Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Proverbs 28:5-6
Life Issues
A Liar, Confidence, The Heavy Hearted, And The Enemy
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:18-22
Correcting Children To Be Wise
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
Proverbs 23:13-16
The Poor, Making Friends, and Debts
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
Proverbs 22:22-27
HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR LET HIM HEAR
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Proverbs 21:14-20
Those Who Are Not Blessed
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Proverbs 20:19-21
Righteousness Keeps The Upright
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Proverbs 13:5-6
The righteous man or woman is one who has been made righteousness of Jesus. The wicked man or woman will be ashamed and loathsome before the LORD.
Jesus became sin for us dying on the cross, carrying our sins away in His burial, and on the third day He rose up from that tomb which was His victory over death and the grave.
Now it is your call.
…A Young Man Void of Understanding
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, “I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows….”
Proverbs 7:6-14
A DESTINY TO DESTRUCTION
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them.
Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not His word: But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore He lifted up His hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness: To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. They angered Him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
Psalm 106:21-38
My Help and My God
For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified.” But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Psalm 40:12-17
Open Rebuke; Kisses
Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:5 – 6
Cold Water News
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and with out walls.
Proverbs 25:23-28
Surely There Is An End
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:15-18
Two Desires
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Proverbs 18:1-2
A Better Use of the Mouth and Words
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:23-25
Wisdom, the Fool; Sin and the Righteous
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy
Proverbs 14:8-10
Loose Lips Sink Ships
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Proverbs 10:18-21
The Idle Soul, Commandment Breaker, and The Poor
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.
Proverbs 19:15-17
The Equality of The Father and The Son
But Jesus answered them,
“My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will shew Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:17-24
Another Jesus?
What is this “Another Jesus” all about? What does the Apostle Paul mean by being jealous over these Christians in Corinth? Let’s look and see from our text and others.
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2 Corinthians 11:1-4
The Apostle Paul loved the Corinthians Christians with great love, and did not want them to be drawn away from the Christ that he preached of. The Jesus Paul preached, and the Jesus some preached were two different people. For instance consider these…
- The true Jesus is the Son of God – the Incarnation of God; the other Jesus is not;
- The true Jesus was crucified on the cross dying for our sins was buried and rose again; the other Jesus died and was buried, but did not rise again.
- The true gospel is that we are saved by grace alone, by faith alone; the other gospel you are saved by law and grace.
If the Jesus you worship, trust in, and is all love, and does not hate sin, neither condemns sin, that is not the Biblical Jesus. You are worshiping a god of your own minds doing..
Jesus Christ, born as a baby, became a flesh and blood man, who gave His life for us sinners. He is the Son of God, God the Son, and He was the perfect sacrifice for sin fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. That same Jesus is returning, and I am praying, “Come Lord Jesus,” because I greatly desire to meet Him face to face.
How about you? Do you know the true Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again to life?
A Storm In Life
We all face storms in our lives. Actual storms in weather patterns and in day to day life and living. God’s people, followers of Jesus Christ, are not immune to any of these storms either.
One of the storms of my life has been, since September 22, 2023 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and it is not a pleasant thing to deal with. God is so good. He has given me a family: my wife, our sons and daughters and their spouses have been so helpful in helping in so many ways. This is the storm I am dealing with, as it seems sometimes to be getting worse. I still mow our yard. I can still drive, but I do not know how much longer I should. I am not scaring my wife yet. Well that is enough about that.
When Paul was on a ship headed to Rome, he had warned them of danger if they left Crete at that time scheduled. When they had been in the storm for fourteen days, here are the apostle’s words,
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, “Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, ‘Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.’ Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts 27:21-26
The Lord had sent an angel to Paul, and told him to “Fear not”, there would be no loss of life, they would be grounded, the ship being destroyed, and that the Lord had given him all those who were on the ship with him, including the ship master, the soldiers guarding him and the other prisoners.
Storms are sometimes very frightening. It is always comforting and encouraging to know that God has these things in His Almighty hands. Even when that storm is your feet feeling like they are slipping, and they are not. Even when you balance is gone awry. When you are falling down more than you ever did. Even when it feels as though you are losing your strength, and you have no energy to go on. Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be afraid. “Fear not,” said the angel of the Lord to Paul; and to you and me.
Christ Jesus died so that we might be forgiven all our sins. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. He rose up out of that tomb, and came out alive forever more. Through Him we too are alive forever more. Believe Him, and be saved.
This Book and Eternal Life
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.
John 20:30-31
John loved the Lord Jesus. He believed the words Jesus spoke, the life He lived, and he believed in the death of Jesus, His burial, and in His resurrection. After the empty tomb was discovered by Mary Magdalene and the others that were with her, Peter and John raced to the tomb, where John beat Peter to the empty grave John stopped, and Peter went on in, finding the head covering wrapped in a place alone, but the linen burial clothes were like the body of Jesus disappeared within them.
John notes that many other signs and miracles were done by Jesus before His death, but they are not all written in this book. This book is written so that in the reading of it that the reader would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. All four of the Gospel accounts -Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – show His Deity, but none so clearly and powerfully as John.
This is the first one of the Gospels I suggest that a new believer read, study and hear. Do not begin in the Old Testament you will get bogged down, and lose interest. Read John’s Gospel account, and then read First, Second, and Third John. Then you can read the other three Gospel accounts, and the other New Testament book of Acts, all the other Letters [Epistles], and the Revelation. Just a suggestion, but whatever you do if you are new to the faith of Christ Jesus, read the word so you will be empowered and led by the Spirit of God. After this you can read the Old Testament, and be greatly blessed reading Genesis through Malachi.
These words of John were written so that those who believe will have eternal life. Life in and through the Lord Jesus begins the moment you believe Him. Believe Him, and you will live forever with Him.
The Baptizers Testimony of Who Jesus Is
John the Baptizer was the messenger who introduced the Lamb of God, and prepared the way for the Messiah ‘s coming. The Jews and some of John’s disciples were asking John about purification, and then asking him about Jesus also baptizing people as if to cause a rift between John and Jesus. John’s response was who God says He is.
He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. And what He hath seen and heard, that He testifieth; and no man receiveth His testimony. He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:30-36
Notice, that John is not envious about Jesus baptizing others. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Then he says that Jesus has given testimony of what He has seen and heard, and no one receives His testimony, and that those who do receive Him seals the proof that God is true.
Jesus speaks the word of because He cannot do otherwise, because He Himself is Truth.
John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God, that the Father loves the Son, and has put all things in His hand. “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not everything made that is made.” John 1:3.
John gives us the testimony also that; the ones who believe on the Son has everlasting life, and that those who do not believe on the Son shall not see life. Those who do not believe on the Son have the wrath of God abiding on them.
When we believe the Father, we believe the Son; when we believe the Son we believe the Father (1 John 2:23-24). Jesus Himself tells us, “I and My Father are One” John 10:30.
Who do you say Jesus Christ is ? Your answer matters for where you will spend eternity.
In A Foreign Land
Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; “Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in My name: I have not sent them,” saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 29:5-9
As a follower of Jesus Christ, a student of His word, and always praying to be faithful to Him and His word, I am a foreigner in a foreign land. I mean by that that I am a citizen of the Land of Beulah also called Heaven or Glory, and I am a citizen of the country of which I was born into – the United States of America. I was born into this Nation and into a family where several generations of people of my lineage had been born as well.
Yet, I see myself as a foreigner. Why? Because this world is not my home. My desire is to be in the place where my Lord lives. Do I love the Nation in which I live, and reside? Most certainly I do. I also love my family, and I am praying that they have that same desire to be nearer our Lord and Savior that I do; or even greater than I.
You may be wondering what does that have to do with the Bible text? Many, if not all the people of Judah who were taken captive to Babylon were probably ones who had heard the word of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah when Babylon was there at or near Jerusalem; “To save your lives you need to go out and give yourselves up to Babylon.” Jeremiah was accused of treason, and no one would hear the word of the LORD. Some did, but were taken to a foreign land.
The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from which our text comes from giving them good advice for surviving in a foreign land, and it is purposeful advice for any follower of Jesus Christ in any day.
When you are bound in a foreign land, by captivity or other reasons then live your life in light of God’s word.
- Build houses and live in them;
- Plant gardens, and eat the fruits of it;
- Get married and have children;
- Take wives for your sons, and husbands for your daughters;
- Do these things so that you will not wilt away;
- Seek for the peace of the city where you are, for in their peace you will have peace;
- Do not listen to or heed the words of false prophets who have dreams to lead you away from the truth.
As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we are to live according to the direction the LORD leads us, and to build, and plant, and wed of the opposite sex, have children – lest we be diminished. We ought always seek peace with God, and our neighbor, our city, rural area, or where ever we might live.
There is much warning in the Prophets of listening to the prophets who tell people they are speaking the word of the LORD, when they actually telling lies to develop a following for themselves. Do not hear them. Do not be deceived.
Jesus said, “Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13). That simply means keep doing what you are supposed to be doing, until I come again. As Believers, followers of the crucified, buried, and risen Lord Jesus Christ we ought to see the great need for repentance in many coming back to faith who have been unfaithful; and calling others to receive the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Do you know Him? He died in your place, taking the wrath of God that should have been you receiving it. Call on His name, and ask Him to save you.
Why Good Kings Fall
In this study today I want to remember the words of the Lord Jesus in Revelation 1:6; “…and has made us kings and priest unto God, and His Father…” Only those who are in Christ Jesus have been made kings and priests through the cross of Jesus – His death, burial, and resurrection.
Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. vv. 3-5
And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 15-16
Why do good kings fall? That is a question that is answered in looking at the lives of the good kings of Judah (There were no good kings in the northern kingdom of Israel), all the kings of Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD.
We look at King Uzziah today. He “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD.” Verse five says, “…As long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.” In verses fifteen and sixteen we read, “…He was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction…”
We can look at this one king, and begin to see how we should live, as the kings and priests of the Lord Jesus. We also see how we should not live. In the first place we need to be continually seeking the LORD, to know Him better, to love Him more, and to be a better servants to God, and our neighbor.
In the second place we need to always remember that when God has prospered us, where that prosperity comes from. God prosper us. Let us always thank Him for His blessings. When we are truly thankful to Him, then we will less likely to fall. Uzziah became full of arrogance and pride. He took on himself an act of service that he was fit for, and he ended up with the curse of leprosy on his body until the day of his death.
As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, I must guard my heart and mind through the reading and study of the word of God with the guidance of the Spirit of God to do so. I must also remember that I am still subject to the Lord, and I answer to Him for any sin in my life. I am not beyond His judgment, or consequences of my sin in this life. That is why I am thankful that we are told, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Do you know God? Do you know His Son Jesus Christ? If you do not, you need to know that you are a sinner. You have sinned against God your Creator, and that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you and me while we were yet sinners. He became sin for us, and gives us His righteousness when we come to Him. Jesus Christ died on a cross for us, He was buried, and He arose and came out of that grave alive forever more.
You can trust Him. Call on the name that is above every name – that name is Jesus. He will hear you and will deliver you from your sin.
The Fire and Hammer 