Friday, February 28, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 22:9-11”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Increasing Life’s Joy: We Reap What We Sow #2: Proverbs 22:9-11
9) He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10) Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11) He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.

Solomon looks at another factor, that when understood, will increase our joy, we always reap what we sow in the following areas…

EXPOSITION:

9) He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Showing kindness to others….
When a person actively searches for ways to help others, will reap God’s favor.  This is because he is displaying the love, mercy and kindness of the Lord by supplying the needs of others.

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.  The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; [and] he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.  The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.”   (Psalms 41:1-3)


10) Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Dealing with mockers…
By sternly driving out those who mock and scoff at the Lord and His Word will reap the extinguishment of the fires of quarreling, and will bring to an end disagreements and disgrace.

“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”   (Psalms 101:5)


11) He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.
Loving pure desires….
A person who longs to be sincere,  sin-free and pleasing to God, will reap acceptance by those who are in authority.   A person whose desires to please God will possess many attributes that are honored by men (such as faithfulness, honesty, compassionate etc). 

“Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.  The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth [it is], that your God [is] a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.  Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise [men] of Babylon.  Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel [sat] in the gate of the king.”   (Daniel 2:46-49)



SUMMARY:
In summary, we have seen in the last two studies that we will reap what we sow in all areas of our lives… some of these include:
1.  Distorting the path God has given for us will reap many pains (thorns) and traps (snares).
2.  When a person leads a child in the ways of God, they will reap a mature child who is faithful to the Lord.
3.  When a person becomes indebted to another, they will reap we will reap obligation to and abuse from.
4.  Anyone who commits sin will reap worthless mischief. 
5.  When a person actively searches for ways to help others, they will reap God’s favor. 
6.  Sternly driving out those who mock and the Lord and His Word will put out the fires of quarreling.
7.  Those who long to be sincere,  sin-free and pleasing to God, will reap acceptance by those in authority. 


By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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Thursday, February 27, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 22:5-8”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Increasing Life’s Joy: We Reap What We Sow #1: Proverbs 22:5-8
5) Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7) The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.
8) He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Solomon looks at another factor, that when understood, will increase our joy, we always reap what we sow in the following areas…

EXPOSITION:
5) Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Our lifestyle…
When a person follows a twisted path that distorts God’s will for him, he reap face many pains (thorns) and traps (snares) lie ahead of him.  However, when a person guards his life, making sure he is on the path that God desires, he will be protected from the trials that are found upon the twisted path.

Although following Christ will lead to opposition from the powers of darkness of the world, these areas of opposition will not be the result of punishment or chastening from the hands of Almighty God.

“Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.”   (Psalms 11:6)


6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Training of a child from infancy…
When a person directs an infant to the life path of Godliness through the use of Scriptural discipline, he will reap a child living a life of obedience to the Lord when the child matures.

Please note: this principle does not teach us that, when a child is properly disciplined, they will never depart from the ways of the Lord.  The principle teaches us that the training a child receives when young will greatly influence him following his maturity.  We find the most basic teaching on child rearing in Ephesians 6:4…
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”   
Note that parents are bring up child follow the Lord using two basic tools…
1. nuture – this speaks of discipline, or punishment,  when willful rebellion is present.  Parents are to use punishment when they willfully rebel to break they spirit of rebellion which prepares them to submit to Christ as their Lord and Savior later in life.
2. admonition – this speaks of teaching, instruction and verbal warnings.  In other words parents are to teach children the proper way to live and then explain to them through the use of warnings why they are to avoid the ungodly areas in this world.  By explaining “Why” they are to serve the Lord and “Why” they are not to live according to the sin of the world, we are developing in them a knowledge and UNDERSTANDING of right and wrong.

“Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  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.  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:  That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children:”   (Psalms 78:3-6)


7) The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.
Indebtedness….
The basic principle we are to remember is that whose who are have wealth, many times will take advantage of those who are in want.  Beacause of this principle, we are to be very careful when we become indebted, realizing when we borrow from others, we will reap obligation to them and, many times, abuse from them.

“But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.”   (Matthew 18:25)


8) He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
Sinfulness…
Anyone who commits sin will reap worthless mischief, the weapon he uses to harm others out of an angry heart will eventually be dissolved and will ruin him. 

When all is said and done, wickedness and harm done to others will ALWAYS be destructive to the sinful.  Perhaps we will not see this principle come to fruition in this temporal world, but when they stand before our Lord, justice will always be done.

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”   (Hosea 8:7)



SUMMARY:
We will reap what we sow in all areas of our lives… some of these include:
1.  Distorting the path God has given for us will reap many pains (thorns) and traps (snares).
2.  When a person leads a child in the ways of God, they will reap a mature child who is faithful to the Lord.
3.  When a person becomes indebted to another, they will reap we will reap obligation to and abuse from.
4.  Anyone who commits sin will reap worthless mischief. 


By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 22:1-4”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Increasing Life’s Joy: Seeking To Honor Our Creator: Proverbs 22:1-4
1) A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2) The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.
3) A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4) By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

In this chapter, Solomon explains several factors that cultivate the experience of joy during our earthly life.

One of the greatest factors that increases our joy is the pursuit of honor for our Creator…

EXPOSITION:

1) A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.  2) The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.
1. A reputation that is pleasing and honoring to God and desired by man should be selected instead of the overflowing, temporal, wealth  offered by the world.
2.  To show others mercy and kindness that beautifies our Lord should be selected over silver and gold that only exist temporarily.
3.  Both those who are wealthy and those who have little find common ground…
4.  They are both created by God, and as such, are under His authority.

Note the two basic principles….

Our lasting testimony is far more important than that of temporary, overflowing wealth and the things of supreme earthly worth that this world offers.  

When we understand this very important truth, we also come to an understanding that:
a.   those who are poor in this world, can truly be very wealthy in the eyes of the Lord; likewise,
b.   those who are wealthy with the riches of this world, can be impoverished in the world to come.
How these truths change the way we look at this world, its benefits, and the people who are living in this world!

No matter how wealthy or how poor, we all will stand before our Creator and give an account for what we have done with our lives.
 
Regardless of the level of earthly wealth we may possess, we can be joyous knowing that we are striving to cultivate a testimony with which our Creator is pleased.  In doing so, we are accumulating eternal wealth that can never be taken from us.


3) A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
1.  A man who is discerning and wise will be able to discern that which causes harm and, wisely, conceal himself from it.
2.  Those who do not understand the true nature of the evil, will continue on the path that intersects with the evil and then will be harmed.

A part of a Godly testimony involves recognizing that which is evil, discerning its future affects and then avoiding it.  For those who are naive and inexperienced in the ways of darkness,  they will be easily enticed and entrapped by them.  

4) By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.
1. The two lynchpins of an honorable testimony is: a spirit of submission to the Lord and merciful kindness towards others; along with the proper respect for God and fear of His chastening hand.
2. Eternal spiritual wealth, glory, and communion with our Creator are the results.   

When we humble ourselves before Christ in saving faith we are afforded and eternity with Him, when we then seek to honor Him with our lives, many rewards will await us.  Knowing these truths will bring great joy to our hearts and lives no matter what situations we may be facing in this life.


SUMMARY:
For the Christian, living a joyous life on earth is the direct result of placing Christ and His honor first in our lives.  When we choose to live our lives for Him, instead of living our lives for the wealth of this world, we can joyously expect living among His blessings while we are on the earth and in the life to come.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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Monday, February 24, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 21:27-31”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Practical Life Principles: The Vanity Of Wickedness: Proverbs 21:27-31
27) The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28) A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29) A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
30) [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31) The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.

This text emphasizes for us that living a life of wickedness yields no lasting value, only short-lived, fleshly, pleasure …

EXPOSITION:
27) The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
1.  The moral acts of the man in rebellion against God is disgusting and abhorred by the Lord,
2.  how much more when he presents the moral act to God after making ungodly plans?

The righteous acts of the wicked are hated by God, especially when they are a part of the wicked man’s corrupt plans to find favor with the Lord.

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.  To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.  When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?  Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting.  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear [them].  And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.  16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;  17) Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.  18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”   (Isaiah 1:10-18)


28) A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
1. A person who testifies untruthfully shall come to utter ruin
2. but the man that has a teachable spirit will choose his words with confidence of their truthfulness.

A person who lies will be ruined by his own speech while a man who is submitted to the Lord will carefully choose his words, making sure they are true and sincere.

“The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.”   (Proverbs 12:19)


29) A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
1.  An ungodly man shows his stubbornness in his appearance
2.  The upright man watches over his walk of life.

The man who is in rebellion against  the Lord, shows his stubbornness in both his appearance and walk of life, however, the just man guards his appearance and walk, making sure they are following the paths of God.

“And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.  O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.  Therefore I said, Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God.”
 (Jeremiah 5:2-4)


30) [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no:
1.  wisdom – application of teachings to one’s life
2. understanding – discernment of the true nature of things
3. counsel – advice and plans
That can oppose and overcome the Ruler of All.

The Lord, being Sovereign God over all, cannot be overcome.  His wisdom, understanding, and counsel are perfect and far superior than any other in existence.

“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.  Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.”   (Isaiah 8:9-10)


31) The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.
1.  Armour and weaponry is placed upon the horse to prepare for battle
2.  But true security and protection is only found in the Lord.

Although men can prepare for the battles they may face, it will do no good apart from the decrees of the Lord. The Lord, as Sovereign is in control of the battle and the results of that battle.  It is only based upon His decrees that any army can be victorious and protected.

“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”   (Isaiah 31:1)


SUMMARY:
Every aspect of a wicked man’s life is of no lasting value, whether it be his actions, plans, preparations, thoughts, or desires.  It is only through submission to the Lord’s desires for us will we find lasting value and worth for our lives.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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