Category: gospel

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9.28.24. Wisdom Nuggets

Whom do you fear?

Proverbs 22 Wise Sayings

How many times have we experienced a situation only to realize later that had we paid attention, we would not have had to face these end results. One of the wisdom proofs is when God provides that nugget of truth we should learn from it rather than from facing the consequences of not paying attention.  For example: “Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse,but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.” [ Prov 22:5] Keeping oneself from those who dishonor God is the best path to follow. I can hear you saying that we need to press on and present the gospel message to the perverse;those whose perspective is warped and twisted. Yet, truth is that these are the unbelievers that even when the truth is presented, will deny it and choose to reject it. 

This chapter is filled with admonitions to stand strong and be faithful to God so pay attention to these words of wisdom. Wisdom says learn the easy way, otherwise you will have to repeat the lesson again until you learn from it. 

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9.19.24 NetBible reading

God loved

1 Cor 9 Keep or Give Away

Eric Liddell was a runner and a participant in the Olympics. He had one rule, never to run on Sunday and because of that he forfeited a medal. Yet, his courage and steady testimony won him both praise and ridicule. Some time after the Olympics, at which he did receive medals, he chose to leave England and serve as a missionary in China. He not only forfeited medals but the comforts of a life in the English countryside and the perks that go with winners. Instead, he gave all that he might save some. That is what Paul chose to do as well. He had a privileged life as a Pharisee but when he met Christ on that road to Damascus, his life was forever changed. God sent Ananias to tell him that he would not only forgo the privileges of a Pharisee but he must suffer. Paul, like Eric Liddell, chose hardship rather than riches and fame. 

Like Eric Liddell, Paul said “I do all these things because of the gospel, so that I can be a participant in it.” Both did suffer and died, not with earthly riches and glory but with knowing that their lives were destined to win many to Christ and their reward was laid up in heaven. 

What do I give up to win the lost? Do I cling to earthly riches or like these two men, give up what I could keep so many may hear of the truth of the gospel? 

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How to disagree with others…

How do you sound today

1 Cor 8 Important or not?

Have you ever been in a discussion with someone who then argues that you are saying is unimportant? Sparks fly and tempers range. One is right and one is wrong but neither will admit to it. Thus,it was in the church in Corinth. Paul had spent much of his ministry there only to have to quell disagreements. One said knowledge was the most important thing. Get knowledge! Paul conceded that yes knowledge was important, but the greater is love for fellow Christians. If you lack this you are just a gonging cymbal. John also spoke to that in his letters to his flock and others. He said that we prove our knowledge by how we love others. If that is lacking, we really have no knowledge of God and His Son. 

In Corinth, the argument raged over the meat sacrificed to idols. Some said we should ask and then decide whether to eat or not. Others said, that is the unimportant issue because idols are nothing anyway. They chose to agree to disagree. Yet, they also chose to not love the brethren with whom they were in disagreement. Beloved, this should not be! Paul reminded them of this principle: “you sin against your brothers or sisters in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” So what is really the important issue here? It is to love others as Christ loved the church and deal with issues in love. 

How are you faring in this department beloved when you are in a discussion with other believers? 

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Respecting Others

Romans 14 Wisdom Speaks

This year we are in the book of Revelation in our small groups. One thing the teacher/pastor has emphasized is what Paul has said in this chapter. “Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions,” [Rom 14:1] The last phrase in this verse speaks wisely. It is often because of our spiritual superiority that we do just that! Paul is counseling us to not just be wise but to see others as they are. Some are learned in the study of the scriptures while others are weak and not as learned. Treat each other with respect and honor their opinions. Be patient and loving with those who think differently than you do. 

To help us understand this in a practical way, Paul uses the example of different foods. Some will not partake of wine but others see nothing wrong with that. Some will not eat meat but only vegetables while others eat meat with gusto! One of the fruits of the Spirit is gentleness. We are to be gentle and not pushy with those who think or act differently than we do. If we don’t we are not just not obeying the Spirit but we are like the Pharisees who lived by the motto of listen to what I say not as I do. 

Today, be ye kind to one another. 

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Are you Grateful?

Romans 11 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! [Rom 11:33] 

Paul expertly reveals the plan of God for His people and we who are the Gentiles. Thus, Paul reminds us that salvation given to us is a gift for we were the wild olive branch and yet He chose to graft us in. He reminds us that the we who are the Gentiles must remain humble lest we too be cut off. Salvation is for all and God is pleased when we accept His plan. Once grafted in we become part of the true olive tree and for this we are to be grateful. 

Today I am more and more grateful for His plan and His acceptance of me as a wild olive branch which He chose to graft into the true olive tree. 

Secondly, Paul explains that there will be a day when the Jew will also be grafted into the true tree but for now their stubbornness has kept them from believing this: salvation is for Jew and Gentile. Has God forgotten His promise to them? Not in anyway but they are walking in darkness at this time. Keep pressing on, keep praying, keep living the grace filled life so they will see the benefit of salvation. 

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All are unrighteous

Romans 2 We are well aware of what Paul told the Corinthians, the enemy (satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so they cannot see the glorious image of Christ. Yet, to the unbelieving, they are unaware of what it means to be self righteous.However to the believing that term essentially means to elevate oneself above others. How often do we do that when we say things like; I am better than so and so. Jesus gave an example of this in his parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. Listen carefully to each.

The Pharisee says he is better than this publican because he fasts, he prays, he offers vows and offerings while standing to be seen of others.

The Publicans says, forgive me Father, for I am unworthy. He stands with head bowed ashamed and seeking mercy from God. 

Jesus asked the listeners, who went home justified? 

Now to the Romans, Paul uses that same logic by having listed those sins that are unacceptable in the sight of God, yet failing to see that they too have done similar sins. Thus he says, you are without excuse. You will never go home justified as the Publican. Why? Because, like the man in the mirror of James, you see what you are  in the eyes of God but continue to think God will absolve you because you are not like the publican. It is in the end like the prevailing logic of unbelievers: all go to heaven ignoring the truth: all are unrighteousness, no not one. [Rom 3:10]

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Sharing the Gospel Message

study the scriptures that speak of Jesus

Ps 78 Instructions

Always as we read this psalm we are reminded of our responsibility to share the love of God with those who are in need of a Savior. The Psalmist writes : “We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts,about his strength and the amazing things he has done.” [Ps 78:4] Have you taken time to share with the ones you love most yet have not yet accepted Christ…even if you are repulsed. This verse reminds me that as a teacher of little ones I was reminded of this truth. What do we share but the love of God and all of his attributes. Romans reminds us that “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.”[Rom 1:20] Clearly the psalmist and Paul as he wrote to the Romans that God has revealed His power, His majesty and His eternal qualities so that we might know Him. 

Today, stop and consider what you may want to share with your unsaved family, your unsaved neighbors and others. 

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Which son are you?

Are you a Jacob?

Matt 21 Little Ones Testify 

Jesus cares for the little ones and they care for Him. As Matthew is listening, he is noting the contrast to how the little ones honor Christ and the religious leaders scorn Him. So he tells them the parable of the two sons to get their attention. There were two sons and both were given a chore to accomplish. One said, I will do it and the other said I will not. The point being that God gave these religious leaders a job to teach the people about God but instead they did not. They only elevated themselves and not God. They missed the point of honoring and teaching them about God. They were like the one son who said I will go but he did not because he was a hypocrite. The other son said I will not but then changed his mind and went.He is the picture of the disciples and if truth be known, he is a picture of us. We say we will go and make disciples but we don’t. We are busy about many things but not the things of the kingdom.

 Today, consider which son you are. Do you honor God and serve Him and go and spread the good news or are you like the religious leaders who said they would but did not. 

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God is our Comfort

Do you know your destiny

Matthew 6 Comfort & Wisdom  

There are times in our lives when we need to stop what we are doing and just ask the Lord how to comfort others. This chapter guides us through that grieving process as we recall the Lord’s Prayer which is one our Savior gave his disciples when they asked how to pray. 

Our Father which art in heaven. He knows all and is aware of the grief our friends are facing. 

Thy kingdom come is the desired outcome of anyone who seeks God and seeks His place.  

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. As we echo these words, may our hearts seek comfort for those who have lost a loved one.  

Give us our daily bread which is needful when we are grieving. Sustaining one’s health is critical, and we can offer sustenance to the grieving people. 

Forgive us our debts/trespasses as we forgive others. The remaining family needs this reminder because often we feel guilt over the one who committed suicide. 

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom and the glory forever. Those who have remained after are tempted to try to understand this death, but God wants us to trust Him and leave the results to Him. 

Today stop and pray for those who are facing this path and pray for God’s comfort. 

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Jesus…Savior!

Repent and Believe

Matt 1 Salvation

Matthew, the Jew who recorded the life of Jesus wrote: “he will save his people from their sins.”  Every Jew was aware of his sin and obediently took his sacrifice on the Day of Atonement to the Temple. The Hebrews author reminded his readers that even though they had done this , it needed to be done over and over again. Now Matthew sheds new light on this problem, earthly sacrifices will never save us from our sins, but this Jesus, birthed through the Holy Spirit, will do just that.  

Today, stop and consider this precious gift of salvation through the Son of God, Jesus Christ who gave His life to save us from our sin. 

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