Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.
(11) If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk
secretly for the innocent without cause; (12) Let us swallow them alive like
Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; (13) We shall find all
kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; (14)
Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"-- (15) My son, do not
walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; (16) For their
feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. (17) Surely, in vain the
net is spread In the sight of any bird; (18) But they lie in wait for their own
blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. (19) So are the ways of
everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.
Now, God is going to gives us some advice for life and it's
troubles. Again, I love the "my son" that He says. That is always an
encouragement for me, and I hope it is for you as well. Ok, so first we see a
clear direction from God in verse 10. Also we see the first step in falling into
sin. Some might say that it's not the young man's fault but, it's because he
got in with the wrong crowd. However, it was his choice to be there and he
consented to do what they want to do, so it his fault. No one can make us
sin. The choice is always up to us wether we sin or not. We need to not
consent to sinners! We need to have some backbone and just say "NAY! I
will not do this evil in the sight of my God!" It may not even be someone who
is enticing you to sin but, you yourself. Do not be deceived, all of us have a
sinful mind and think things that we should not. It is then that we should take
every evil thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That means that when
we think something evil, which will happen, we need to say the same thing
to ourselves that we say to sinners who entice us, "Nay! I will not do this evil
in the sight of my God!" You might have to say it more than once, your
enemy doesn't listen very well and if you are like me, I am my own worst
enemy. So, for me, I must say this to myself a whole lot each day. The
enticement doesn't simply go away either. That guy will come back again
and again until we are finally called home to be with the Lord. However, do
not lose heart, for the Lord our God is with us every second of everyday. He
will neither leave nor forsake those who are in Him.
Verses 11-14 speak of the things that sinners will entice you with.
They lure you with riches, with the thrill or doing bad and getting away with
it, and with the friendship of having one purse. For some, it will be easy to
say no, or nay, to these things. However, there are a lot more things that
they can, or you yourself can, lure you with. We have a threefold enemy!
Their names are the flesh, the world, and satan. The flesh is yours and my
first enemy. The one that is always there to give his opinion on what to do
but, never is a good opinion. The world is anything in this world that turns
you from God's ways and Himself. And we all know who satan is, he is the
one who tries so hard to turn every believer from God to himself. The only
good thing about him is that if he is after you then you know you are where
you should be. Because he doesn't need to touch those who are not doing
God's will.
Now verses 15-19, I believe is God directly telling us the
consquences of following such evil ways. Again, I love and say it is from
God because of the "my son" in the beginning. He is saying clearly not to do
it, and without yelling I might add. God love us so much to tell us the reason
why we shouldn't comit sin. He says that these people wait for their own
blood! They set a trap but, they are the ones who fall in it! The price of
greed is the life of the one being greedy! So, God our Father, says to stay
far from them and not go the way they go. Again, we are as much a sinner
as these people but, we have been freed from sins power over us through
the blood of Jesus Christ! We are still going to sin day by day but, we have
the choice to sin or not, while those who don't have Christ haven't that
choice. And when we do sin, we can run back to Jesus and ask for
forgiveness but, that doesn't mean we can keep on doing the same thing
over and over because He will forgive us. No! We need also to repent of
that sin and never do it again. This is, of course, easier said than done but,
God through Jesus Christ gives us the power to do so.
I am so excited to continue in God's word and will for my life and
hope that you are as well. There is no better life than that of being in God's
family!
Praise be to God for His love and warning to us all.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Parental Guidance
(Proverbs 1:8) My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: (Proverbs 1:9) For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.
I know that not everybody has had great parents to teach them right and wrong. However, we all have the Lord God Almighty and He wrote the bible. So, all these Proverbs are from Him to us as His parental guidance for us. As a father who loves His children, He gives us instruction on how to live. I love two words that He uses, "my son". Those two words always send me into the thought of His love. Even though I mess up, fail Him, and betray Him. He still loves me and wants me. there is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love.
Now on to the text. The first verse is pretty easy to understand. Listen to your mother and father. Now like before, I said not everybody has great or christian parents but, we need to listen to them. So, long as they don't contradict what God would have you do. An example would be like if your unbelieving, or even your believing parents, told you to jump off a cliff or kill yourself! Obviously this is not of God's plan for you. However, if they tell you to look both ways before crossing the street, that is good guidance and God has just used them to teach you. I can't tell you everything that is from God, for I am not in your position and I'm still learning all that is from God. So, in order to know what is from God, we must all read the bible to learn. Because it is His instruction manuel on life and His parental guidance to us.
Now the next verse tells us in a poetic way what happens when we listen to the wisdom of our parents (God is included in that of our parents). The verse is saying that by heeding the wise counsel and teachings of our parents (again, God is included in that of our parents). By being obedient, we bring honor and moral beauty to our lives and it shines to those around us. The chaplet on our head is like a crown and the chains about our neck is like a beautiful neckless. These things are flashy but, are not the kind that says "I'm so much better than you!" No, things are a good kind of flashy things that can ultimately point people to Jesus and lead them to His saving grace. So, by being wise and listening to our parents (you know who is included in that). We can be a better witness for God. People always know if a child acts bad that his parents aren't doing a good job. So, good behavior reflects "All" of our parents.
I have great parents who love the Lord and have taught me the same. I praise God for them and my entire family, not just by blood but, through Jesus Christ as well. We all have the greatest Father in the universe who loves every single one of us! This is very encouraging to me and I hope it is to you too.
Proverbs is, in my opinion, God's parental guidance to all of His children on the planet earth that He created! I will continue to read and learn from that of my Heavenly Father who loves all His children.
Praise be to God for parents and the way He uses them for our benefit and theirs.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Fear
(Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
This verse is known as the key verse for the whole book of Proverbs. First we looked at the way in which we can understand a proverb and the words of the wise but, now we are going to look at a contrast between those who revere the Lord and those who do not. It is very important to think about where you stand in all of this as well.
First and foremost we are going to look at what it means by the "fear" of the Lord. This word fear is very interesting that it doesn't mean to be afraid. This kind of fear that it is talking about is reverent fear. An example for me would be the "fear" or reverence I have for my parents. In as much that I turn to them when I need advice. This reverence is also a kind of love and dependency on the one or ones being revered. I'll be the first to admit that I have not revered God as I should. I am learning more and more what it means to revere Him. And so we come to the first question. Are you revering God like you should, think about that for a moment. Do you fear God more than you fear man? These are simple questions but, none the less important to be asked from time to time. Just to stop and think about your standing with your Creator. I've been thinking of this question for a while now and fell to my knees in repentance for the way I'd been acting in His Holy presence. The experience was very humbling but, I want to remember it and move forward with God than without Him. I could actually just turn from His rebuke and walk away but, that would be folly!
Now lets talk about that, folly. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. first of all, the word fool means, lacks wisdom also, The word despise is not a pretty word, and it is an intense word. It doesn't mean, does not like wisdom and instruction. No, it means hates, rejects, and refuses wisdom and instruction. Hate in itself is a strong word. Jesus said that if you hate someone, it's the same as killing them. One who lacks wisdom, you would think, would want to gain wisdom. That isn't always the case though. Some people would rather live in sin and not want to hear people tell them the truth. They are satisfied with the lie. So much so that they even attack the truth and group up with those who are like them, and this gives them a feeling of being right. Now the question is, do you hate it when people tell you the truth? Even when they are being sincere when they are telling you that you are doing something wrong? Maybe that you need to change? I don't always like it myself but, God has taught me through my parents and being here in Guatemala to listen to rebuke or wise counsel when it comes, and it will come. Trust me.
I hope you have learned something from this and I sincerely hope you will think on what I asked you. Because I asked God, before I wrote this to tell me what to write and I believe He did. So in affect it wasn't me asking you those questions but, God Himself. That is a cool thing to think about when reading the WORD OF GOD! That it is from Him to us!
My plan is to keep on reading through Proverbs to gain more of God's wisdom and I pray that He gives it to me for He is the giver of wisdom.
Praise be to God for His word and love in that He sent it down to a people who don't deserve it.
This verse is known as the key verse for the whole book of Proverbs. First we looked at the way in which we can understand a proverb and the words of the wise but, now we are going to look at a contrast between those who revere the Lord and those who do not. It is very important to think about where you stand in all of this as well.
First and foremost we are going to look at what it means by the "fear" of the Lord. This word fear is very interesting that it doesn't mean to be afraid. This kind of fear that it is talking about is reverent fear. An example for me would be the "fear" or reverence I have for my parents. In as much that I turn to them when I need advice. This reverence is also a kind of love and dependency on the one or ones being revered. I'll be the first to admit that I have not revered God as I should. I am learning more and more what it means to revere Him. And so we come to the first question. Are you revering God like you should, think about that for a moment. Do you fear God more than you fear man? These are simple questions but, none the less important to be asked from time to time. Just to stop and think about your standing with your Creator. I've been thinking of this question for a while now and fell to my knees in repentance for the way I'd been acting in His Holy presence. The experience was very humbling but, I want to remember it and move forward with God than without Him. I could actually just turn from His rebuke and walk away but, that would be folly!
Now lets talk about that, folly. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. first of all, the word fool means, lacks wisdom also, The word despise is not a pretty word, and it is an intense word. It doesn't mean, does not like wisdom and instruction. No, it means hates, rejects, and refuses wisdom and instruction. Hate in itself is a strong word. Jesus said that if you hate someone, it's the same as killing them. One who lacks wisdom, you would think, would want to gain wisdom. That isn't always the case though. Some people would rather live in sin and not want to hear people tell them the truth. They are satisfied with the lie. So much so that they even attack the truth and group up with those who are like them, and this gives them a feeling of being right. Now the question is, do you hate it when people tell you the truth? Even when they are being sincere when they are telling you that you are doing something wrong? Maybe that you need to change? I don't always like it myself but, God has taught me through my parents and being here in Guatemala to listen to rebuke or wise counsel when it comes, and it will come. Trust me.
I hope you have learned something from this and I sincerely hope you will think on what I asked you. Because I asked God, before I wrote this to tell me what to write and I believe He did. So in affect it wasn't me asking you those questions but, God Himself. That is a cool thing to think about when reading the WORD OF GOD! That it is from Him to us!
My plan is to keep on reading through Proverbs to gain more of God's wisdom and I pray that He gives it to me for He is the giver of wisdom.
Praise be to God for His word and love in that He sent it down to a people who don't deserve it.
Friday, January 3, 2014
The Know How
Proverbs 1:1-6
1 The poverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, Judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a poverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The first verse is just to let you know where these proverbs are coming from and there are coming from king Solomon. King Solomon was one of the wisest men in the world. God gave Solomon a choice between riches or wisdom and Solomon chose wisdom. Therefore these proverbs are ultimatly from God since He is the giver of wisdom.
The next four verses tie into the last one. To do all these things is how you understand a poverb and an enigma, also the words of the wise and their riddles. Lets start with the second verse. Do we know wisdom and instruction when we hear it? Do we understand the words spoken to us by not only God but, those He puts in our path to help correct or guide us? I acually suggest getting a dictionary and learn a new word everyday. This is how you will perceive words of understanding. Simple as that.
Number three, Do we receive the instructions given to us well? Do we know what Justice, Judgment and equity are? Justice is what is right, Judgment is deciding what is right, and equity, is giving every decision the same value. Therefore, after you decide what is right, do what is right, and give everything your full attention.
Number four, give prudence, knowledge, and discretion to the young and the simple. This verse pretty much explains itself. Tell the young and simple what is right and everything they need to know. Notice though that it doesn't say only the young. There are plenty of people who need to know what is right that aren't young. Then in five you find out if the person you are telling what is right is wise. A wise man listens, something everyone should do. Keep an open mind in what is being said to you. You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you talk.
Verses two to five tie into six. So, in short, you must listen to wise people, learn new words, know what is right, and then, and only then, you can teach the same to the young and simple. I myself plan on doing all of this and I should if I expect to understand all the proverbs in this book.
Praise God for wisdom and instruction.
1 The poverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, Judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a poverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.
The first verse is just to let you know where these proverbs are coming from and there are coming from king Solomon. King Solomon was one of the wisest men in the world. God gave Solomon a choice between riches or wisdom and Solomon chose wisdom. Therefore these proverbs are ultimatly from God since He is the giver of wisdom.
The next four verses tie into the last one. To do all these things is how you understand a poverb and an enigma, also the words of the wise and their riddles. Lets start with the second verse. Do we know wisdom and instruction when we hear it? Do we understand the words spoken to us by not only God but, those He puts in our path to help correct or guide us? I acually suggest getting a dictionary and learn a new word everyday. This is how you will perceive words of understanding. Simple as that.
Number three, Do we receive the instructions given to us well? Do we know what Justice, Judgment and equity are? Justice is what is right, Judgment is deciding what is right, and equity, is giving every decision the same value. Therefore, after you decide what is right, do what is right, and give everything your full attention.
Number four, give prudence, knowledge, and discretion to the young and the simple. This verse pretty much explains itself. Tell the young and simple what is right and everything they need to know. Notice though that it doesn't say only the young. There are plenty of people who need to know what is right that aren't young. Then in five you find out if the person you are telling what is right is wise. A wise man listens, something everyone should do. Keep an open mind in what is being said to you. You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you talk.
Verses two to five tie into six. So, in short, you must listen to wise people, learn new words, know what is right, and then, and only then, you can teach the same to the young and simple. I myself plan on doing all of this and I should if I expect to understand all the proverbs in this book.
Praise God for wisdom and instruction.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Discouragement
Mark 10:9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let no man
separate."
I am going to share with you all something I don't like sharing. I
want a wife. That's it plain and simple or, so it sounds. I've never had a
girlfriend before or any thing like that. I've tried and was told that I wasn't
their type. I found out later that I was told that because women often want
the bad boys. Of which I can't, because of my conscience, even try to
become. Some people that I am close with told me that there is a lady out
there for me but, this only brought me into depression because I didn't
believe it. For I have heard that so many times it got to be monotones. I then
just asked God if such a woman exists. He told me she does and I rejoiced
and since I didn't know Her name I call her Stardust. That happened when I
was 19. I am now 24 and still waiting with no prospects in sight. Know that I
am not purposely looking for her. It's just something that I am anticipating.
However, I got discouraged at the age of 21. I knew that God said
she exists but, I got discouraged. That discouragement sent me down a
spiral that I wish that no one would ever go down. I did things I regret and
forever will regret. Yet God met me there and lifted me up from " My pit of
despair." I say "my pit" because I put myself there. I need reminding of His
promise and He gave to me in His word, though I forget where it was. It
simply said "do you not know that God is faithful?" I needed that. He made
sure I wouldn't forget those words too. Because here I am 24 and getting
discouraged again. I am hearing of people getting together and people back
home getting married. It honestly is hard to hear those things.
However, I am not going to get discouraged because I know that it
paralyzes and stops me and anyone who gets discouraged to stop doing
the work we are called to. God gave Mark 10:9 as an encouragement.
Because from where He stands, I am already married. So this verse is my
confirmation verse and a verse to look to when this poison of
discouragement gets into me because it is only a matter of time before I it
comes again. Thank you for listening to a tired old story and I hope it helped
you some how.
Praise God for Stardust and His words of comfort and
encouragement.
separate."
I am going to share with you all something I don't like sharing. I
want a wife. That's it plain and simple or, so it sounds. I've never had a
girlfriend before or any thing like that. I've tried and was told that I wasn't
their type. I found out later that I was told that because women often want
the bad boys. Of which I can't, because of my conscience, even try to
become. Some people that I am close with told me that there is a lady out
there for me but, this only brought me into depression because I didn't
believe it. For I have heard that so many times it got to be monotones. I then
just asked God if such a woman exists. He told me she does and I rejoiced
and since I didn't know Her name I call her Stardust. That happened when I
was 19. I am now 24 and still waiting with no prospects in sight. Know that I
am not purposely looking for her. It's just something that I am anticipating.
However, I got discouraged at the age of 21. I knew that God said
she exists but, I got discouraged. That discouragement sent me down a
spiral that I wish that no one would ever go down. I did things I regret and
forever will regret. Yet God met me there and lifted me up from " My pit of
despair." I say "my pit" because I put myself there. I need reminding of His
promise and He gave to me in His word, though I forget where it was. It
simply said "do you not know that God is faithful?" I needed that. He made
sure I wouldn't forget those words too. Because here I am 24 and getting
discouraged again. I am hearing of people getting together and people back
home getting married. It honestly is hard to hear those things.
However, I am not going to get discouraged because I know that it
paralyzes and stops me and anyone who gets discouraged to stop doing
the work we are called to. God gave Mark 10:9 as an encouragement.
Because from where He stands, I am already married. So this verse is my
confirmation verse and a verse to look to when this poison of
discouragement gets into me because it is only a matter of time before I it
comes again. Thank you for listening to a tired old story and I hope it helped
you some how.
Praise God for Stardust and His words of comfort and
encouragement.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Where would I be?
Romans 8:1 " There is therefore now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according
to the Spirit."
A thought I do not like to entertain is the thought of where I would be without Jesus. I don't like to think of it because of how grim it would be. Ultimately, I would be in Hell, burning forever! With no hope, love, mercy, or grace. However, on our temporal plain of existence. I could've been I murderer, taking lives from people and maybe even sending people to Hell. I could've been a thief, stealing from others and making their lives miserable. Maybe even to the point where they commit suicide. I could've been fornicator, treating women as a form of entertainment and pleasure. Having children but, leaving them fatherless. Destroying families and causing those children to do the same. Families need a father and a mother to show the children how a family should be. To be a living the example of love. I could've done so much harm in this world and laughed at it.
However, this is not the case. God gave me a family that lives that example of what a family should be like. They showed me love at every turn and because of them I have Jesus in my life. God called me to Himself before I was born by working in my parents' lives. I praise God for my family and the example of love they have shown me.
Now if you don't have that, don't think you are not reachable. Each of us have different backgrounds and stories and that is the beauty of it. All that we have done and went through cannot separate us from God and His love. He wants us to come to Him but, He will not force us to come. We must choose Him. If you have chosen Him, REJOICE!!! Because " There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Heaven has never seemed
so close.
I will never forget the day I first believed, I was a little child and my Dad told me of the way. My Dad and Mom told all of their children of Jesus and that He is the Saviour. More importantly he told us that we are sinners and we need Jesus to be saved from Hell. Thank you Dad, I love you.
Praise God for "all" that happens, for He is glorified through our lives.
who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according
to the Spirit."
A thought I do not like to entertain is the thought of where I would be without Jesus. I don't like to think of it because of how grim it would be. Ultimately, I would be in Hell, burning forever! With no hope, love, mercy, or grace. However, on our temporal plain of existence. I could've been I murderer, taking lives from people and maybe even sending people to Hell. I could've been a thief, stealing from others and making their lives miserable. Maybe even to the point where they commit suicide. I could've been fornicator, treating women as a form of entertainment and pleasure. Having children but, leaving them fatherless. Destroying families and causing those children to do the same. Families need a father and a mother to show the children how a family should be. To be a living the example of love. I could've done so much harm in this world and laughed at it.
However, this is not the case. God gave me a family that lives that example of what a family should be like. They showed me love at every turn and because of them I have Jesus in my life. God called me to Himself before I was born by working in my parents' lives. I praise God for my family and the example of love they have shown me.
Now if you don't have that, don't think you are not reachable. Each of us have different backgrounds and stories and that is the beauty of it. All that we have done and went through cannot separate us from God and His love. He wants us to come to Him but, He will not force us to come. We must choose Him. If you have chosen Him, REJOICE!!! Because " There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Heaven has never seemed
so close.
I will never forget the day I first believed, I was a little child and my Dad told me of the way. My Dad and Mom told all of their children of Jesus and that He is the Saviour. More importantly he told us that we are sinners and we need Jesus to be saved from Hell. Thank you Dad, I love you.
Praise God for "all" that happens, for He is glorified through our lives.
Monday, December 2, 2013
And Even More Life
Hello again everyone. Sam here with a little update. We did our last kid's club for a while but they will be back next year. Until then, we will be doing a few other things. One thing we will be doing is volunteer work at a hospital slash mentally disabled care facility. I honestly am very uneasy in a hospital. I just don't like them but, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We might also be doing more out reaches in Antigua, or maybe even Guatemala City. We have a team from Florida here now and they are going to help with the hospital and even maybe the out reaches. Please pray for us all, the battle is very real here and all of us can feel it.
Sometimes I feel like a soldier on the frontlines, It is hard to be away from family. Especially now, since I was always there during Christmas. However, God has me here for a reason and I am glad to be here.
Praise be to God for all that He does and more. Merry Christmas :)
Last Kid's club
Us all packed in the car!
Sometimes I feel like a soldier on the frontlines, It is hard to be away from family. Especially now, since I was always there during Christmas. However, God has me here for a reason and I am glad to be here.
Praise be to God for all that He does and more. Merry Christmas :)
And my first Thanksgiving away from home!
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