Proverbs Chapter 2

Stuck in Groundhog Day

 Today’s verses are from Proverbs 2:1-4

1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

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

 No, today is not Groundhog Day. But being the 2^nd day of the month, I can’t help but think of the movie Groundhog Day where Bill Murray gets stuck in time reliving the same day over and over. At first, he lives like there is no tomorrow and that there are no consequence for his actions.  And then he realizes that he has the opportunity to better himself and to help others.  After a major change of heart and attitude, he determines to be a better person and finally wakes up to find he is no longer stuck and it is Feb 3^rd.

 Have you ever gotten stuck in the same old day?  I have.  Sometimes I find myself in a rut.  Maybe you have to. Work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep….  You just can’t seem to break out of it.  You read your Bible, you pray but…nothing.  No direction, no still small voice, no gentle moving of the Spirit of God.  Today’s reading will help us out of the rut.  There are some conditions, though.  Just as Bill Murray had to have a change of attitude to get out of Groundhog Day, we too must have a change of attitude and following the God-given instructions to get out of the rut.  We will then be given light for a new direction and the path to move forward will become clear.

 Let’s look at today’s reading, it is conditional and requires an action on our part:

 My son, if…

• Thou receive my words
• Hide my commandments with thee
• Incline thine ear unto wisdom
• Apply thine heart to understanding
• Criest after knowledge
• Liftest up thy voice for understanding
• Seekest her as silver
• Searchest for her as for hid treasures

 These are all action words:

• Receive – God has a gift for you but you must receive it
• Hide – After receiving it, hide it in your heart (Psalm 119:11)
• Incline  – Hear the Word with intensity
• Apply – it to your heart and it will show forth in your life (Matt 12:35)
• Cry after – earnestly pursue, like wisdom was getting away and you need to run after it
• Lift up thy voice – like at an auction bidding on a fine treasure, determined to get it
• Seek – like digging in a mine for precious metal
• Search – the Word like following a treasure map

 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

 According to tradition, if it is cloudy when a groundhog comes out from its burrow and does not see his shadow, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will see his shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. 

 Don’t depend on the groundhog to direct your path.  Rely on God’s Word, it is always right.

 Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

 

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

This verse says a lot the fear of man is seen in the bible a lot, just for example look at Abraham giving his wife away, Abraham did that because he feared a man. That is the whole thing about Obama everybody fears him and what he is doing, like GOD doesn’t know what is going on. When we fear man that means we don’t fear GOD and we get in trouble that way. GOD created man so there is no reason to fear man, GOD created satan there is no reason to fear that red dragon either. Once I figured out that GODS wrath is going to take everything, everything we own is just kindling.  FEAR GOD and nothing else, WORSHIP GOD and nothing else.

          Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
           Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Look at verse 18 the fearful, see when we do not fear GOD it is the same as not believing in GOD. We must fear GOD or He is just going to laugh at us when that day comes.
            Pro 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
            Pro 1:27  When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

 

April 1, 2013

Proverbs Chapter 1

April’s Fool

The reading today comes from Proverbs 1:24-33

 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

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

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

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

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

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

33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Today is April Fool’s day, a day for pranks and jokes.  I like a good joke or funny story.  But today’s verses are no laughing matter.  It shows the way of a fool when he refuses to follow Gods Word and God’s Way.  When God laughs, judgment is nigh.

For those that reject God, he will send forth His judgment.  A look at other references to God laughing shows us that we do not want to be the fool for which His laughter is directed.

 Psalm 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision

Psalm 37:13

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

Psalm 59:8

But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

 

God has given us His Word to direct our path and show us the way.  We need to read it and obey.

 

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

II Timothy 3:16

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

 

May each of us follow His Word everyday and not be one who “refused” when God called.  When God laughs, it is no laughing matter

 

 

                                PROVERBS 28:14
        Pro 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

This verse stands out, happy is the man that fears the LORD always, if we fear GOD we will fear nothing else.
If we fear GOD we will be thankful from His wrath.
If we fear GOD we realize how small we are.
If we fear GOD we will walk daily and pray daily.
If we fear GOD we will live right.
If we fear GOD we will tell people about JESUS so they could get saved from GODS wrath. When we forget the fear of GOD that’s when we fall, then we figure GOD is mad at us so we justify our sin and think it is ok. We must fear GOD and know that He is not a respecter of any person.

         1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
         Psa 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
         Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

 

PROVERBS 27:6&17
         Pro 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
         Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

I like these verses, a true friend will wound you for your good, we all have blind spots in our lives that we don’t see. Those of you that have friends if you dare ask them what they see in you whether good or bad if they truly care they will tell you. Others will tell you what you want to hear they are kisses that are deceitful, have you believing a lie. Everybody is chicken today and won’t tell anybody anything, the one thing I miss about being up north, (Yankee) at least they tell it bluntly and you know how they feel about you.

           Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
           Mat 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
           Mat 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
           Mat 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Verse 17 is why we need life groups so we can sharpen someone’s iron or we can get ours sharpened. Just like the first verse and this one we need to have Christian friends for that reason. This is why life groups would do wonders for our walk and our growth. Life groups are a biblical principle going to church one day a week is not going to weave everybody together.

          Job 4:3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
          Job 4:4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
          2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

 

  PROVERBS 26:4-5
        Pro 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
        Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

I have read these verse many times and try to keep them in my heart. We all have probably been here and GOD is telling us that fools will start being foolish by enticing you to fight or argue with them and the best thing to do is let it go. This is hard to do sometimes depends on the situation but what happens is we tend to fight back or argue with them and we act just like the fool.

         1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

The second verse JESUS shows us with the Pharisees how to answer a fool according to their folly, JESUS would always answer with scripture to them and it would call out their sin. Then the Pharisees could not be wise in their sin. I must confess that I have not been good at this but I have changed some in this area, I refuse to argue with the jw’s that come to the house I just keep pointing out JESUS is GOD to them but they never get it. Last time they brought up I AM that I AM and I told them that is JESUS, they asked how is that and I told them

           Joh 18:5  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Joh 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

The he is in italicized which means they added that so what is JESUS saying:  I AM THAT I AM.   They left after that and have not been back. Finally answered the fool according to their folly.  GLORY TO THE GREAT I AM!!!

 

                             PROVERBS 25:14
        Pro 25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

This verse stood out to me because in Sunday school we are studying the motivational gifts I was curious if this was the same but on the opposite side of things. It is amazing no matter how many times we read this book verses like this one just pop out like I had never seen it before that’s why I love this book never gets old. We see this all the time just watch some of the preachers on TV. They boast how they can heal, a smack to the forehead and presto you can walk again, you know, never read about JESUS walking up smacking them on their forehead and say “be healed”. I do believe JESUS heals not saying He doesn’t. JESUS just didn’t even have to speak and they were healed. I think the verse is saying these false men are all show and no JESUS! Just mail the money and you shall be healed, get real. Don’t remember that in the scripture.

         2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
         2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
         2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
         2Co 11:16  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
         2Co 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

Just like in the summer off in the distance you see that storm coming and it finally gets to you hoping it will cool off and nothing happens the same with these false men. The only difference is that the people under these guys end up in hell.

         2Pe 2:15  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
         2Pe 2:16  But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
         2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
         2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
         2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

How messed up do you have to be that GOD sends a donkey to rebuke you. The other thing is GOD doesn’t need us He could have donkeys get the gospel out. We need to see that and see what a privilege we have here to worship JESUS and have the fellowship that we do. Sometimes we take that for granite and act like we have to. We don’t have to do anything, if we are truly sold out to JESUS we should want to worship, study, and read about JESUS, not have some check list of have to dos. THANK YOU GOD for this awesome privilege we have today.

 

   PROVERBS 24:1-3
        Pro 24:1  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
        Pro 24:2  For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
        Pro 24:3  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
        Pro 24:4  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

I chose this because we all probably have done this, the word envious means jealous, you can get angry jealous. Have you ever got angry because someone got a new car and it was what you wanted? Have you ever wanted to be with someone because they are cool this is common in our age look at hollywood,  we say man if I could just hang out with _________ you fill in the blank. GOD tells us this, they study destruction, they always try to get more money, women, cars, homes, or whatever their heart desires, but they never desire GOD. That is what makes them wicked.

       Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
       Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
       Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
       Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

These verses pretty much tell us everything about hollywood. Not trying to call them out but that’s all we ever hear about from that place. God tells us through wisdom we can build our house, JESUS said on the ROCK we build our house. JESUS is the foundation which wisdom builds the house by us understanding that it is established which means our house is stable in the faith of JESUS.

         Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Then by the knowledge GOD fills us with grace and comfort of precious and pleasant riches. The chamber being our souls. You can apply it to your life physically that as long as you work for what you got and did it honestly and don’t forget GOD in your wealth that GOD will bless us and some will be able to give to their children’s children.
Remember JESUS is the foundation wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in the chamber and JESUS is the cap stone to.

 

PROVERBS 23:6
        Pro 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

It doesn’t take long these days that evil eye is everywhere it is on our money it is all over TV, just about all the now day pop music, they call it the all seeing eye, really it is nothing more than satan. It is even big trend right now to get it tattooed. In scripture we see the LORD has eyes meaning more than one. I think that one reason for not eating dainty meats is it was well know in the Old Testament they would sacrifice the animals to false gods then eat the meat. We can also see that evil eye refers to

           Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Looking at the scripture in Daniel they would not eat the kings meat that’s what makes me think that it might have been sacrificed to demons.

          Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
         Dan 1:9  Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
          Dan 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

Daniel says that he would not defile himself so that could be why or it is pork. Then we know that wine give us red eyes.

        Pro 23:29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
        Pro 23:30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

We also see how we need to watch who we hang out with make sure they don’t practice wickedness

         Psa 141:4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

The good thing about today is we can ask JESUS to bless our food I believe in Him and believe He does bless it for us.
They have done study’s at restaurants that have had food poison and found that people that bless their food did not get food poisoning and everyone else did. So be sure to ask GOD to bless your food before you eat and BELIEVE.

 

 

                          PROVERBS 22:6
        Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I chose this verse because this is a good principle but it is not a promise. I look at people in the bible like Able and Cain, Japheth, Shem, Ham, Isaac, Ishmael just to name a few. We still see it today a lot of Christians have raised their children with the word of GOD but for some reason they still go astray. All we can do is try to raise them with GOD’s word and GOD’s knowledge and pray for our kids but in the end it is up to them to accept JESUS just like we had to do.

        Psa 78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
        Psa 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
        Psa 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
        Psa 78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
        Psa 78:7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: