Some folks always seem to want to assert their independence. (Self-dependence, self-reliance self-subsistence self-sufficiency self-support); these can do it all themselves without any help from others. They annoy us, especially when we see a need or way to assist them, and they refuse. It appears to be a betrayal to their true nature, which could allow for more “humility.” People do things for all kinds of reasons: personality, upbringing, environment, or genetics could all play a part. But, let’s consider the words of Paul to the Corinthians. ” For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in…
Category: <span>Personal God</span>
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Companionship is that which teaches mortals everything.” Euripides ” …intercourse with other men influences the manner, appearance, deportment, and character of a man, sharpens his wits, controls his conduct, and brightens his very face.” Pulpit Commentary Proverbs 27:1 teaches, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” “what was the secret of the power (of Paul, the Apostle)? “It is given in his own words, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) He was able to fling himself with that passionate confidence into the present duty, he was able to preach the word with that victorious vigor in season and out of season. ” … the whole burden of the unknown future was rolled away from him, and he, more than…
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1Cointhians 1:18 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1Cointhians 1:23-24 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Cointhians 2:2 Paul was not a people pleaser. Jews hoped for a “sign” and Greek folks sought wisdom. But Paul instead chose to proclaim the power of God and the wisdom which was God’s alone. It was Paul’s topic of choice. His preaching posture came with “feebleness (of body or mind); and, by implication, ‘malady’ or moral frailty.” “ (Paul), not only eschewed all affectation of cleverness or grandiloquence, but went to the opposite…
Because life is a narrow way, few find it. Mostly a broader way finds a person, and many are defiled thereby. It leads to destruction. Proverbs 22:5 teaches that thorns and thistles await such, and verse 8 tells us that abject nothingness rewards the sower of emotional rebellion. For wide is the gate — easily entered, and broad is the way — easily trodden. “Enter ye in at the strait gate — as if hardly wide enough to admit one at all. This expresses the difficulty of the first right step …involving, as it does, a triumph over all our natural inclinations.” JFB on Matthew 7:13 The one road caters to ease and self-indulgence, the other bends to eternal safety. The narrow way involves an intense “keeping” of one’s soul — a hedging about with protection. Proverbs 22:5 In Luke 13:24 Jesus teaches, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.”…
But (Jesus), made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7-8 Jesus “emptied Himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.” JFB In His incarnation: ” …when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou would not, but a body hast thou prepared me. Hebrews 10:5 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same” Hebrews 2:14 John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. “ Jesus took…
Joy eclipses just feelings. Joy emanates out of something deep, a grace which covers all of anti-joy. Yes, all joy inhibiters are broken in the conscience, all doubts in the mind. Even death has no stinging dominance over the care free soul. Joy comes as a by-product of grace, which carries out the wonderful effects of unconditional love, removing all conditional “ifs, ands, or buts.” It comes from God, the ultimate source of all things. “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. “1Samuel 18:6 Joy came as the warriors defeated the enemy of the people. Indeed there was singing and dancing. So it is with our joy, released when all of our enemies…
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. Psalm 45:10-11 Listen, set your affections upon, ready your ear, mislay or be oblivious to thine own people and thy father’s house. Put them out of your mind. Don’t remember them any longer. The king will take pleasure in this beautiful sight; your humble attention, removing distractions of former attachments, entering into a concentration on him alone. Beloved, as we lay aside our identity in Adam, including our natural upbringing, genetical makeup, personality traits, cultural traits, and persona, we set a gaze on a new identity, which is — the state in which we are being loved, receiving affection, and being admired by another. Not resulting from our observable qualities, but from looking away from these…
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. “1Peter 4:19 Concerning the fiery trial which is to try you: But what does the trial accomplish? How is it measured? “Puroō,” the Greek word for “try” gives us the picture of burning as in Revelation 18:9, 18:18 Proverbs 27:21 “(As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. )” The trial brings heat, which praise reveals Praise reveals the man. “If his own mouth praises him, as in Proverbs 27:1-2, he is known to be what he is, a foolish and vainglorious person.”( Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine…
He rests in His love. Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.” Deuteronomy 7:7 Have you ever wondered about the significance of God’s love? What is it? What does it do? Why? Corinthians teaches that it never fails, it believes all things, it hopes all things. God is said to love with an everlasting love , and draws men with his loving kindness. God’s supreme act of love was seen in his sending his only begotten Son to excruciating suffering and death for the sins of the world. My personal dealings with God’s love have taught me that God’s love is an independent love, a free love, a sovereign love. In other words God is not just doing love, He exhales the very essence of love. And…
Grace on every side equals “manifold grace.” God offers the gift and we receive it simply and thankfully. We are to become stewards, yes “house stewards,” monitoring the income and the outgo of this magnificent grace, to and from our soul. We operate in such a manner because grace must be what people learn about God, who’s policy toward mankind is and always has been supreme grace. “Sovereign grace” defines it also, the one and only operation that God performs towards men. See first Peter chapter 4, and verse 10. “Grace is God acting freely, according to his own nature as love, with no promises or obligations to fulfill, and acting righteously, of course , in view of the cross. “God acts toward whom, and how, He pleases. God has no debts to pay to mankind.” “Likewise, man has no conditions to fulfill for God to wait for. Grace is…