Wisdom Has Its Rewards

 The Rewards of Wisdom

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 3

 We know that the Book of Proverbs is a collection and compilation of true, divinely inspired, wise sayings, and they are unquestionably Scripture.

 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 We should know that many of these Proverbs existed as a teaching tool long before King Solomon

 Num 21:27 Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:

 1Sa 24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

 We should understand that all genuine truth, regardless of its human origin or proclaimer, has God as its ultimate source.

 Ecc 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

 We should understand that if God can speak through a donkey, He can cause some truths to come from a pagan human being, if He chooses.

 2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

 God still loves all His created beings but insists that they become believers. Who's to say He did not put words of wisdom in their mouths?

 It was the Holy Spirit who decided which proverbs would be included in the Scriptures, just as every other Word, Passage, and Book.

 There are many other proverbs in this world, but the Holy Spirit decided these were important to the believer.

 Most scholars have said it was Solomon who assembled this Book of Proverbs as directed by the Holy Spirit.

 Solomon wrote: Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 We have this verse of prophecy: Pro 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

 God also says this to all unbelievers: Pro 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

Pro 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Pro 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Pro 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

 If we seek true wisdom, then we will also find the Lord! Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

 Pro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

 Pro 2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

 It is very hard to view these three chapters as one lesson, but this is the way of our lessons.

 *****Chapter 3 Verse 1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Pro 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

 We should clearly understand that God does not desire our compliance with all the Word of God, but God requires us to submit to all the Word of God.

 Obedience without submission is compliance.

We must submit all the Word of God because we know it is the truth.

God is not some tyrant trying to force His ways upon us.

Just to be compliant because someone says so, shows we still have a rebellious spirit.

 These are so-called believers who, though the outward action is present, rebellion is still in their hearts, and their prayer life will never amount to anything fruitful.

 Chastisement may drive the child of God to compliance, but it takes love to drive the child of God to submission without rebellion.

 The Lord Jesus Christ is treated as the Son of God as a member of the Holy Trinity. Not three Gods but the three persons in the One God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

 As adopted into the family of God, He is our Heavenly Father. This is why He speaks to us as His dear children!

 If the God of all creation sees us as His dear children, then why in the world would we rebel against Him?

 We talk a lot about the Ten Commandments, and we know that the Jews were given 613 commandments in all, but the truth is that all the Word of God is commandments written to us in love.

 Our Heavenly Father will never force us to recognize Him as our Father, but it is the wise thing to do.

 The Laws of the Father are the same laws of the Son.

 Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

 Our life span upon this earth is really not very long. As I grow older, I feel the call of my Heavenly home, but as I have reached the age to see my Great Grand Children and the things going on in this world, I know they need me as long as the Lord leaves me here. I think most of us feel the same way.

 To be honest, we have not left such a great world for our grandchildren and certainly not our great-grandchildren.

 I am already experiencing verse two and have been at peace for a while now. I'm certain I'll end up in New Heaven and am prepared to go whenever the time comes.

 This is why submitting to the Lord is far better than trying to keep up with a bunch of laws.

 My God, my Heavenly Father has promised mercy because of His great love, and mercy means I will never see His wrath upon me.

 Mercy means I will not receive the punishment for my sin that I deserve but will receive the "Grace" of God instead.

 *****Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Pro 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

 Listen as our Heavenly Father teaches us.

 "Mercy without truth is like a great rain in a desert place that is not a blessing because there are no plants that need its nourishment".

 When we receive the mercy of God, it means we are not getting what we deserve, eternity in Hell, which is a real place.

 For those who believe in Heaven but doubt a place called Hell means they have rejected the truth. Both places are mentioned in the Word of God.

 Our Heavenly Father exhorts each of us to grab hold of His mercy and His truth and never let go.

 That mercy and that truth came to us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 Truth means things we can rely on, and we can rely on the truth of the Gospel!

 God has proven He loves us as He has made a way for us to miss out on His wrath.

 Our obedience to His Word proves we love Him!

 The obedience of the Christian is the outward behavior of each Christian's inner devotion to our Heavenly Father.

 The terms binding and loosing to the Jew mean permitting or forbidding or declaring anything to be forbidden or permitted.

 What are the benefits of being obedient to the Word of God?

 We will find favor and understanding with our Heavenly Father.

 The favor of God is God's "Grace," which means His good will, His acceptance, and the many benefits that come from these things.

 When we devote ourselves to the Lord, we will remain true and faithful to Him.

 Love and faithfulness are to be worn like precious jewels in a necklace.

 To the Jew, the throat is the life of every person. Mercy and truth are tied to the throat, so mercy and truth are to become a part of our every breath.

 We bind them to our neck and then we write them in our heart!

 This means that we know that the Word of God is to become a major part of our lives.

 Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

 Even as a child of twelve, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated these rewards in His life.

 Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 We can do none of these things until we have submitted ourselves to God!

 God wants to see our love for Him with His own eyes!

 God wants us to demonstrate our love for Him by being obedient to Him!

 1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 Without this faith in Him, we can never please our Heavenly Father.

 Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 *****Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 Today, most people trust in their own understanding, even though most of that understanding comes from media sources that have forgotten the truth and have allowed politics to dictate their beliefs, much of which comes from hatred.

 Just look at Microsoft News, and ninety percent of it is distorted news who do everything it can to go against our duly elected President.

 People do not get to learn on their own understanding because all we get is a distorted worldview.

 The truth of the Word of God is so easily seen as it teaches us how to live in a mind at peace with this world, because we are no longer a part of this world.

 When we acknowledge our Heavenly Father, He knows it.

When we love our Heavenly Father, He knows it.

When we trust our Heavenly Father, He knows it.

When we accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, He starts a building program in the New Heaven.

 This applies to every minute of our lives, at home, at work, at church, and in everything we do.

 The enemies of Israel came against King Asa and Asa called upon the Lord: 2Ch 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

 Every day we go out to battle in this world, we need to say, "Help us, O Lord our God, for we rest upon thee and in thy name, we go out into this lost and dying world with the Gospel".

 We can do this if we are devoted to Him and His Word!

 Our path is the same path that our Lord Jesus walked.

 Our understanding will be darkened by our sinful nature if we depend upon our own understanding.

 Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

 We can walk in the darkness, or we can walk in the Light of Life.

 Jhn_8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

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

Pro 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

 Self-confidence can be a good thing, but when we put our own confidence above the truth of the Word of God, then we will fail.

 Any wisdom against the wisdom of God is wrong, and it is sin.

 Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

 We should always seek the direction of God in everything we do!

 We are also able to see that our moral condition and our physical self are closely linked together!

 Godliness is profitable for all things.

 1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

 When we have a reverent fear of the Lord, it builds our relationship with Him, and we can see His promise, we will live healthier lives here on earth and in eternal life when we reach His home in New Heaven.

 Godliness means we hate evil and the evil ways of man.

 To be self-sufficient is to be arrogant and self-righteous.

 If we wish to conquer the challenges of this life, we have to cry out to the Lord God for His help and His wisdom.

 Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

 Every command that God gives us is for our well-being in every dimension of this life we live now.

 Sin will rob us of time we can spend with our families and enjoy this life as we prepare for that eternal life.

 That word naval actually means the neural chord we were attached to when we were in the womb of our mothers.

 If we belong to the Lord God, our Creator, our naval chord is now attached to Jehovah God and He will moisten the marrow of our bones.

 Psa 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

 We can say all these things and do all these things, but there is a way we can prove to the Lord, we love Him.

 We can bless Him as He has blessed us.

 It's called self-sacrificing.

 *****Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

 This means more than just tithing, which we are all called to do.

 Our first fruits are to be presented to the Lord in gratitude and thankfulness to Jehovah.

Our first fruits are to be the best we have.

 Trusting the Lord with all our hearts includes our wealth and our substance.

 Fearing the Lord extends to His commands about finances and material things.

 These things honor God because they show our submission to Him.

 When we give our best instead of our leftovers, it glorifies our Creator.

 Many leftovers of our meals go out to feed animals, so we do not have to wonder how God feels when we try to give Him our leftovers.

 Our first fruit must be a token of our gratitude to the Lord for the blessings that He has already given to us.

 When we are willing to give God the best that we have, which includes our time, it is really just a trial of our faith.

 Ask Abraham how he felt when God told him to give up his son?

 God says to prove Him: Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

 Can I say I have received a gift from God that was not special, and a thing I needed?

 God will do for us what only He can do!

 2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

 We could say that giving to the Lord is our supreme act of faith.

 We must also know that we are only human, and humans are made from dirt, and we will fall under Satan's temptation on occasion.

 We cannot make excuses but own up to our failures and ask or sometimes beg for forgiveness.

 *****Pro 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

 None of us likes any sort of punishment.

 No child of God can love pain or loss.

 None of us looks forward to the knife of the surgeon.

 We must completely understand that God not only rewards His children and prefers to do so, but He is also a loving Father who will discipline us. It is called chastisement.

 As long as we remain in this sack of flesh that we wear, we will make mistakes, and we will need discipline.

 If we are or were parents, we understand this clearly.

 If we are being disciplined by the Lord, we must understand it is because He loves us.

 None of us enjoys discipline, but we are to submit obediently to God's hand of discipline.

 As we travel that narrow path to Heaven, we will need His guidance, and we already know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the door to the entrance into the glory world.

 He is not the doorway but the door.

 Jehovah God never gets angry with His children; He corrects us!

 Job 5:17  Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 

Job 5:18  For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. 

 As God is our Heavenly Father, we are part of His family, so it is discipline of a family and not like as school or prison.

 Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 

Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

 We can understand the word "bastard" as those born of the world and have Satan as their father.

 2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 We show our trust in the Lord by just believing what He says.

 Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

 *****Pro 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 

Pro 3:14  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 

Pro 3:15  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 

Pro 3:16  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 

Pro 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 

Pro 3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 

 We should know that just like precious metals and precious jewels, wisdom is to be found.

 We must diligently seek God's wisdom!

 We can see that God's wisdom will bring happiness.

 Happiness is the result of being in God's favor!

 God's wisdom has much more value than silver. Silver is used to make musical instruments in Heaven.

 God's wisdom is much more valuable than gold. Gold is nothing but paving material in Heaven.

 God's wisdom is much more valuable than jewels. Jewels are used as wall decorations in Heaven.

Out of everything we might ever desire, wisdom will make us richer than any money ever will!

Instead of seeking some magic potion for long life, the only potion that will work is the wisdom of God.

God's wisdom can bring honor.

God's wisdom can bring happiness and peace to our lives.

God's wisdom is truly the tree of life here on earth and will lead us to our new home in the New Heaven.

Wisdom is truly the source of life!

Wisdom brings happiness to God's people.

Amen

God Will Give Us Wisdom

 Solomon Received Wisdom

 Book of 2 Chronicles Chapter 1 verses 7 through 12

 

 As we begin this first lesson in the Book of 2 Chronicles, we know that King David had died after ruling all the tribes of Israel for a total of forty years.

 Seven years over Judah and Benjamin and thirty-three years over all of Israel.

 God had decided that Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, would now lead all of Israel after their marriage.

 The first act of Solomon was to take secure control of the throne of Israel.

 We know that Adonijah another son of David was trying to take control of Israel with the help of some rich and powerful leaders, but he had failed.

 Solomon's second act as the new King of Israel was to seek the Lord, worship Him, and pray for the wisdom to be King. 

 The Tabernacle was now in Gibeon, but the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem because God had chosen Jerusalem to be the place where worship would continue.

 King David had built a special Tabernacle to house the Ark of the Covenant.

 I believe that this tabernacle is mentioned in prophecy.

 Isa_16:5  And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

 Amo_9:11  In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

 Act_15:16  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

 Solomon knew where the Tabernacle was located with the Ark of the Covenant, but the Brazen Altar was at Gibeon, and this is the place where sacrifices were to be made according to Levitical Law

 The Brazen Altar was the one place where all sacrifices were to be made, and Gibeon was only six and one-half miles from Jerusalem.

 The Brazen Altar is in fact a type of Mount Calvary where our Lord Jesus was sacrificed for our sins.

 God had said if anyone offers a sacrifice and brings it not unto the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, offering it to the Lord then that blood would be applied to that man and he would be cut off.

 Lev 17:3  What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, 

Lev 17:4  And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: 

 King Solomon knew this law applied to him as it did to all the children of Israel.

 King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings upon this Brazen Altar.

 It is the night after the day that King Solomon did this that the Lord appeared to King Solomon in a dream.

 *****2Ch 1:7  In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 

 We first see that God knew Solomon needed some guidance just as we all do.

 We will also see that God will test King Solomon even though God knew what Solomon would ask Him for.

 Solomon had brought all the leadership of Israel and the judges with him to Gibeon.

 This included all the heads of the military.

 It was important for all the leaders of Israel to know that King Solomon would serve the Lord God of Israel.

 What a shame that our leaders will not do this because they reject the God of Truth.

 They claim God and reject His Words, and it does not work like that.

 Now our nation allows so-called scientists who boast of superior insight into the nature of things to direct our nation.

 Many scientists assert that their investigations prove that the teachings of Scripture are false, but real facts show that the Bible has no controversy with real science.

 Because Solomon and those leaders acknowledged their need for the Lord, God accepted their worship through those sacrificial offerings.

 Today God accepts our worship, if we are sincere because the Lord Jesus sacrificed Himself, and the veil in the Temple at Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom and we can go directly to the Lord in our time of need or any other time.

It was important that the veil was torn from top to bottom. If it had been torn from bottom to top, it would have meant that man had done it

 God appeared to King Solomon: 1Ki 3:5  In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 

 God appeared to Solomon in a dream that was much more than a dream.

 This was one of the more significant dreams in the Bible.

 God revealed Himself in various ways in the Old Testament.

 There are many places where God spoke audibly to people.

 To Abraham: Gen 18:13  And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

 Gen 18:17  And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

 To Moses: Exo 19:9  And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. 

 To Isaiah: Isa 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. 

 God also revealed Himself through dreams as we see here with King Solomon.

 Whether it was more like a dream or a vision it was interactive and it was real and it honored God.

 God spoke to Solomon and Solomon spoke to God and prophecy was fulfilled.

 When this is mentioned in the Book of 1 Kings we can see that it is not Jehovah who responded to Solomon but it was Elohim.

 Jehovah appeared but Elohim spoke.

When we hear from the Lord Jesus Christ, He is speaking the words of His Father.

 In this passage here we see that Elohim appeared to Solomon.

 So, even though the Ark was not at Gibeon, God still met with Solomon and talked to him.

 We see that even in the times of the Old Testament, God made it clear that He was not restricted to the Holy of Holies or the Ark of the Covenant.

The Holy of Holies was a place where God met the High Priest of Israel.

 God said: "Ask what I shall give thee".

 We can take this to mean that Solomon could have asked for anything.

 We can just imagine how we would respond if the Almighty God asked us this same question.

 We know that we can ask for anything that is in the will of God for our lives, and He will give those things to us.

 What did Jesus say?

 Mat_7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

 Mat_21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 Jhn_16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

 Now it does not really say that God would have given Solomon anything he asked for, because God knew before Solomon asked, what he was going to ask for.

 We can be sure that God's response had nothing to do with those one thousand animals that were sacrificed.

 It was because Solomon's heart was surrendered to God at this time!

 This is the key to answered prayer! Having our hearts surrendered to the Lord.

 Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 *****2Ch 1:8  And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 

2Ch 1:9  Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 

 It should be very clear that God knows what is in our hearts before we ask of Him!

 When we ask of God, we must have faith that He can supply what we ask for or we will never receive gifts from God.

 God is not only able, but He is also willing to give us anything, but it must be in His will for us.

 God had shown more than great mercy to David, God had also made David a rich man.

 Why might we ask?

 1Ki 3:6  And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 

1Ki 3:7  And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 

 David had left all those riches to be used to build a Temple for God in Jerusalem.

 At this time Solomon was certainly not a child according to our standards.

 He was probably between the ages of seventeen to twenty-two.

 The one thing Solomon knew was that he was personally inadequate to fulfill God's promises to his father David.

 The nation of Israel was too great.

There were too many people for him to govern effectively.

The task that was lying before him was just too overwhelming.

 Solomon felt helpless.

 Solomon likened himself to be a small child.

 Solomon knew he lacked the wisdom to be King of Israel.

 The laws of Moses stated that Israel had to have a king who was humble and who would remain humble.

 A king was required to read the law of God daily and follow it.

 Deu 17:18  And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 

Deu 17:19  And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: 

Deu 17:20  That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. 

 No king was to feel he was superior to his fellow citizens.

 We know that this is a problem in the last few governments that we have.

 Those ultra-liberal Senators and Congressmen men and women treated us as inferiors!

 Solomon knew he needed God's help.

 This is exactly where God wants each of us.

 The Lord Jesus put it this way: Jhn_15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 We have found this to be very true!

 What was God's promise to David?

 2Sa 7:12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 

2Sa 7:13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 

2Sa 7:14  I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 

2Sa 7:15  But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 

2Sa 7:16  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 

 We know this prophecy did not only concern Solomon but more importantly our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only one who could fulfill this prophecy.

 What did Solomon need?

 *****2Ch 1:10  Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? 

 What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?

 **By knowledge Solomon meant the ability to gather and understand facts.

 By definition knowledge is a clear and certain perception of things that exist.

 We have no knowledge of things that do not exist, but God has perfect knowledge of all His creation so human knowledge is very limited.

 Knowing these things then keep in mind that ignorance is the curse of God.

 We know that Jesus Christ alone possesses all the knowledge of God.

 **Wisdom is the ability to apply the facts that are learned.

 By definition, wisdom is the right use of knowledge.

 Wisdom in fact is one of the names of Jesus Christ: 1Co_1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

 We should know that Solomon became king because God was rewarding his father, King David.

 What Solomon needed the most was the 'Grace" of God.

 We see that Solomon did not have a clue on how to rule a kingdom.

 When we admit what we are, dumb sheep, then God has something to work with.

 *****2Ch 1:11  And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 

 And God speaks.

 What did God tell the Prophet Samuel before this all began?

 1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

The word heart is used 833 times in the KJV Bible.

The heart is the center of the physical, mental, and spiritual life of all humans!

It is the heart that is at the center of our physical life.

Act 14:17  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 

The heart and our mind are closely connected.

It is thought that our heart is the seat of our intelligence.

Pro_8:5  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Sometimes we think with our heart.

Pro 23:7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 

We ponder things in our hearts.

Luk 2:19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

We see the heart and mind connected.

Our emotions are tied to our hearts.

God can see into our hearts, and He knows who his children are and those who are not and never will be.

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

Now we cannot read our own thoughts into this. 

This is something God knows, and we cannot know!

The heart is the center of our spiritual life!

Job said: Job 27:6  My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. 

It is our heart that will condemn us, but it is also in our heart where we feel the power of God.

1Jn 3:19  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 

1Jn 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 

It is because our heart is at the root of all our problems this is the place where God does His greatest work!

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 

It is the heart where God sows His seed (the Word of God).

Mat 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

It is in the heart where God will make His home within us.

2Co 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 

2Co 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 

This is why if God wants to know us, all He has to do is look into our hearts.

This is why we can witness for the Lord.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

This is what God saw in the heart of Solomon.

*****2Ch 1:12  Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. 

There is a principle in the Bible that we have trouble understanding and the Lord Jesus uses it: Mat_25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

We see that King Solomon had enough wisdom to offer up a wise prayer, so God increased his wisdom as the answer to his prayer.

We see that all those who make this world their end will come up short in the gifts of God.

Those who make it to the "Glory World" will not only obtain a mansion in God's home, but God will give us enough in this world that we live and take care of our families.

Yes, God gave Solomon riches and wealth and honor, but these things had another purpose.

The truth is, if we put the Lord and His ways first in our lives then, good things can happen.

It means following God's will for our lives, then blessings will come our way!

God freely gives His wisdom if we will just ask Him.

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. 

Amen`

Living in This World of Sin

 A Living Faith in Trials and Temptations

Book of James Chapter 1

We know that this James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ.

Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 

Mar 6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 

It was this James who was one of eyewitnesses to the resurrected Lord.

1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 

It was this James who became the Pastor of the first Christian Church after Peter had to flee for his life, which was in Jerusalem.

This is also when Peter started a mission for Jesus Christ.

Act 12:16  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 

Act 12:17  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. 

It seems it was this James that took over for Peter who actually began this first church of Christianity.

It was this James who was the presiding officer of the first Jerusalem Counsel.

Act 15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 

Act 15:14  Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 

It was this James who was named one of the pillars of the early Church.

Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

We can see that the half-brother of our Lord was held to a high standard to be mentioned along with Peter and John.

We know that this James was well versed in the Old Testament.

We know that this James knew how to apply the Old Testament to the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that this James was really familiar with the Sermon on the Mount, because he has included much of it in this first Book of the New Testament named after him.

We can trust this Book of James to be written under the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit!

This Book was written to the Christians who were scattered because of the persecution of the Jews.

*****Jas 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 

We can imagine it took a lot of faith for a brother to confess that his brother was actually the Messiah and the Creator of this Universe.

That faith came when he saw his brother, the Lord Jesus Christ after his death, as He was resurrected from the grave, because the grave could not hold Him because death could not hold Him!

No doubt James was proud to say he was a servant to his half-brother Jesus because he did so.

We know that Moses was a slave to God, along with Joshua, and David, and Paul, and Jude, and all the Apostles and this James along with all the Prophets and now each of us who believe the truth and are all called Christians.

James had a calling to reach out to all Christians.

God used this letter so James could remain with the early Church when Peter had to flee from Herod and begin his own mission to reach the lost.

We should understand that it is not always easy to be a Christian in this world and it has been that way since the beginning of the Church.

We should expect trials and temptations and prepare for them because they will surely come!

When we think about having joy in these things, it first seems ridiculous, but in truth, life is not an easy walk for most people to begin with.

We should also understand that temptation also means to test, to try, and to prove, so we can have a better understanding of it.

When we conquer temptation and the trials of life, we become a much purer person, more holy, more righteous and more just.

We become a stronger person and become ready to be that servant the Lord can use.

The more we conquer these things, the more we become like the Lord Jesus Christ which must be our goal after salvation!

Remember the Lord Jesus told us take up our own cross and follow Him. That cross is a sign of death.

Mar_8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Then the Lord teaches us:

2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Joy is not one of the things we feel while we are going through these things.

But Joy is the attitude that is needed.

The Lord is saying that when we look back on the things that have made us more Christian, we will find that some of our reactions were indeed laughable.

In reality, we should have joy in the fact that the world sees us as a Christian.

One of the greatest rewards we can receive upon this earth is patience!

We should understand that the Lord did not send us temptations nor trials in this life, but He will chasten us for our sin.

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

Will the Lord test our faith? We can be certain that He will!

An untested faith is a faith that may not exist.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

The Lord is seeking to improve our endurance to all these things.

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

Notice the Lord says, if it gets too bad in some areas, we may have to flee, but we can be assured that the Lord is coming back to get those who have not already gone home to Heaven.

This is called the rapture of the Church.

In all things we must allow patience to be our rule in this life!

*****Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

We should understand that if we truly want to become a citizen of Heaven, we must not refuse to enter the school of suffering which the Lord Jesus Himself has established here on earth!

When we look at these things as opportunities to get the blessings of the Lord, then we will see that we can have joy as we go through them.

When we can conquer our trials and temptations and get stronger, then we have fulfilled the purpose that God sent them.

We can see how these words become real in this day we are living.

Listen to the Lord Jesus:

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 

God's purpose for us is to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

We cannot say we are Christian if we are not becoming more like Jesus. Do not let this world fool you! 

The more like Jesus that we become the more this world will hate us, because this world hates the Lord Jesus Christ!

If we stand firm in our faith in Christ, then we have conquered death just as He conquered death!

This is when the Lord opens the windows of Heaven and pours out more blessings than we can absorb while we are upon this earth.

We will have an eternity of perfection.

We will have an eternity of fitness, of completion, and fulfillment and all these things throughout eternity and that mansion will not be a bad thing either.

My pastor once preached that some of the people left behind might be injured for all those false teeth, those old joints that have been replaced with steel, all those glasses we need on this earth, all those braces, and crutches and any other thing that was placed in our bodies while we were living on this earth as they fall down as we are going up.

It will be the strangest rain they have ever seen!

We will lack nothing.

We will want for nothing.

We will have the abundance and the fullness of this life, but it cannot compare to those days of eternity in God's Heaven in His House!

We cannot reach this fullness of life if we lack the wisdom of the Lord!

*****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. 

We will not be able to conquer anything in this life without the wisdom of the Lord!

Wisdom means far more than knowledge.

Wisdom is far more than just being intellectual about life of some area of this life.

Many people in this world have much knowledge; they are very common.

Many knowledgeable people fail trials and temptations because all that knowledge did not help them.

Only wisdom can grasp the great truths of life.

Scientists of today when they do not understand life they just add another billion years or so to it.

They may have knowledge, but they lack wisdom and they certainly lack understanding in the truth of God, at least most of them do!

Wisdom is seeing and knowing what to do about life!

Wisdom grasps the great truth of life without having to make up some false idea about life.

Wisdom sees the trials and temptations that surround life and death, the Lord and mankind, time, and eternity, good and evil, the deep things of the universe and the reality of the Lord our Creator.

Wisdom not only understands these things but wisdom knows what to do with these things!

Wisdom gains victory over all these things!

Psa_111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Pro_2:6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Pro_3:19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

The Lord is willing to share all His wisdom with us, but it can be too much for us, so he shares it a little at a time.

Asking wisdom of God is the way to conquer our trials and temptations and the Lord will always, will always, provide a means to escape.

God will never scold us for not knowing how to handle some trial or some temptation!

We must understand there is no question that the Lord cannot answer.

We must also understand if we cannot believe that the Lord has those answers we dearly need, then He will not provide that answer.

*****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. 

If we are making a cake, then flour would be a necessary ingredient.

If we are making sweet tea, then sugar would be a necessary ingredient.

If we are praying to the Lord our Father in Heaven, then "faith" is a necessary ingredient.

Not just any faith, but faith in His ability to answer our prayers.

How can we ask in Christ's name, which is another ingredient, if we do not believe the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

There will be no answer for those who are not true believers!

Joh 9:31  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 

The things we ask for must be an object of our faith!

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

That word wavering means being in doubt.

How can anyone who rejects the truth of the Lord even think that our Father in Heaven would even consider answering their prayers when He has said He will not?

No matter how great the storms of life are to the unbeliever, they do not bother our Savior.

Mat 8:24  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 

He was asleep, because these twelve men had no faith and the things of this world, no matter how severe they seem to be they do not bother the Lord!

Those that pray without faith, how can they expect their prayers to be heard?

Those that reject the Lord, how can they expect to go to Heaven?

Prayer is the greatest gift the Lord gives to believers after the gift of salvation that comes by faith and faith only!

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

Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

Unbelieving prayer is useless.

Though they may receive something it did not come from the Lord and they certainly have no right to blame the Lord either way.

They cannot expect anything more because they are not under the assurance of God's promises as is the believer.

Now the believer may not receive an answer they expected, but the Lord will listen to their prayers and His answer will be what is best for them.

God will never reward doubt!

God cannot answer the prayer of a doubting person because if He did, He would be rewarding doubt.

We must believe that God is who He says He is!

God will not hear nor can He answer any person who wavers in his faith!

Those who waver in their faith do not know the value of the gifts of God and cannot receive those gifts!

Those who waver in their faith are unstable in all their ways.

We cannot live our lives up and down, or back and forth and say we belong to the Lord, because we are not sure of anything.

We cannot be unstable in our Christian life and still insist we are living in the will of God. It is not God's will that we live in such a way!

This is the very reason so many saved people receive so little from the Lord.

Some have enough faith to be saved, but they remain babes in Christ all their days, never taking that next step of being Christian, a servant of the Lord trying to be like Him.

We must understand that the fruits of our prayers are received from the nail scared hands of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the middle person by whom God conveys His blessings!

Our strength comes from our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

We must understand that we will face the temptations of Satan, the Devil.

We must also understand that we will face the temptations of those who are lost in this world, our fellow human beings who are the children of the Devil whether they recognize it or not.

We must also understand that we will be tempted by the actions of those of this world that is so full of sin!

The Lord expects us to endure temptation no matter who we are.

It is true that sometimes, the strongest among us fail because they felt like they could not fail.

We must rejoice in the Lord no matter our circumstances!

Even the lowest Christian on the face of this earth will be exalted as a king and prince when the Lord returns.

No one has rank in God's New Heaven except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing this, then if we are poor in this life we can think of ourselves as kings when the Lord returns.

All kings live in mansions and the Lord is building us all a mansion.

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

We must never accuse the Lord of things that He cannot do!

We must never think our temptations come from the Lord!

*****Jas 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 

So, where does temptation come from if not from God?

Because we still have that sin nature, sometimes the desire and the craving for things upon this earth are almost unbearable.

This is what temptation is: the desire and the craving for wrong things, things that the Lord forbids, and are harmful to our bodies, and to our spirits.

Just because some man justifies it, and says that it is acceptable, does it make these things right for us.

Such as alcohol, the Lord will never approve the drinking of any alcoholic beverage!

Pro 23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 

Pro 23:32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 

Certainly if we are not to look upon alcohol, then we should not be drinking it!

It does not matter that some religions allow the consumption of alcohol when the Lord says no to partake of it. They are wrong!

In this case the Holy Spirit uses wine and He says to not even look upon it.

We must not take into our bodies anything that dulls our senses and lowers our moral tone.

We must not yield to the temptation of anything that influences us to go against the Word of God!

God will never tempt us to go against Him!

We always want to blame someone else for our failures, but our failures are our own and we are the blame for all of them.

*****Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 

Jas 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 

Jas 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren. 

While we are in these bodies with that sin nature that we cannot avoid, evil thoughts and immoral desires will rule our lives if we allow them to.

These things will lure us into sin!

Even the unbeliever cannot use other excuses for rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is their decision to make and their opportunity to miss.

God cannot ever induce anyone to act against His will.

God will never go against anything He causes to be written down for us.

There is never a modern Gospel and there never will be a more modern Gospel than we have now. God never changes!

The Word of God is a Living Word that is real and is the truth, in all ages.

We must understand that some of our desires can be a sin, even if we do not act upon them!

Mat 5:27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 

Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

When we face temptation from the normal and natural desires of man or woman, and think we cannot turn away from them, then these things become sin.

There is no person who is not a man or a women based upon the sex with which they were born.

Those that desire to be someone of the opposite sex is living in sin just as much as any of those desires that goes against the Word of God.

We cannot desire to do what sinners do and still say we are the children of God!

We are never to given in to our desires if they go against the Word of God!

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. 

We must understand that it is the intention of the Word of God to be our guide in living the way that God has decided what is best for us, because we prove over and over again that we do not make good decisions based upon the rules of this world.

*****Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

The Lord Jesus does not see us as wise unless we are keeping the Word of God!

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Our house is this body we have been given, and it is this house we are to build upon with that Rock of Jesus Christ!

We must understand that just because we sit in God's house and listen to that sermon God gave to our pastor, that these things make us acceptable to Him.

It is not these things that make us safe and secure!

When we slip into some sin, we must not believe that God will forgive us just because we ask this of Him.

We must never think that God will not reject us.

We must clearly understand, God does not accept us because we hear and know the Word of God nor because we confess our sins.

These things are necessary and are very important but God accepts us because we confess our sins and then repent of them.

Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God!

God accepts us because we turn to Him and live for Him.

When we truly believe the Lord Jesus, then we will trust and follow Him and doing exactly what He says.

So many believe they can hang on to that pet sin they keep hidden and ask for forgiveness when we slide into it, but repentance is still required.

We are only deceiving ourselves when we think that God will just forgive us because of His grace!

Rom 6:1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 

Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

There is no sin that we can continue in claiming God's Grace to be forgiven!

It is the doer of the Word of God who is blessed and not those who just hear the Word of God!

We are deceiving ourselves if we believe otherwise!

We are attempting to defraud the Lord Jesus Christ when we attempt to do these things.

We owe Him all we are and all we have!

*****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. 

When we see the Word of God as our mirror, we can see just how great a sinner we have been since our birth

This holds true to every human being upon the face of this earth, no matter who they are.

Eze 33:31  And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 

Eze 33:32  And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. 

Many of those who are lost do see the Words of God as great words to live by, but they go their own way because they do not see the Word of God applying to them.

They have made themselves self-righteous.

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

Much of this world believe the Word of God is too harsh to live by, and they go their own way doing what suits them.

In either of these cases these who are lost forget that they are sinners in need of a Savior and the Bible says that Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ and there are no other saviors.

They forget the destruction of this world that the Bible says will happen.

These are the loudest voices when the world speaks of "climate change" or "nuclear war” because they see this world as savable when the Lord says it is not savable.

Rev_21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

The Lord would not make all things new if this world were worth saving!

The greatest gift we can give to our pastors or preachers who preach the message God has given to them, is obedience.

When they preach, they must be looking for fruit.

As hearers we must carry out what we hear, or the preaching of the Word is falling upon deaf ears and that preacher will get discouraged and quit.

There are not enough true preachers today, but there are many impostors.

We cannot get the blessings of God from an impostor!

If we cannot find faith in the Word of God then as hearers, we also become impostors.

Then there are some who find the truth of God.

*****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.

What is the Word of God? It is the perfect law of liberty. Liberty from the bondage of Satan!

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can make us free from the bondage of the wickedness of this world.

When we live according to the Word of God, we will find that we can be freed from all the things that enslave our souls upon this earth.

We are free to know and fellowship with the Lord forever and ever.

We must continue in the Word of God all our days.

The trouble with this world is that those who deny the Lord Jesus, deny that there is life after the death of our bodies.

You would think that even the greatest believer in evolution could see that the miracle of life must extend after death.

They see animals of many kinds that can go dormant for periods of time and then come back to life and this is what God is telling them, there is life after death!

The Lord promises us that it is in this life that we are to prepare for the next life which is eternal!

The Word of God is the truth.

Heaven and Hell are real places!

Amen

Wisdom Leads To Confession

Wisdom Leads To Confession Of Sin

Proverbs 28-31


Confession means to acknowledge our faults, or our guiltiness, or our failures.

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ Jesus forgives sins through the priests at confession.

This is taken from John 20:23

Joh 20:23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The truth is, the power to forgive sins cannot be given by Jesus Christ to any of His ministers!

Only God can forgive sins!

God forgives out of "Grace"!

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Our sins were nailed to the cross that Jesus Christ bore for each of us!

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

This forgiveness forever solves the problem of sin in our lives, all sins past, all sins present, and all future sin.

We must remember Jesus Christ died for the sin of unbelief!

It is unbelief that leads to all other sins!

Our salvation is secure BUT, we will need a daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.

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

This is the truth of the Scriptures and our own wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord!

It is the fear of the Lord that will lead to the confession of our sins!

*****Pro 28:4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

What is the theme of our world today?

The wicked who forsake the Word of God then exalt the wicked and their evil deeds!

The righteous who keep the Word of God and are considered the enemy!

Those who forsake the Word of God will insist on leaders who are like-minded so they can build their carnal society!

They are greedy and self-serving and insists on their evil agenda!

This is the America of today!

When ungodly leaders and ungodly citizens prevail, any nation will decline and will also suffer the reproach of the world and the condemnation of God!

This is the America of today!

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

It may be already to late to save America but we must not sit idly by while this wickedness dominates our society!

The Bible says to "contend" with those that reject the Word of God!

To "contend" is to defend and preserve!

Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith" which was once delivered unto the saints.

We are to remain settled on the truth of the Scriptures, the facts of the Word of God!

We are to stand up!

We are to speak out!

What is the truth of the Scriptures?

*****Pro 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

If we remember the words of Jesus on the cross we can understand this verse.

Luk 23:34  Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus Christ was always thinking of others!

Those that reject the Word of God cannot be expected to make righteous judgments nor can they administer sound justice!

This is also a fact in America where as more and more of these people are appointed to seats of judgment in our justice system.

They are void of the knowledge and the wisdom that is needed and ignorant of the truth!

Understanding can come but from one place and that is knowing the truth of God!

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Without searching for the Lord, He will never be found, yet He is always near!

It is only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God who can have the understanding of true justice!

*****Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

The truth is, the wicked are not so much those that are ignorant of God's law as it is those that turn their ear away and ignore God's law!

It is all those who are ignorant of God's law that we are to witness too and not so much those that hear the Word of God and reject it!

This is why Jesus taught in parables!

To be able to go before God in prayer is an awesome privilege.

We may never have an audience with the President or even with a Governor but we can have an audience with our God at any moment in time!

God is a Father with a desire to do good and a distinct love for mankind and has great delight in hearing from His children.

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

When we reject the Word of God, we forfeit the privilege to enter into the presence of God!

God despises the prayers of those who despise the Word of God!

Joh 9:31  Now we know "that God heareth not sinners": but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

It is wisdom that leads to confession and it is confession that leads to answered prayers!

*****Pro 28:11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

If we open our eyes to this world we will see that for the most part, the wicked are arrogant and they consider themselves to be wise.

They simply reject anything that goes against their perceived thoughts.

It is easy to see through their deceit when compared to the Word of God!

It is far better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and have no integrity!

Most of the rich see themselves as being superior to others and they use their wealth as a sign they are simply smarter than the average person.

They deceive themselves into thinking that those who are beneath them are blind to their schemes.

The truth is money simply cannot buy character!

Money simply cannot buy true wisdom!

Their lack of wisdom can be easily seen in their selfish, permissive, and worldly lifestyle!

It is only those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, who can have a clear understanding of life and our world!

It takes a close personal relationship with the Lord to overcome the deceptions of this world!

Pro 26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

*****Pro 28:12  When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

What's the truth of our world?

When the wicked rule a nation it is divided and most all people will flee from oppression!

When the righteous rise to power more people will rejoice and most problems are solved.

But remember God says there will always be those who are poor in this world until He returns!

When our government is run by someone that fears the Lord, God's people will celebrate openly and publicly!

When the wicked rule, God's people are forced to hide because they know that oppression is coming.

This is the dread of America!

This is the truth of ISIS!

This is the truth of almost every nation other than Israel!

An unrighteous leader causes grief to all those who reject their agenda!

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

Pro 11:10  When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

The Bible is very clear, it is the love of money that is the root of most all the evil in our world!

*****Pro 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The Bible is also very clear when it says that sin cannot be hidden!

Num 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: "and be sure your sin will find you out".

When we are to arrogant to see our own sin and repent of it, we can be sure that our sin will be made known to those that it affects.

We should also remember that those that reject the Lord are already condemned to a sinner's Hell!

If we spend our lives refusing to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can never prosper spiritually!

We can have no fellowship with the Lord.

We will forfeit God's benefits.

Our prayer life will be powerless.

We will stunt our spiritual growth.

Our service to the Lord will be fruitless.

Joy will be far from us!

We will never succeed and prosper in this life we now have.

We must deal with our sin first by confessing it to the Lord!

Confession is recognizing sin as sin, and admitting it to God!

Most people think it ends there, but to be truthful our confession must be accompanied with "repentance"!

Repentance is much more than saying "I'm Sorry", repentance is an action word that means "I'm Going To Travel The Path Of Righteousness"!

Genuine repentance is a complete change of heart and of mind that results in a change of conduct!

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

When we confess our sin then we are in agreement with God that sin can only be atoned by the blood of Jesus Christ!

After confession, must come action on our part before we will ever see the mercy of God!

*****Pro 28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

What is the truth of the Bible?

Those that walk according to the Word of God "shall be saved"!

The upright are safe and secure while those who reject the Word of God "will fall"!

The upright are all those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, innocent and blameless.

Perverse, means to be turned aside, distorted, stubborn and contrary.

He sways right and wrong and also pretends to be pursuing one path while he is really taking another.

These are the traits of the Anti-Christ and they both will fall!

Once he falls he will never rise again!

*****Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

The truth is that our character is in full display by the way we treat others!

Jesus taught that loving others is equal to loving God:

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Apostle Paul taught that loving your neighbor is the fulfillment of all God's commandments:

Gal 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The line that separates the upright from the foolish is by the way they treat others!

All those who stubbornly persists in sin will be suddenly destroyed.

God makes this very plain!

Without remedy means that it will be done and there is nothing that can be done about it!

1) There are those who refuse to hear what the Lord has to say and avoid any sort of relationship with Him.

These will be destroyed without remedy!

We can be sure that they have been approached by God.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

At death they will be instantly banished to eternal destruction:

Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

2) Then there are those who have a relationship with God but have returned to their sinful ways.

They may suffer a premature death because of unrepented sin!

God does not ignore the sins of His children!

God will not allow us to willfully continue in sin!

We may eventually cross a line where God's patience has ended.

We will not lose our salvation but we will lose any reward we could have gotten!

This is an act of judgment but it is also an act of love.

By releasing us from our corrupt flesh, God releases us from our temptation to sin, ruining our testimony, and we will no longer cause harm to the "Body of Christ"!

1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And again.

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

These things cannot be denied!

God will not allow His children to continue in unconfessed sin!

3) God may also destroy nations where sin has been allowed to run rampant!

Israel is a prime example but there are many nations that do not exist today in any form!

2Ch 36:16  But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

There are many reasons God sends His missionaries to foreign lands and sometimes God wants that nation to repent.

*****Pro 29:12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

There are many things that are going on in our nation that most all of us do not understand.

It is a fact that our leaders need to be able to discern between truthful and untruthful information!

It seems our leaders today yield to lobbyist who do not have the good of the people in mind.

The truth is that it is mercy and truth that makes a true leader!

Pro 20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Those that are in a position of responsibility must remember to verify all information in order to know what's for the good of the people they represent!

As far as the people, we must take strong action against all those who are not honest in their duties to serve the people.

We are finding this more difficult to do because it seems our government is becoming more and more corrupt!

This has taken place because the public has been lenient in insisting on the truth!

Pro 25:5  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Pro 16:12  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

What is the truth? It is those who are right with God who will prevail!

*****Pro 29:16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

It is a fact that immorality will cause the spread of sin.

In a world where Satan reigns, sin will continue to run rampant because that is Satan's goal.

This the nation and the world we live in today!

Psa 37:35  I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36  Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

The truth is that we who know the Lord should never despair because a God who cannot break a promise, promises a future day when all His enemies will be destroyed.

Psa 37:34  Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

When the Lord returns, He will reign in righteousness!

Knowing all these things should make us confess our own sin and repent.

*****Pro 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Pride says we are superior to others because human logic reasons the way to success is through self-elevation.

This is a false conclusion!

The truth is that pride will only result in dishonor and humiliation!

The Bible teaches us that those who are arrogant will certainly be humbled through a painful process.

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

We can boldly go before the throne of God but we better be humble when we get there!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we are in need of a Savior!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we must remain at the mercy of God!

The truth is that God will exalt us throughout eternity if we will humbly bow before Him in this life!

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Here again, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly in heart but most people today regard Him as the greatest man that has ever lived even if they do not recognize Him as God, which He is!

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You cannot be Christian if you cannot learn from the Savior!

We are all certainly unworthy of God's Grace and God's "Grace" is shown to us all by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Humility is not weakness, humility is strength under complete control!

We must exchange our yoke for His yoke.

We must exchange our burdens for His burdens.

We must exchange our pride for His teaching.

If we are struggling in our faith, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

If we are struggling in our walk according to the Scriptures, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

If we are tempted to quit on God, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Joh 18:11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

As believers we are to walk humbly upon this earth just as our Savior did!

And we are never to partner with evil!

*****Pro 29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

A thief makes it his business to cheat, defraud, and steal the property of others.

If you become a partner to a thief, you come under double judgement.

1) You will be guilty of his crime!

2) You will be guilty of withholding information about his crime!

That's what sin does, sin multiplies. One sin  will always lead to another sin!

Psa 50:18  When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

When we  try to use that excuse, "I did not want to get involved", we are already guilty in the eyes of God!

We have shown no real concern for our own soul and if we cannot care for our own soul how can we care for the souls of others.

God says it like this:

Pro 8:36  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The Lord our God put it this way:

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

When we hear the cursing of those who have been harmed and who are the victim and we do not report what we know, how can we plead "not guilty"!

God never changes so He warns us again and again:

1Ti 5:22  Lay hands suddenly on no man, "neither be partaker of other men's sins": keep thyself pure.

If we are wise we will have an unwavering faith in the Lord and His Word!

*****Pro 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

When our fears turn us away from serving the Lord then our fears will actually be greater!

We are to obey human authority in order for there to be a civil society.

If we have trusted in the Lord then we will live righteously and living righteously is doing things the right way!

We also will not be afraid of what people will do to us when we take our stand on the Word of God!

The truth is that many who say they trust in the Lord are compelled to lie, or to compromise to avoid any unpleasant repercussions.

Remember even Peter denied Christ Jesus because he was afraid of what those people would do to him and when he realized what he had done he got alone and wept bitterly.

We must remember God takes responsibility for His Words!

And it will always be impossible to live for Christ and avoid persecution!

Someplace everyday some of those that love the Lord are slain just because they trust Him for their salvation.

If we truly love the Lord then we will not have a fear of what man can do to us.

God said to take a stand and stand firm:

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we are threatened we simply need to call on the Lord and place it in His hands.

We are in God's hands and it is He that is in control of our lives!

We must remember, we have already been judged and justified by the Lord, we do not need the favor of any ruler of this earth or any other person!

*****Pro 29:26  Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

When we trust in the Lord we must not fret when justice is not served in human courts.

We know that the Lord is the ultimate and final Judge and no sin will go unpunished.

It is not in our hands to seek revenge!

The day is coming when the Lord will correct all the wrong that has been done in this world!

It is a fact that human government cannot bring a perfect justice.

There are those that seek a rulers favor but the truth is, what God has appointed for  them will surely come to them!

Pro 19:6  Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Those that pay for a favorable judgement here on earth are not rich enough to sway the judgment of God!

The truth is an unjust man is an abomination to the Lord!

*****Pro 29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

The title of our lesson is that "wisdom leads to the confession of sin".

No one can be justified until they can make a confession!

When we walk in God's righteousness we will refuse to compromise with the things of this world!

We will then be despised by those who reject the Word of God!

When we take our stand for the Lord we will see opposition.

In many cases it will be bitter with much anger!

Fearing the Lord, gives us the conviction to do right and leave the results with Him!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Lifestyles Without God

Wisdom Avoids Ungodly Lifestyles

Proverbs 18-23


Who are the godly?

Those that obey God!

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Who are the ungodly?

Those who do not obey the Word of God!

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, "what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God"?

The wisdom that comes from a reverent fear of the Lord, will teach us to avoid an ungodly lifestyle!

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

We should not ever forget that words have the power of life and death; they can either kill or they can nourish life and the Word of God is life!

It is impossible to overestimate the power of the Word of God!

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

It is also just as true that all those who talk with other than God's Words will eat the fruit of their own words!

If the words of each Christian do not expose a godly character then we are not who we say we are!

*****Pro 19:3  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

It is true that we all do foolish things from time to time.

It is the foolish things we do that damage our health.

It is the foolish things that are done that can jeopardize a good marriage.

It is foolish things we do that jeopardize our employment.

In fact foolishness will most always affect every aspect of our lives!

Today in our world we see a people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

We may notice it more in our politicians but it has also spread throughout our youth!

We have a world, "do to a lack of wisdom", that blame God for most all their troubles and then in their foolish minds think they have the ability to solve the worlds problems without God.

It is our own sin nature that causes us to blame our own mistakes or sins on someone else, rather than our selves.

The proof of that can be seen in Adam:

Gen 3:12  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

It may be true that Eve picked the forbidden fruit and and gave it to Adam, but it was Adam who chose to defy the Word of God and eat of the fruit.

This same characteristic exist in all mankind!

Foolish behavior always carries a price and most of the time a heavy price!

*****Pro 19:8  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Self love is righteous and healthy, when it does not come from sinful selfishness!

Life's purpose, life's success, and life's eternal destiny will motivate most people to seek the wisdom to allow these things and that wisdom can come only from a reverent fear of the Lord!

Pro 16:20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

*****Pro 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

What is the biggest problem with our youth of today? The parents have been brainwashed about true discipline!

Parents are commanded to discipline children in order to keep them from the deadly practice of foolishness!

This does not mean to abuse any child but note, this is a command just as much as any of the commands of God!

God says it is urgent that our children be shown the right way by using the verbal and the physical discipline that is required.

This discipline is to begin while our children are young because "that is when there is hope", since there is little or no hope after they are grown!

Parents who neglect the discipline of their children will bear some responsibility for their foolish behavior!

In fact discipline while children are young is the best weapon to use to keep our children from harming themselves and others.

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

To not chasten your children is to not love them as you should!

Pro 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The lifestyle of us all had it's beginning while we were still babes!

*****Pro 19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

A godly lifestyle begins with proper advice and proper instructions!

God is saying to "pay attention to what I am telling you"!

To prepare ourselves for the future we must begin in the present and the younger we begin the better!

We will never understand the value of God's instructions until we are living a godly life!

*****Pro 19:23  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

What is the truth of a reverent fear of the Lord and a godly lifestyle?

1) There is the gift of life.

To be a Christian is to be immortal.

As the Lord Jesus has an endless life, so do those that trust Him!

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, "but after the power of an endless life".

Joh 3:35  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

2) There is contentment.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

3) There is security.

1Ti 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

The Christian life is a life of true freedom!

As we submit to the Lord we can walk in the knowledge that we are saved!

Eternal life is not just a life that has no end but also a life that is lived in perfection.

Eternal life is a life in full communion with our Father in Heaven.

*****Pro 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Foolish choices will most always bring with them pain!

When we do not learn from the wisdom of these proverbs we will inflict pain upon ourselves!

We must avoid foolish conduct!

We must not be misled by alcohol.

Alcohol leads to reckless behavior!

Wine is made from fermented grapes.

Strong drink refers to alcohol that is made from fermented grains.

A mocker scoffs at what is is good in society and wine will make you a mocker.

Raging is as a brawler who causes commotion and turmoil.

Strong drink will make you a brawler.

In other words those under the influence of alcohol are often unrecognizable from their normal self!

Those that do not become mockers and brawlers still do and say foolish things and most will behave immorally.

Those who are wise will abstain from all alcoholic beverages!

Isa 28:7  But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

We must connect with the wisdom of God so we can see properly and not stumble in our ways!

*****Pro 23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

The word hear or listen means to obey!

To be wise is to be guided by wisdom and wisdom comes from a reverent fear of the Lord!

We must not allow our hearts to be our guide as the world says because the heart is wicked above all things.

We must not allow our desires to lead us away from the path of righteousness!

*****Pro 23:20  Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

We must not associate with people who will influence us to follow after the lust of the flesh.

What are our greatest temptations?

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.

We are commanded to avoid the company of drunkards and gluttons!

Why?

Because they have lost control of themselves!

They are ruled by the desires to their flesh!

They cannot control the activities of their flesh!

They allow their own passions to rule their lives!

What is their end, less they repent?

*****Pro 23:21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

These two things can ruin the lives of all those who become addicted to these things!

The righteous life is a "step by step", "day by day" walk with the Lord!

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.

The cross is an instrument of death!

We must put our own will, our own desires, our own wants, our own ambitions to death and then follow Jesus!

Wisdom can only be seen through the life and the person of Jesus Christ!

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As long as we are alive on this earth we will never be able to become the complete master of our flesh!

We must face the fact that we are capable of backsliding at any moment.

If we think we have reached such a plateau in our lives, then that is when we are at our weakest moment!

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Our churches are full of carnal, undisciplined Christians and even they can tempt us to stray from the path of righteousness as we try to help make them more mature.

There are also those who abuse Christian liberty and they are just as dangerous an influence as those who are lost.

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Anytime we give in to our flesh and stray from God's pathway, we have strayed from the wisdom of God!

The Lord Jesus teaches us to be very careful to avoid all these things.

Luk 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

*****Pro 23:26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

We already know the God is love and it is love that makes this request of each of us!

We can see that God actually begs and pleads with us to listen to what He says!

God has absolutely nothing to gain in this request!

God is already to great for any of us to make Him greater!

God is already to rich for any of us to make Him richer!

The wisest thing we could ever do is to take our hearts and give them to the Lord!

It is our eyes that get us in the most trouble so God says keep your eyes on the ways of the Lord.

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

*****Pro 23:27  For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
Pro 23:28  She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

This whore represents immorality and everyone knows if you fall into a deep ditch it's just very hard to get out.

Immorality is like a trap that will hold you captive and many never escape the clutches of immorality!

An immoral woman will use all her weapons to steal everything you have!

She will steal your family, your home, your career and your money.

She will take away your dignity and your honor, your health and even your life.

Those that fall into the traps of immorality can lose everything that has any real meaning in this life!

We live in a world of extreme immorality today!

We live in a world where the first thing provided to the teenager is birth control.

All manner of sexual sin runs rampant in our own nation!

A wedding ring, the circle of commitment, means nothing.

Modesty is a word that no longer exists!

The only way to avoid these traps is to wear the armor of God and prayer!

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And we must remember that we are the "Body Of Christ" and we are never to take the "members" of Christ and join them to a harlot!

Immorality can only lead to sorrow and woe!

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

There should be no doubt that the Word of God forbids the use of alcohol for consumption. God warns us over and over again against drunkenness.

God then ask for us to answer the question of, who has all these problems in their life?

"Woe" is crying out in despair and grief.

"Sorrow" is crying because of a want or a need, sorrow is pain of the mind.

"Contentions" or strife is brawling and fighting, quarreling and disputing.

"Babblings" or complaints is speech that is vain and meaningless.

"Unnecessary wounds and bruises" and the diseases of addiction.

"Red or bloodshot eyes"

Who then is God speaking of?

*****Pro 23:30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Most would say that these verse speak to the alcoholic and that is true.

But in actuality these Scriptures speak to all who partake of alcohol and any other thing that is mind altering such as drugs.

Isa 5:11  Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

These Scriptures speak of anyone who takes a drink of alcohol and then tarries for another.

These Scriptures speak of anyone who is craving and seeking these things which speaks of addiction.

There is only one remedy for these things!

To abstain!

*****Pro 23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

There is only one answer given to us by the Lord.

Do Not Even Look At It!

If we are not to look at it then we certainly are not to drink of it.

Many will say that the Bible speaks of moderation in the drinking of alcohol but that cannot be true because in the context of this passage it is a father speaking to his son and not some one speaking to a group.

He does not say "drink not too much", he says "do not even look at it"!

The Bible does not speak of moderation when referring to alcoholic beverages.

God says NO!

And our God never changes!

We are not to be tempted by it because the danger to become addicted is just to great!

Alcohol is like that enticing harlot that we are also to avoid!

God says to flee all temptation!

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

All those that have the wisdom of God, who are the wise, will not even consider drinking anything that contains alcohol!

What are the consequences?

*****Pro 23:32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Alcoholic drinks are deadly!

A drink of any kind may quench the thirst and may even be pleasurable for a moment but in the end it can and will bring destruction.

It strikes with the fury of the serpent which can wound or even kill.

Alcohol is poison!

We know the serpent as the agent of temptation, which if followed will bring death.

We know the adder as a serpent that lies in wait to destroy!

Job 20:16  He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

Alcohol also alters the way the mind works!

*****Pro 23:33  Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

People under the influence of alcohol will hallucinate and say all kinds of crazy things.

They will stagger and stumble about like they were on a ship in the midst of the raging ocean.

Most all will get dizzy.

*****Pro 23:34  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

Many of them will spend most of their night like they are on the mast of a ship where the tossing of the ship is much worse.

Many of them will become sick at their stomachs.

*****Pro 23:35  They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Many of them will not even remember what they have done.

They will have little or no pain!

During that hangover they will say, this will never happen again.

But even while they are recovering, they are already thinking about that next drink!

They have become slaves to their sin, because this is what sin does!

The truth is there is nothing more responsible for destroyed lives than alcohol and drugs.

Those who are wise will not partake of these things!

Every alcoholic began with a first drink!

Every drug addiction began with that first time!

All those that teach moderation must deal honestly with the Word of God.

Rom 14:21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Many will say that total abstinence is not insisted on in the New Testament.

But God says that abstinence is the goal for the Christian because the sinner should be under our supreme care!

The truth is that we are our brothers keeper!

Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves!

If the Lord Jesus could come to this earth and give His life for every individual who has ever lived, surely if we are to follow in His footsteps we can sacrifice our own opinions and our own taste for the sake of not only our brothers and sisters in Christ but also for those who are lost and without Christ just as He did!

Questions?

Let's Pray!