May 31 2009

The Lying Tongue~n~Proverbs. Proverbs 12:19

What if Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Roger Clemons and Pete Rose all stood with their left hands raised and their right hands placed on a stack of Bibles solemnly swearing to tell the truth—would there be any one who believe any of them?

What did the wisest man in all the world say about the lying tongue? The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Have you ever told a lie and wished you hadn’t?

O’Leary’s cow in Chicago. James says the tongue is a little member of the body, a fire, a world of iniquity, an unruly evil, and full of deadly poison. It used to bless God and to curse men. It is encased in a basin of water, enclosed behind white bars and can not be tamed. God hates a lying tongue. Proverbs 6:16

Forked tongue. The tongue yields both sweet and bitter water. It can be compared to choice silver or one of little worth. When it speaks the truth, the worlds will last for ever, when it speaks falsehood, it is but for a moment. The tongue can deliver souls from the clutches of sin, or it can offend a brother for eternity. Proverbs 12:19

Tongue cut out. Many of our words are idle, wasted, gossip, lies, boastful, and useless. Oh, if we only had another opportunity to have those words back! The aggressive tongue shall be cut out. Proverbs 10:31

Tattletales. Unkind words never help only hurt. The lying tongue is a carrier of backbiting, belittling, and badgering attacks from empty wells and the devils workshop. Proverbs 18:8

Mouths washed out with soap. There is only one sure way of not saying any more bad words and that is having a new heart. Those who have been born-again have a new heart; have a new occupant, and a new way of life. Old things have passed, behold all things have become new. There is a new life, a new way, and a new vocabulary. The Holy Spirit has taken his rightful place in the believer and is in control. The Truth has set him free, the old man has died, and bad words have been replaced with the preaching of the Gospel. The Law has been overcome by the Spirit. Proverbs 8:6

It seems to me those who have lied about using steroids and betting on games, they should not be in the hall of fame. When words spoken are the truth, you will never have to remember what you said. Proverbs 8:7

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May 23 2009

Greed. Proverbs 13:7

The Lottery—is greed! 

I have never bought a lottery ticket in my entire life. It is quite a show standing in check out lines and to see others buying lottery tickets with credit cards! Winning the Lottery is having a desire to have more than God. God is the all-sufficient One who can meet your need and 7 billion people world-wide just like you without suffering loss of revenue.

What did the wisest man in all the world have to say about greed? There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Greed according to Webster is having or showing desire for wealth or possessions.

 It was the “People’s Choice” who coveted a golden calf over the daily provisions of God. They said to Argon, up and make us gods. Aaron took their gold and with a gravening tool made a golden calf. Before the day was over, 3,000 lay dead!

That wedge of Gold burnt a hole in his pocket. Achan confessed when it was too late: I coveted it and took it. The day had not passed till Achan, his sons, his daughters, his livestock, his tent, and all he had were stoned and burned with fire at Achor.

He just couldn’t leave it alone. Gehazi went after Naaman’s gifts and before night fall, Naaman’s leprosy became Gehazi’s and his household forever. 

The way of all who have a love for money is greedy of gain. It is the root of all evil. It will not buy one more day when it comes time to die. Money will not protect you in the time of God’s judgment. And any who shall trust in having more than you have will fall.

Labor not to be rich. Do not covet. Be content with your own stuff. Learn how godliness can satisfy the cravings in your heart. Trust not in riches but trust in One who is rich. He who can feed the sparrows can feed you. Be content with food and raiment and such things that you have. God is ever with you, he will never leave you, His grace will be all sufficient, and his promises will never fail.

There is a treasure to be desired. He is the Lilly of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, and the One who never changes. This One can give you more than your heart could ever desire. He desires to come into your life as a permanent resident. If you will right now cry out to Him, He will save you now and save you forever. 

It seems to me if you buy of Him without money or price, you will never be forsaken, or will be begging for bread. Greed will be starved and faith will be a way of life.

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May 16 2009

The Man with Many Faces. Proverbs 16:2

Michael Jackson is a man with many faces I remember him as a good looking youngster singing with the Jackson Five. Then fortune changed his face. The world-wide block buster, Thriller brought a revolution that took him from a friendly recording artist to a freakish monster that no body knew.  The last time I remember him was when he was walking to and from the court room…wearing a mask!

What did the wisest man in all the world have to say about man: All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Prov 16:2

Proverbs says Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts (Prov. 21:2). Man can justify his ways as fast as a politician can change his promises. We look on the outside, but the true colors of a man are where God looks—on the heart. Man needs a new heart, not a changed heart.

Proverbs says a man is happy when he fears always (Prov. 3:13). He who hardens his heart against God changes into an ungodly man.

Proverbs says an angry man stirs up strife (Prov. 29:22). When one delights in discord and violence, he will change into a furious man and a man of sin.

Proverbs says a just man walks in his integrity (Prov. 20:7). Failure to be consistent in uprightness will change and alter his direction and the direction of his children.

Proverbs says a prudent man sees evil (Prov. 22:3). He will avoid the slippery path which so many men have fallen into. He makes the change before it comes to pass.

Proverbs says an ungodly man digs up evil (Prov. 22:27). This man is a worthless man who never tires from lawlessness. One who grows worse in demonic activity.

Proverbs says a righteous man hates lying (Prov. 13:5). He hates what God hates and loves what God loves. His ways longs for God’s ways with a passion.

Proverbs says the way of foolish man is right in his own eyes (Prov. 12:15). He will continually travel the way that seems right in his own eyes which in the end is the way of death. The fool has said in his heart there is no God. One day all fools will be cast into the lake of fire. When one shuns the gospel of Christ, he is a fool. When one makes fun of the sufferings of Christ, he is a fool. When one runs away from a life-changing opportunity of going to heaven rather than to hell, he is a fool.

It seems to me we are made in the image of Christ, if so, we are then changed into the same image from glory to glory. This change I welcome!

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May 9 2009

A National Day of Prayer. Luke 11:1

Obama, No prayer in the White House. The White House planned a muted observance of recognizing the National Day of Prayer which drew fire from Christian conservatives and atheists as well who wants this tradition to come to an abrupt end. Congress established a National Day of Prayer in 1952 and in 1988 it was set for the first Thursday in May for Presidents issuing a proclamation asking Americans to pray.

And it came to pass, that as he prayed in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciple said unto him, Lord teach us to pray.

When should I pray? Anytime is always a good time to pray. The Psalmist said: “Morning, noon and night will I pray”. It is said as he prayed and… when he ceased. Err you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?

How long should I pray? There were times that Jesus spent all night in prayer. The average pastor only spends 3 minutes a day in prayer! Sometimes you will have to pray until you get answers from God. Other times, a simple “Lord, save me” (like Peter) will do.

Should I pray silently? Jesus did not mute his prayer life—someone heard his prayer. Hannah prayed in a whisper while Blind Bartimaeus lifted up his voice. Prayer comes from the heart, not the voice or the lips. Prayer is a personal talk between God and me.

Should I kneel, stand, or sit when I pray? At one place it says Jesus rose up from praying. God is impressed with the condition of the heart more than the position of body.  If prayer is coming before God, then when we can, we ought to come before Him on our knees.  There are two things I do not do when praying, driving my truck—I do not close my eyes nor get on my knees.

How do I know God is listening? Jesus says that my Father hears me. We pray believing the Father hears, if not why then do we pray? When you ask God for His will, there is no doubt that He is listening.

What should I pray for? Jesus said: All things whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. It is the pleasure of the father to give you the kingdom!

Thursday, May 7th was the National Day of Prayer. Jesus said, where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst. America is one nation under God, and in Him do we trust. Mr. Obama said America is not a Christian nation, but a nation of citizens. What ever our President says or does, we must follow the teachings  and example of Jesus and pray. If each Christian would pray and win just one person with the gospel of Christ, revival would break out faster than the swine flu. Christians make better citizens, pay their taxes, work harder, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Israel and do not fly planes over the Stature of Liberty.

It seems to me that if we would listen more to Jesus and follow His lead in prayer, His ways would become our ways. And a nation of 300 million would be a nation in prayer. Amen?

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