The Way of the Truth of God

 Repentance, False Religion, and the True Way

 Book of Luke Chapter 13

 

The Lord Jesus Christ was preaching about the signs of the times, or we could say the sins of the times.

 These are the same sins we have today, only they are getting worse.

 If we analyze the present time according to the Word of God that we have, we should be able to see that time is running out to make a decisive choice about the truth of Jesus Christ.

 Jesus said to the crowd: Luk 12:54  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 

Luk 12:55  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 

Luk 12:56  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 

 The Lord Jesus called them hypocrites because they could look at the patterns of the weather to see what was coming next, but they kept their eyes closed when it came to their spiritual condition.

 Most of the time we think much too much of ourselves!

 They knew the laws of nature and how to apply them, but they were ignoring the Law of God, and they lived according to their own thoughts and the ways of the world.

 God had explained that judgment was coming, but the Word of God was ignored.

 They did not think about the time in which they lived because they did not want to repent and place their lives in the hands of God.

 Their greatest mistake they made was not considering that our lives are already in the hands of God!

 If we know only one thing, it is that we are responsible for knowing right from wrong!

 Normally, this is the first lesson we try to teach our children.

 If we have a personal relationship with God, then we can be where God wants us to be, and God can save us.

 The Lord Jesus always seeks the salvation of each of us so He can show us mercy.

 Mercy means we will not get what we deserve, which is eternal death.

 Num 14:18  The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression,

 Psa 103:8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

 The next question would then be, "Why do good people suffer"?

 One answer would be that we do not suffer more because we are far worse than others, so we can remove this from our thought process.

 *****Luk 13:1  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 

Luk 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 

Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

Luk 13:4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 

Luk 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

 Rome considered the Galileans the most turbulent and seditious people under their control.

 They were always ready to cause problems for Roman authority.

 The Apostles that Jesus had selected were all Galileans, either by birth or by where they lived.

 Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 

 Most of the Jews could tell if you were a Galilean by the way that you talked. Just ask Peter.

 Mat 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 

 It would be sort of like the speech of us Southerners and those who live in the North of our own nation.

 Many would actually call Jesus Christ the Galilean God.

 This was used many times to keep from using the title Christian during the time of the early Church.

 The truth was, Pilate hated the Galileans so much that his army surrounded a group of Galileans at the Temple, where they had gone to worship, and murdered them and poured their blood on the sacrifices that were being made to God.

 By doing this, Pilate also showed his contempt for the sacrificial services of the Jews.

 The question to the Lord Jesus Christ was that these Galileans must have been sinners far greater than other men.

 They suggested that it was not so much the cruelty of Pilate as it was the judgment of God.

 The Lord Jesus said: "It is not up to any of us to decide whose sins are worse than others".

 Jesus's answer to these Jews was "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish".

 We know that there were not many of the Jews who did repent, and they were all slaughtered by the Romans in 70 A D.

 The Romans did to the Jews what Pilate had done to these Galileans.

 The answer is that we do not suffer more in this world just because we are greater sinners than most others.

 We are all sinners in need of repentance!

Every sin has the same "judgment" from God, eternal death without God.

 In fact, totally innocent people suffer, and we do not know any reason beyond the providence of God.

 We do know this verse we see so much: Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

 Then the Lord Jesus adds another incident.

 There was a great tragedy in Jerusalem when eighteen men were killed because a guard tower at the pool of Siloam fell and killed them all.

 Some commentaries say it was eighteen construction workers who were killed.

 Some say that Pilate used the Temple money to construct an aqueduct into Jerusalem, and some of the Jews said this was the reason these men were killed, again by God Himself, but it was merely an accident that happened to men trying to make a living for their families.

 Were these eighteen greater sinners than others in Jerusalem?

 Did they deserve to die more than others who live?

 We might ask ourselves, why are we allowed to live and others are not?

 The Lord Jesus said it was not because they had greater sin than others.

 There again Jesus said: "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish".

 It is not up to us to raise the question of the guilt of others.

 Do I believe there may be different levels of suffering in Hell? Yes, I do.

 Most suffering of the sinner upon this earth is caused by themselves.

 Go to the hospitals and see if you can tell who is good and who is bad.

 Much of our suffering as we get older is because of the way we lived our lives when we were younger.

 No one suffers upon this earth because we think they are greater sinners than others.

 These things are all in the hands of God!

 The greatest thing we can do is to repent and be saved, so we know we will not suffer in Hell.

 Heaven is going to be so wonderful. Why would anybody not want to spend eternity there?

 We cannot afford to die without Jesus Christ!

 Again, the Lord Jesus teaches us with a parable.

 *****Luk 13:6  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 

Luk 13:7  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 

Luk 13:8  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 

Luk 13:9  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. 

 Israel is God's people.

 The Church is God's people.

 God expects us all who love Him to bear fruit.

 The fruit God expects from all His people is the Fruit of the Spirit!

 Isa 44:3  For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 

Isa 44:4  And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. 

 Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 

Joh 7:39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 Israel thought they were safe because they were the seed of Abraham under the promises of God.

 Israel did not even realize the precarious state in which they were in.

 (By the way, the Church is sinking so fast that the Church does not realize the precarious state it is in).

 It was totally inappropriate to speculate about the Galileans, and it was foolish to forget the people of Jerusalem.

 We could understand this parable as showing these Jews their own history that hangs over their heads.

 But without a doubt, it should also wake up the Church, which lives by the Grace of God.

 There will come a time when God elects to cut down fruitless trees.

 We must understand the need for repentance: Mat 21:28  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 

Mat 21:29  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 

Mat 21:30  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 

Mat 21:31  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 

 Repentance is a change of mind that brings a complete change in the heart. It is a heartfelt sorrow for sin and a confession of that sin, turning to God and righteousness.

 One day God's patience will run out with this world: 2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 

2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 

2Pe 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

 Israel is the fig tree of the Lord. Israel must stand before God in its righteousness.

 Adam and Eve, after falling into sin, tried to cover themselves with the leaves of a fig tree.

 Gen 3:7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 

 This man-made apron could not cover their nakedness, so God made them garments of skin.

 They then stood before God covered by a sacrificial lamb, which we know now as Jesus Christ.

 This is the only way every single sinner can stand before our Holy God.

 We know of another Scripture that says the Lord Jesus sought fruit again from the fig tree and could not find it, and the fig tree withered away and died after the Lord Jesus cursed it.

 It is the Lord Jesus Christ who spent three years trying to convince the Jews to repent, but they would not.

 Jhn_1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 The Church also needs to repent and get busy for the Lord!

 It is God Himself who is looking for fruit!

 All those places of worship producing no fruit are just wasting space!

 Mat 3:10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 

Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 *****Luk 13:10  And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

Luk 13:11  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 

Luk 13:12  And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 

Luk 13:13  And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.  

 This is possibly the last time that the Lord Jesus got to teach in a synagogue of the Jews.

 This healing took place on a Sabbath, and we see that healing was not allowed on the Sabbath because it was considered to be work and not a movement of God.

 The Lord Jesus was doing exactly what He came to do.

 Luk_19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 We can see that the Jewish synagogues were places where women could also worship along with religionists.

 That phrase "spirit of infirmity" probably means that this illness she had was because of a demon.

 So, we see that the devil and his demons try to be present in every worship service, and he still does this today.

 This woman had reached a point where she could no longer lift herself, but if she had not been committed to worship, she would have missed this opportunity when the Lord Jesus showed up at the worship service.

 Worship at church reaches another level when the Lord Jesus shows up to worship with us!

 We already know that God sings with us when we sing in our worship service.

 Zep 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 

 When we rejoice in the Lord, we can have the Holy Spirit with us, the Almighty God singing, and the presence of the Lord Jesus to heal us.

 This illness this woman suffered with was for eighteen years, and she may not have been able to make it to another worship service if not for Christ also being there on that day.

 This type of illness is, in typology, a spiritual weakness in those who are weighed down by the Laws of Moses.

 This is what the Law does: it requires those who follow it to meet certain conditions before they can claim righteousness and escape the judgment of God.

Today, we call this legalism!

 The Law cannot make anyone righteous!

 Gal 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 

Gal 3:12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 

 This woman had a true Spiritual need!

 The Lord Jesus laid His wonderful healing hands upon her.

 This woman had not asked for anything; the Lord Jesus just knows our needs.

 She was no longer bowed over but was straightened.

 Such wonderful things are overlooked by traditionalists.

 *****Luk 13:14  And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 

Luk 13:15  The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 

Luk 13:16  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 

Luk 13:17  And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. 

 The Lord stepped into a synagogue and just ruined the service for all those religionists, and they would not allow Him into another synagogue during the time He had left.

 Much of the Church would not allow the Lord Jesus to preach in any service today.

 Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

This man worshipped God, but he did not worship the same God as this woman who was healed.

 The ruler of this synagogue was an arrogant man who was self-righteous because he followed the traditions of men rather than the Word of God.

 This woman sought God to meet her needs.

 This synagogue leader sought God through form and rituals, ceremony and rules.

 This is not what the worship of God is to be about.

 This man lost his temper with the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is not a good thing in any worship service.

 The Lord Jesus said he was a hypocrite and he was.

 He had already taken care of his animals before he came to worship, all these things done on the same Sabbath.

 He was a leader who put his own animals and his own rules above the people and above the Word of God.

 There are church leaders who do this same thing today!

 The Jewish people had allowed their religious leaders to corrupt the Word of God.

 The people inside this synagogue began to see the truth and rejoiced to hear the truth from the Lord Jesus.

 The Lord Jesus continued to travel and teach through the cities and villages that were between Him and Jerusalem.

 *****Luk 13:22  And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 

Luk 13:23  Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

 Just who are the saved?

 Will many of the world be saved?

 Jesus will answer these questions Himself.

 The Lord Jesus Christ knew exactly what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem!

 This did not alter His message.

 The Lord Jesus would be killed by the hands of the Jewish people.

 Mat_27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

 The Lord Jesus just kept doing what His Father sent Him to do as He traveled to His death.

 Then someone asked Him: Lord, are there few that be saved?

 Notice the Lord Jesus is not so much concerned by the question as He is by that person who asked the question.

 This is still one of the biggest questions asked by those who are religious.

 Many religions, including some Christians, still try to find some way to deny those whom they do not like the opportunity to get to God's Heaven.

 It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can set the boundaries of getting to Heaven.

 It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can separate the sheep from the goats.

 Only God can open the door to Heaven, and it is by His Grace through His Son Jesus!

 This doorway is narrow, and the Lord is the door!

 Jhn_10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

Jhn_10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

 There is a great price to be paid to get the Lord Jesus to open the door to Heaven.

 No halfhearted people can get through the door!

 The Apostle Paul wrote: 1Co 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 

1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 

1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 It is by repentance and by renouncing our self-righteousness, our arrogance, and our own self-will.

 It is difficult to enter this door when it is open and impossible once it is closed!

 We must be doers of the Word of God!

 Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 

Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 The Lord Jesus continues:

 *****Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 

 The way to salvation is specific, very specific!

 1) There are not many ways to salvation; there is only one way to salvation.

 Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

 2) The way to salvation is straight, very straight!

 It is not crooked in direction, it is not crooked in purpose, it is not crooked in morals.

 There is nothing in salvation that will make us great, so we must become small.

 We must be in the right relationship with God!

 Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

 We must diligently seek God!

 Most of those in our world are not willing to pay the price.

 The Lord knows it so, therefore the gate is narrow.

 *****Luk 13:25  When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 

 We must understand that God is long-suffering and truly patient, but there will come a moment when God puts an end to entering the Door of Jesus Christ!

 In the Bible, we have a great example in Noah.

 Gen 7:15  And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 

Gen 7:16  And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: "and the LORD shut him in". 

 The salvation of God is now, today, that door may be closed tomorrow.

 If your name is not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, then the Lord Jesus will say that He does not know you, and if He does not know you, then the God of Heaven does not know you.

 Luk_10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 It will be too late to call for the "Mercy of God," and He will cut off the flow of "Grace" from His throne.

 *****Luk 13:26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 

 Then those who have had one foot in the Church and the other foot in the world will be rejected.

 They were friends of true Christians.

They listened to the preacher, and they may have even attended Sunday School.

They had witnessed great movements of the Holy Spirit and had seen souls who were truly saved.

 They were citizens of so-called Christian nations.

They even allowed their streets to be used for evangelism.

 However, they professed a relationship with Jesus Christ that they did not have.

 Tit 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 

Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

 We should understand that the Lord Jesus was outside the doors of the Church at one time, knocking, almost begging for them to let Him back in.

 Now we see just the opposite. We see those who were playing Church on the outside of the door of salvation begging the Lord Jesus Christ to let them in.

 What will the Lord Jesus say to them?

 *****Luk 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 

Luk 13:28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

 We see that the saved shall be separated from the lost, and it appears that those who are lost will get to see those who are saved enter into the Kingdom of God.

 Mat 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. 

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

 On the day of the Rapture, many will look around and wonder why they were left behind.

 They will be upset with themselves and with God's saints who are no longer on this planet.

 They will see godly parents, friends, children, and neighbors enter the Kingdom of God and see themselves shut out.

 They had not denied themselves: Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 *****Luk 13:29  And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 

Luk 13:30  And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. 

Those who were saved are mainly Gentiles, and the Lord will do a new work on the Jews after and during the seven years of Tribulation.

There is a revival of sorts today in many nations, though not in the USA.

We need to be praying for a revival while there may still be time to have one.

I have never seen so much sin and corruption in our nation as I see today, and no one seems to care.

Our politicians have allowed these things to go on for far too long.

Those who are lost have their conscience seared with a hot iron and do not see the sin and corruption in our land today.

Those who are corrupt accuse everyone else of being corrupt to hide their own corruption.

They have it in their minds that we are all fools when they are not fooling anybody.

The great "Marriage Supper" of the Lamb of God is closer than we think, and we must know that we know we are saved.

There will be no classes of people in Heaven. Race will not be considered, nor riches, nor classes of people.

Only Christians will be there, those who love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart.

Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 

Act 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

Amen

The Church Must Deal with Moral Virtues

 Wisdom's Instructions on Moral Virtues

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 18

 We can say that virtue is acting according to the "Will of God" for our lives.

 The Bible tells us that only fools walk outside the will of God!

 Rom_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.

 1Jn_2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 

 Each of us must come to understand what the will of the Lord is!

 Eph 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 We should come to an understanding that:

 1) We should stand in awe of our Creator, who is wise, powerful, and loving.

2) We can entrust our entire lives to our Almighty God.

3) We can rejoice in the wonder of His salvation.

4) We can rest in peace while the world goes through turmoil after turmoil.

5) That God holds people accountable for their sin.

6) That God opposes the pride of mankind.

 Man, in his pride, desires to run his own life and refuses to recognize that God is God of all creation, but He has a humble Spirit.

 We must avoid having a sinful attitude.

 We must understand that the Book of Proverbs declares that fools walk a path of death.

 *****Pro 18:1  Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

Pro 18:2  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Pro 18:3  When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.  

 There are many interpretations of this verse, but the most accurate interpretation seems to be that people who think only of themselves, who are selfish and antisocial, are fools.

 They are foolish because they have a great desire to live as they wish, but they will meddle in the affairs of all others.

 We are to separate ourselves from the world: 2Co_6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

 We are not to live a life like an isolationist, which is foolish behavior!

 Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 

 We are social people, and we will not develop properly by self-discipline in solitude.

 To depend upon us for all things is not beneficial, and it is not good, but to do this while we intermeddle in the business of all others is downright sinful.

 Pro 20:3  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 

 Pro 21:24  Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. 

 What is being obstinate? It is stubborn, having only your own opinion, your own purpose, your own resolutions.

 Not yielding to reason nor in arguments. Having your own way at the expense of all others.

 This fool has no desire to listen to what others have to say, as they have made up their minds that they are right and everyone else is wrong.

 They are interested in only their own opinion.

 They will not listen to the arguments of others.

 They are so full of pride in themselves that they want to impress others with what they have to say.

 These are not people who should be allowed to stay in the Church.

 The Church is far better off without wicked people in the Church.

 This is not to say that we should police all who come into the doors of the Church, but the Bible does say we will know them by their fruit.

 One pastor said that these are blessed subtractions.

 Wicked people may contribute to some organizations but not to the Church.

 They bring contempt to the Church.

They bring ignominy or shame to the Church.

They bring reproaches or disgrace to the Church.

 They will also bring this same damage to themselves and to their families, unless they repent.

 It is the wisdom of God that will bring blessings.

 *****Pro 18:4  The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Pro 18:5  It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 

Pro 18:6  A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 

Pro 18:7  A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 

Pro 18:8  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 

 It is the mouths of those who fear the Lord that will edify the Church.

 Pro 20:5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 

 Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 In contrast, if that wicked person is allowed to stay in the Church, then there will be problems.

 Pro 10:11  The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 

 When we accept this person, we are showing partiality and not considering the right and wrong of it.

 Anytime we show partiality to the wicked, we are wrongly judging the righteous man!

 These wicked people may seem to be very wise in the Scriptures, but so was Satan.

 Mat 4:6  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Mat 4:7  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

 The Bible teaches us against such things.

 Psa 82:2  How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 

 This wicked person may be the richest man in the congregation, but we are to act according to the Word of God.

 These things have divided many Houses of Worship today.

 The Bible says we are never to show partiality to the wicked, nor are we to speak against the righteous and the innocent.

 Fools bring on most of their problems because they cannot control their speech.

 In most cases, it is their quarreling over matters we consider evil that sets them apart from the Church.

 Many churches today are accepting the testimony of certain movements when there is no repentance, which goes against the Word of God, when the Word of God is the foundation of the Church and not the words of man.

 God calls for repentance!

 Jhn_3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jhn_3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 Many denominations are quarreling over these things today when the Lord Jesus says, "ye must be Born Again".

 When we throw the Lord Jesus out of the Church, we have no Church!

 We are warned: A fool's mouth ends in destruction!

 Their senseless, uncontrolled words will be their downfall.

 If they could keep their mouths shut, they might even fool the Church.

 Pro 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

 Talebearers or those who go around whispering about others also cause divisions in the Church.

 We call it gossip, and it will destroy the reputation of the righteous man.

 Spreading rumors inside the Church is an abomination to the One we come together to worship.

In fact, the reason we gather together is to worship the Living God!

 Pro 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 

Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 

Pro 6:18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 

Pro 6:19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 

 We must avoid selfish attitudes and sinful words that hinder our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ and cause division in the Church.

 We are to love one another and seek our security in the Lord, who is the foundation of the Church.

 *****Pro 18:9  He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 

Pro 18:10  The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 

 Being slothful is being lazy, being idle, and it is destructive!

 Those who are wise are people who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for life now and eternal life in the future.

 This is a never-ending life of "Grace".

 Fools trust in themselves, some in their wealth, and others in this corrupt world.

 I used to think our own government, no matter which party was in charge, would be far above corruption, but I now know this is not so after seeing the Democrats do everything they could to destroy are nation and our Republic.

 Things are getting worse just as the Lord has said.

 2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

2Ti 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 

 We can blame a lot of these problems on the Church because the Church has become weak and lazy, and slothful.

 The Church has become a great waster of the work the Lord Jesus has done to save us!

 Many in the Church purposely tear down rather than build and preserve the Gospel.

 This is why God will first judge the Church before He judges the world.

 God will separate the goats from the sheep in the House of God, and the goats know who they are, but the sheep have become far too docile to take a stand on the Lord Jesus and the Gospel.

 We can trust that our Lord God knows what He is doing and run to Him for safety.

 God is The Almighty God.

He is the great I Am Yahweh.

He is Jehovah.

He is the Lord God.

He is wonderful.

He is the everlasting Father.

He is the Prince of Peace.

He is our Counselor.

He is the High and Lofty One.

He is the Lord Our Righteousness.

He is Emmanuel.

He is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning, and the End.

He is my Savior and Redeemer.

He is my Strong Tower of safety.

He is my Rock and Fortress.

 Those who reject these things are fools.

 *****Pro 18:11  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 

 There are not enough riches in this entire world that can save those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ from the wrath of my Heavenly Father.

 The rich think that their wealth can save them from anything, and they are wrong when it comes to the wrath of God.

 1Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 

1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 

1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

 To all others, the Holy Spirit says.

 *****Pro 18:12  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 

 The rest of the world seeks salvation in their own abilities.

 That word haughty means proud and disdainful with contempt for all those who trust the Lord.

 They are proud people who trust only in themselves.

 In their own strength, in their own intelligence, in their own abilities.

 As fools, they will not even be able to stand against the storms of this life, and it will break them.

 Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 

 *****Pro 18:13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

 We must first hear the whole story before we can speak to a matter.

 Only a fool thinks he has all the answers!

 This is being arrogant and putting yourself above others.

 A wise man will wait until he has heard the whole story of the matter and then see if he can help in some way.

 Only God and His Word have all the answers to life!

 *****Pro 18:14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

 Our spirit can only sustain us if we live according to Christian principles.

 Christian principles give us the strength to look past our troubles to our future, and this will make all our troubles bearable.

 Pro 17:22  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. 

 Those who are deep into depression and despair are difficult to rescue.

 *****Pro 18:15  The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 

 God has no respect for those who are ignorant except for the fact that He will send someone to tell the ignorant the truth so they can decide for themselves.

 If a person desires to avoid harm to body, mind, and soul, then that person must acquire knowledge both in relation to things of this world, which are material, and seek spiritual things that are from Heaven.

 Most of us who have tasted the wisdom of God are now trying to find out more.

 We know we need to grow in wisdom, but it requires our faith, our belief in the truth of God!

 Jas 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. 

Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 

 If we truly begin a search for wisdom, it will lead us to fear of the Lord, the place of true wisdom.

 1) Our hearts must be dedicated to obtaining this knowledge.

2) Our ears are open to receive this great knowledge.

 Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

 Our security can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ have nowhere else to turn for lifesaving knowledge!

 They are open to all the destructive forces in this world, which is the domain of Satan.

 Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

 Joh 12:31  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 

 Only those who are filled with God the Holy Spirit is secure in this world and the world that is to come.

 2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

2Co 4:11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 

 God has a purpose for everything we face in this life, every problem and every difficulty.

 This does not mean He causes all our problems; that is what Satan does.

 We must keep our focus on Heaven and not on our problems!

 2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2Co 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 

 When we become too ashamed to ask for God's help, we will suffer more than we could have.

 Our Heavenly Father does much more than just listen to us; He will answer every prayer that reaches into Heaven.

 We must live our lives in such a fashion as to make sure our prayers reach Heaven, and it begins when we have the "Fear of the Lord".

 We must never seek an unfair advantage over others, because God will not allow it.

 We must seek that God's righteousness is at work in us as we go about the business of serving the Lord!

 God's wisdom will affect our behavior toward others!

 *****Pro 18:16  A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 

Pro 18:17  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 

Pro 18:18  The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 

Pro 18:19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 

 It is a proven fact that generosity and politeness have opened many doors.

 There are two kinds of gifts, the gift of selfishness and the gift of kindness.

 A man sometimes bestows a favor on another to get back something of a higher value. This gift is a bribe.

 Bribery is the cause of much corruption in our world.

 The true children of God will not offer bribes, nor will they accept them!

 The gift of kindness is the true gift and is the real power.

 It makes room for the giver in the heart of the receiver, and it bringeth him before truly great men. Great men recognize and honour the generous.

 We may be able to use gifts here on this earth to help open doors, but we never need gifts to go before the Lord!

 The door of access to our Heavenly Father is always open to His children!

 We must be very careful when we hear something that seems bad about someone.

 God's children must hear both sides of each story.

 The first one to plead their case usually seems right. When we hear from the first side, we often feel that the first one to plead their case seems right, and we are quick to take their side.

 Our neighbor may come and judge us for our quick reaction without hearing the story from the other side.

 Our judgment may be different once we have heard from the other side.

 We may have to demand cross-examination of both parties before we can know the truth.

 In the Bible, the casting of lots was used to find answers and make decisions, and they had every faith that God would be involved.

 Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. 

 As true believers, we should be able to settle disputes just as peacefully as they did; we supposedly have the mind of Christ and have the Holy Spirit living within us.

 We should never turn to the world for help!

 As we witness to the lost, it is important that we argue and defend the truth of the Scriptures before all whom we may face, giving exactly what God has said and the meaning of it.

 As Christians, we are wise to do everything we can to prevent conflicts in the Church before they arise.

 Once it has taken place and relationships are harmed, it will be hard for them to be restored.

 People who are angered and hurt are difficult to win back.

 These things divide churches if not solved before they get out of hand.

 We see that to please God, we must make it clear that we cannot be bought; we are not for sale.

We must never take sides based on partial information.

We must handle differences of opinion according to the Scriptures.

We should do everything we can to live peaceably with others.

 *****Pro 18:20  A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 

Pro 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 There is sometimes great power in the words that we say.

 We need to think before we speak and try not to wound the spirits of those around us.

 Some people indeed make their living speaking words, and most of them do not care what they say if it gets a laugh or causes some dispute.

They just laugh at those who do not think the way they do

 It is far better to seek to encourage and build up people.

 We are commanded to show respect for each other.

 Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

 What we say comes from the heart, so impure words come from an impure heart.

 Pro 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 

 Each of us is responsible for our own spiritual growth.

We are responsible for getting our children headed down the right path.

Pro_22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The families of our nation are failing in this command of God.

If we keep our minds focused upon the Lord, we will think right.

Php 4:8  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. 

There is certainly death in the power of the tongue, but there can also be life if we think before we speak.

The great example we have before us is the Word of Life, the Love Letter that God has given to us.

God just speaks, and things happen.

God does not speak bad things because it is out of His character and goes against His goodness, but He does not hesitate to tell us the truth of this world and the world that is to come.

*****Pro 18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 

When we find that wife that God designed for us, we know we have a good thing.

This is also pleasing to our Heavenly Father, and He will bless this marriage.

Unfortunately, not every wife is a good wife, and not every husband is a good husband.

To be honest, we will not know how to choose a good wife until we become children of God.

Besides salvation, the choosing of a good wife is one of the most important decisions we will make in this life.

What does God actually say: 2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

We should understand that God ordains each marriage for life, so we must be wise when we are searching for a wife.

1Co 7:10  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 

1Co 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

These things go for the husband also.

If our marriage does not work out, we must be careful to observe the Word of God and allow God to decide if we need another wife or another husband.

God is very good at leading two people together and making it a blessing.

*****Pro 18:23  The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 

In the Bible, the poor are those because of circumstances beyond their control, cannot work to support themselves.

God has very little pity on those who can work but are too lazy to do so.

God has very little pity on those who cannot work because of sin.

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

Those whom God has allowed to become rich are to help those who are poor.

1Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 

1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 

1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

How to use our resources is another thing we need the wisdom of God to do righteously.

*****Pro 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 

We should understand that one true friend is far more valuable than many who just claim to be our friends.

The one who gave us our first cigarette was not our friend.

The one who gave us that drink of alcohol was not our friend.

The one who gave us drugs was not our friend.

The one who talked us into doing something foolish was not our friend.

A true friend will stick by you no matter the circumstances.

Even in this, we have the Lord Jesus Christ as our example because He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who died in our place so we can live an eternal life.

Nothing can separate us from our Savior!

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

God bless the Word of God that gives us such great wisdom from the only source of true wisdom.

Amen

To Know Him is to Fear Him

 

Wisdom's Instructions About the Fear of the Lord

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 14

 What is the "Fear of the Lord"?

 If we go back to Adam, God's greatest creation, mankind, we know that Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. We can only imagine the conversations they had as they strolled through the Garden of Eden.

 Things changed once Adam had sinned!

 Gen 3:9  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Gen 3:10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

 Those private walks in the Garden were over because Adam now had a great fear of the Lord, and this fear came to him because of sin.

 We see that Adam's fear stemmed from his awareness of his sin.

 God knew where Adam was hiding, but he wanted Adam to admit that he was now a sinner.

 It is the same thing we must all do to improve our relationship with the Lord God our Creator.

 It is because we have sin in our lives that we must have a reverent "fear of the Lord".

 Then the Lord Jesus came to save us.

 Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

 Today, far too many live in fear of what this world is doing to them, and they have forgotten to fear the only One who can send us to Hell.

 The Bible teaches us that we want to avoid Hell, and the only way to do this is to listen to what God has to say and be a doer of the Word of God.

 *****Pro 14:1  Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

 Remembering that wisdom comes from the "Fear of the Lord", we can see that a wise woman makes her home her priority. Her primary focus is on her family.

 She has not built with hammers and saws but with the qualities that make a home a home.

 She builds an atmosphere that supports and strengthens her husband and her children.

 This should be the priority in a wise woman's home.

 Today, with so many single mothers, these things cannot take place as they should.

 God has ordained this role of the wife and mother.

 1Ti 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

 Tit 2:4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Tit 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 This does not mean that the husband should not be involved, nor does this mean that the woman cannot work or be involved in things outside the home.

 It just means her priority is the "Fear of the Lord," which makes her a wise woman, and then she can build with her husband a house that is a home.

 Today, there are far too many who destroy the home through neglect. The first thing they reject is the Word of God, which makes them foolish, and they have no "Fear of the Lord".

 This kind of woman will tear down the family because she puts everything else first before her family and her husband.

 Pro 31:10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Pro 31:11  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Pro 31:12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 It pays for the man looking for a wife to choose very carefully, and choose someone who has a reverent fear of the Lord.

 It is the same for a woman looking for a husband.

 *****Pro 14:2  He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

 If we have a reverent fear of the Lord, it will show in the way we live our lives.

 Remember, God will judge us by the way we look at His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 People who have truly placed their trust in the salvation and redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ will live their lives according to the written Word of God.

 We must declare the Lord with our lips and demonstrate it with our lives!

 That word walketh means the way we live our lives, our conduct, and our behavior.

 All those who claim to be Christian and walk like the world are not telling the truth!

 Many denominations are split over this very simple truth of God!

 1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 Repentance is still the great Doctrine of the Bible that we are to keep.

 True repentance is a change of mind and purpose and life, with remission of sin is promised.

 Remission refers to the penalty of sin.

Forgiveness refers to the person.

 *****Pro 14:3  In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

 We can say that the fear of the Lord is also demonstrated by the way people speak.

 The words of a fool will bring his own destruction.

 Psa 64:8  So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

 Whatever power that an arrogant fool thinks he has in the end will be a tool in the hands of the righteous.

 They may cause us pain for a season, but in the end, they will bring their own destruction.

 It can be said that a fool is his own worst enemy!

 Pro 12:6  The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

 *****Pro 14:4  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

 Nobody likes to clean up a stall where animals are kept, nor the feeding trough, which is a crib or a manger.

 If a farmer did not have an ox, he would have no crib to clean.

 The farmer who has to clean the ox's crib does so with a smile because the ox does all the hard work that allows his family to have plenty of food.

 The farmer who is taking care of hardworking animals is better off than using his own labor to provide for his family.

 A productive ox is far better than a barn that needs no cleaning.

 There is a great reward that comes from a well-fed ox!

 The same is true of Spiritual food. Walking by faith has its own difficulties, but we will not get to Heaven unless we do.

 1Co 9:9  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1Co 9:10  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

 *****Pro 14:5  A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

 A faithful witness cannot be convinced to tell a lie!

 A false witness is someone God hates!

 Pro 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Pro 6:18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Pro 6:19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 One of the things that is wrong in our court system today is the fact that so many lies are told, and no one seems to care, and no one is held accountable.

 By the world's standard, this may seem to be okay, but God's standards are much higher than the world's standards.

 A foolproof test of a person's heart is whether or not he or she will tell the truth.

 A witness is someone who gives testimony in court or some official proceeding.

 A Christian will tell the truth no matter the circumstance.

 We even do wrong when we deal with our children at the time of Christmas and Easter.

 Being faithful should mean much more than some lie for any reason, and we know that our Lord hates a liar, and there is no such thing as a white lie.

 No amount of money should convince us to lie!

No promotion or promises should convince us to lie!

No threat of harm or danger should convince us to lie!

 We are to remain as faithful witnesses no matter the cost!

 Exo 23:1  Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

 Pro 10:18  He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

 Pro 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

 *****Pro 14:6  A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

 There are times when those who deny God and God's Word seek God's wisdom, but they will never find it.

 The Word of God will remain just another man-made book to them because they do not have the Holy Spirit to discern for them.

 Wisdom is given only to those who have a reverent fear of the Lord!

 Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

 1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

 *****Pro 14:7  Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

Pro 14:8  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Pro 14:9  Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

 God shares His wisdom with His children so we can know how to move away from foolish people.

 No wisdom can be gained from a fool!

 Time spent with fools is wasted time, and we are taught not to waste the little time we have on fools.

 Eph_5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 Col_4:5  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

 Fools are deceiving themselves, and they will deceive anyone who listens to them.

 When salvation becomes part of our lives, we can look back and see the flaws we were living with and do our best to fix those flaws.

 This is called repentance, and we will need the Holy Spirit to be able to do this.

 Spiritual blindness means the fool thinks he is acceptable to God just as he is and requires no change.

 This one thing is causing the split of many denominations, and we must not get caught up with fools.

 1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 As we see into the realm of the LGBTQ movement, fools scoff at the concept of feeling guilty for their sins and the need for atonement.

 This applies to every person on this earth!

 They deny the need to repent of their sins!

 They deny that their lifestyle is living in sin and refuse to repent.

 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 There can be no righteousness unless we fully accept our accountability to God and are grateful for His mercy and His grace.

 God made a way for us to escape His wrath, and we must do the things He has commanded us to do to be saved.

 *****Pro 14:10  The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

 Neither our joys nor our sorrows can be wholly shared with another person.

 No one can know how we truly feel, to feel that which we feel.

 It is only our Lord Jesus Christ who can know these things about us.

 2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2Co 1:5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

 This is the exact reason He took on that body of flesh, so He could know exactly how we feel in terrible or even joyous situations.

 We can be sure that as Christians, we will experience great times of joy, but we will also experience those times of mourning and heart pain.

 Those who love us and love the Lord will give us room to go through these times and be ready to come to our aid if we request their help.

 If we are in a Bible believing church, we can be sure that if we are going through some situation, there is someone in that church who has been through a similar situation, and this person will know the comfort that came from God when they needed it.

 It is only Jesus Christ who knows the truth about us!

 Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isa 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 We should have a routine that starts with the Lord every day to prepare ourselves to go out into this wicked world.

 We need that hedge of protection that God provides if we are His children!

 We need to spend some time in the Word of God.

 We certainly need to spend some time in conversation with God.

 We must consistently walk in obedience to the Word of God all day.

 We must not only avoid evil but also avoid looking like we are taking part in any evil or wickedness in this world we have become strangers to.

 *****Pro 14:11  The house of the wicked shall be overthrown but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Pro 14:13  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Pro 14:14  The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Pro 14:15  The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

 We must prepare for our own end.

 We must prepare for what will occur when our lives on this earth are over.

 We must prepare to meet our God!

 When our heart beats for the last time and our living spirit leaves our body of dirt, every individual will meet God in judgment.

 Heb_9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 Ecc 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

 Those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, their body is just a house.

 Those who have given their heart to the Lord Jesus, their body is a Tabernacle.

 A house is a permanent dwelling; a Tabernacle is just a temporary dwelling place.

A house is a place for those who are settled, a tent or tabernacle is a place for those on a journey.

A house is more stable than a tent.

A house is of earthly value and more expensive than a tent.

 To those who are lost, a house is more desirable, but the Word of God does not agree.

 An earthly house is the best a lost person can hope for.

 When they reach the end of their days without the Lord, that earthly house is destroyed, and they are homeless throughout eternity.

 That soul that cannot die will spend eternity in Hell.

 Those who love the Lord know their flesh is no more than a tent, and this life is only part of our journey, and we are only passing through this world to get to our permanent home in God's New Heaven.

 2Co 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

 Those who are lost trust in their own judgment, which will lead to eternal torment and eternal death!

 Those who love the Lord Jesus trust in God's way, the way that leads to true life, which is eternal life!

 It is a tragic mistake to believe that there is no God who is our Creator, and we have to abide by His Word.

 All those who are deceived have been deceived by Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, and Shintoism, and the Dalai Lama, Joseph Smith, Charles Russel, and L. Ron Hubbard, and any salvation by works.

 Even those who are atheists have been deceived.

 Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 We may all travel the mountains and the valleys of this world, but to God's children, He will travel with them, and He is always ready to take them home at the end of that last breath here in this world.

 These things are not true for all the others who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

 These things are serious and not things that can be laughed at.

 The backslider in heart is the one who turns away from God, and he will reap the rewards of his wickedness: Pro 1:31  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Pro 1:32  For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

 We must understand that we will reap what we have sown while we are in these earthly bodies!

 The backsliders are those people who seem to follow the Lord Jesus, but in their hearts, they have completely turned away from God.

 1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

 With the wisdom of God, we can take thought of our actions before we face them.

 Those without God will believe anything and follow anything.

 Even as Christians, it may be hard to see the concept of eternity, but it is real.

 How we spend eternity depends upon what we have done with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 If we are wise, we have prepared for eternity by believing the truth of God and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

 It is the Lord Jesus Christ who opened Heaven's doors to accept those who have placed their faith in the Gospel.

 The ones we are to reach with the Gospel are not the ones who have rejected the Gospel many times, but the ones we are to reach are those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 *****Pro 14:16  A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Pro 14:17  He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Pro 14:18  The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Pro 14:19  The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

Pro 14:20  The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

Pro 14:21  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

 We all know that things are going on in this world and in the heavens that we just do not understand.

 We have seen things discovered that no one can explain.

 Those who believe in the evolution theory have us all beginning as apes.

They have simple-minded people who could do nothing more than hunt game and raise a few crops just to survive.

 God says that from the beginning of time, humans were city builders.

 Gen 4:17  And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

 Gen 4:21  And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

Gen 4:22  And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

 We also know that after the great flood of this world, all the pyramids and ziggurats were built.

 Gen 10:32  These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

 Gen 11:4  And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

 Gen 11:8  So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

Gen 11:9  Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

 These things can be denied, but it does not make them any less true.

 Humans have always been able to build things!

 We who know the Lord fear sin because we now know the consequences of sin.

 Those who are fools are reckless and self-confident.

 Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

 Foolish people are quick-tempered and do not try to control their tempers.

 I know because I was one of them.

 Even later, with PTSD, I became worse, but the Lord Jesus has shown me the way out.

 Ecc 7:9  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

 A fool is someone who has heard that there may be a God who is our Creator, but they will not take the time to find out more about Him.

 This is part of our sin nature we inherited from Adam. We are foolish by nature.

 We can quit being foolish by choosing the "Fear of the Lord".

 The Word of God is our "hedge of protection" if we abide by it!

 We must understand that the Devil will certainly bow before God on the day God chooses.

 Evil will bow before the Church at God's appointed time.

 Evil will only profit in the world we live in now, but there is no evil in our future once God takes us home.

 Rom 16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

 As the Church, we are to see every soul as equal.

 The rich may have many friends, but those friends are only there because of their wealth, and they all hate the poor man.

 It is not to be this way in the Church of the Living God!

 The Church will not be blessed unless the Church has "mercy" on the poor.

 The poor are all those who have need of help financially and spiritually.

 Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

 The ways of the world will make us angry, but we are to do our best not to follow the ways of this world.

 *****Pro 14:29  He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Pro 14:30  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Pro 14:31  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

 It is not a sin to become angry; it is a sin to remain angry.

 By remaining angry, we become fools: Ecc 7:9  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

 It is called self-control; it could also be called being sober.

 Self-restraint means we are never to disregard the feelings of others.

 We cannot remain healthy without a healthy heart.

 He has a healthy heart, morally and physically, and is not cluttered up with anger issues.

 Pro_4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 Envy will eat away at our strength like heart disease and cancer eat away at our lives.

 Envy is like a deadly plague trying to destroy our nation.

 To oppress is to offer violence to the bodies, to the property, or to the conscience of others.

 This happens to the poor more than it happens to any other group, though the oppression of Christ is rising in this world.

 We can also see that protests have become nothing but a means to oppress those who do not agree with the agenda that is being pushed on them.

 We can see that these things bring on the wrath of our Maker, our Creator.

 No one has the right to oppress someone else in this world, and this includes wicked governments.

 1Jn 3:17  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 Those who are wicked do not even realize what is in store for them!

 ***** Pro 14:32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Pro 14:33  Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Pro 14:35  The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

 Once we claim the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior with all our hearts, our future is set in stone. It cannot change!

 We can live in peace knowing that no matter when death comes our way, it means life.

 As Christians, we can look death right in the his face and say: 1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

 Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 Those who reject the Gospel have no such hope. They may not believe in Hell, but they are in for a rude awakening on the day of their death.

 Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luk 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

 Almost every politician campaigns on making our nation better.

 Some truly try, and others had no intention but only sought to make themselves prosperous.

 Our nation cannot prosper through illegal immigration.

Our nation cannot prosper through the drug trade.

Our nation cannot prosper through lawlessness.

Our nation cannot prosper through corruption.

Our nation cannot prosper through immorality.

Our nation cannot prosper through spending more than it takes in.

Our nation cannot prosper through the profits of sin.

 Only one factor determines whether a nation rises or falls, and it is righteousness.

 Nations that follow God's standards, that are governed by the Word of God, are great nations.

 For America to be a great nation again, it must stop its downhill slide to Hell, and this goes for every nation.

 Good citizens serve the best interests of their nations.

 The wicked serve only themselves!

 God's principles will do the same for families, co-workers, and friends.

 How Christians are to behave is written in plain language in the Word of God.

 Wake up Church!

 Amen