King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Tuesday, June 07, 2022
Chapters: PROVERBS 13-15
Study: Double Minded Faith
Hello My Friend,
I swear that my prayer time in the morning with God fluctuates like the faucet in my kitchen, one day it is flowing like a river, the next it is just a stream trickling down. I might fail at getting everything in, but the one thing that I never fail to ask Him is to forgive me where I have failed Him. I tell you what, since God knows our heart and what is really in our thoughts, He without fail answers many of my prayers before I even say one word. It is a reminder of what Jesus said.
[Matthew 6:5-8 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.]
What Jesus was referring to is not the prayers that we ask Him daily, which are often repeated, He is referring to the chanting of the Jews, the hail Mary’s and our Fathers of the Catholics, and the five times a day that the Muslims pray, and that is just to name a few false religions. God does not hear the prayers of any of those following false religion, but He does hear the prayers of His faithful and repentant saved, born again children. I say faithful and repentant because He will not hear the prayers of those who have no remorse at all for sin, even if they are saved, [James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.]
It does not matter if we are asking God for wisdom, mercy, grace, or to save our soul, if we are asking Him in vain, which is the same as lacking faith, we are most definitely not going to receive anything from Him, expect some judgment. And as we continue in the reading of Proverbs, we are reminded that while we are all sinners, repentance keeps us in God’s favor, but any wickedness will always overthrow us.
[Proverbs 13:5-6,11-15 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.]
[but wickedness overthroweth the sinner] We cannot escape sin until we get to heaven as it is just in our nature, but we can overcome it and keep ourselves from suffering more than the natural evils that come with our nature bring, and the only way can is by being faithful and repentant in our walk with Christ. While obedience is always better than sacrifice, we do have and advocate who never fails us, [1 John 2:1-4 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.]
We are not going to know every one of the six hundred and thirteen commands that God had given Israel, if they could not, then we most certainly we could not, no matter how faithful we are. And the truth is, we do need to know them all because God had certain commands for them to follow based on where they were. For instance, their walk with Him for forty years to the promised land was not the same as when they got into the promise land, different commands were given, although the basic, common sense ones stood and just as they still do today. And truth is right there, anyone who does not keep the commands that God has given them nor has the desire to do so needs to take a serious look at their salvation because while salvation has never been based on works, our desire to follow His commands does come if we are truly serious about our faith.
[Proverbs 13:18,21-25 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.]
[Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction:] I knew a guy who would constantly complain that God would not provide for him. I would tell him over and over again that he needed to have the right attitude and stop complaining because God has given him a lot. Needless to say that we are no longer talking and for good reason, he truly did have double minded faith, which is why God’s faithful are to get away from them as soon as we figure that out, [2 John 1:9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.]
[but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.] And speaking of judgment, I told you that we have a termite issue in our house, in which we still have another month before it gets taken care of. My mom keeps asking God what we did for this to happen and I keep telling her that they were already here. We were deceived by both the previous owners and inspectors who were good at hiding problems, and now, we have no choice, but to fix it before the damage gets worse. Many of the problems we face are not always our sin, but if we do not fix the problem it will cause more and more damage. Thankfully, we have Jesus to help us.
[Proverbs 14:7-14 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. 10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.]
[The heart knoweth his own bitterness;] Their bitterness is their joy, and that is exactly why that fool never found joy in what God was blessing him with. Bitter people feed off bitterness, always complaining that they never have anything, and I tell you what, they are some of the hardest workers, but because they are so bitter about life, they exhaust themselves in their works and have nothing to show for it. And do you know what it all comes down to? Pure envy.
[Proverbs 14:18-19,25-27,30 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. 26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.]
[The evil bow before the good;] Those who evil might bask in their glory for a little while, but they will all bow before Jesus, even Satan bows before Him, and must obey Him, [James 2:19-20 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?]
[but envy the rottenness of the bones.] Envy truly is the rottenness of the bones, it destroys people because all they see is hatred over those they are envious of. I am going to say it, we all have a little bit of envy at times, but this kind of envy consumes them to the point that they do become wicked in their attempts to get what they are envious for, [Proverbs 14:32-34 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.]
[but the righteous hath hope in his death.] Where is our hope in death? Jesus Christ! And we never have to fear death because we are not dead, we are alive and when we shed this shell of a body that we carry around us, we will see Jesus. Praise God! [2 Timothy 1:7-10 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:]
[but sin is a reproach to any people.] Can you now see what we are up against in this nation? Gay pride, abortion upon until the day of birth, racism at its worst state ever, a green new deal that aims at getting rid of cows and fuel, and it is only getting worse. These are all things that contribute to these diseases that are popping up every where and not to mention, storms, famines, and uncontrollable evil, [Mark 13:7-10 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.]
They are killing themselves in their own sin, and I guarantee you that there are some praying to God and trying to find a way out, but God will not hear them unless they repent. Unfortunately we who are faithful are stuck in the middle of it all, but praise God, will overcome, [Proverbs 15:8-12 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.]
[A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him:] This is why so many people despise faithful Christians, and Christ Himself, we reveal their sin and they cannot stand that. There is a very sad truth that these are often the very people who worship and praise God and are flaunting their sin like they are on some runway show for all to see. And God will have nothing to do with them, [Proverbs 15:29-33 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.]
[He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul:] Did you ever notice protesters? Oh, they appear to have good hearts, fighting for causes of humanity, but they are rude, destructive, and quite cruel, especially if you do not agree with their views. Gun control, women’s rights, equal rights, racism, alternative lifestyles, the list goes on and on. And I will tell you what, God is not against protesting, what is is against is those who refuse to pay attention to what is really going on, the condoning of their sin, and having no regard for their own soul, [Jeremiah 11:7-8 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.]
[and before honour is humility.] We must fall before we can stand! Jesus said it this way, and that is all we need to know to please God, [Luke 18:11-14 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.]
Today’s Prayer: God, You have not given every saved born again sinner the power of fear, but the power of our faith. We are saved by Your grace through our faith in what Your Son, Jesus Christ, has done to save our souls. Thank You for being slow to anger, and giving us the opportunity to know the truth and accept Him once and for all as our Saviour. Although we are prone to falling, and although we are prone to backslide, we are Yours and nothing we ever do will take our salvation away. However, You do expect more from us after we get saved, You expect us to be faithful, repentant, and a witness, bit the only way we can be any of those things is through Your power, strength, mercy, and grace as we read and study Your Word and apply it to our walk with You. Lord, lead us and guide us, grow us and strengthen our faith, let us be bold, take a stand, and ready to give them an answer for the hope that inside of us. I ask these things in Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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