King James Bible Study – [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. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, June 10, 2024
Chapters: PROVERBS 22-24
Message: Why Are We Here?
Hello My Friend,
Yesterday my husband and I watched my mom’s excitement and determination as she discovered that she could wheel herself around in the wheelchair. While she still struggles with short term memory loss she has come a long way and all I can say is that the only reason why she is improving is from God. It is fitting that I read this from Charles Spurgeon.
[It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary?]
We are all here for a reason and serve a purpose for God, whether we are here to serve Him, teach others to serve Him, or just live our lives through Him, we are the Lord’s, [Romans 14:6-9 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.]
My husband is enrolling in some college classes to become ordained as an evangelist, and we visited the church that we will be attending while we are there. There were only a handful of people there, and I am sure it was just an off day as we are getting into the summer season and people are going on vacations and things like that. I asked husband if he felt like he was at home there and he liked it and sees himself doing a lot there. So, while we may think that we are too old to be used of God, He has other plans. As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we are reminded that our testimony of our salvation is the most important step that we will take in order to be used of God.
[Proverbs 22:1-4,6,11-13 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.]
[There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.] This is an example of those who saw that danger was ahead and did nothing to stop it. Years ago car jacking had been on the rise and you would constantly hear these reports of people jumping into someone’s car as they were waiting for a red light. I always found two things wrong with this: One; why did they leave their car door unlocked. And two; I do not care if it is a red light, if someone is coming at you, drive through it. Now, relate this to Jesus, how many people die and end up in hell because they never received Him as their Saviour, fully knowing that they needed Him to save their soul from hell? That number is staggeringly high, [Hebrews 4:2-3 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.]
Now, with that said, many people ignorantly draw the conclusion that since Jesus was not here in the flesh prior to His passion there has to be some other way to be saved. Well, that is exactly why we are not to lean on our own understanding. I will say this until Jesus brings me home, those who were here during Old Testament days may not have known Jesus in the flesh, but they knew Him as their LORD and that He was the only one to save them. A word from the wisest man in history, listen to God and live.
[Proverbs 22:17-21 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?]
[that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?] Wow! This is the great commission in a nutshell, we who are saved are to teach those who are not about Jesus and as Jesus would say, the truth shall set them free, [John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.]
We need to be careful when Jesus sets us free from the bondage of our sin that we do not get entangled back up in that web again. It does not need to be the same sin or even our own, just being around someone who lives in sin can ruin our testimony, [Proverbs 22:24-29 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.]
[of them that are sureties for debts.] This is an example of why we ought not borrow money or anything else from family, friends, or those who might take advantage of our misfortunes. Everyone goes through a famine of some kind, but anytime we lend something to someone we need to have the mindset of Christ on this, [Luke 6:35-36 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.]
On the other hand, we should never put ourselves in a position where we borrow money or anything else that we know cannot be paid back, especially to lenders as they can care less if we are Christians who are suffering a hardship. I have been there and it took me years to recover from the deep debt that I had gotten myself into and I am still struggling with some of them. Nevertheless, the desire to have things that are within our means often comes when we see others prospering while we continue to struggle.
[Proverbs 23:1-7 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. 4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.]
[Be not desirous of his dainties:] It is so easy to get influenced by the wicked, I mean, look at how many people are suffering right now because they ate the corrupt bread that the government gave us. And I am not talking about government programs to assist with those who are truly unable to work due to hardships or illnesses beyond their control. Do you think they care one bit about our welfare? No! And this is exactly why we do not want to work to become rich, it will exhaust us to the point that we lose sight of why we are here in the first place. What I learned from my experience is to be content with what I am given and never owe anyone anything as things can change in an instant, [Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.]
Now, being content does not mean that I do not seek better things, and by better things I mean seeking the things that God wants for me. While nothing truly is secure while we are here, except our salvation as long as we are seek God’s will in what we are attempting then He will be with us every step of the way.
[Proverbs 23:10-18 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. 12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. 15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. 16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. 18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.]
[Remove not the old landmark;] We try so hard to forget the past, especially the mistakes, but we must not forget that they are what made us into who we are today. [for if thou beatest him with the rod,] This does not mean to actually beat a child with a stick, this means biblical discipline. We are to correct, and discipline them in the way that God directs us, one never wants to be so strict in their discipline that it provokes them to turn away from God, [Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.]
[Let not thine heart envy sinners:] Keep in mind that how we perceive God’s Word does come from the heart. The heart that is pure, seeks the truth, and will accept that every word is true, but the heart that is envious blinds itself from the truth, and will only accept what it wants to believe is true.
[Proverbs 23:22-25,29-32 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.]
[Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,] The desire to seek the things that the wicked has in the first place comes when we talk ourselves or I should say, the devil talks us into believing that we are not content with what we have. However, do you think you would have found Christ if your life had it been any other way? Do you think that you would have the faith, strength, and courage you have today if your life would have been any other way? God, uses each and every circumstance, even the biggest blunders we have ever made, to mold and shape us into He wants us to be.
[Proverbs 24:1-6 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.]
[and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.] This is why we cannot be by ourselves for too long, it not only makes us crazy with provoking thoughts that blind us from the truth it also causes us to make unwise decisions based on those thoughts.
[Proverbs 24:9-14 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? 13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.]
[shall not he render to every man according to his works?] Does this sound familiar? Jesus is going to judge each and every one of us according to our works, [Matthew 16:26-28 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.]
[then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.] This is not to say that true, saved, born again Christians will face hell, this is to say that they will receive rewards by how they lived their lives after they got saved, if they had the opportunity. I say if because there are many who get saved on their deathbed and that is all they could do, [Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.]
Let me tell you, the Bible is so powerful that it gives strength to the weak, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, freedom to the slave, and life to the dead. The Bible gives us the power to stand up to adversity, to win battles with its two-edged sword, and to knock Satan down on his behind. Christians who live a defeated life are not getting their power from God, they are trying to overcome their adversity in their own strength,
[Proverbs 24:16-22 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?]
[For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:] These are words to live by, in fact, I live by them on a daily basis. You see, while the just do fall from time to time because they get weak they it is the strength of Christ who picks them back up, and then He leads them to victory, [1 Corinthians 15:56-58 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Proverbs 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?]
Today’s Prayer: God, I may not be the wisest person on earth, but I am wise enough to know that it does not matter how much I have, unless you are with me, it is worthless. I have tried to do things my own way and all I did was make a mess of things, but it is that mess that led me to the truth about Your Son. Jesus, Lead me and guide me, give me Your power to live in and through You, who is my foundation, makes everything possible, and supplies me with all I need. Give me Your mercy, grace, forgiveness, direction, and a heart that trusts You to take care of my every need. Let me be a faithful witness and servant, and boldly minister the Gospel to all You place before me, and let me not become weary. When I start to fall behind, give me Your strength to catch back up, and keep moving forward until You come for me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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