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>God’s Psychology</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…
Death is once and done for a believer in Christ. The doorway which death opened and closed behind it exists still, but cannot be gone through backwards. Only, the present lives on, a current and resurrected existence. As we abide in the beauty of this holiness, (separated from former depravity and alive unto God in Christ), the peaceable fruit of our conjoined righteousness with Christ occurs. See, in this post-death experience, we are vitally connected to His life. Jesus spoke to His close ones, ” I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 The metaphor is clear: Christ is the Vine and we are the branches of the vine. Abiding, however, seems a strange thought for a branch in a vine. We must explain. Our unity…
“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15 “This effect often occurs. In the gratification of their desires, in great temporal success and prosperity, individuals, churches, nations, often forget their dependence on God; lose their sense of the value of spiritual privileges and blessings: are satisfied with their condition; become self-confident and proud, and forfeit the favor of God.” Barnes Psalm 106:13-14 teaches, “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. “ “Of how many of us that has to be said! We remember pain and sorrow longer than joy and pleasure. It is always difficult to bridle desires and be still until God discloses His purposes. We are all apt to try to force His hand open, and to impose our wishes on Him, rather than to let His will…
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…
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:9 Our word for labor is spoudazo. A Greek word meaning: To enter is like gaining admission to the theater and then driving to the theater and going in. Just getting a ticket is not the same as entering. When we enter for instance a theater , we are there to view a movie. If we have a ticket for the World Series, we have not entered until we redeem that ticket, enter the stadium and view the game. It is the same principle with the swimming pool and the skating rink. When we enter in to His rest as described…
“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” Luke 8:18 It is a delicate balance, which God allows of a life. “Reaping what we sow” or “making one’s own bed,” is too simplistic an explanation for a person’s future. Indeed some are spared of reaping what they sowed and of sleeping in the bed they made through bad decisions. In contrast, others reap to the highest degree. Friends, “who we are” and “whose we are” are vital to our understanding of what men will reap for wrong deeds and also for righteous acts. An unrighteous man, though he performed a virtuous deed, is nevertheless left uncredited for that deed, no matter how sincere. On the other hand, a man who is gifted with God’s righteousness, may commit a deed…
2Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. We adjust to God’s state of triumphant authority and give thanks. We let go of a grudge by forgiving, and let go of resentments and perhaps hurts which were inflicted. We refrain from yoking up with those who insist on such fallen wisdom, bitter envying or strife. These may be zealous in their retaliatory spirit, separating; faction making. They are failing the grace of God; see Hebrews 12:15. Their wisdom is earthy, sensual, devilish. see James 3:15. But, wisdom from above is spoken of in James chapter 3. Pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy — these qualities characterize wisdom from God. Let’s look at them one by one. The…
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. 1Corinthians 6:12 ” …but not all things build up.” 1Corinthians 10:23 ESV The King James Bible uses the word “expedient” here instead of helpful. Or in other words, all things do not ease, encourage, urge, stir, or quicken. These synonyms for expedient , are the unspoken realities behind what must comprise our value systems. Otherwise words, quotations, commentaries, concepts or ideas are not to be placed at the ‘highest’ of a man’s soul. Friends, second Corinthians chapter 5, verse 14 uses this word, “constrain.” the word is used in relationship to love, in fact, the love of Christ. Friends, knowledge is said to puff up; however, Love builds up. 1Corinthians 8, verse 1. So, love, the very character and nature of God, is the essential…
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. Job_3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. We can surmise , that like faith, fear sets a course. For faith to operate, fear must be dispelled. They cannot co-exist. Job’s fear apparently was hidden, at least to himself. When the answer of fear came, Job knew what happened. Did fear cause his calamity? ” There is a bona fide fear that is not sinful because of our human frailty. Then there is a fear that comes because we do not believe. The fear that comes upon us when we hear something is not a sinful type of fear. It is very normal, and by God’s grace it will not last long if we…