Knowledge

Fear of the LORD

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It is evident as I look over the world, and look into each culture on the earth; and not that I have done a thorough examination of any or all; but just an short observation.  My observation leads me to reach the conclusion that we as a race of people; the human race; do not have a fear of GOD.

In every culture, and nation, we make god in our own image, and after our own likeness; thus we can approve of anything, and everything, that suits “Me”.

Many times this is true even in Christianity.  There are many professors who proclaim that “God is so good and loving.  He would not cast anyone into a fiery place called Hell”.  Or “God is so loving, accepting, and kind that he loves same sex couples. He does not expect them to change their minds or their lives”.  Guess what?  Doing that you deny the God of the Bible, the Scriptures, and you have made god in  your own image and likeness.

Hear the Proverbs of Solomon…

“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27 (KJV)

We must understand that when we fear the LORD it is not that we go around trembling every time we mess up, or fear messing up (sinning).  To live in the “Fear of the LORD” is to live with confidence.  Confidence that when we do sin He is gracious, merciful and will forgive us.  When we live in the fear of God it is actually living in the love of God which is greater than all our sin.

John the apostle wrote in his first epistle,

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

When we fear the LORD we also will be like a “fountain of life” (Proverbs 13:14; 14:27).  The Word of God is like a fountain of running, flowing, fresh, refreshing, cleansing water that flows giving eternal life to all who will freely drink it.  Jesus said…

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

That is a flowing, cleansing, refreshing stream of water flowing from Christian lives that shows what it really means to walk in the love of God.

To walk in the fear of the LORD is to believe what He says, then make Him all of our life, and live as He has given us privilege to do so.  Because of the gift of Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection we now have the right to be called the sons and daughters of GOD (John 1:12); but you must believe and receive what He has said, and what He has done.

Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding

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I long to be a wise individual, a man of wisdom.  I want my wife to be a woman of wisdom, and my children to be sons and daughters of wisdom.  The wisdom I speak of of course is godly wisdom.  I have enough of the world’s wisdom in my head which is devilish.

As we have  previously seen “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”, and we begin fearing the LORD, by believing what He says, and putting it to work.  That starts with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Do you believe? To not believe in the life, ministry and the works of Jesus Christ, Christ Himself is to condemn yourself to a live of foolishness.

Hear what the writer of Proverbs says…

“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” Proverbs 9:7-12

Now I leave you with the writing of a man from the past.  Warnings of Wisdom to the Wise. (Matthew 7:6). John Gill writes of verse 7;

“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame,…. Intimating, that though the simple, and such as want understanding, and of whom there is hope of doing them good, are to be invited into Wisdom’s house; yet not the haughty scorner, the abandoned sinner, the scoffer at all religion, who walks after his own lusts, and is quite irreclaimable; it is but casting pearls before swine, and giving that which is holy to dogs, to reprove and exhort such persons; though the Gospel is to be preached to every creature, yet when men despise it, and make a mock at it, they are to be turned from, and no more is to be said to them; as the Jews of old, they were the first invited to the Gospel feast, the same that is described in the context; they made light of it, contradicted and blasphemed the word, and so judged themselves unworthy of it; wherefore Wisdom’s maidens, or Christ’s ministers, were bid to turn from them, and go to the Gentiles, and preach it to them; for it is to no purpose to address such persons; “shame” is the sure consequence of it, because a man is disappointed of the end he has in view, which is doing good;

and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot; this shows who is meant by a scorner, a very profligate man, bent on his wicked ways, and quite incorrigible; to rebuke such an one is not only labour lost, and in vain, but the rebuker getteth himself an ill name, and is sure to have the dirt of reproach and scandal cast upon him; though this a man might patiently bear, if there was any hope of doing good.”

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

 

Morality and Marriage

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Morality in the minds of some people is dependent upon the culture you are in, or that you grew up in.  I can see how the morals you were or were not taught as a child growing up will be with an individual throughout their lives; yet with teaching, hearing, understanding and wisdom good morals can become a part of one’s life.

Marriage is an institution made by God Himself.  Its beginning is traced back to near the beginning of the creation of mankind to Adam and Eve.  It was meant by God for a man and a woman to be husband and wife (Genesis 2:21-25).

The book of Proverbs has wisdom for every area of life and living.  When we  apply Scripture to our lives through the lens of Calvary – the cross of Jesus Christ, then marriage, morality, and all of life makes a lot more sense.

Hear the words of wisdom…

“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; and thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.” Proverbs 5:3-14 (KJV)

The father teaching his son of the wiles of a “Strange woman” a wayward woman, a prostitute.  A woman who may use her earthly beauty for gain in any way she chooses.  These are words of warning.

There is warning here for that woman too, if she will  hear it.  Her end is bitter; her feet go down in death, her steps are on the road to hell; and quite speedily.

The young man, or any man who chooses to follow this woman will have an end similar to hers.

Marriage is good.  The relationship between the man and his wife; or the woman and her husband is a precious union that bears fruit for the glory of God (Read verses 15-21).

Some who read this will shun the words.  Some will agree with them, yet consider them not applying to their lives, even though they are living that erring way themselves.  It amazes me how we can be so blind to our own evil ways.

O Lord GOD open the eyes of those who are blind to their own evil immorality. There is only one thing setting the difference between immorality, and immortality; and that is the “T”, or the cross of Jesus Christ.  Come to Christ Jesus and be delivered from your sin; and you will have everlasting life.

You will then have the desires of the Lord Jesus Christ, set your sites on Him, love His word, and keep His commandments.

Receiving Wisdom

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As I study the book of Proverbs I realize just how short of wisdom I really am.  That is why I so trust the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.  He is the real Giver and Teacher of wisdom.  If wisdom could be Personified it would be in Jesus the Christ Son of God, God the Son.

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.” Proverbs 2:1-9(KJV)

At least three times the word “If” is used.  Meaning that wisdom is dependent upon us receiving it from the giver.  It is dependent upon our desire for it. Or do we just want to live meaningless, ungodly, unenlightened, dark, doubting, fearful lives?

A father giving instruction to his son.  That is so needed in every family.  The first “If” is calling for the son to hear, and hide the father’s commandments in the life.  Does the son have a burning desire for wisdom?  “If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding…”  is an earnest desire, strong passion to have what the father is endeavoring to teach his son.

Then, there will be understanding of the “Fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God”.

For us to have wisdom begins with a great desire to have it.  To have Godly wisdom begins with the desire to know God, and doing what God says, believing what He has said.

God sent His only begotten Son because of His great love for us, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:15-18).  Believe this and that will be the beginning of wisdom.

Prophets Speak – Christmas Day One Hundred Forty and Six

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“For My people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Jeremiah 4:22 (KJV)

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” Romans 16:19

From the prophet Jeremiah we see Jeremiah’s sorrow over Judah and Israel; and the noted verse from the prophet is stating God’s sorrow and grievance with the people.

What do I want for Christmas today?

First of all I want to be wise in the word and ways of God, not in evil;  I want to do what is good and righteous and holy in the name of God; and to never shame the name of my heavenly Father;  I also want that those who call themselves Christian get into God’s Word, learn God, learn holiness, and righteousness, and know that the word of God is true, and anything that is against it is false.

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day Two Hundred and Two

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“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” [Jesus Christ] Matthew 4:7 (KJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to have the wisdom of God, the knowledge of God and His Word to be able to tell the devil when I am tempted to test the LORD, because of some foolish deed, what the Scripture says, and to watch him flee.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Christmas Day Two Hundred Fifty and Seven

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want children, and youth who are students in public, private, and home schools to realize the greatest thing to know and learn is about God, His Word – the Holy Bible, and to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God through His Son Jesus Christ.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

Day Two Hundred Eighty and Four

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the wisdom and knowledge that comes only from God, and I want all those who love God to have them as well.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:17-18

Day Three Hundred and Fourteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to better understand the prophetic Word of God, God’s judgments, and His way in the earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts, sicknesses in world; His grace and love; especially in the U. S. of A.  for all those who name the name of Christ to have that understanding.

Therefore I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the Lord, the judgment of their God. I will go to the great men and speak to them, for they have known the way of the Lord, the judgment of their God.” Jeremiah 5:4-5 (NKJV)
“Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6
“When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Matthew 16:2-4

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Eight

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want it to be known and understood, that the purpose of this blog is not to call attention to myself, my abilities, or inabilities, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, etc., but to call all who come here to the Christ who bled and died on the cross, was buried and bodily arose from the grave for all who will call on His name.  I want you to know…

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Thirty and Four

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want Christians in Christian marriages, and families to know that the devil is working hard to destroy the Christian home, and that we must be ever vigilant in standing with Christ Jesus and in His Word;  “the devil like a roaring lion is walking about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8);  Christian stand your ground, stand firm in the Word; and remember that “…the weapons or our warfare are not carnal (flesh), but mighty through God…”  Be strong Christian.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 352

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What do I want for Christmas?

Are you annoyed by my continued Christmas question when we are into the New year the 9th day of it?  Good.  So am I.  However I am committed to take this through to Christmas of 2016, and have Christmas every day.

My want for today is that I might increase in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God and His Word; and that the Body of Christ would do the same.

To do so would change our hearts, minds and lives and affect the rest of the world in a dramatic way.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 362

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What do I want for Christmas?

For the Christians of the United States of America to know, understand, to see, and recognize the judgment of God when His judgment is here and present with us.

Part of our getting right and being right with Him is recognizing His judgment, and  falling on our knees in repentance, and asking His forgiveness.

“Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1 (NKJV)

 

 

Seeing, Hearing and Understanding

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Seeing and hearing are an important part of human living and existence. Without seeing we could not see the beauties of the created order around us; neither could we see to navigate as we walk, ride or drive through a countryside.

Without hearing we could not hear the sounds of animals in the creation, neither the cries of our children as young babies crying out for care and nourishment; neither the voices of our spouses and friends, or other family members. We would not be able to hear the warning shouts of someone warning us of an upcoming danger.

These two senses are an important part of human life. They are also an important part of our spiritual existence. In the spiritual realm we can be very easily deceived, unless we have someone in whom we can trust and depend.

In Jesus’s days on earth He taught people, and called people to Himself; teaching them how to live in the Word of God, to do justly, to love mercy, and how to walk humbly with God. Yet, there were many who would not hear; nor would they see who He really is. Jesus says that this too is a fulfillment of prophecy:

“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:14-16 (KJV)

Isaiah is the prophet whom Jesus quotes (Isaiah 6:9-10). The blindness and deafness of the religious leaders was fulfillment of that. It is a truth we cannot neglect to hear. When the truth of Scripture is rejected the truths of God will grow more and more dim; the hearing will fade away into oblivion and there will be no knowledge or understanding of God or His Word.

Those who know God through His Son Jesus Christ love the Word of God, and hide in the heart that we might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11), and make it a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

The path to understanding God and His Word is through the cross of Jesus Christ who died for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave. Believe Him, trust His Word. It is the way of life, and life everlasting.

Listen to Wisdom

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“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33 (KJV)

From verse 20 or Proverbs 1 through verse 33 Wisdom is personified, and is speaking to the reader. We can learn much by listening to the words of Wisdom.

When God’s wisdom is rejected, knowledge is rejected (v. 22), thus all kinds of foolish endeavors are awakened in the wicked minds of men.

When God’s wisdom is rejected, the call of wisdom is rejected, and so wise counsel is also rejected leading to the laughter of wisdom at the vain endeavors of the wicked minds, and the calamity to which that foolishness leads (vv. 23-26).

When God’s wisdom is rejected, fear comes as desolation with destruction; there is a call to wisdom, but she does not hear. Why will she not hear? Because they have hated knowledge, and “did not choose the fear of the LORD” (vv. 27-32).

Those who have chosen knowledge (ie. godly wisdom and knowledge learned from God’s Spirit, His Word, and believing Him) will be safe. They will also be quiet from fear. With all that is going on in today’s world; the wisdom of God being rejected; O child of God can you not see that the judgment of God is about to fall on this wicked world.

Reject the foolish wisdom of the world, and choose what God says. Choose His wisdom, His Word, His way. Choose to follow the One who died on the cross for your sins; and live for Him.

GOD Knows the Secrets of Your Heart

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“If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:20-21 (KJV)

The first step to worshipping false gods is forgetting the one true God. We can forget Him by neglecting His word. Maybe we no longer read it. Maybe we feel we are independent of Him, no longer need Him. We stop taking heed to what we know to be God’s Word, refusing to listen to the Spirit of God within.

We might even think, “I am too sophisticated to worship idols or other gods.” O really? That thing, or person, or job, that is your treasure is what you worship. God knows the secrets of your heart, and my heart.

Remember this: there is nothing hidden from the All-Knowing mind of God. There are many who refuse to even admit what the prophet Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 17,

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

The answer to that question is that “God knows”; and it is best if we agree with God that the heart of man is in fact “…Deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” Is that not clear with what has been happening in the world and the U. S. of A. One young man killing 9 people in a Church in South Carolina. The band of murderers and thugs waging chaos in the Middle East, cutting off heads of Christians and Jews, and anyone else who might get in their way.

Do you think that you are above that? Do not deceive yourself. But for the grace and love and mercy of God… That could be you or me.

God desires to give a new heart. That new heart, inner being, comes through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the holy Son of God who paid our sin debt to the Father. When we put our faith and trust in the work of the Son we receive a new heart and life.

O, believe Him today.

Jesus Prepares a Place for You

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“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”  ~Jesus (John 14:1-4)

Through the Bible in a Year – evening 082513

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Fear the LORD
Proverbs 1 – 12

1.  THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE (Proverbs 1:7-9).

2.  KEEPS THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN AND TRUST THE LORD (3:1-6; 7:1-5).

3.  IS AWARE OF THE THINGS WHICH THE LORD HATES (6:12-10).

4.  LOVES KNOWLEDGE AND INSTRUCTION (12:1-4).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 082513

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Always Faithful

1.  APPRECIATE THE FAITH OF OTHERS WHO ARE FAITHFUL (Colossians 1:3-8).

2.  ACKNOWLEDGE THE HIDDEN TREASURES WHICH ARE IN CHRIST (2:1-3)

3.  PUT TO DEATH THE WORKS OF THE FLESH (3:5-11).

4. APPRECIATE THE FAITH OF YOUR FELLOW SERVANTS AND WORKERS (4:7-11).

-Tim A. Blankenship

GOD is All-Knowledge

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The prophet is sharing his call from God with us as we look at the rest of chapter one. Our verses today will just be verses four and five. I want to keep these articles relatively short. They are usually the ones which will be read, if most people are like me in that respect.

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ‘Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5 (KJV)

While Jeremiah was serving as a priest with his family it surely grieved his heart to see the wickedness in the land. Many times this is the way God moves and works in calling men to serve as pastors, preachers, teachers, and other works. He places a burden upon the heart, and you go and grow in that as you hear the Lord and see Him work you just find yourself enjoying what He has called you to do.

The Lord had this planned for the prophet from the time the world was established. One of the things that the man of God needs to know and realize about God is that He is Omniscient, and that simply means that He is AllKnowing. There is nothing that God, the Creator of all that is, does not know. Someone has asked the question, “Is there anything God can learn?” Well the answer to that, if God is AllKnowing, is NO! Because He already knows everything there is to know.

That means He is never surprised by events, “accidents”, incidents, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, car wrecks, bombs exploding, or wars. You could put just about anything in there that you could think of.

God knew Jeremiah before he was conceived in the womb, and you could say, it was God who gave the seed that caused Jeremiah to be. There is a good thing we can see from this and that is that none of us are an accident. God made us to be.

These verses are often used by those who are pro-life, which I am, to show that there is human life in the womb of the mother, concerning the baby. It is not just a blob of tissue, a mass which has invaded the body of the woman. It is a special, ordained by God, individual for whom He has plans; whether the woman does or not. I guess her plans; the woman getting an abortion; are extinction.

The prophet is “Sanctified” which is set apart to be clean, appointed, prepared to do a task, and that task as we shall see is to proclaim the word of the LORD to God’s people of Judah, and to the nations.

He is “Ordained” by God to proclaim the message God puts in his mouth, and upon his lips. He is to speak what God tells him to speak, and not withhold one word. That is the work of the prophet of God. Speak the word of God and do it with all one’s strength, and then the strength of God.

God knows you. He knew you before you were conceived. Yield your life to Him.  When you are saved through the cross of Jesus Christ you are also sanctified, set apart, for God’s glory and praise.  God has called you to do His will.

Words for Christian Living – Rich

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“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”  2 Corinthians 8:7-9 (KJV)

That word “Rich” causes us to think of wealth in the material sense.  We hear the word “Rich” and we may have thoughts of what that might be like to live like the “Rich”.  Gold, silver, precious stones, Wall Street, big mansions, big ranches or farms; many houses and lands or expensive cars have absolutely nothing to do with the richness of which the above passage speaks.

The wealthiest Man who ever lived and walked among men gave up much wealth – the splendor and glories of heaven – and came down and walked among us, then gave His life that we all might be saved.  He gave up wealth, to become poor that those who hear His Word, and believes would become rich in the purest meaning of the word.

The riches of Christ cannot be taken away; they cannot be destroyed by moth or rust; they are incorruptible.  The riches and glory of heaven are yours through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.

Words for Christian Living – Known of Him

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“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of Him.”  1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (KJV)

Knowledge is a wonderful thing.  It is a blessing we have received from our Creator.  Paul was speaking to a Church living in a profligate society; and the sad thing is they were also participating in that society; living as where no one could tell the difference from Christian and non-Christian.

To love God is more important than “Knowledge”; and the one who loves God is “Known of Him”.  One can be “Known of Him” only by way of God’s way.  That is the cross of Jesus Christ.  The cross of Christ Jesus is the only way to God; to love God, and to be “Known of Him”.

There will be some who will say, “Well, I thought God knew everyone.”  He knows who you are; He knows your name;  He knows every detail about your life.  However, to be “Known of Him” is an intimate, personal relationship where both God and you walk together.  It is God’s salvation.

“Whosoever shall call  upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Words for Christian Living 052913

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“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  Romans 10:1-4 (KJV)

Ignorance is not a pleasant word to hear for anyone.  Nevertheless, ignorance is no excuse for the sin of God’s people called Christian.  There is far too much ignorance concerning the Righteousness of God, and what is required of God’s people.

As Christians we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ; and that righteousness comes out for all the world to see.  It is not righteousness to overlook sin.  Righteousness deals with sin; starting with our own, then confronting unrighteousness where we see it.

Do not be ignorant of the righteousness of God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Redeeming Love of God (Hosea 4:1-3)

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God’s Controversy With His People 1

As we begin our study of Hosea 4 we find Hosea speaking in the gates of the city.  This is the place where civil and religious meetings were held.  There were probably some who were from the Southern kingdom present here as well.

The LORD is presented as having a “Controversy” with the people.  The MIRRIAM/WEBSTER Dictionary defines “Controversy” as being “a clash of opposing views: DISPUTE”.  It must of necessity be concluded that the one who opposes God is the one who is in error.  The New International Version of the Bible uses the word “Charge”.  The New American Standard uses the word “Case”.  These latter two imply court actions.  If then this is a court scene we see GOD as the offended party; and He is also the Judge, the Prosecutor; and since there is no defense mentioned He would also be their Defense.  God has a legal case against Israel.  It is a case He will win.  A case where the guilty will in brokenness confess their guilt, turn from their evil, and seek His face, receiving His forgiveness.

In verse one through three God says all are guilty, then the priests and prophets are responsible for rejecting the Word of God, rather than teaching it, living it, and proclaiming it (vv. 4-6).  They are all condemned for leaving God to follow the harlotry of Baal (vv. 7-10).  The men are then told of their responsibility for the corrupting of their wives and daughters (vv. 13-14).  Judah [the Southern kingdom] is then called on to heed the Word of Go, and not to forsake God and His ways following other gods (vv. 15-19).

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.  By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.  Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.”  Hosea 4:1-3 (KJV)

The land is greatly polluted.  Sexual perversion and immorality always pollute the land of any nation.

God still contends with evil.  He is contending with evil even now across the United States of America, and in all nations of the world.  Sin is just as destructive today as it was in Hosea’s day; maybe more open and with greater influence; but “where sin abounds grace does much more abound”.

“Truth” is faithfulness.  Faithful to God, His Word, and His ways.  To walk in them is to walk in truth.  To walk in truth is to be faithful to His Word.  To depart from truth is to cease being kind.  “Mercy” is kindness.  When God’s people forsake His way sexual immorality increases, murders increase, all crime and criminal activities increase, and education slips into amorality.  Evil becomes good, and good becomes evil.  Because of this there is no knowledge of God in the land.  God is seen only as non-existent, unavailable, or contained in a box to be used at our own discretion and for our own pleasures.  Because of evil god is made in our own image.  He is viewed as tolerating evil, and never judging it; putting Him on equal basis with the gods of men’s hearts.  His Holiness, Righteousness, mercy, and grace are forgotten.  What need is there of mercy and/or grace if God tolerates all kinds of evil?

When people depart from God to serve the gods of their hearts “Everyone does that which is right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25), the land becomes “Bloody”.  The commandments of God become useless, despised, and rejected; tossed aside as fables.

In verse two Hosea declares that at least five of the Ten Commandments had been severely broken.

There are also ecological consequences to sin.

The land cries out to God for mercy (Romans 8:22).  The man of God’s creation willfully sinned against God.  Sin causes the creation to groan.  Unless God keeps His hand of mercy on the land, then the land judges us.

The environmental crises that are known today; the upheaval of weather  patterns, in the USA, and around the world; are evidences of a gross spiritual problem.  God’s people have forsaken Him to serve the idols of pleasure, entertainment, and the sirens of comfort.  Many of the gods of our day are science, technology, money and finance.  All idols of man’s own making; leading to our destruction.

The world may laugh at such a simplistic answer, but the Bible is clear on the matter, and it is right.  Someone has said, “The heart of the human problem, is the problem of the human heart.” (Matthew 15:16-20).  The heart of man can only be righted when man confesses his sin/departure from God, repents, and asks for, and receives God’s forgiveness.

It is not gun-control we need to stop murders, or condoms to stop STD’s and/or AIDS.  It is self-control, and especially Holy Spirit initiated self-control.  To make it real the world needs the grace, mercy, and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness only His atoning death, burial and resurrection supplies.

-Tim A. Blankenship

For Lack of Knowledge

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It seems there are many who are desirous for much knowledge in the world of 2012.  We are more knowledgeable today than at any time in the history of mankind.  We have learned the chemical makeup of water and salt; and a whole lot of other things too.  Some of which are or have been destructive.  We have even gained the knowledge to split the invisible atom, and make nuclear weapons and power plants.

The knowledge of these things; good or bad; has made us appear to be up and coming onto being gods of our own lives.  Many are; in their own eyes “In control” and “In charge” of their own destiny.  They assume these things because of “Lack of Knowledge”.  It is the knowledge of God; knowing God, and being known by Him which really counts for eternity.  Hear what the prophet Hosea has written,

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6 (KJV)

You may have gained the knowledge of God and His love at an early age, but you have gone your own way.  God is calling you to return to Him.  You may have the knowledge of great things which man has made, but do you know the One who has made man, and holds us in His hands?  He loves you, and sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for you, was buried and He rose again.  One day He is returning.  Call on His name.  He will hear.  He will save.

-T.A.