Our Great King is Coming!
Dec 31
"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)
There are many glorious promises associated with the great promise that Christ Himself shall once again appear in person here on planet earth. For example, Paul says:
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:4).
Similarly, the apostle Peter promises: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4). The writer of Hebrews first reminds us of His former appearance on earth:
"But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26).
Proverbs and the Problem of Fools
Dec 30"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:21
What are the practices of a fool?
A fool gets into arguments easily
"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." Proverbs 18:6-7
See also: Proverbs 20:3
A fool is always in the habit of stirring up strife - being more interested in starting arguments than avoiding them
A fool treats sin lightly
"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom." Proverbs 10:23
See also: Proverbs 13:19; 14:9; Ecclesiastes 5:1
A characteristic of a fool is not interested in avoiding evil but instead, participating in its practices. He mocks goodness in order to enjoy evil.
A fool responds to seduction easily and quickly
"With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life." Proverbs 7:21-23
See also: Matthew 26:41
A fool, just as an ox who dumbly follows a narrow path to the slaughter house, dumbly follows after sin's temptations - not realizing death is right around the corner.
Proverbs and the Problem of Wisdom
Dec 23"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to recognize the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and uprightness; to give sense to the simple, knowledge and judgment to the young man; the wise hears and increases learning; and understanding ones get wisdom; to understand a proverb and its meaning; the words of the wise, and their acute sayings. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is the attribute of God by which He creates, sustains and controls all things:
"The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew." Proverbs 3:19-20
See also: Proverbs 8:10-31
Everything we feel, see, act upon, experience and live out in this life is controlled by with wisdom of God. Wisdom also shows how foolish we are - and allows us to see what God expects from us.
Proper Use of Prophesying…
Dec 22
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10
In the Word of God; Paul's instruction to the church about this unique and wonderful gift and the purpose for its use - is made clear. It seems good then, to return to the scriptures and see what God actually says about the gifting of "prophesy", its correct use and more.
In the last book of the Bible, brother John has fallen at the feet of an angel in worship. The angle proceeds to sharply rebuke John's misguided and emotional response to what he was witnessing in heaven concerning "last things":
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, 'See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.'" Revelation 19:10
Our Perfect God
Dec 21
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
Since God is Creator of the universe, all that He does is right, and all He says is truth, by definition. The world He created was perfected; the Word He authored is perfect; every work He accomplishes is perfect; all the ways He follows are perfect, and the will He reveals is perfect.
His perfect world: "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). Of course, because of sin, the creation is now groaning in pain, but it was perfect as it came from God in the beginning. It will again be perfect in the ages to come, when God makes "all things new" (Revelation 21:5).
His perfect Word: "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7). God has given us His inspired Word, providing perfect guidance for every need, "that the man of God may be perfect" (2 Timothy 3:17).
English