Month: February 2021

Lest… I take the name of my God in vain

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“Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die: ‘Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.’ ”  Proverbs 30:7-9

Prayer for needs, not wealth or riches, neither poverty lest we be poor and steal and take the name of God in vain. Pray also to be delivered from vanity and from lies – personal lying and deceiving lies of others.

So let us pray, not only for self, but also for one another; our neighbor – be they friend or foe.

Sharing What We Know

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“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”  Proverbs 29:11

“For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”  Acts 28:20

May we as Christians learn when to speak what we know, and the right time to speak it; and to speak with it seasoned with salt and filled with love, mercy and grace.

What the Christ must know most is that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and that He rose again. We must also be faithful in proclaiming the whole counsel of God – that is the whole of the word of God; believing and trusting that what God has said will come to pass just as He said it. His word is inerrant and infallible.

Hatred, Deceit, and Repentance

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“…Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.”  Proverbs 26:26

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”  Acts 26:19-20

Let us pray that all hatred that is covered by deceit be exposed. Christian first, in our own hearts and lives; then in the world and its wicked system that hates all things godly and holy.

May we also pray for the “Heavenly vision” which is the redemption of the lost through the Lord Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection; that the condemned, the hopeless and the helpless might come to faith in Him receiving forgiveness of sin, for their sanctification, and eternal life through Him.

Neighbor, The Way and Hope Toward God

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“Debate thy cause with thy neighbour; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.”  Proverbs 25:9-10

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”  Acts 24:14-15

As Christians let us pray for our neighbor rather than accuse them to another. Let us treat them the way we desire to be treated. Let us pray, also, that they might find the Way to God through His Son Jesus Christ, because there is no other way.

Remember Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one comes to the Father, but by Me”  (John 14:6).  Let us pray for the lost, the dying and the perishing to be born again through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Endangered Living to Save Others

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“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.”   Proverbs 24:17-18

“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  Acts 21:13

As Christians we can not rejoice at the fall of someone who hates us. We are to love our enemies, and pray for them who despitefully use us.

Let us be like the apostle Paul who obeying the words of the Lord Jesus risked his life in Jerusalem, knowing his life was in danger, “Loved not his life, unto death” and went to the city with the gospel of Jesus Christ anyway.

Do you love the Lord Jesus today. The Father loved you so much that he gave us His only begotten Son – Jesus Christ. That whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. He died for you, was buried, and He rose again.

Landmarks and the Gospel of Grace

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“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with thee.”  Proverbs 23:10-11

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”  Acts 20:24

Pray that we as Christians always deal faithfully with those who have no father or mother. That we respect the things that are theirs as we respect what is in our own possession. Remember that the One who has redeemed us is also their Redeemer.

Let us have a heart like the apostle Paul that no matter what comes into our path of life, that we consider none of those things; even our lives; are worthy of our concern: nothing but the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the gospel of grace.

If you have not experienced the gospel of grace you can call on the One who provides it by His death on the cross, His burial and resurrection. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Encouraging, Giving Strength to One Another

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“Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. ”  Proverbs 22:10

“And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”  Acts 18:23

Let us always be aware that there are those who will make a mockery of what the Scripture says, what we believe as Christians, and a mockery of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Deity, power and glory. Through this let us pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of Jesus Christ, or for God to take them out of the way and His name glorified.

Let us pray always one for another in the faith of Christ to be always walking in the Holy Spirit, full and overflowing. Let us speak words of encouragement and faith to each other, even correction by the Spirit of God; and to be faithful to the Scriptures of the word of God as being the inerrant, infallible word of God.

If you do not know Jesus Christ today; He is the only One who became your sin and took the wrath of the Father upon Himself in the death of the cross, was buried, and He rose again. Call on His name and He will hear you and He will deliver you from sins condemnation.

Established Churches in the Faith

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“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!”  Proverbs 21:27

“And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”  Acts 16:4-5

Seeing that God’s word tells us that the mind of Adam’s race is wicked continually and a sacrifice with wicked intent can only be further abomination, then let us pray that we come to God only through the sacrifice on God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Let those who profess His name believe His word, proclaim His word, and live His word by the power of the Holy Spirit within and glorify His name. No sacrifice we offer can ever bring glory to God.

Let us pray for the continuing establishment of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Scriptures, teaching them, living out our lives for the glory of His name.

Come today to the One, the only One who can redeem You. He died on the cross for our sins (your sins and mine), He was buried taking away all our sins, shame and condemnation, and three days later He came out of that grave alive forever more. Call on His name today.

Open Door of Faith

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“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.”  Proverbs 20:10

“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”  Acts 14:27

Pray that we who name the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior always be just, equitable, and righteous to all people with whom we speak, and with whom we do business.

We must also pray that we always in our gatherings together tell of all that God has done; of His Son Jesus, and His mighty works of grace and mercy in salvation of all who will call on His name.

Will you call on the name that is above every name – the name of Jesus Christ who died for us on the cross, was buried and He rose from the grave and forever lives interceeding for all who have come to Him calling on His name.

False Witnesses and Witnesses of Jesus Christ

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“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”  Proverbs 19:9

“And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”  Acts 10:42-43

Let us pray for strength, courage and faith to always be a true witness to those around us. That when we are around the unbelieving, we do not act as they act, do as they do for that is a false witness of what Jesus Christ has done for us; when they do not see the change He has made in us. Be a faithful witness.

May we always be faithful to the cross of Jesus Christ in our life and testimony. Testifying that Jesus Christ is the Judge of the living and the dead. In His is life, and life everlasting. In Him alone there is forgiveness and cleansing of all sin.

If you have not done so call on the only One who died for your sins. His name is Jesus the Christ. He did on the cross, was buried, and He bodily arose and came out alive.

The Safe Place

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“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. ‘  Proverbs 18:10

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.’ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”  Acts 9:17-18

Let us always remember the safe place for anyone to be is in the name of the LORD, trusting Him, and growing in His love, mercy, grace, and His correction as well.

Remember the tormentor Saul sought to destroy the safe place of the LORD, which is in the name of the LORD, and he had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, and bowed before Him. When Saul had met the LORD and humbled himself before Him he was filled with the Holy Spirit and the LORD used him mightily for the glory of His name. Let us pray to do likewise in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let me tell you that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God died on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again to justify forever those who will call on His name. If you will call on Him today, right now, He will hear you and will give you eternal life.

Speaking with Wisdom from Knowledge

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“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”  Proverbs 17:27

“And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”  Acts 6:10

In the fifty five years that I have been a born again believer in Jesus Christ I have learned this one thing; “The more I know, the more I realize that I do not know”.

I pray that I will increase in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and that all those who are born again through the blood of Jesus Christ have the same.

I pray that when we speak that we speak with wisdom and grace. That we will realize that all who hear us when we speak with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in the grace and mercy of God through the Spirit of God will be recognized as being from God; but that some will hate us for it. Yet some will receive it and lives will be changed.

Join with me in praying daily for the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study Wednesday 11/14/07

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The following is a message I shared with Carr Lane Baptist Church in November of 2007.

Shiloah Baptist Church

The Christian And Government

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.  For for this cause pay ye…

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Knowing What to Speak

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“The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.”  Proverbs 16:23
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.’ ”  Acts 5:29-31

Pray for a wise heart that teaches the mouth to speak with grace and love and show forth through our lips the word of God to those who are perishing.

Pray also that we know when to speak; and that we be knowledgeable in the word of God and know when to stand against those who would try to thwart the preaching of the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Father’s Instruction and The Prince of Life

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“A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”  Proverbs 15:5

“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”  Acts 3:13-15

May we always follow the instruction of wisdom that our earthly fathers have given us; and the instruction and commandments our heavenly Father has given us that we might be wise and clear minded in living life.

Since we know that Jesus was rejected by His own, and was crucified for our sins and the sins of the whole world; let us be faithful to Him, because He was buried, and He rose again and has redeemed us from our sins. May our lives be a testimony and a witness of His love, mercy and grace.

Wisdom, the Heart and the Kingdom

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“Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.”  Proverbs 14:33
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, ‘Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them,
‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’ ”  Acts 1:6-8

Ask for the Lord’s wisdom and understanding that we who are redeemed might be faithful to Him and His will, His way, and His word.

Let us also pray for the zeal and diligence in telling others of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins, His burial – taking our sins away, and His resurrection through which we are justified by God forever.

Let us also keep in mind and heart that He will come again for those who “Love His appearing”.

The Mouth and The Scripture

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“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”  Proverbs 13:3
“They said therefore among themselves, ‘Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be’, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, ‘They parted My raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast lots.’ These things therefore the soldiers did.”  John 19:24
“For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘A bone of him shall not be broken.’ And again another Scripture saith, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced.’ ”  John 19:36-37

Let us all pray for the wise use of our mouth and lips; especially in this day when people are spouting all kinds of vulgar, mean, and rude things; and in doing so show no respect for our fellow member of Adam’s race.

Let us rather speak words that will glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who loved us so much, as God Incarnate, laid down His life on the cross and died for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. In doing this thing of grace He fulfilled Scripture. There is no better thing we can do that tell others that “Jesus died for our sins…”.

It Is a Spiritual Battle

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“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” Proverbs 12:15
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence.’ ” John 18:36

Pray that others may not continue in the foolishness of thinking they are right in walking their own way. Give them ears to hear the truth of who Jesus is, to realize their lost condition, the spiritual darkness and death in which they exist.

Let us also pray that we grow stronger in the power of the Spirit of God because the battle we face is not carnal, but spiritual, and can only be won by the power of the Holy Spirit overcoming evil with good.

The power of the new life in Jesus Christ is that He died for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself…” John 14:3. He is coming again.

The World Didn’t Give it to Us, and the World Can’t Take it Away

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“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”  John 16:20-22

While the world is doing its wicked works let us be faithful to serve the Lord in righteous faith and living.

Remember that we, as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, have peace and joy that does not come from possessions of things or people or even family. Our peace and joy comes from heaven and like our Savior says, “…Your joy no one takes from you”.

If you do not know this One who give joy and peace; He is Jesus Christ, He loves you so much that He died on the cross in our place for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again and ascended into heaven, and is seated this day and forever at the right hand of the Father. Call on the name of Jesus, with sorrow for your sin, and He will hear you, and He will give you an eternal home with Him.

Lips and Words

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“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18
“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.’ ” John 14:23

Pray for honest lips and encouraging words to our neighbor, our enemies, and the brethren in the faith. If we love God and His Son Jesus we can do no other.

Make sure the place you abide is with Him.

Wisdom and Understanding Hearing the Words of Jesus

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“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10
“He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”   John 12:48

Let those who have heard the words of Jesus Christ believing and receiving Him continue in the wisdom of Jesus Christ and the Father; in holiness.

May those who have not yet believed and received Him, hear Him today, believe and receive Him by grace through faith in the finished word of His atoning death on the cross, His burial, and bodily resurrection.

Words of Wisdom

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“Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”  Proverbs 8:10-11
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

We need to ask wisdom for those who are lost and perishing in sin so that they might hear the words of Truth which our Lord speaks and that they will hear and believe unto salvation.

Knowing Who Jesus Christ Is

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“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.” Proverbs 7:1
“And He said unto them, ‘Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.’ ” John 8:23-24

Knowing who Jesus the Christ is, and believing Him, determines our eternal destiny.

Consider the Ant; Abiding in the Word

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“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”  Proverbs 6:6-8
“And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape. And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not.”  John 5:37-38

The LORD of all creation has given us the ant, and all of heaven and earth, to learn from them. Let us pray for wisdom to acknowledge and learn from them.

May we also pray that we will not be sluggards in being students, avid students and disciples of the word of God. It would be a sad thing to hear the Lord say to us one day “…You have not His word abiding in you”.

Discretion and Knowledge; Sowing and Reaping

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“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.”  Proverbs 5:1-2
“Say not ye, ‘There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?’ Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, ‘One soweth, and another reapeth.’
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”  John 4:35-38

We need to ask the Lord to give us always the heart and mind for sound judgment; that requires wisdom, understanding and knowledge. That also requires us listening to others – even those we disagree with on certain things that we might grow in knowledge.

Since Jesus tells us that the harvest is already ready, then we need to see the great need for telling the lost and the condemned and the perishing that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God gave His life on the cross for our sins, He was buried carrying away all our sin, guilt and condemnation, then He rose and came out of that grave alive justifying those who will believe, forever. O what a glorious harvest Jesus is reaping.