PROVERBS 20
Solomon’s advice to his son verse 1- 30
Wine is a mocker – strong drink is raging
AND whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise
– ALCOHOL
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion
whoso provokes him to anger sins against his own soul
– ANGER
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife
BUT every FOOL will be meddling
– WICKED
The SLUGGARD will not plow by reason of the cold
THEREFORE shall he beg in harvest – and have nothing
– WORK ETHIC
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water
BUT a man of understanding will draw it out
– RIGHTEOUS
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness
BUT a faithful man who can find?
– MOUTH
The JUST man walks in his INTEGRITY
his children are blessed after him
– RIGHTEOUS
A king that sits in the throne of judgment
scatters away all EVIL with his eyes
– LEADERSHIP
Who can say, I have made my heart clean
I am pure from my sin?
– TOTAL DEPRAVITY
Divers weights and divers measures
both of them are alike ABOMINATION to the LORD
– WORK ETHIC
Even a child is known by his doings
whether his work be pure AND whether it be right – PARENTING
The hearing ear AND the seeing eye
the LORD hath made even both of them
– CREATOR
Love not sleep – lest thou come to poverty
open thine eyes – thou shalt be satisfied with bread
– WORK ETHIC
It is naught, it is naught -says the buyer
BUT when he is gone his way – then he boasts
– MONEY
There is gold AND a multitude of rubies
BUT the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel
– WISDOM
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger
AND take a pledge of his for a strange woman
– MONEY
Bread of deceit is sweet to the man
BUT afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel .
– MONEY
Every purpose is established by counsel
AND with good advice make war
– COUNSEL
He that goes about as a TALEBEARER reveals secrets
THEREFORE meddle not with him that
flatters with his lips
– WICKED & MOUTH
Whoso curses his father or his mother
his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness
– PARENTING
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning
BUT the end thereof shall not be blessed
– PARENTING
Say not you, I will recompense EVIL
BUT wait on the LORD AND HE shall save you
– VENGEANCE
Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD
AND a false balance is not good
– WORK ETHIC
Man’s goings are of the LORD
How can a man then understand his own way?
– SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
It is a snare to the man who devours that which is holy
AND after vows to make inquiry
– MOUTH
A wise king scatters the WICKED
AND brings the wheel over them
– WISDOM & WICKED
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD
searching all the inward parts of the belly – SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Mercy and truth preserve the king
AND his throne is upheld by mercy
– WISDOM
The glory of young men is their strength
and the beauty of old men is the grey head
– LIFE
The blueness of a wound cleanses away EVIL
so do stripes the inward parts of the belly
– DISCIPLINE
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. (7378 “strife” [riyb] means bitter conflict, dispute, brawl, quarrel, heated often violent dissension, contention, hostility, or taunting.)
DEVOTION: There is a group of individuals who really like to cause other people to quarrel with one another. This group is not interested in getting the facts but wants to cause conflict for the sake of conflict.
The LORD wants us to work together for good as genuine believers. It is not good for those who are in leadership to be fighting with one another over things that don’t matter or that the Bible gives us an answer without conflict.
Too many churches and church leaders seem to enjoy causing problems in church business meeting or in general meeting when things are said that they don’t agree with. Instead of handling it in a small group they like to bring it up in a large group to cause problems in the church or in a Christian gathering.
We have to be aware of individuals who want to cause conflict every chance they get. If we know who these individuals are we need to avoid them as they are not trying to cause unity but division in the church.
With the help of the LORD one individual can go to an individual who likes strife and work with them to help them get to the point of working with others. The LORD wants the church to be centered around the salvation and growth of others and not in always trying to put out fires because of individual who love the preeminence and disrupt meetings.
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to help those who will be willing to change but if not we need to turn them over to the LORD for HIM to deal with them.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (529 “faithful” [‘’emuwn] means trusting, trusty, reliability, steadiness, honesty, or condition of being dependable and loyal to a person or standard)
DEVOTION: There are many people who say they are your friends but many will not stick with you through thick and thin. The ones that will stick with you are the ones that are genuine friends. This is what this verse is communicating concerning.
Those who are genuine followers of the LORD need to be honest in their relationship with other individuals. We can’t be friends with everyone. We have to limit those we say we will stay with through all circumstances. If we say we are going to stick with someone we need to keep our word.
Honesty is what it is all about regarding our relationships with others. Part of this deals with our training as young children. We need to have friendships throughout our lives. If our parents don’t teach us how to be good friends it doesn’t come naturally most of the time.
Solomon is warning his son to watch out for those who say they are friends when in reality they are just trying to gain advantage for themselves any way they can. Finding someone we can trust is very difficult. It was difficult in Solomon’s time and it is difficult in our time.
Hesed is the Hebrew word for “love.” This is not talking about anything sexual but it is what a genuine friend feels toward someone they want to be friends with. I tell people I am only a phone call away most of the time. I want to be available to those who want to be a friend to me.
Again we have to realize that not everyone wants to be a genuine friend, they are only interested in being acquaintances. So we will know a lot of people but only a few will be there when things go wrong in our life. Solomon wants his sons to be these type of friends with those who want to be their friends.
Remember David and Jonathan and their friendship. Jonathan was willing to have David be the next king even though he was supposed to be the next king.
CHALLENGE: Do people you know what their relationship is with you? Honesty in our relationships is important to the LORD. Is HE a friend to you?
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: 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? (2891 “pure” [taher] means clean, purified, be clean ceremonially or morally, scour, or purged.)
DEVOTION: There are churches that teach that we can stop sinning before death. Some even believe that they are sinless while living in this world. The Bible tells a different story.
The Apostle John states “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” All of us were born with a sin nature. We inherit it from Adam. Our sin nature is with us even after we become a follower of Jesus Christ. The three areas of temptation are the world, the flesh and the devil. Our flesh continually tempts us to sin.
Solomon is stating this fact. He wants his son to realize that sin is part of his life but that the LORD can help him live a life that can be clean because of the sacrifice of the animals that look forward to the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for sin.
If we think that we are better than other people we are being deceived by our flesh. We sin daily. The sin of those who think that they can claim purity is pride. That is the sin that brought Satan down. It brought the Pharisees down as well. Thinking that we are better than others is something we have to fight.
A believer realizes that he is a sinner saved by grace. He know that with confession each sin will be forgiven and fellowship can be restored with the LORD. Should we sin so that we can receive forgiveness? NO!! Our goal is to sin less and overcome our besetting sin. This takes prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit.
CHALLENGE: Watch your thought life in the area of thinking that you are someone who sins less than others. It can lead to pride which causes a fall. Encourage others to watch their thought life in this area.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? (4703 “goings” [mits‘ad] means step, stride, in some contexts “a step” can refer to an event or series of events, or procession.
DEVOTION: Our belief is that God is sovereign over the created world. We are part of the created world. HE is sovereign over what is happening to us. HE knew before the foundation of the world who would be a follower of Christ and who would not. HE has a plan for our life and HE is working HIS plan.
Do we have a choice? YES. How is that possible? We have the ability to choose which direction we are going to head in our lives. The LORD knows what we will choose. This is true because of HIS omniscient. HE knows our steps. HE knows what is going on in the lives of six billion people. HE knows the future of six billion people. HE knows the future of all those who have ever lived or will ever live.
The books that are opened in the book of Revelation are going to be accurate. The omniscience of God is hard to understand. HE lives outside of time and we live in time. Our lives are hard to understand. We know that everything that God sends our way is for our good.
HE is the one who opens and closes doors of opportunity in our lives. HE knows what will cause us to become more Christ-like if we are a follower of Christ.
Does HE know that most people will reject Christ? YES. HE sent HIS son to die for the sins of the world and there was enough blood shed to save the world. We are to share the gospel with those in our world. If some make a choice to become a follower Christ it would be great. If they chose not to, it makes us sad, but we have done our task of obedience. Remember that every breath we take is a gift from God. We need to ask the LORD guidance each day of our lives. HE wants us to pray for this guidance because it shows our dependence on HIM.
CHALLENGE: Questioning the LORD is good but following HIS lead is essential.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 10, 12, 22-24, 27
Abomination to the LORD verse 10
Creator verse 12
Candle of the LORD verse 27
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
King verse 2, 8, 26, 28
Man verse 3, 5, 6, 17, 24, 25, 27,
Children verse 7, 11
Stranger verse 16
Strange woman verse 16
Father verse 20
Mother verse 20
Young man verse 29
Old man verse 29
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sinner verse 2
Strife verse 3
Fool verse 3
Meddling verse 3
Sluggard verse 4
Evil verse 8, 22
Sin verse 9
Divers weights verse 10, 23
Divers measures verse 10
Abomination verse 10, 23
Love of sleep verse 13
Deceit verse 17
Talebearer verse 19
Flatterer verse 19
Curses verse 20
False balance verse 23
Wicked verse 26
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Man of understanding verse 5
Goodness verse 6
Faithful verse 6
Just verse 7
Integrity verse 7
Blessed verse 7
Clean verse 9
Pure verse 9, 11
Right verse 11
Good work ethic verse 13
Knowledge verse 15
Seek counsel verse 18
Good advice verse 18
Wait on the LORD verse 22
Save verse 22
Vows verse 25
Prayer verse 25
Mercy verse 28
Truth verse 28
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
5 Those who are wise can discern the motives of the heart. This saying is one continuous sentence, although there is a bit of an antithesis. The counsel or purpose (ʿēṣāh) in the heart is first compared to “deep waters.” This figure probably means that one’s motives are difficult to “fathom”—it takes a counselor with “understanding” (teḇûnāh) to “draw them out” (yiḏlennāh continuing the figure). The line shows how important good counseling is. Plaut notes that if we are not aware of our motivations, then others who are wise may enable us to discover them (p. 209). Of course, there is always the need for discernment as to how much should be dredged from within the heart. McKane takes a slightly different approach, interpreting the “deep waters” to mean profound ideas (as in 18:4). Accordingly, it would take the wise to use their skills of clarification and interpretation (p. 536). (Ross, A. P. (1991). Proverbs. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 1041). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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20:5. A person’s plans are like deep waters (cf. 18:4) which a wise person can draw out. That is, a discerning person can help another bring to the surface his true thoughts, intentions, or motives. Often a wise counselor can help a person examine his true motives-thoughts he may not fully understand otherwise. (Buzzell, S. S. (1985). Proverbs. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 948). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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20:5 deep water. The wise man has keen discernment reaching to the deepest intentions of the heart to grasp wise counsel (cf. 18:4; Heb 4:12). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Pr 20:5). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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5. The contest between reticence on the one side and pertinacity in search on the other is represented as by a parable. The well may be very deep (cp. marg. ref.), but the “man of understanding” has skill enough to draw up the water even to the last drop. Every question is, as it were, a turning of the windlass. (Barnes, A. (1879). Notes on the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Jeremiah, Lamentations & Ezekiel. (F. C. Cook & J. M. Fuller, Eds.) (p. 57). London: John Murray.)
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Ver. 5. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, &c.] Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at: such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it is not easily got out of them what is in them, especially in some men, who are very close and reserved. This is true of wicked men, who seek deep to hide their counsel; and of good men, especially studious men, who have got a great deal of wisdom and knowledge in them, but not very communicative, being slow of speech, and silent in conversation. But a man of understanding will draw it out; he will find ways and means to discover the secret designs of wicked men, whether against church or state; and, by asking proper questions, an understanding man will get out useful things from men of knowledge, the most reserved: some men must be pumped, and a good deal of pains must be taken with them, to get out any thing of them, as in getting water out of a deep well, and which when got is very good; and so is that wisdom and knowledge which is gotten by an inquisitive man from another of superior knowledge, but not very diffusive of it. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, p. 466). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.” We sometimes describe people as “deep” or “shallow.” The deep man is thoughtful, wise, and usually silent. Still waters, we say, run deep. Just as the deep waters of a well have to be drawn out, the deep man is often reserved. His acquaintances have to get to know him and learn how to draw out his thoughts. The thoughtless man, on the other hand, chatters like a brook that babbles to this pebble or that rolling stone. Both the brook and the shallow man can be heard from a distance.
At the beginning of John’s Gospel we meet two contrasting people who need the counsel of Jesus. One is a man; the other is a woman. One is a Jew; the other is a Samaritan. One is the picture of moral rectitude; the other has had five husbands. One is a high-caste Hebrew; the other is an outcast half-breed. One comes to Jesus by night; the other comes at noon. One deliberately seeks out Jesus; the other stumbles across Him unexpectedly. One comes with profound questions; the other has all the answers. One becomes a secret disciple; the other brings many others to Christ. One begins the conversation courteously, calling Jesus a rabbi; the other begins the conversation contemptuously, calling Jesus a “Jew.” Part of the genius of the gospel is that people at opposite ends of the social, racial, religious, economic, moral, cultural, and intellectual poles can be made one in Christ.
I am referring, of course, to Nicodemus and the woman at the well. They were utterly different, but they had one thing in common: they both were able to draw out of the Lord Jesus that which they needed most. Nicodemus had a mental need; the woman at the well had a moral need. Jesus answered both their needs by revealing their much deeper spiritual needs.
Nicodemus with his mental need began by saying, “We know” (John 3:2). The woman with her moral need responded to Jesus by wistfully saying, “I know” (4:25). The Lord answered Nicodemus by referring him to his Bible—to divine revelation (3:14). The Lord ended the conversation with the woman by referring her to Himself—to divine revelation. “I … am he,” He said (4:26). Nicodemus went home, eventually to take his stand for Christ in the Sanhedrin. The woman went home to take her stand for Christ in Samaria.
Jesus was only too willing to be drawn out. He still is. No matter what our needs are, we will find in Him what Nicodemus found: how to be born again. We will find in Him what the woman at the well found: a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Jesus talked to Nicodemus about the wind and to the woman about the well, and He will talk to us about our greatest needs. The counsel of His heart is like deep water. If we are people of understanding, we can draw it out. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Proverbs 19–31: An Expository Commentary (Vol. 2, Pr 20:5). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
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20:6. Yours faithfully
The contrast is between profession and reality, not between goodness (ḥesed) and faithfulness, both of which contain the idea of steadfastness (the former with overtones of covenant and pledge: see on 19:22). (Kidner, D. (1964). Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 129). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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6 It is rare to find a truly faithful friend. A contrast is offered here between many who claim to have faithful love and the rarity of one who actually has it (see Notes). Many people profess “love” (ḥeseḏ), but such professions are often hollow. The shift to ʾemûnîm (“faithful”) in the second clause makes this clear and captures the truth—it is rare to find one on whom you may actually depend. (Ross, A. P. (1991). Proverbs. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, p. 1041). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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20:6. Loyalty (ḥeseḏ, unfailing love) and faithfulness are desirable qualities (cf. 3:3; 19:22), but not everyone who claims to have them actually does. In fact faithfulness is usually missing. Keeping one’s word and being loyal to one’s commitments are important. (Buzzell, S. S. (1985). Proverbs. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 948). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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20:6 There are a lot more people who are eager to brag about themselves than there are those who are truly faithful to testify of God’s goodness. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Pr 20:6). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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2 Timothy 4
Paul charges Timothy to preach the Word of God and offset the ministry of false teachers.
INSIGHT
We think of Paul as being one of the great spiritual giants of the ages. Because of this, most of us don’t expect to receive the same reward that he will. However, we need to realize that the Lord does not reward talent or results – He rewards motive and faithfulness. At the end of his life, Paul wrote: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (v. 8). That means you and me! (Quiet Walk)
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HOW WE KNOW GOD
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us ,because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13
How do we have knowledge about God? “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us.” How? The answer is, “because he hath given us of his Spirit.” So it all comes down to that in the last analysis. How do I know I have received God’s Spirit? How may I know for certain that I have been given and received something of the Holy Spirit of God?
Are you concerned about these things, and have you a desire to have them? Are you concerned about the life of your soul? Are you concerned about knowing God? I assure you that if you are, the Holy Spirit is in you, for people apart from God “mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:19)carnal, fleshly things. Are you concerned about immortality and the things invisible and eternal? If you are minding these things, that is a proof that the Holy Spirit is in you.
Do you have a sense of sin? Are you aware that there is an evil principle within you? Not simply that you do certain things you should not do and feel annoyed with yourself because of it. No; rather, I mean that you are aware that you have an evil nature, that there is a principle of sin and wrong in your heart, that there is a fountain emitting unworthy, ugly, and foul things, and in a sense you hate yourself. Our Lord said that the man who loves himself is in a very dangerous condition. The apostle Paul was a man who could say about himself, “In me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing….O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:18, 24). If you have ever felt yourself a sinner, and if you have hated this thing that gets you down, that is proof that you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Thought to Ponder: If you have ever felt yourself a sinner, that is proof that you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. (From The Love of God, pp. 96-98, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Angelic Shout
“. . . when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7)
The phrase “shouted for joy” in this verse is actually a single word (ruwa) in the Hebrew, and it can carry a number of meanings. It is most frequently translated simply “shout,” as when the army of Joshua surrounding Jericho shouted and the walls fell down (Joshua 6:20). In Psalm 100:1, it is translated “make a joyful noise.” It can refer to a shout of alarm or shout of triumph, as well as a shout of joy, but it always refers to a loud shout. In fact, it comes from a root meaning “to split”—a noise that would split eardrums or shatter glass.
In the context of Job 38, the Lord is reminding Job and his friends of the great primeval event of creation. When the earth—which is destined eventually to house God’s throne in the eternal ages to come—was established on solid foundations (on the third day of creation), a resounding noise like mighty thunder—or, better, a gigantic angelic anthem— echoed throughout the universe. An “innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22), identified in the poetic structure of the Hebrew parallelism in our text as both “morning stars” and “sons of God,” shouted exultantly and sang in unison when the solid earth appeared.
The angels probably were created on the first day of the creation week, immediately after the creation of the universe itself. Even though Satan and other angels later rebelled against God, most of the angels still obey Him, and one day we ourselves will actually hear them singing His praises and shouting for joy when He returns to Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 4:9-11; 5:11-14; Psalm 148:1-6).
Therefore, “praise ye him all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts” (Psalm 148:2). Someday, we shall join them in a “joyful noise” at God’s throne. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Master Builders
by Barbara Rainey
The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails. ECCLESIASTES 12:11
When your marriage relationship hits a trouble spot, it may be difficult to find much to praise about each other. Yet those are the times we need praise the most. So I urge you to initiate praising your spouse. Make it a deliberate effort. Bring the power of positive words to him or her in the midst of trouble.
In the verse above, the author (who may have been Solomon) gave some very descriptive characteristics of well-spoken words. When you choose to encourage and praise your spouse, your words carry the ability to prod, or goad, him or her in the right direction. And notice the result: Those words become like “well-driven nails,” the kind that secure all types of building projects.
In the hands of God, your words can be used like nails to secure your mate’s self-esteem. Your wise and truthful words bring perspective to his or her life, to your relationship and to your situation as a couple. They make finding solutions to your problems a real possibility.
You may be asking, “What if all this praise goes to my spouse’s head? Won’t he become prideful?” There’s a difference between truthful praise and flattery.
Flattery gratifies a person’s vanity, but praise is based on a person’s character and deeds. When you truthfully praise and applaud your spouse’s choices, you reinforce the value of building godly character.
Paul exhorts us, “Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). A keyword in that phrase is “truth,” which is the only real standard for bringing value to another person. Truth results in assurance and security, in worth and value. It becomes the compass during the storm that confidently steers us in the right direction.
So praise your spouse in all situations, using wisdom to meet the need of the moment, speaking truthfully to help construct character. Your words of affirmation can help rebuild what life has torn apart.
DISCUSS
What’s been blocking the flow of affirming words in your relationship? Share three real compliments with each other. (Moments with You Couples Devotional)
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Stephen writes (NY- facebook): Nobody puts money in a vending machine when it is out of order … So why would God put something in you when YOU are out of order.
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Ruth writes (IL -facebook): Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change. Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things HE can change.
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The Lincoln Memorial: When I hear radical secularists declare that the discussion of God should be stripped from the classrooms, I want to ask them, “How can our students understand Lincoln during the Civil War without understanding his faith in the principles of the Declaration of Independence, his meditations on Divine Will, and his firm resolution expressed at Gettysburg that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom?”(Rediscovering GOD in AMERICA by Newt Gingrich)
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Winning into freedom
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36.
If there is any remnant of individual conceit left, it always says—‘I can’t.’ Personality never says—‘I can’t,’ but simply absorbs and absorbs. Personality always wants more and more. It is the way we are built. We are designed with a great capacity for God; and sin and our individuality are the things that keep us from getting at God. God delivers us from sin: we have to deliver ourselves from individuality, i.e., to present our natural life to God and sacrifice it until it is transformed into a spiritual life by obedience.
God does not pay any attention to our natural individuality in the development of our spiritual life. His order runs right across the natural life, and we have to see that we aid and abet God, not stand against Him and say—‘I can’t do that.’ God will not discipline us, we must discipline ourselves. God will not bring every thought and imagination into captivity; we have to do it. Do not say—‘O Lord, I suffer from wandering thoughts.’ Don’t suffer from wandering thoughts. Stop listening to the tyranny of your individuality, and get emancipated out into personality.
“If the Son shall make you free, …” Do not substitute ‘Saviour’ for ‘Son.’ The Saviour set us free from sin; this is the freedom of being set free by the Son. It is what Paul means in Gal. 2:20—“I have been crucified with Christ,” his natural individuality has been broken and his personality united with his Lord, not merged but united; “ye shall be free indeed,” free in essence, free from the inside. We will insist on energy, instead of being energized into identification with Jesus. (Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.)
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Boston – National Guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned assault weapons were ambushed by elements of a Para-military extremist faction. Military and law enforcement sources estimate that 72 were killed and more than 200 injured before government forces were compelled to withdraw.
Speaking after the clash, Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared that the extremist faction, which was made up of local citizens, has links to the radical right-wing tax protest movement.
Gage blamed the extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal revenue offices. The governor, who described the group’s organizers as “criminals,” issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of any individual who has interfered with the government’s efforts to secure law and order.
The military raid on the extremist arsenal followed wide-spread refusal by the local citizenry to turn over recently outlawed assault weapons.
Gage issued a ban on military-style assault weapons and ammunition earlier in the week. This decision followed a meeting in early this month between government and military leaders at which the governor authorized the forcible confiscation of illegal arms.
One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out that “none of these people would have been killed had the extremists obeyed the law and turned over their weapons voluntarily.”
Government troops initially succeeded in confiscating a large supply of outlawed weapons and ammunition. However, troops attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met with resistance from heavily-armed extremists who had been tipped off regarding the government’s plans.
During a tense standoff in the Lexington town park, National Guard Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the government operation, ordered the armed group to surrender and return to their homes. The impasse was broken by a single shot, which was reportedly fired by one of the right-wing extremists.
Eight civilians were killed in the ensuing exchange.
Ironically, the local citizenry blamed government forces rather than the extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be restored, armed citizens from surrounding areas had descended upon the guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his forces over matched by the armed mob, ordered a retreat.
Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor also demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and leading the attack against the government troops.
Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock, who have been identified as “ringleaders” of the extremist faction, remain at large.
And this fellow Americans, is how the American Revolution began, April 20, 1775.
On July 4th, 1776 these same extremists signed the Declaration of Independence, pledging to each other and their countrymen their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Many of them lost everything, including their families and their lives over the course of the next few years. Lest we forget…
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