April 2016

"Persecution, Grace and Numbers..."

April 29, 2016

“Persecution, Grace and Numbers…”

Blessings folk!

How do we react in troubling times?
What do we do in times of despair?
What do we do when things are not going as we think they should?

Do you ever consider that it might be a precursor for the grace of God?
What might the Lord desire to do in the future for which today is preparatory?

Carefully read the following…

Act 11:19-24

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.

Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;

for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.


Persecution had caused Believers to be scattered.
The persecution that cost Stephen his corporeal existence.

They travelled far.
They spoke the Word of the Gospel to Jews alone.

But, then some took the Gospel to the Greeks…non-Jews.

Did you see what happened?
The hand of the Lord was with them!
A large number who believed turn to the Lord.
Note - believe, turn.

News about this reached the church in Jerusalem so they fetched Barnabas to check it out.

What happened when he arrived?

He witnessed the grace of God!

Yes, the persecution and scattering lead to an outpouring of the grace of God upon the Greeks.

Barnabas was not offended.
He was not upset that the Lord chose to move through others.
He rejoiced.
So should we.
He encouraged them to remain true to the Lord.
So should we.

Too often we fear the grace of the Lord will be manifest in and through others…and not through us exclusively.

I kid not.
See it all the time in church leadership.

May we be as Barnabas…
A good man.
Full of the Holy Spirit.
Full of faith.
Rejoicing in the grace of the Lord.
A resolute heart of encouragement.

Then will considerable numbers be brought to the Lord…

"Full of Grace"

April 28, 2016

“Full of Grace”

Blessings folk!

What happens when a true believer is full of the grace of God?

What does it mean to be “full of grace”?

How is fullness attained?

We must abide in the Lord.
When we abide in Him, we will sin not.
We will be vessels prepared for the fullness of grace the Lord has for each.

Then, perhaps He will do as we see in the Word…

Act 4:32-33

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.


Think on that.
Abundant grace was upon them all.
More than enough.
Enough for what?
Holiness.
Kingdom work.
For what God desired.

Act 6:7-8

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.


Stephen was full of grace and power.
He did wonders.
He did signs.

Because of the fullness of grace.

Seek the Lord.
May He fill us to overflowing with abundant grace to the praise of the glory of His grace.

"Rejoice! Give Thanks"

April 27, 2016

“Rejoice! Give Thanks!”

Blessings folk!

It is good to be reminded.
Especially to be reminded to give thanks.

The Lord tells us to give thanks in the midst of al things…

1Th 5:16-18

Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.


In Everything…
In the midst of Everything…
In all things…

Give thanks!

Note we are to rejoice always.
We are to pray without ceasing.

Today, many in our local area are rejoicing.
Five years ago today, the very building in which I sit was struck by an EF4 tornado.
There was much destruction in a small area.
(It is intriguing to me that the governmental center and many church buildings were effected&hellipWinking

None died.
The protection of the Lord.

The area continues to rebuild…better than before…though we miss the trees.

Thank the Lord for the things He has taken you through.
Thank Him for the things yet to come.

We give thanks for walking through this…a picture is worth a thousand words…

Had not seen this until today…have to bear with the “bovine worship” and “go’n-all-soprano”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85A82BK3QDU

Here is the definitive video of the development of the tornado…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvlcuodab1U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xSp33GTxs4

Personally, we were not impacted by the tornado in the afternoon, but rather a derecho early that morning…6 am…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvb9K3wN91Y

Remember this…the Lord guides/directs the cloud and the lighting…

Job 37:11
“Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
He disperses the cloud of His lightning.

Job 37:15
“Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His cloud to shine?

"Two Arms..."

April 26, 2016

“Two Arms…”

Blessings folk!

On a day to come…
Soon…
The grace of the Lord will be manifest in wondrous ways.

The Lord is returning.

Here is some of which He will do…give close attention to His “arms”…

Isa 40:10-11
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him
And His recompense before Him.

Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.


The Lord is coming in might.

With one “arm” He will…
rule
reward
recompense

With the other “arm” He will…
gather the lambs
carry the lambs in His bosom
gently lead the nursing ewes

The Victorious Creator will come in might and power and tenderly shepherd His flock.

One arm - mighty ruling, reward and recompense
One arm - mighty gathering, carrying, leading

Thus will the Great Shepherd do.

Are you ready?
Are you prepared?
Are you awaiting?

"Grace of Christ"

April 25, 2016

“Grace of Christ”

Blessings folk!

“Grace and Truth were realized through Jesus Christ”.

Grace and Truth are realized through Jesus Christ.

There is no other way.

Any other “truth” is a lie.
Any other “grace” is a false grace…a deception.

Do not be deceived.

The world, especially the “religious”, are more than willing to spout a false gospel.

We have been warned…

Gal 1:6-11
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.


The Galatians were being tempted/distracted by “another gospel”.
Later in the letter we can glean what the issue was.
There were some that were saying that “yes, we are saved by grace…”, but then they were adding things to salvation. One must do “such-and-such” to maintain the salvation.
A Lie.

There will always be those who seek to disturb.
There will always be those who distort the gospel of Christ.
Nothing has changed.

What do we do?

We must know the absolute Truth.
The Truth of the Word.
The Truth of the Grace of Jesus Christ.
Christ alone.

"Grace Realized..."

April 24, 2016

“Grace Realized…”

Blessings folk!

God’s grace is abundant upon man.

His “common” grace granted to mankind…rain, life itself.
His redemptive grace granted to those who believe.

How do we receive this redemptive grace?
Where does “it come from”?

John 1 reveals the amazing truth.
Verses 1-4 speak of the Lord Himself…might look at that later.
Then this…

John 1:15-17
John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.


The Law was given through Moses.
Grace and Truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Believers have received of the fullness of the Lord.
Grace upon grace.
Grace multiplied.
Grace exponential.

Grace came through the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no other way.

To receive true grace one must believe.
There is no other way.

"Two Trees and God's Grace"

April 23, 2016

“Two Trees and God’s Grace”

Blessings folk!

God’s grace is seen through creation…throughout His Word.

We saw yesterday where it was His grace that provided the plan for redemption from man’s rebellion.

It was also His grace when He did this…

Gen 3:22-24
Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—
therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.
So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.


There were two trees in the midst of the garden.
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil - God forbade Adam and Eve from eating of it.
The tree of life - Adam and Eve could have eaten from it, but apparently had yet to do so.

Did you see the grace of the Lord?
Did you see the mercy of the Lord?

He drove them out of the garden so that they would not eat of the tree of life.
If they had eaten of the tree of life in their rebellious state, then they would have been condemned to that status. They would live forever…separated from God.

There are some interesting things about the tree of life…
eatable
fruit in hand

Rev 2:7
‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

Rev 22:2
in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Rev 22:14

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

Rev 22:19
and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.


overcomers will eat of the tree of life
the tree of life is in the Paradise of God
the tree of life is on either side of the river that flow from God’s throne
the tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruit, monthly
the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations
blessed are those who wash their robes (in the blood of the Lord) they have the right to the tree of life
one who takes away from the words of the book of prophecy will have his part taken away from the tree of life

Interesting.
God’s tree.
God’s grace.

"The Rule and the Plan"

April 22, 2016

“The Rule and the Plan”

Blessings folk!

God created everything.
Ex nihilo.
From nothing.
In six days…24 hour days, evening/morning days.
So states Genesis 1-2.

If you do not believe this, then you will not believe the balance of the Word.

Created man, Adam and Eve, had one rule.
Only one.

Gen 2:16-17
The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;
but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”


They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

One rule.

Yet, they chose to eat of it.
Why?

Because they wanted to.
Because they listened to the lies of the evil one…

Gen 3:1-5
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;
but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!
“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

They did not “fall” in the sense of an accidental stumbling.
They rebelled.
They rejected the Lord the Creator.
On the day they did so, they died.
A death that would result in their physical expiration.
A death that would carry to the balance of man.
A death that impacted all of creation.

Gen 3:17-19
Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
Cursed is the ground because of you;
In toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life.
“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
And you will eat the plants of the field;
By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread,
Till you return to the ground,
Because from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.”


Thereby, the need for grace.
Thereby, the need for restoration to Father.

This rebellion separated them from the intimate relationship that they had with the Lord.

Still, God had a plan.
A plan known from before the foundation of the earth.

…to be continued…

"Gift of Grace..."

April 21, 2016

“Gift of Grace…”

Blessings folk!

Have you been speaking “grace” to one another?

What is “grace”?

It is often described as “God’s unmerited favor”.
This is good.
God’s favor that we did nothing to deserve nor earn.

It is often used in conjunction with “mercy”.
What is “mercy”?
Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve.

Let us look at “grace”.
We will begin with a very familiar passage.
Do not allow a “spirit of familiarity” to rob of what the Lord desires to speak today.

Rom 3:21-25a
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.


Those who believe are justified.
This justification is a gift of God.
A gift by His grace.
Grace…”charis” (Greek)…”an act of divine influence upon the heart”

This grace is through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
A redemption which was witnessed by the Law and Prophets.
The propitiation through the blood of the Lord Jesus by faith to those who believe…the righteousness of God manifested.

Rejoice, if you are experiencing this righteousness of God, redemption, propitiation, gift of grace.

Repent, if not.
He is calling you…

Believers!
Speak for the grace of God!

"Grace and Peace"

April 20, 2016

“Grace and Peace”

Blessings folk!

How different would our conversations be if we began and ended our conversations as many portions of the Word does?…”Grace and peace to you”.

Think on this while you read these passages…what does it mean?…what occurs when we speak grace and peace to someone?
Grace?
Peace?

Tit 1:4
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

1Pe 1:2
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

2Pe 1:2
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
Here are the remaining matches.

Rom 1:7
to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Co 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:3
Grace to you and peace from [God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phl 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 1:2
To the [saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

1Th 1:1
Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2Th 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Ti 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2Ti 1:2
To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Phm 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Jo 1:3
Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Rev 1:4
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Psa 122:6-8
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”


Grace and peace to you.

"Peace of Jerusalem"

April 19, 2016

“Peace of Jerusalem”

Blessings folk!

We are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem…

Psa 122:6-7
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”


When examining the entirety of the Word, it becomes evident how peace will come to Jerusalem.

A day is coming.
The prophets spoke much of the day that is coming.
A day when the Lord will rule over Jerusalem and all the earth.

When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem we are praying for the coming of that day.
When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem we are praying for the return of the Lord.

It is only when the Lord returns that Jerusalem will be at peace.

The Word is clear.
Between now and the Lord’s return there will be wars, rumors of wars, division, increasing lawlessness…centered around Jerusalem.

So, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray with understanding.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

"Great Peace"

April 18, 2016

“Great Peace”

Blessings folk!

The Word of the Lord will keep you in peace.

Psa 119:165
Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.


Know the commandments of the Lord…
Know the instructions of the Lord…
Know the grace, mercy and love of the Lord…
And you will be kept in perfect peace.

The ways of man?
No.
The ways of man…even in seeking to do good…even in seeking to please the Lord…will fail.
The ways of man bring condemnation, Pharisee-ism (is that a word?), pseudo-religious activity that deceives.

But, if you love the Law/Word of the Lord, then great peace will be yours.

Note this!

Nothing!
Nothing will cause you to stumble.

If you know the Word.
If you abide in the Word.
If you live the Word.

Certainly we feel as the Psalmist…

Psa 120:6-7
Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
They are for war.


Seek the peace of the Lord.

Also, pray for the peace of Jerusalem…

Psa 122:6-7
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”

…to be continued…

"Kissing Peace..."

April 17, 2016

“Kissing Peace…”

Blessings folk!

True peace comes from the Lord.
The peace that man pursues is not peace at all.
Such is proven daily.

Psa 85:8-10
I will hear what God the LORD will say;
For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;
But let them not turn back to folly.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
Lovingkindness and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.


The Lord speaks peace to us.
Are we listening?
Do His Godly ones incline their ear to His Word?

We must do so.
We must not turn back to folly.

If we want His glory in our land…in our lives…then we must do so.

Note the picture the Lord gives.
Lovingkindness and truth have met together.
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Pursue the peace of the Lord.
His Righteousness will bring His Peace.

"Seek and Pursue"

April 16, 2016

“Seek and Pursue”

Blessings folk!

Often people are crying for peace, yet they do not attain it.
Even believers are bound by turmoil and the cares of the world.

We are examining what the Lord says about “peace”.

Do you have peace?
If not, why?
Perhaps you are trusting in yourself.
Perhaps these reasons…

Psa 34:14
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

Have we departed from evil?
Are we doing good?
Are we seeking peace?
Are we pursuing peace?

I suspect that a primary reason for anxiety and lack of peace in a Believer is due to pursuit of things other than the Lord.

It is that simple.

Keep your mind on Him.
Seek His peace.
Pursue Him and His peace.

You will be in peace.

"The Lord Will Give..."

April 15, 2016

“The Lord Will Give…”

Blessings folk!

Consider the peace of the Lord that we saw yesterday.

The peace of the Lord is directly related to the power of the Lord.

Read the Psalm.
Note what it says about the Lord.
Note the outcome in the last verse…

A Psalm of David.

29:1 Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in holy array.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The Lord is over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful,
The voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
And Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.


We are called to ascribe to the Lord glory, strength, might, greatness.
The voice of the Lord declares and manifests His power.

Worship the Lord today.
Rejoice in His power and might.

Know…
The Lord will give strength to His people.
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Promises!

Walk in them.
Rest in His Peace.

"Peace"

April 14, 2016

“Peace”

Blessings folk!

There are so many professing believers that do not live in peace.
They are worried.
They are anxious.
Many do not sleep much.
Many are bound by the cares and concerns of this life.

What is the solution?

The Lord is clear.
The Lord is the One Who provides peace.
The Lord is the One Who will keep us in peace.

Hear and heed.

A day is coming when all of Judah will break forth in song.
We as true believers can live this truth now…

Isa 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.


If we trust in the Lord…
If our mind is stayed (focused, attentive, etc.) to Him…
Then He will keep us in perfect peace.

We do not fret and worry about keeping peace.
Think about that.

He keeps the perfect peace within us.

Therefore…

Isa 26:4-5
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.


Everlasting strength is in the Lord.

Lastly, as a “practical” step…

1 Pe 5:6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.


Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.
Cast all your anxiety/cares upon Him.

Remember, He cares for you.

"Fruit, Not Fool"

April 13, 2016

“Fruit, Not Fool”

Blessings folk!

Enough of the Fool!

I think we have seen that we are not to be The Fool…to play The Fool, etc.

But, “what are we” as True Believers in the Most High God.
We are transformed creatures.
We are no longer as we were.
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, we are called and enabled to live in this manner…

Gal 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.


This is who we are.
If we choose to walk in it.
If we choose to die to self.

Gal 5:24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Death to the flesh.
Death to passions of the flesh.
Death to desires of the flesh.

There is a righteous passion and desire.
It is not these of which we speak.

The passions and desires that will quench the fruit of the Spirit must be crucified.
Positionally they have been.
We must walk in this daily death.

Therefore, be the Fruit of the Spirit.

Such will draw others to the Kingdom.

"Folded Hands of the Fool"

April 12, 2016

“Folded Hands of The Fool”

Blessings folk!

The writer of Ecclesiastes has some to say about The Fool.
The tone is often different than the Psalms…sometimes a maudlin sarcasm…

Ecc 4:5
The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

Ecc 5:3
For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.

Ecc 6:8
For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living?

Ecc 7:6
For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot,
So is the laughter of the fool;
And this too is futility.

Ecc 7:17
Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?


The Fool…will not work…waste away in his flesh…bodily effect.
The Fool…a person of many words.
The Fool…no advantage over the wise.
The Fool…crackling cackle fit for burning.

Do not be wicked…”excessively”? How about not at all? LOL
Do not be The Fool.

Apparently such will lead to dying before our time.

"Hasty in Words..."

April 11, 2016

“Hasty In Words…”

Blessings folk!

The Fool.
The Wise.

Pro 28:26
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

Pro 29:11
A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back.

Pro 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.


Trust in your own heart?
Fool.

Walk wisely?
Will be delivered.

Lose your temper as a pattern of life?
Fool.

Control your temper?
Wise

But, there is one who has less hope than a fool.
A man hasty in his words.

Be not the Fool.
Guard your tongue.

"Worse Than A Fool..."

April 10, 2016

“Worse Than A Fool…”

Blessings folk!

Gett’n tired of The Fool?

So many play the Fool.
So many are The Fool.
The Lord has much to say about The Fool.

Here is more…

Pro 26:11
Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly.

Pro 26:12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Pro 27:3
A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.

Pro 27:22
Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.


Graphic and gross.
So is The Fool.
A Fool and his foolishness will not be parted.
A Fool is provocative.

A Fool has some hope.
His hope is salvation.

Yet, there is one worse than The Fool!
The one who is wise in their own eyes.
The one who gives no heed to his need for salvation.

Seek the Lord.
He will reveal the area of foolishness in all our lives.
He will remove it…if we allow.

"Trust Not A Fool..."

April 9, 2016

“Trust Not A Fool”

Blessings folk!

So, according to the Word, what happens when one trust a Fool?

Pro 26:5
Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise in his own eyes.

Pro 26:6
He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence
Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

Pro 26:8
Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool.

Pro 26:1
Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.


Poetic and graphic description.
…cutting off one’s feet
…drinking violence
…binding a stone in a sling…or in our vernacular…”giv’n them a loaded gun”…
…an archer who wounds everyone

So is the one who…
sends a message by a Fool
gives honor to a Fool
hires a Fool

Answer a Fool according to his folly.
Do not build him up that he be wise in his own eyes.

Be the vessel of the Lord to redeem the Fool.

"What To Do With the Fool"

April 8, 2016

“What To Do With the Fool…”

Blessings folk!

What are we do with The Fool?

First, be certain to be not The Fool.
Begin with yourself.

Then, the Word tells us many things to do…

Pro 20:3
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.

Pro 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Pro 26:1
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.

Pro 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him.

Pro 14:7
Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

Keep away from the quarreling fool.
Keep away from strife. Such is honor.

Honor is not fitting for a fool.
The Fool had rather strive and argue.

Do not honor The Fool.
Do not speak in the hearing of a Fool.
Do not answer a fool…according to his folly.
Do not stay in the presence of a fool.

The fool will not…
discern words of knowledge
listen to words of wisdom
reject strife
reject quarrel
Suffer not The Fool.

"Ruling Fool..."

April 7, 2016

“Ruling Fool…”

Blessings folk!

Many a Fool appears to be a success…in the eyes of the world.
They often have resources.
They often have power.
They often have position.
They often operate from bull and bluster.

Sad, how many I have encountered in “church” leadership…

More on what the Word says about the Fool…

Pro 19:1
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

Pro 19:10
Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.


The Fool does not walk in integrity.
The Fool walks in expediency…whatever it takes.
The Fool is perverse in speech…thought…life.

Many is the Fool that rules over man.
The price is paid for such.

"Hold Your Tongue"

April 6, 2016

“Hold Your Tongue…”

Blessings folk!!

One of my favorite life-verses.
Seriously…

Pro 17:28
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.


Even a fool appears wise when he holds his tongue.

There is power…
There is mercy…
There is grace…
…in holding our tongues.

Not to say that we are not to speak forth the truth.
We are.

But, too often we speak in the flesh rather than in the Spirit.

The closed mouth of The Fool makes him appear wise and prudent.

Of course, such is not the case…

Pro 18:2
A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.


Usually The Fool…if he does hold his tongue…will only do so for a moment in time.

Then bursts forth the revelation of his own mind.

A fool does not understand.
He does not delight in understanding.

Rather, he breaks out in a cacophony of verbiage which passes for insight and revelation in his mind.

Many a fool is highly educated in the pattern of man.

Be not such.

Delight in the Lord…

Pro 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

"Sires A Fool"

April 5, 2016

“Sires A Fool”

Blessings folk!

It is heart-breaking as a parent when the child is The Fool…

Pro 17:16
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no sense?

Pro 17:21
He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.

Pro 17:24
Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.


The one who sires a fool does so to his sorrow.
Why?

Because…
The Fool seeks to buy wisdom, yet he has no sense.
The Fool has his eyes on the ends of the earth…the things of the earth.

The father of The Fool has no joy.

What of the Wise?
They have understanding.
They do not need to “buy” wisdom.

Seek wisdom.
Seek understanding.

Have you been The Fool?
Are you The Fool?

Know there is hope.
Turn from the foolish ways.
Turn to the Lord.

"Rejector of Rebuke"

April 4, 2016

“Rejector of Rebuke”

Blessings folk!

More understanding about the difference between The Fool and the one who has understanding.

Pro 15:5
A fool rejects his father's discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.

Pro 17:7
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are lying lips to a prince.

Pro 17:10
A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.

Pro 17:12
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.


The Fool…
rejects his father’s discipline
has not excellent speech
refuses rebuke
full of folly

The Sensible
regards reproof
refuses lying lips
has understanding when rebuked

The bottom line?
Better to meet a momma bear look’n for her cubs…not a good situation…rather than dealing with a Fool and his folly.

The Fool is unteachable.
He rejection correction, reproof, rebuke.
He knows all.

The sensible is the opposite.

Be a sensible Believer of understanding.

"Folly"

April 3, 2016

“Folly”

Blessings folk!

How does a fool behave?
As a fool.
In folly.

Note the ways of the fool…and the ways of prudent…

Pro 13:16
Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool displays folly.

Pro 14:7
Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

14:16
A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.


The Fool?
displays folly
will “rub off” on you
is arrogant
is careless

The Prudent?
acts with knowledge
leaves the presence of the Fool
is cautious
turns away from evil

Believers should never be The Fool.
We are empowered by the Spirit to live as the Faithful.

Reject the way of The Fool.
Receive the power of The Faithful.

"Wise Men of Understanding"

April 2, 2016

“Wise Men of Understanding”

Blessings folk!

More about The Fool…

Pro 10:18
He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.

Pro 10:23
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

Pro 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.


The fool…
has lying lips
conceals hatred with his lips…sounds smooth, soothing…yet deceiving
spread slanders with his lips
does wickedness…enjoys it as a sport…considers it a sport
thinks his way is right…he can do no wrong in his own eyes

The man of understanding has wisdom related to the sporting of The Fool.
The wise man listens to counsel.

I see this regularly.
Especially within the church.

In leadership, The Fool is common.
Doing what is right in their eyes.
Thinking they are The Leader, therefore they can do no wrong.
They are not to be questioned.
They know all, because they are “called”.
Unteachable.

Yet, there is hope.
There is a young generation of leader rising.
Wise men who listen to the counsel of the Lord and His Word.
Men of understanding who walk in humility before the Lord and one another.

Determine to be such.

"The Fool..."

April 1, 2016

“The Fool…”

Blessings folk!

I’m not a big fan of the “holidays” and “celebrations” of man.

Especially the type of the “April Fool’s”.

Here is an interesting
article related to the history (largely unknown) of the “April Fool’s”.

The Word has much to say to/about the Fool…let’s spend a little time looking at it…

Psa 14:1
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.

Psa 53:1
For the choir director; according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.


A fool declares in his heart “there is no God”.
A fool is corrupt.
A fool commits abominable deeds.
A fool does not good.

Pro 7:22
Suddenly he follows her
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,

Pro 10:8
The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.

Pro 10:10
He who winks the eye causes trouble,
And a babbling fool will be ruined.


A fool lacks discipline.
A fool will babble unto ruin.
A fool will wink the eye to cause trouble.

We will see that there is often a juxtaposition between the fool and the good/righteous.
Be not a fool.
Be wise of heart.