The Church Must Deal with Moral Virtues

 Wisdom's Instructions on Moral Virtues

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 18

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

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

 Rom_12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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

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

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

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

 We should come to an understanding that:

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

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

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

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

5) That God holds people accountable for their sin.

6) That God opposes the pride of mankind.

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

 We must avoid having a sinful attitude.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 They are interested in only their own opinion.

 They will not listen to the arguments of others.

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

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

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

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

 One pastor said that these are blessed subtractions.

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

 They bring contempt to the Church.

They bring ignominy or shame to the Church.

They bring reproaches or disgrace to the Church.

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

 It is the wisdom of God that will bring blessings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 The Bible teaches us against such things.

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

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

 These things have divided many Houses of Worship today.

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

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

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

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

 God calls for repentance!

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Their senseless, uncontrolled words will be their downfall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Things are getting worse just as the Lord has said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 God is The Almighty God.

He is the great I Am Yahweh.

He is Jehovah.

He is the Lord God.

He is wonderful.

He is the everlasting Father.

He is the Prince of Peace.

He is our Counselor.

He is the High and Lofty One.

He is the Lord Our Righteousness.

He is Emmanuel.

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

He is my Savior and Redeemer.

He is my Strong Tower of safety.

He is my Rock and Fortress.

 Those who reject these things are fools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 To all others, the Holy Spirit says.

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

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

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

 They are proud people who trust only in themselves.

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

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

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

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

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

 Only a fool thinks he has all the answers!

 This is being arrogant and putting yourself above others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 God's wisdom will affect our behavior toward others!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Bribery is the cause of much corruption in our world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 We should never turn to the world for help!

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

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

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

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

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

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

We must never take sides based on partial information.

We must handle differences of opinion according to the Scriptures.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 We are commanded to show respect for each other.

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

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

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

 Each of us is responsible for our own spiritual growth.

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

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

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

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

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

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

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

God just speaks, and things happen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These things go for the husband also.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The one who gave us drugs was not our friend.

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

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

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

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

Nothing can separate us from our Savior!

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

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

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

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

Amen

To Know Him is to Fear Him

 

Wisdom's Instructions About the Fear of the Lord

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 14

 What is the "Fear of the Lord"?

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

 Things changed once Adam had sinned!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Then the Lord Jesus came to save us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 God has ordained this role of the wife and mother.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Remission refers to the penalty of sin.

Forgiveness refers to the person.

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

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

 The words of a fool will bring his own destruction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 A faithful witness cannot be convinced to tell a lie!

 A false witness is someone God hates!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 A Christian will tell the truth no matter the circumstance.

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

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

 No amount of money should convince us to lie!

No promotion or promises should convince us to lie!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 No wisdom can be gained from a fool!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 This applies to every person on this earth!

 They deny the need to repent of their sins!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 We must prepare for our own end.

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

 We must prepare to meet our God!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A house is more stable than a tent.

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

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

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

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

 That soul that cannot die will spend eternity in Hell.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Even those who are atheists have been deceived.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Those without God will believe anything and follow anything.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 We have seen things discovered that no one can explain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Humans have always been able to build things!

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

 Those who are fools are reckless and self-confident.

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

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

 I know because I was one of them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 We cannot remain healthy without a healthy heart.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Almost every politician campaigns on making our nation better.

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

 Our nation cannot prosper through illegal immigration.

Our nation cannot prosper through the drug trade.

Our nation cannot prosper through lawlessness.

Our nation cannot prosper through corruption.

Our nation cannot prosper through immorality.

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

Our nation cannot prosper through the profits of sin.

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

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

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

 Good citizens serve the best interests of their nations.

 The wicked serve only themselves!

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

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

 Wake up Church!

 Amen

What Kind of Father Are You

 Wisdom's Instructions for Right Living

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 13

 A father who gives instructions to his children or administers corrections to them is wise, but a father who says, "Do as I say and not as I do," will hardly get his point across.

 A father who does not walk in righteousness cannot instruct righteousness.

 The greatest proof of wisdom is a willingness to learn from those who know more than we do.

 It is the same for us today that we can learn from the Word of God because He knows much more than we do.

 We could say that this lesson today is the contrast between the two sons.

 One son is wise and listens to and learns from his father, while the other is a foolish son who will not listen to anyone and goes his own way.

 As Christians, we are the sons and daughters of God, and if we are the true children of God, we will hear and obey the instructions of our Heavenly Father.

 We show our wisdom as we submit cheerfully to His discipline because we know that He is the only God.

 1Ti 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

 *****Pro 13:1  A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 

Pro 13:2  A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 

Pro 13:3  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

 The father who gives wise instructions is wise, and the son who listens to those instructions and takes that advice shows himself to be wise also.

 There are many things in this world that are not as simple as they seem.

 We can also say that there are many things in this world that are not as complicated as they seem to be.

 It is not a complicated thing to become the child of our Heavenly Father!

 We must only be wise enough to listen to what He has to say and then be obedient to those things.

 Wise children obey their righteous parents.

 Foolish children mock their parents and refuse to listen to them.

 To mock is to ridicule and scorn.

 Mockers rebel against instructions by refusing to listen to them.

 Wise children listen, learn, and change their behavior.

 Pro 15:12  A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 

 A wise child has control of his mouth, but the foolish will harm all others through their quarrelsome and perverse mouths.

 The hearts of the wicked are only satisfied by violence, and they will not stop until they get what they are craving for!

 We see this all over America today.

 Some are so full of themselves that they will go anywhere in the U.S. to ridicule and scorn if you will pay them.

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

 The wise will control their words and preserve their lives.

 All of us know that the human tongue needs guarding!

 We know that many of the victims of mockery and ridicule will sometimes strike back, and many of them are stronger and fiercer than those who mocked them.

 They hit harder and fight more with malice than anticipated.

 At the same time, the wise will guard their lips so that they do not let inflammatory words escape their mouths, even though this is hard to do.

 The wise will bite their tongue and walk away.

 The wise will not take the bait that violent people dangle in front of them.

 Doing this will preserve their lives for much of the time.

 Angry words can be very painful at times.

 Foolish people say hurtful words if they get their feelings hurt by someone else.

 Jas 3:2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 

 Pro 21:23  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 

 As the world we live in goes from bad to worse, these things will become even more important for the Christian.

 *****Pro 13:4  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 

 A sluggard is anyone who has a habit of being lazy.

 They may have a desire for a lot of things, but they are just too lazy to work to obtain them!

 Handouts have made much of our nation this way today.

 Those who have never had to work to obtain the important things in life will refuse to work to get them!

 Pro 21:25  The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. 

 *****Pro 13:5  A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 

Pro 13:6  Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 

Pro 13:7  There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 

Pro 13:8  The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 

Pro 13:9  The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 

 It is verse five that hits the nail on the head.

 We trust too much in our own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord.

 We must show the Lord, we trust Him by trusting with all our heart because when He looks at us, He looks into the heart rather than what is on the outside.

 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.

 Most righteous people are people of integrity and have a solid work ethic.

 Lazy people are just the opposite; they are unreliable.

 If we are to have a personal relationship with the Lord, then we have to trust Him with all our hearts!

 This is the greatest lesson we should learn first in our relationship with our Savior.

 We are to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

 This does not mean we are not using our own understanding.

 God does not expect us to run to the Bible every time we have something to do, but if we question what we are about to do, we should.

 We are to use our understanding while we depend upon God and His directing and His overruling providence.

 Jer 9:23  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 

Jer 9:24  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 

 Some try to show they are rich but are not.

 Some pretend to be poor, but they are just misers, while they have wealth.

 This means that we can never trust in appearances, and God did not call us to judge to begin with.

 If we are not rich toward our Heavenly Father, then we do not have true riches!

 Our riches lie in the inheritance of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 Rom_8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 Gal_3:29  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 Tit_3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 

 A rich man may be able to save himself from many of life's difficulties, such as he may be able to pay a ransom if he or one of his children is kidnapped.

 But a poor man does not have to worry about these things because he is too poor for the robber to mess with and can live in peace.

 The light of the righteous man is the child of the Divine command of God.

 Gen 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 

Gen 1:4  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

 The light of the wicked will be put out because God will divide the light from the darkness.

 Light comes naturally through the Word of God.

 Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

 Those who reject the Word of God will live in darkness.

 Pro 24:20  For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 

 Light refers to 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 13:11  Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 

Pro 13:12  Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 

 Wealth that you receive without working for it, or by illegitimate and dishonest means will not last very long.

 This includes gambling, and it could include charging someone a high rate of interest on a loan.

 Jas 5:1  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 

Jas 5:2  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 

Jas 5:3  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

 Righteous people work hard, save as they can, and prosper in this world. It does not mean we become rich, but we do possess integrity and honesty.

 Life without the Lord is vain even if you are rich.

 It is an empty life that has no lasting value.

 Many who win the lottery are broke again soon after.

 Many sports figures die broke.

 God has determined that we should earn our bread by the sweat of our brows: Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 

 This is part of the sin of Adam we have inherited.

 Those who refuse to work who are healthy and able should just listen to what God has to say: 2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 

 This does not include those who are unable to work.

 On those, we are to have compassion.

 The Church is to be a people of integrity, who live in truth and try to live honestly according to the Word of God.

 *****Pro 13:12  Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 

Pro 13:13  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 

 When we were lost and out in the world, most of us had the same hopes as we have now, but we knew we had no way to fulfill our hopes by the world's standards.

 We just knew that we live for a while and then we die, and we thought that was it.

 We did not understand life.

 Now, after becoming a child of God, hopes and dreams are an important part of our lives.

 It is our dreams of Heaven that keep us going through the dark days when nothing is going right for us.

 Remember that old cripple at the pool of Bethsaida, he knew he would not get the chance to get healed because he knew he could not be the first one to get to the pool of water once the angel had stirred the waters.

 He had high hopes, but he knew those hopes would never be true.

 You see he had to meet Jesus then his hopes became a reality, and his dreams would bring joy to his heart.

 He now lived close to the "Tree of Life".

 The "Tree of Life" is the knowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is the giver and the taker of life.

 Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

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

 When our hope is gone, we will be miserable, and we will see no purpose for living.

 We find these truths in the Word of God, so if we despise the Word of God, we will have no life!

 When we despise the Word of God, we are subject to the penalties for violating the Word of God, even if that penalty is death.

 At the same time, God rewards those who fear His commandments and reverence Him and obey His laws.

 We all should have a reverent fear of God, but we should also realize we need to fear the Awesome Power of God; He is All-Powerful.

 God will richly bless all those who submit to Him!

 We need to understand what God is saying.

 *****Pro 13:14  The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 

Pro 13:15  Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 

Pro 13:16  Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. 

Pro 13:17  A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 

Pro 13:18  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 

Pro 13:19  The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 

 The Law of the Wise is the Word of God!

 It concerns me when most of the world looks on the Word of God as the words of man, but they are just confused.

 The Word of God came by writers who were used of God to communicate His will to mankind for our benefit.

 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. 

 God's Word cannot fail because it was written under the guidance of God's Holy Spirit and free from error.

 All saving knowledge can be found is obtained from the infallible Word of God!

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

1Pe 1:24  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 

1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 

 It is the wisdom of God; He has shared with all who ask Him.

 Most people just do not realize this world is filled with the snares of death.

 Many animals that fall into the snares of man die some instantly, and some slowly.

 The ones that die slowly or even escape do everything they can to escape because death is so frightening.

 Some animals caught by a leg or an arm will bite that arm or leg off just to escape death and go through their remaining life maimed.

 It is no different when humans fall into Satan's snares.

 1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 

 Satan has no intention of making anyone his friend; his purpose is to destroy anyone who might turn to God.

 It is a foolish human who thinks Satan will not harm them.

 Even with the knowledge of Satan's treachery, people will continue to ignore the Lord Jesus Christ and play games with the Devil. There is no better definition of being a fool than this.

 As ambassadors for Jesus Christ, we have been handpicked to tell the world about its Savior.

 Satan's cohorts intentionally misrepresent their wicked leader. This is what liars do!

 Jhn_8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

 Pro 15:32  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 

 With the wisdom of God, we can reach most of the goals we set in this life, if not all of them, knowing that our main goal is to reach the New Heaven and spend eternity with our Savior.

 Not many foolish people who hate the Lord Jesus will ever have peace in this life and will certainly not have peace in Hell.

 I have no greater hope than to spend eternity with our Redeemer!

 It is this hope that keeps me going day by day.

 I understand that I need God's instructions to succeed.

 The Word of God will lead me to the glory world.

 I must think through every action that I might take and act wisely, knowing that wisdom comes from the mind of my Heavenly Father.

 I must live my life so that my Heavenly Father can trust me.

 I can do this if I apply the Word of God to my every action before I take that action.

 Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 I must be a good steward of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 *****Pro 13:20  He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Pro 13:21  Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.  

 It may be more important today to watch who we associate ourselves with than it ever has been.

 One of the biggest decisions our children will make as they grow up is the choice of companions they hang out with.

 As parents, we know this to be true.

 We must also realize it is just as important to each Christian to choose the right companions.

 The Bible says 1 Thess_5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

 Our lives can be influenced by the people we hang out with.

 God has placed wise men and women in our lives for this reason.

 We get most all our wisdom from God Himself, but we can call gain wisdom from that true Saint of God.

 What is a shepherd?

 What does the shepherd do?

 In the early morning, he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any, for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands, sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night, he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none was missing.

 Psa 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

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

Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

 We must know that fools will influence those whom they are allowed to lead. That influence will not be good!

 When we remain firmly in the hands of God, we will be rewarded with good things.

 When we associate ourselves with those who are immoral and those who live wicked lifestyles, we will get caught up in their trouble and their influences.

 These are proven things, and God says to avoid them.

 Look at King Solomon, who did not follow His own advice, and see where it took him. Not only him, but his sons.

 1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 

1Co 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

 *****Pro 13:22  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 

Pro 13:23  Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 

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

Pro 13:25  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. 

 Most righteous people care about family.

 Righteous people respect the institution of marriage.

 Righteous people value the sanctity of life.

 So, wherever God places us, we want to do the very best we can.

 A poor person usually has only a small portion of land, but if they work hard in tilling the soil, that small piece of land will yield enough food to feed their family.

 Righteous people will always try to leave something of benefit to their family.

 Divine justice will determine the final disposition of that inheritance.

 God has a way of making sure the righteous come out on top.

 It is the righteous who are rewarded with the blessings of God.

 It is the judgment of God that gives the wealth of sinners to the people of God.

 We see this all through the Scriptures.

 It is a foolish person who steals from the poor!

 Many a rich man has lost everything they have by dishonest practices.

 We all must be good stewards of the things God has given us, or the things God has loaned to us.

 Everything upon this earth belonged to our Heavenly Father and he has given all those things to His Son Jesus Christ.

 No matter what we have, this world we live in will try to take it away from us.

 We must remember that if we do not correct our children while they are children, we will never be able to correct them after they are grown.

 We know how foolish we were when we were growing up, and this world is much more wicked today than it was then.

 The Word of God will correct us at any age, but the Scriptures say, if we refuse to correct our children, then we must hate our children.

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

 Pro 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 

 Pro 23:13  Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 

Pro 23:14  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

 God is not talking about a severe beating. God is talking about firm discipline!

 God will bless the righteous.

 God promised to provide our needs.

 Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 

Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Our Heavenly Father loves family.

He has chosen us as His family. He has chosen all those who want to be in His family.

When we walk in the wisdom of God, we will live a righteous life, and we will be more like the Lord Jesus Christ, which is what being Christian is all about.

When God's wisdom works in our lives, we will walk in the Spirit of God!

Psa 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 

Amen

Wisdom Invites Us to the Truth

 Wisdom's Invitation

 Book of Proverbs Chapter 9

 Without a doubt, the Bible is the place to find "wisdom" and "understanding" of the things in our lives today and the things going on in this world.

 We can see much of God's wisdom in His creations, especially in the nighttime sky. However, we can also see the great wisdom of God in childbirth, new life, and all of His other creations.

He created humanity; we did not come from monkeys.

The theory of evolution is the doctrine of atheists!

 The Bible tells us that "wisdom" is the principal thing, or the most important thing, for understanding the things of this world and of course God's World to come.

 Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

The Bible says that without wisdom, we cannot even apply our hearts to understanding.

 The Bible tells us where to find this wisdom:

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

 So, what are these 7 pillars of wisdom so that we can build our house of understanding?

 Let's jump right into our lesson today.

 *****Pro 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

 James, the Half-Brother of Jesus, gives these seven pillars of wisdom to us:

 Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 1) The wisdom from Heaven and God is first "Pure":

 In other words, these 7 pillars of wisdom must first be built upon Jesus Christ:

 Jesus Christ is our foundation for wisdom:

 Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 Remember, it is not Peter that is the "Rock," it is what Peter had just said!

 Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 This can happen only one way:

 Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

 Without the purity of Jesus Christ, the other pillars will fall.

 2) The wisdom from God is next "Peaceable":

 The Bible says:

 2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

2Ti 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

 3.) The man of wisdom must next be "Gentle":

 Every child of God must be a gentleman or gentlewoman.

 Again, the Bible says:

 Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

 4) The man of wisdom must next be "Easy to Be Entreated":

 This is being reasonable when it comes understanding the Word of God.

 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 5) The man of wisdom must next be "Full of Mercy and Good Fruits":

 This is always helpful and considerate!

 The Bible says:

 Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

 6) The man of wisdom must next be "Without Partiality"

 The word "race" is not in the Bible. The word "tongues" meaning languages suggests only other cultures, and "race" is irrelevant!

 The Bible says:

 1Ti 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

 7) And the man of wisdom must be without "Hypocrisy"

 Again, the Bible says:

 1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 Being a Christian is not putting on a show, but "It Is" being sincere in speech and our actions.

 We must be "doers of the Word," not hearers only!

 There is no "Wisdom without the Lord," and your house of "Wisdom" will fall without these "Seven Pillars"!

 Here again, we see wisdom in the sense of a female, and King Solomon shows us two females, or we could say hostesses serving up a meal to guests in their homes.

 As we are filled with the Holy Spirit of Jehovah, we also have the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

 With the wisdom of God as described by James, the stepbrother of our Lord Jesus, we begin to see that wisdom is the source of life-giving nourishment.

 The woman of wisdom is the builder and the dweller of a beautiful house who has prepared her meal and sends her maids out to invite guests.

 The woman of folly is pictured as a lewd woman who sits on a chair at the door of her house and lures passersby to come to her, and she has also prepared her feast.

 True wisdom is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ: Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 *****Pro 9:2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

Pro 9:3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

Pro 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Pro 9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Pro 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

 All those who lack wisdom are searching for something, but they do not understand what it is.

 They do not know that they need this wisdom to live, but are easily influenced by foolishness.

 To accept the woman of wisdom is to have life and have it more abundantly; pleasure is not mentioned.

 To accept the woman of folly means to enter into the realm of the dead. Pleasure is mentioned so she can hide the death that is in the end.

 The woman of wisdom addresses all those who are without discernment to all who would attend.

 2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 Those who accept the invitation of the woman of wisdom, which results in a major life change.

 They choose to forsake their foolish ways of the world and go in a different direction.

 It is called to repent.

 Wisdom's house is not on the path to destruction but upon the road of life.

 Those who are simple are those who are foolish, who are traveling on the road to destruction and every foolish way.

 To accept the woman of wisdom is to make a choice.

 To accept the foolish woman to remain on the path they are already traveling on the road of pleasure that leads to death.

 *****Pro 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

 Who are those who will now be called foolish? Those who reject the wisdom of God!

 They are the scorners.

They are the wicked souls of mankind.

 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 is no remedy for those who reject the wisdom of God.

 Pro 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

 As we have found out, not many will accept the truth of the Messiah.

 Not many will accept the truth of God.

 Most people will refuse to change their lifestyles just because we tell them they must be saved.

 They will get angry, and God's messengers, and we know that Christian persecution is on the rise.

 Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

 They remain lost because they refuse to believe that they are lost!

 There is only one path to tru life, and there can only be one path!

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

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

 Then how are we to continue as the messengers of God?

 *****Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Pro 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

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

 1) Do not reprove or rebuke a mocker, someone who is unteachable and filled with pride.

 The Lord Jesus said: Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 2) Rebuke only those who humbly acknowledge their sinful condition and accept that they need to repent of their sinful ways.

 3) Instruct the wise, and they will grow wiser. This is discipleship.

 4) Teach the righteous, and they will seek to know more.

 5) We must all know the beginning point of wisdom, which is the fear of the Lord. We must trust the Lord as we begin a personal relationship with Him. We begin to know by experience as we see what He has done in our own lives.

 Wisdom will reward its messengers.

 *****Pro 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

Pro 9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

 We must be real with ourselves! Every person will bear the consequences of the choices they make in this life!

 Wise choices will produce good fruit.

 Foolish choices will result in decay and death.

 For all those who accept wisdom's invitation will receive sweet fruit.

 One of the rewards for accepting this wisdom is long life, many days, and additional years.

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

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

 Pro 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

 We do not know how many more days or how many more years are still in the hands of God, but we know they all are.

 Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

 Pro 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

 We can be sure that the wisdom from Heaven will enrich every day we have left upon us.

 What do we know for sure?

 1) The Lord Jesus is building a house for all those who accept Him.

2) Our Father's house can hold many mansions.

3) The Lord has extended an invitation to anyone who believes in the marriage supper of His Son.

4) The Lord Jesus Christ is the embodiment of wisdom.

5) Every believer is commissioned to deliver the Lord's message to the world.

6) Every believer can expect to be persecuted in this world.

7) The way of the foolish is death!

 *****Pro 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

Pro 9:14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

Pro 9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

Pro 9:16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Pro 9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Pro 9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

 The woman of Folly, the foolish, also has her house.

 This woman is loud, boisterous, and noisy.

 She is naive and gullible, and lacking in judgment.

She is prone to pitfalls. just like those who are taken by her.

She knows nothing.

She is ignorant of the truth.

She does not have good sense.

She is ignorant of the fear of the Lord.

 She sits in her doorway to lure in her prey.

Her house sits on a hilltop, so she can be easily seen.

She loves to be seen and heard as passersby go past her.

Her house is neither spacious nor is it safe to enter.

She has prepared nothing for those who enter.

She is lazy and selfish.

She is always on the lookout for her next victim.

She always sits in the best location.

She calls out to all who pass by, even those who are minding their own business.

She invites them all into her house of doom, especially those who are trying to find her.

She lives on the road to destruction.

She especially tries to distract those who ignore her.

She finds many on this road to destruction who do not know where they are.

She targets those who are simple and lost.

She entices them all with her secret sin.

 Her folly fulfills all those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Wisdom is a life built upon the "Fear of the Lord" and the repentance from our sin nature!

 Folly is a life built upon the rejection of the Lord.

 Jesus gives us a description of the sin that cannot be forgiven: Jhn_16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Jhn_16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

 Folly is a deceptive harlot and an unworthy wife.

 She serves only water and makes it thrilling by the fact that she has stolen it.

 There is no substance in her drink, nothing of lasting value.

 There is good reason to believe that these things speak of immorality, but we will not go there for now.

 She is wicked and immoral, and those she traps are doomed to Hell.

 So, we can see this lesson is about the choices we make in this life.

 The woman of wisdom and the woman of folly are both trying to capture souls.

 If we choose wisdom, we will live wisely by building our lives around the "Fear of the Lord".

 We will turn away from all paths to destruction.

 God will reward us!

 If we choose folly, we will build our lives around sin, we will reject the Lord Jesus, and we will continue traveling that road to destruction.

 We will remain separated from our Creator and our God!

 The only choices that we need to make are:

 1) Choose wisdom.

2) Choose Christ Jesus.

Choose Life.

 Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 We should know that Satan is the king of folly.

 Satan offers nothing to those caught up in his grasp.

 He is a thief and a counterfeiter and a murderer.

 He takes what he steals from God and then corrupts it.

 He will tell the same lies that he told Eve.

 Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

 We need to be aware of the choices we make in this life and just choose our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Amen.