(Pro 1:23 KJV) Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Which comes first, the “turn” (7725) or the “pour” (5042)? Is the pouring out of the Holy Spirit a cause or an effect of repentance? I would say both.
If we refuse to admit we are sinners and have no desire to change course, there is little point in sending the Holy Spirit to do a work in us. Few Christians, except die-hard, five point Calvinists, believe that God coerces people into belief. If there is no buy-in on the part of the sinner the path of salvation runs into a wall.
As we walk with Jesus there are numerous corrections that will need to be made. Some of it is just part of the learning curve. Some will be the result of sin. We will become aware of the need for repentance. It can come from the simple inner conviction given by the Holy Spirit and run a spectrum to being confronted by someone who knows you well.
So? Being corrected is part of the spiritual path we all walk. Count is a progress.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The Boardwalk Principle
(Pro 31:9 KJV) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
It is important that we notice the modifying term “righteously” (6664). This is a concept that does not fit into the recipe of modern culture. It is like adding cayenne as you make a creme brulee. Righteousness is a concept that brings our modern world to a screaming halt. It says “No”, which is not the big problem, although it is problem enough. What is rabidly rejected is, “Because God said so.”
Take for instance the current sexual revolution. In most sectors it is still frowned upon to cheat on your spouse. Adultery is still considered wrong, unless of course, she deserves it. Everything else is a go. God says, “Not so fast.” The secular forces keep running into this.
So? If you are going to play a board game you need to know the rules. In life, God is the one who makes the rules. You can kick and scream all you want it doesn’t change the fact that landing on Boardwalk with hotels will probably wipe you out.
It is important that we notice the modifying term “righteously” (6664). This is a concept that does not fit into the recipe of modern culture. It is like adding cayenne as you make a creme brulee. Righteousness is a concept that brings our modern world to a screaming halt. It says “No”, which is not the big problem, although it is problem enough. What is rabidly rejected is, “Because God said so.”
Take for instance the current sexual revolution. In most sectors it is still frowned upon to cheat on your spouse. Adultery is still considered wrong, unless of course, she deserves it. Everything else is a go. God says, “Not so fast.” The secular forces keep running into this.
So? If you are going to play a board game you need to know the rules. In life, God is the one who makes the rules. You can kick and scream all you want it doesn’t change the fact that landing on Boardwalk with hotels will probably wipe you out.
Monday, March 30, 2020
A Curse Caused
(Pro 30:11 KJV) There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
One of the joys of my life is having the “kind” (1755) of kids that are willing to spend time with their parents. KJV uses “generation”. We do not embarrass them, at least not yet. It is one of the things that I think can be passed down and taught. I have two living brothers and they have a lot more children than I do. One thing I notice is that they get together a lot and enjoy being family.
Part of that is because of geography, they live close together. Part is the decision of the children. A large part is the atmosphere created by the parents. It is an atmosphere that started years ago and remains in force.
So? It is possible to have the generations enjoying each other. Let it start with you.
One of the joys of my life is having the “kind” (1755) of kids that are willing to spend time with their parents. KJV uses “generation”. We do not embarrass them, at least not yet. It is one of the things that I think can be passed down and taught. I have two living brothers and they have a lot more children than I do. One thing I notice is that they get together a lot and enjoy being family.
Part of that is because of geography, they live close together. Part is the decision of the children. A large part is the atmosphere created by the parents. It is an atmosphere that started years ago and remains in force.
So? It is possible to have the generations enjoying each other. Let it start with you.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Target Practice
(Pro 29:22 KJV) An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
I don’t see any qualifiers on “angry” (639). We don’t see the source of it. We have no idea if it is righteous or not. Having said that we see how it is interpreted. It is sin.
How do we know that this anger is sin? Look at the target of the anger. It is stirring things up. It seems that it is multiplied in other behaviors. This is not the anger at injustice that makes you go on long walks and ponder on how you can work on a problem in your city. This is not the emotion that drives you to read your Bible more carefully to seek truth. This is a self centered lashing out for personal gratification.
So? What is the result of our response? When I get angry on the spur of the moment I tend to want to justify myself or win some points. That is certainly not in the category of righteous.
I don’t see any qualifiers on “angry” (639). We don’t see the source of it. We have no idea if it is righteous or not. Having said that we see how it is interpreted. It is sin.
How do we know that this anger is sin? Look at the target of the anger. It is stirring things up. It seems that it is multiplied in other behaviors. This is not the anger at injustice that makes you go on long walks and ponder on how you can work on a problem in your city. This is not the emotion that drives you to read your Bible more carefully to seek truth. This is a self centered lashing out for personal gratification.
So? What is the result of our response? When I get angry on the spur of the moment I tend to want to justify myself or win some points. That is certainly not in the category of righteous.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
A Difference of One
(Pro 28:2 KJV) For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
One “man” (120) [adam] can make a difference. It would do us well to remember that. History is full of individuals who have been the pivot point of a nations destiny. While there are many vying for positions of power and influence they seem to be part of the sin of the land, the problem rather than the solution.
The one supreme example of the exception would be Jesus. While He lived few knew who He was or what He was doing. He certainly made a difference. Through the Bible you see others like Moses or the apostle Paul. Today we have people hailing Barak Obama or Donald Trump. History will need to be the judge of people alive today. We know that if George Washington had been like most modern politicians the United States would have been stillborn.
So? I am not going to turn the country around. I might, however, have influence in my neighborhood, church or workplace. I definitely will leave a mark on my family. Sobering.
One “man” (120) [adam] can make a difference. It would do us well to remember that. History is full of individuals who have been the pivot point of a nations destiny. While there are many vying for positions of power and influence they seem to be part of the sin of the land, the problem rather than the solution.
The one supreme example of the exception would be Jesus. While He lived few knew who He was or what He was doing. He certainly made a difference. Through the Bible you see others like Moses or the apostle Paul. Today we have people hailing Barak Obama or Donald Trump. History will need to be the judge of people alive today. We know that if George Washington had been like most modern politicians the United States would have been stillborn.
So? I am not going to turn the country around. I might, however, have influence in my neighborhood, church or workplace. I definitely will leave a mark on my family. Sobering.
Friday, March 27, 2020
Historically Politically Correct
(Pro 27:12 KJV) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
There are times when I wish I could go back and get into the mind of an ancient Jew so that I could read a verse in Hebrew and feel the assumptions of that culture. If you are looking at the KJV you will see that the word “man” is in italics. That means it is not in the Hebrew. This is a common occurrence as you read through the Bible. The translators assume the word and put it in. Without that assumption this becomes “the prudent sees evil...” In our modern, politically correct, virtue signaling culture some people are very sensitive to this system of “patriarchal oppression”. They would be glad to know that the original did not include it.
So? The Bible seems to clearly infer that God is not feminine. He is called Father, not Mother. Jesus was the Son, not the daughter. At the same time it is clear that the principles are applied to all, not just one group. I guess that includes me and you.
There are times when I wish I could go back and get into the mind of an ancient Jew so that I could read a verse in Hebrew and feel the assumptions of that culture. If you are looking at the KJV you will see that the word “man” is in italics. That means it is not in the Hebrew. This is a common occurrence as you read through the Bible. The translators assume the word and put it in. Without that assumption this becomes “the prudent sees evil...” In our modern, politically correct, virtue signaling culture some people are very sensitive to this system of “patriarchal oppression”. They would be glad to know that the original did not include it.
So? The Bible seems to clearly infer that God is not feminine. He is called Father, not Mother. Jesus was the Son, not the daughter. At the same time it is clear that the principles are applied to all, not just one group. I guess that includes me and you.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Fool Dogs
(Pro 26:11 KJV) As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Why does a dog “vomit” (6892)? I would imagine there are a number of reasons. One is that it ate too much and the body is relieving the pressure. I think when dogs eat grass it can lead to a purging. However you want to look at it the reason has to do with the dog’s body being smarter than the dog. Yet the dog goes for it again.
This does not say much for the fool. You may have noticed that they keep coming back to the same arguments and positions. It does not matter how many times you bring them the facts. They continue on their way to death.
So? Dogs vomiting is not an eternal issue. Fools refusing to respond to the truth of God is.
Why does a dog “vomit” (6892)? I would imagine there are a number of reasons. One is that it ate too much and the body is relieving the pressure. I think when dogs eat grass it can lead to a purging. However you want to look at it the reason has to do with the dog’s body being smarter than the dog. Yet the dog goes for it again.
This does not say much for the fool. You may have noticed that they keep coming back to the same arguments and positions. It does not matter how many times you bring them the facts. They continue on their way to death.
So? Dogs vomiting is not an eternal issue. Fools refusing to respond to the truth of God is.
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