Shinning Light

Proverbs 4:18- But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Here we read of a path. But not just any path it's the path of the just and it's a path that shines.

The Path, not a path but "the path."

PATH: A way beaten or trodden by the feet of man or beast, or made hard by wheels; that part of a highway on which animals or carriages ordinarily pass; applied to the ground only, and never to a paved street in a city.

The "just" man is one that is made righteous through the righteousness of Christ imputed to him; and who is created anew in Christ.

Here we read of trodden highway a well worn way.

Isaiah 35:8- And an highway shall be there, and a way,
and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Those that have been made righteous by the Blood of Christ are now walking on this path. Others are watching and what they see are those who's walk is different and it's so much different it appears to shine. When something shines it is seen by others. But it goes further for we are told that it shines more and more as time goes by. What does that mean? Could it mean that the more we know about Jesus the more we are noticed? The more one know about Jesus the happier one becomes.

Psalms 1:1-Blessed (happy) is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, (they are happy because they are walking on a different path)

nor standeth in the way of sinners, (They are happy because they are not standing around listening to those who are in this worlds market place.)

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (They are happy because they realize when you sit you stop moving forward.)
If you aren't walking your progress stops, for we were told that a path was well trodden. In order for a path to be well beaten it has to be walked on.

Noticed what the very first thing that stopped, the walk; "walketh not." When the walk stops, its impossible to well trodden. When the walk stops neither does it shine.
 So the question I must ask myself is my walk putting out a glow that
shines and lights up Jesus? What do those around me see or better yet do others see Christ in me?

Treasure by Accident

Proverbs 2:5- Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

"FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD."

Find- Literally, to come to; to meet; hence, to discover by the eye; to gain first sight or knowledge of something lost; to recover either by searching for it or by accident.

As I read that definition and compared it with verse 5 my minds eye at first disagreed with the last part; "to recover either by searching for it or by accident." Does anyone find the knowledge of God by accident? I said no way! But then I began to think, is it possible to find a hidden treasure by accident? Then I began to think back, did I not find the greatest treasure of my life by accident? Yes I did. On one Sunday morning in April I entered into a Church building and set down. There was some singing I'm sure although I can't remember, I'm sure someone prayed, but I can't remember that either. A man got up to preach and I can't remember his name, what he looked like or what he preached. Sounds like a wasted day doesn't it? Oh no it was far from that for you see on that day without any planning I found the greatest treasure of my life. For it was on that day the Holy Spirit dealt with my heart and I accepted The Lord Jesus as my Personal Savior. Without searching or even knowing that a great treasure was even in my presence. I left that Church that day changed for eternity. I didn't go looking for a treasure, nor did I go to recover a treasure of have any knowledge of a treasure being there. Could that day be classified as a treasure found by accident? Not on God's part but on my part? Thank you Ken for spending your time for talking me into going to Church; for you knew what a great treasure awaited me there. Never think you are wasting your time inviting others to Church. For they may find the greatest treasure of their life there. 

A Wise Son Gathers in Summer

Proverbs 10:5- He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame

In order for something to be harvested there has to fist be something planted.

I get the picture of a field that is ready for harvest. I read of two sons one wise the other lazy. One willing the other unwilling; one shows up the other doesn't. I think the picture here is much deep, I'm sure our Lord is not teaching a lesson on being good farmers; or is He?

The teaching here goes much deeper. Could the field here be a local Church? Could the wise son be the one who shows up for what is offered? Could the field be quiet time with The Lord on a daily basic? Could it be that the wise son shows up and allows The Lord to speak to him or her?

I can easily see how the picture broadens as I step out of the box and look at what's being taught. How can I harvest what The Lord has for me if I fail to be where I'm suppose to be; Church. How can I learn what The Lord has to teach me from His Word if I fail to open it? How can I hear what The Lord has to tell me if I refuse to let Him speak to me? In order to harvest one must go to the field; one must put forth the effort

Something else I noticed, it’s not recorded how much was harvested, just that the wise son was there at the time of gathering. Which tells me that there was something there for him to pick up? This tells me that he now has more than he did

Something else I noticed no one made him go to the field he went on his on accord.

Ecclesiastes 3:2- A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted

Did I miss the time, did I miss the harvest. Was I wise this day? Did I gather what The Lord had for me? Am I better off for it? Or did I sleep, did I race through the day, did I think I was in charge

A wise son gathereth in summer!

Generation...............

 Webster tells us that generation is;

A single succession in natural descent, as the children of the same parents; hence, an age.

Proverbs 30:11- There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother

There is a Generation that curses their father and will not say a kind word to or about their mother

I had just graduated from High School and a bunch of us went to Panama City Florida. I will never forget the phone conversation I heard. One of the young men that were with us called home I guess to let his mother and Dad know he was there and maybe give them the Motel and room number. The first word out of his mouth were curse words running his Dad down then he began to curse at his mother using the most awful words; yes he used that word too. Although none of the rest of us would even consider talking to our parents that way, I'm not sure that the generation of this day wouldn't. Why would I make such a statement? Because parents use curse words frequently around their children and the T.V programs have numerous curse words peppered all the way throughout. The movies go to a higher level using every known curse word and action that depraved minds could imagined. Why? Because that is what most people want to see. In the last 40 years I have only been to the theatre 3 or 4 times. I went once to see a G rated movie about Pete Maravich; "The Pistol." when I sat down and my eyes got adjusted to the darkness I noticed that there were only a small; and I do mean small few that were there to watch this movie.  Could it be that the last generation as a whole lost sight of what's right? And has produced a generation that not only curse their Mother and Father but think them also pure and lift themselves up? I would like to think not but the words that come from Dad's and Mothers an their children were words that my parents would have never been tolerated

I just believe the Bible way

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother:that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Knife to the Throat

In Proverbs Chap. 23 it began by warning the reader about his appetite. We are told not to be given over to an appetite

Proverbs 23:2- And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite

We are told in pretty drastic measures "put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

If someone were to place a knife upon my throat I would be in immediate danger. Could the picture here be that my appetites could be harmful to me as well as others? What could happen, sitting at a table with others? There's danger of a loose tongue. Loose tongues can lead to shame, anger, embarrassment, destruction of another and separation of friendships.

As we come to the close of this chapter we are given an example of one who has given to their appetite

Proverbs 23:29- Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes

 One that has given in to their appetite and the results follow

Proverbs 23:30- They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine

Giving into their appetite caused them to terry long and then to seek. It starts with the eyes then to the desire then to longing then to the action then to the downward results

Here the appetite is alcohol and what the end destruction is; it’s an uncontrolled appetite. But this appetite can be many things it could be anger; anger is a trap and when you fall into that trap you are giving place to the devil in your life. It's not wrong to be anger it wrong to hold on to that anger

Ephesians 4:26- Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath

Don't let the sun set on your anger. Why not? The next verse tells why

Ephesians 4:27- Neither give place to the devil

If I stay angry, harbour my anger then I give the devil a place in my life.  I don't want the devil to have place in my life. I must view anger as a knife to my throat. For if I harbour anger danger is near, for I'm giving place to the enemy of my soul and he will use that for destruction. The enemy will use my anger to destroy friendships, destroy families, and create havoc in businesses, Churches. Once I allow the enemy in through anger he then began a root system that will cause bitterness and use it to destroy others. 

Safety

Proverbs 21:31- The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord

PREPARE to fit, adapt or qualify for a particular purpose, end, use; to make ready; to make one's self ready

The Lord is preparing a place for those who have put their trust in Him

John 14:2- 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

Putting to much confidence in something other than our Lord; that could be self, it could be another person, it could be wealth, it could be a lot of things that I put my confidence in on the day of battle. None of the things I put my confidence in can bring real peace and safety but I read that "safety is of The Lord. Once again I see that word "IS" many things will fail in the day of battle but there is safety in our Lord.

Psalms 33:17- An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength

Proverbs 18:10- The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe

Proverbs 29:25- The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Wine

Proverbs 20:1- Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise

Wine"IS" we are not told that wine might be, could be, will be but told that wine is, present tense.

Is what? "A MOCKER" makes light of, laughs at, deceives, disappoints.

"STRONG DRINK" Having physical active power, or great physical power; having the power of exerting great bodily force;

A drink that has the ability to change

"IS RAGING" Violent anger accompanied with furious words, gestures or agitation; anger excited to fury

"WHOSOEVER "any one, any person

"DECEIVED" mislead

IS NOT WISE" not having knowledge; not having the power of discerning and not judging correctly.

 Wine will disappoint because it has an active power that will change with great bodily force.

One can be deceived that wine is good for you

In a study of more than 32,000 men in France, those who got more than half their alcohol consumption from wine had a lower risk of death from heart disease and several different cancers. NYDailyNews.com/health July 22, 2013

When deceived one becomes not wise to the facts of what God says.

One drink is too many and a 1000 is not enough. Be wise and stay away from it altogether. Oh you may have a lower risk of heart disease but you also might have a lower risk of heaven.  It's a strong drink.