Proverbs 3:13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding.
Thursday, 31 December 2020
Where Are You?
Thursday, 24 December 2020
Great Pretenders
Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Thursday, 17 December 2020
Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Benjamin Franklin said, "Common sense is something everyone needs, few have, and none think they lack."Our old common sense rules still apply no matter how long they have been around. Don't eat the yellow snow, is still a good rule to live by, even in this capricious day and age. Especially if you live in any part of the world that gets a season of snow. Many laws are full of common sense and yet, not followed. Thou shall not steal, and not committing adultery, is still as important today as it was when written by God's finger upon stone tablets many years ago. Yet, adultery and theft are continually glamorized in our society as being the normal way to go.
With today's flexible morality within people's consciousness, there is a tendency to rewrite the meaning of laws to suit the trends and times that we live in. God's laws are meant to preserve our life and not hinder our direction in life. Prov. 13:14 A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death. Plus, obeying God's laws brings us an abundance of blessings and the ability to reason righteously. Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The jails are full of people who disregarded the laws of life. Our divorce courts are full of heartbroken souls who chose to ignore their marriage vows. We will always have those who insist on eating the yellow snow, but it does not have to be you or me who are doing it. Wisdom allows us to learn from other people's errors in life. Prov. 24:30 I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. 31 Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.
We read the story of Daniel and the three Hebrew boys who chose not to eat the foods King Nebuchadnezzar had instructed the captives to eat. Daniel had asked to be exempt from eating food sacrificed to idols. Dan. 1:8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself. Dan. 1:12 Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
The world has always been wicked, and there has always been an abundance of sin within it. There is nothing new here. From our history's past, until now, we have always needed a saviour to deliver us from ourselves. The world stumbles along because its population does not see their need for God. Well, Saints, I do see the need for God in my life. I choose to be separated unto the Lord by submitting to God's will in heart and mind. 2Cor. 6:17 Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.
When we walk with the Lord, we will all have to make a conscious decision to be attentive in choosing His gift of righteousness. This is not always easy, but necessary because the ways of the Lord always lead to life everlasting. John 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. Blessings.
Thursday, 10 December 2020
Eye Candy
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye.
What have you got your eye on that is interfering with the peace of God in your life? We may not see the blatant idolatry that was written about in the old testament, as in the bowing down to man-made deities like Baal, Ashtaroth, and Dagon, but idolatry is still with us. Anything that we put before our obedience to God's word, will result in idolatry and eventually to a form of greed. Janwillian van de Wetering said, "Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough."
Eye candy to one person may not have the same desire for another person. We all have different ideas as to what would make us happy. We have all heard someone say. "If only I had that, then I would be happy." How many times has this empty statement caused grief in a person's life? We can get so caught up with an idol, that we do not see the worthlessness of that sparkling bobble that has hooked us by the nose and is leading us astray. Luke 12:15 Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Our prayer to God is to ask for help to be able to see the worthlessness of the idol that is drawing us away from God's leading. Psalm 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. There is nothing wrong with wanting nice things in life, but not at the cost of our relationship with God. Keep the things of God at the forefront of our hearts and mind so that we see clearly how to live in God's presence. Prov. 7:2 Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye.
We read the story of Absalom, King David's son, who craved power and wanted his father's kingdom so bad that his actions became treasonous. Absalom literally worked the crowd to curry favour with the people of Israel by pointing out the shortcomings of his father's realm. He pretended to be the man of the people. 2Sam. 15:4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” A true politician of the day.
Power was Absalom's idol, and it was taking over his good judgment. 2Sam. 15:6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel. Absolom did not earn his position through servanthood, but rather, stole his position by stealing the hearts of the people. This idol had taken over Absolom's character to the point that he now plotted against his father for the throne. 2 Sam. 15:10 Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron! ’ ”
The sad ending to Absalom's life is as so many people who take their eyes off of God and get all caught up in the mess of their own making. 2Sam. 18:9 Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair. This left him an unprotected target for three well-placed spears in his heart, and he died. 2Sam. 18:14 Joab replied, "I will not wait around like this for you!" He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the middle of Absalom while he was still alive in the middle of the oak tree.
If you have an idol in your life, then please remember, whatever you have your eye on to the point of an obsession will destroy you. We cannot serve two masters. Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Either God is your God, or He is just another thing you keep handy until something else catches your eye. This type of fickleness of heart will leave you vulnerable to the darts that the enemy of your soul fires at you to weaken your resolve.
There is nothing on this earth that is worth turning into an idol if it keeps us from fulfilling what God has created us to do and be. There is nothing worth the full focus of our eyes unless it is for God Himself. God created our eyes to look upon His glory and be caught up with Him throughout eternity. Heb. 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus because He is Lord and not some worthless idol.
Thursday, 3 December 2020
My Hypocrisy Is Real
Proverbs 26:27 Whoso digs a pit will fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
Thursday, 26 November 2020
Our Lasting Legacy
Proverbs 13:22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
Thursday, 19 November 2020
I Am Contagious
Proverbs 7:4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call insight your intimate friend.
Thursday, 12 November 2020
When Paths Cross
Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Thursday, 5 November 2020
Off With Their Heads
Proverbs 18:13 The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
Thursday, 29 October 2020
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.
Thursday, 22 October 2020
Fake News
Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
Jesus had to deal with fake news concerning Himself. Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” There were rumours and hearsay going around as to who Jesus was. Matt.16:14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” There were rumours then as is today. If Jesus was John the Baptist, then this would be one of those alien tabloid shapeshifting stories because John had been executed not long ago.
Friday, 16 October 2020
Burning Spears
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?
Friday, 9 October 2020
Carnal Brain Damage
Proverbs 21: 30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.
Friday, 2 October 2020
Good Governance
Proverbs. 21:1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; He guides it wherever He pleases.
Thursday, 24 September 2020
In My Own Defence
Proverbs 18:17 The first to speak in court sounds right—until the cross-examination begins.
Thursday, 17 September 2020
Lies We Want To Believe
Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.