can't live without. If we only knew the cost we would run for our lives because that's what it's going to cost you.

Proverbs 11:19

As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

Flashback October 8, 2012

Green Beret
Anything ever happened to you that you just could not get over? Captain Brien Thomas Collins lost an arm and a leg in Vietnam.  He was a Green Beret on his second tour of duty when the grenade exploded, shredding his body and nearly ending his life. He spent 22 months in seven military hospitals as doctors pieced him back together. His attitude about what he lost; outstanding. “So I lost an arm and a leg in Vietnam, then with a smile on his face he says, but I still have an arm and a leg.” It’s never about what you lose it’s about what you have. We have all lost something, as we go through this life but we must never spend our time on what we’ve lost for that will only bring a depressed life and an attitude of sorrow. I am reminded of a man and his wife who were in a Church service when their Pastor read a note from the pulpit. It was a note from a mother who had lost her son in an ongoing war and with the note a check. That is when this man’s wife elbowed him in the ribs and told him that they should write a check too. Her husband said “sweetheart we didn’t lose our son in a war.” Her response was simply “I know and that is why we should be thankful.” The lesson here is sometimes we spend too much time on what we have lost and not what we have. We can name what we have lost and use up two to three or more sheets of paper writing them but how much paper would it take to write what we have. The Bible says that men love darkness; think about it, on a day to day basis what do we hear? Will we hear more good or will we hear more bad? The bad will far outweigh the good on a daily basis.  In our own lives do we remember what we have lost or what we still have? I remember while in the Military being told by another soldier these words. He said “years from this night all the bad things you have experienced will not stand out but what will stand out in your mind the most will be the good.” He was right, and today I still covet the attitude, and this will pass too. Weren’t you glad you were able to get up this morning? Are you glad you have enough air to breathe? Are you glad you could still hug your children and see the sun rise? Aren’t you glad others love you? Aren’t you glad you love others? My best friend called me this past Saturday and said let’s meet for breakfast one morning next week. I said sure; now I’m not excited about breakfast or even the place we’ll meet but I am excited about the time we will spend together. I’m thankful that I have friends that want to be around me. Now think, what do you have to be excited about? It has to be something that you have not something you have lost.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Wayne S Sosebee
Reformers Unanimous Director
New Canaan Baptist Church
922 Hi Hope Rd
Lawrenceville GA 30043
WWW.ruministry.blogspot.com
If you must speak your mind, then mind how you speak.

Wisdom=Jesus

Wisdom is mention 53 times in the book of Proverbs more than any book in the Old Testament. So what is this wisdom? Is it instruction and knowledge or could it be something else?  Webster say "The right use or exercise of knowledge;"  I would never argue with Daniel Webster for he's much shaper than me. But as read these verses I see Wisdom is  taking on a whole new meaning.

First we read that wisdom cries.

Proverbs 8:1

Doth not wisdom Cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

Proverbs 8:3

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Second we read that Wisdom Calls.

Proverbs 8:4

 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

Instruction and knowledge as important as they are  never cry and call for you and wisdom doesn't speak to you. But here in chapter eight of the book of proverbs wisdom takes on a whole new face. 

Wisdom is something one can hear.

Proverbs 8:6

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

Sounds like what the apostle Paul wrote.

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Wisdom can speak.

Proverbs 8:7

For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Is that not what Jesus said?

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 8:32

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Wisdom becomes a person.

Proverbs 8:12

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

The more I read of Wisdom the more I see Jesus once again standing boldly upon the pages of my Bible. Dr. M.R. DeHaan said it like this "Jesus is always there upon the pages of our Bible; sometimes He there standing boldly, sometime we see Him as a shadow and sometimes He standing behind the lattice but He's always there." And you know why He's always there? 

John 21:25

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

This Bible I read and hold in my hands is all about one Person, Jesus Christ. How He loves us and how He proves His love for us by giving Himself. I have heard many say I Love you but never so much as go out of their way to give and show that so call love they say they have for you. Once we realize how great God's Love for each of us is then we'll have no problem loving Him.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Here He tells us He loves us, "For God so loved the world" but they aren't cheap words for then He proved His love for us, "that he gave his only begotten Son." 

It's by His mercy we are not in hell.

Lamentations 3:22

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

We are serving someone that greatly loves us and shows it.

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

Quick Words

Proverbs 6:2

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Two things caught my attention.

#1- Words.  "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth"

SNARE "unexpected danger" have you ever found yourself caught in an unexpected danger because of your kindness to another? Only to find yourself in a somewhat called trap, that's not easy to escape from. Words you meant for good to help another in time of need now have you bound and you can't escape.

#2- Mouth.  "Taken with the words of thy mouth."

Those words flowed so easily out of your mouth now you find yourself caught in a net held fast.

When I read that verse I think of maybe going along side of someone buying something. Now you have confidence that this friend will pay their debt, I mean to the point if they don't I will, never expecting them not to do what they said they would do. Only to find out they didn't and now you are stuck with paying, now it's your word on the line. But I could use my words in a different way. A friend or family member could call and ask me to do something for them and I could give a quick answer. But after thinking on that for a while decide that this would not be in my best interest. What do you do?  Go back to your friend or family member and humble yourself, apologize for your quick answer and asked to be released and forgiven. It's a snare that caught you unexpectedly and a net of your on making that you are not easily released from. That's why it's best sometimes to say "let me pray about this." Pray about it and let the Lord give you the correct answer. If I do that relationships are not broken, feeling are not hurt and wrong decisions aren't made. 

Kiss the Calf?

Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Two paths the path of the Just  and there's light on that path. 

This lighted pathway of the just shines more and more. In the winter time when I leave Church there are some important things I do. I get into my car and put the key into the ignition, then I put my seatbelt on and if the headlights didn't come on as I turned the switch I then turn them on. Now those headlights are not powerful enough to shine all the way home, but what they do is shine out in front of me allowing me to see as I drive home. Although these headlights only shined a few feet in front of my car they allowed other drivers to see me so as I drive toward home I'm not unnoticed. These headlights  as I approach my home have given me light all the way home. Is that not what I need as I wake up get ready for the day? Don't you think it would be important that I allow God to give me  some light from His Word. Is it not just important that I hid light in my heart? Jesus said;

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus is our headlights that light our pathway up as we head out each day. 

John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

If I'm going to be different from everyone else them I'll have to have a different light that I'm following. 

The path of the Wicked and there's darkness on that path.

Proverbs 4:19

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

This path of darkness will always take you further than you ever intended to go.

Hosea 13: 2 

And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

Downward progression "they sin more and more," sin never satisfies it always cries for more. They made molten images of THEIR silver. Idols according to THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING. They did the work themselves "the work of the craftsmen:" They sacrificed and KISSED THE CALVES. It gets darker and darker and requires more and more.

I'm afraid we live in a day and build idols to our own understanding by our on craftsmen. I heard one say last week "I'm glad the American people are moving in the right direction." I am an American people and if the path leads to darkness, count me out!

Correction Do We Really Need It?

Proverbs 3:11

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

The phrase "MY SON" is used 23 times in the book of Proverbs. In verse 11 that phrase "MY SON" is used with CHASTENING "Correction; punishment for the purpose of reclaiming."

One does not correct a child that's not theirs as we read more of that verse we see the phrase "THE LORD." Now we understand it's the child of God who is being corrected by the Lord. We are taught that all have sinned, all have come short and as we live in this life we will no doubt fail. The child of God is instructed at the beginning of this chapter what to do to keep the correction and punishment down.

Proverbs 3:1

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

First don't forget God's law

2 Timothy 1:6

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

1 Corinthians 15:1

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Ok that sounds simple but how does one remember?  We remember what we want to remember. There are those who know all about sports, who's the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, who's the best pitcher in the National league? How do they know all that? Simple they read, watch, listen to others who know and they talk with those who are liked minded. Think, what do you remember from what your Pastor preached on Sunday? Anything? I heard a great message on yesterday from Pastor Micheal Soop about Stephen and how God opened Heaven and let him look in while he was being stoned to death. It's Monday and I'm still thinking and rejoicing on what happened at Church yesterday. So we should remember the preached word of God. Then we are instructed to "let thine heart keep my commandments:" David put it this way.

Psalms 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

I think if we turn off most of the junk that's going on in our life and start hiding God's Word in our heart then we will learn how to walk with and for our Lord. If we talk with those who know the Lord and discuss the things of the Lord we will learn more about our relationship with the Lord. The more I spent time with the Lord the stronger my relationship will be. What verse will I hid in my heart this week? Lamentations 3:24-26 I worked last week on 22 & 23 His compassions fail not and they are new every morning. Our God is Faithful and He's Fresh every morning . Well a Bless His Holy Name!

Vanish

Proverbs 30:3

I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

The last part of this verse answers the first part. The reason there is no knowledge of the Holy is because there's no learning of wisdom.

At least 53 times this word "WISDOM" is used in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:2

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

No hearing = No learning, No Learning = No understanding, No understanding = No counsel, No counsel = No receiving instruction of wisdom! 

Proverbs 2:1

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom:

Receive, Hide, Apply, Cry after Knowledge, Seek then thou shall understand and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom:

That's why there's no wisdom and knowledge of the Holy. In order to understand and know someone you must have a relationship with them. I know what color my wives eyes are because I've looked into them 100's of times. I know what she likes and dislikes because I talked with her and watched her reaction. I know about her because I've taken the time to learn about her. Same is true with my lord and savior I've spent time with Him in His Word and He has spoken from it to my heart. Never touch His Word (the Bible) then it's easy to understand why one would become ignorant of Him. When one realizes that "this is the day the Lord has made" and not what you have made, then understanding is coming your way.

James said:

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

My vapor is almost gone and only what I've done for Christ will last. Where am I spending most of my time? If  I made a pie chart cut it up into three sections, one section entitled my or me time, one Work time and one God time. Me or my time includes everything that's not work time or God time. How would that pie chart look?

The verse reads "he know not what shall be on the morrow." Then a question is asked? "For what is your life?" Then the answer is given. " It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time." Compared to eternity my life is but a flash in the pan. Then notice how sadly it ends. "and then vanisheth away." Oh my all these things I'm doing for self all the hard work I'm doing for others, doing a great  job, making great company profits and productivity that one day no one will even remember. Grave yards are never busy, few will run by your grave sight. I go by my dads 3 or 4 times a year and I have never seen anyone there at his grave sight in the last 30 years. Never had to wait in line, never seen more than 3-cars in the the whole graveyard where more than a 1000  are buried. So it is true "vanisheth away." After I'm gone no one will ever go by my hero's grave sight but the grounds keeper and he want care. So tell me again why we spend so much of our time on things that matter not?

C.T Studd had it right when he made this quote.

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Come to Poverty

Proverbs 23:21

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Here we read of one who drinks to the point of drunkenness. 

Webster has this to say about the word DRUNK  "Intoxicated; inebriated; overwhelmed or overpowered by spirituous liquor; stupefied or inflamed by the action of spirit on the stomach and brain. " 

A few words jumped out at me.

1- OVERPOWERED 

2- INFLAMED

Here we read of a product that will OVERPOWER you and keep you from making good decisions. Something that is INFLAMED; out of control. I understand how alcohol makes one become out of control but Solomon adds one that's an over eater in the same category. One would quickly say "one who over indulges with alcohol I understand but with food, is it not different?" One would think so, but wait if that be true how in the world does one come to weigh 500 pounds? Same way one becomes INFLAMED, over indulging. We must have food to live and we could say we use alcohol for many other reasons than sitting down and drinking a half gallon of liquor. There's alcohol in mouthwash,flavoring we use in baking or cooking, in medicine we take, and when used properly they are of great help. When missed used they will cloth us in rags. Can't work and make a living for yourself or your family when you inebriated. In the same way one can't work weighting 500 pounds. So both drunkenness as well as gluttony will without doubt cause poverty and laziness so that one becomes clothed with rags. 

Rich or Poor!

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

There's no difference Rich, Poor they meet together. Now think about that for a minute, we live in a proud country. What I mean  by that is the rich spend little or no time with the poor. The rich type of people live with the rich and the poor the same. The rich have nicer houses, cars, clothes, eat different types of food and so on. But you know what when you pull the riches off we are all just people. In Luke 16 we read of a rich man and a poor man they both had the same basic needs. The rich man ate from a table of fine foods he had, had prepared. The poor man eats crumbs from the ground which he begged for while his body was full of sores. To different types of people, one had plenty and one had very little. In this life it may seem important to have riches or live comfortable but as Clarence Sullivan who was a muli millionaire told me one day, God doesn't give many lots of money because they don't know how to handle it, it handles them. How true those words are! Who is most respected at Church? The one who gives much or the one who gives little? God has blessed one that they are able to give much and they do. But if  they do it for any other reason than just to give to the work of God then they missed Gods purpose. Why? Because the Lord is the maker of them both. If we have great riches or we don't  no matter what we do with them the real basic need in our life is all the same, Christ Jesus.

The beggar DIED! The rich man DIED! You and I rich or poor will DIED! And the only thing that will matter is did we except Christ Jesus as our savior.

Luke 16:22

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,

Riches make no difference in eternity unless our riches were in Christ.

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

That's the only riches that count.