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: Thursday, June 17, 2021
Chapters: Proverbs 25-26
Message: For The Glory of God
Hello My Friend,
Do you ever wonder what the world was like when Job and Abraham were around? They were incredibly wealthy and knew it was because they were blessed by God for their faithfulness to Him. Even though they had no Bible to follow, they followed Him by faith. Well, most of the world was pretty dark back then, full of sin, so God decided that He was not going to focus on all the people, just one people, His people. God decided to create a nation that would follow Him wholeheartedly, and perhaps the rest of the world would catch on and follow too, [John 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.]
God never intended for only one nation to be His, well, He wanted one nation under Him, but not according to heritage as we might think, but according to faith. God’s people are not one race, they are one people, one nations, joined together by faith, and He takes care of every one of them, even when they are not so faithful. As Christians, it is important that we live our lives in a way that gives glory to God at all times.
[Proverbs 25:1-4 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.]
[which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.] I just read a commentary that Hezekiah found these Proverbs two hundred and seventy years after the death of Solomon. We may not need the Bible to honor God, but it is what He has given us to know how to honor Him. You see, the Bible is alive, it speaks to us, or rather the Holy Spirit speaks to us as we read it and He teaches us how to remove the dross from our lives, meaning the sinful things that need purging from our lives. Why? So that we may become vessels of honor, [2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.]
[Glory; Honor; praise; fame; renown; celebrity.] Saved, born again Christians represent Jesus Christ, everything we do ought to give glory to Him. While we might fall from time to time, God’s grace is what picks us back up and gets us going and moving onward. God wants us to have an amazing and prosperous life here, but He also wants us to be the best that we can be if for no other reason than it being the right thing to do. We are to be humble, not so proud that we seek recognition by attracting the attention of the elite with their flesh.
[Proverbs 25:6-10 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.]
[Come up hither;] This sounds a lot like what Jesus was talking about, [Luke 14:8-11 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.]
People want to be noticed and recognized by great men or women in an attempt to be noticed and recognized themselves just for being around them. Believe it or not, great people of this world are not billionaires, ivy leagues, and government leaders that climb their way up by deception, they are God fearing, and treat each other as equals. And let me tell you, sometimes it is best to keep things from your past to yourself. God knows what we have done and what He has forgiven us for, not everyone needs to know those deep dark secrets or it may be the only thing we are remembered by. You know, people who are quick to rush into judgment before they know the facts are often in denial or hiding their own wrong doing in hopes that theirs will be justified or not exposed. God calls people who engage in such matters tale bearers or false witnesses.
[Proverbs 25:18-22 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.]
[Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble] [Maul; To beat and bruise with a heavy stick or cudgel; to wound in a coarse manner.] It is one thing to talk to someone about a matter, it is another to brutally attack someone verbally, especially when they do not know the whole matter. It is a sad fact that Christians are quick to tear others apart based on their own judgment. When Jesus confronts us about our sin, He does not tear us apart, He does not add to the charges or make up things about us, He does not condemn is for the rest of our lives while we are here, He tells us we are forgiven, and sin no more, [John 8:10-11 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.]
You see, what happens, and this is why there are not many Christians who are wealthy, the more prosperous we become the more we desire. Then it is no longer about God’s glory, rather what we have done for ourselves. Wealth and fame always leads to greed if we do not remain humble, [Proverbs 25:16,26-28 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.]
[He that hath no rule over his own spirit] Those who have no control over their own spirit are quick to act out through them, often losing everything that is of true value. To keep ourselves humble we need to walk in God’s Spirit, [Galatians 5:16-17,25-26 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.]
[Fool; A wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral character.] In this world it is much too common for glory to be given to fools, those who are unworthy and unfit to even be in the positions they are in, but somehow are preferred over the qualified.
[Proverbs 26:3-5,8-12 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.]
[As a dog returneth to his vomit,] I often think of this verse every time I get sick after eating gluten when I know I cannot eat it. Well, because I had continued to keep eating it it has made me severely anemic and now I do have to follow a strict diet to allow my intestines to heal. While we all do some foolish things sometimes, the real fool has no shame, they will sell their soul for the right price. The fool is compared to the untamed horse that needs a whip for correction and the unruly donkey that needs a restraint for guidance. The fool will often get corrected for their actions, yet remain unruly, often becoming a snare rather than an asset to those who put their trust in them, but those who put their faith in Jesus Christ will have their reward, [2 John 1:7-8 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.]
Yes, we have all been foolish about something, but you learn, you move on, and you grow, but the real fool never learns and keeps doing the same thing over and over again. Never let a fool have rule over you, and never let them knock you down, if they do, never let them keep you down, get back up, you are better than that, you have a lot going for yourself, you belong to Jesus, and He knows the truth about you. Have you heard the way some people talk when they try to justify their reason for doing the horrible things they do? They really do sound down right foolish.
[Proverbs 26:23-28 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.]
[for there are seven abominations in his heart.] I had a client that was so irritate with me that she resorted to screaming and spreading lies about me, she did not want a solution to the problem, she wanted to make me look bad because she felt bad. What it all came down to was that she lost her son and used that loss as a way to manipulate people into doing things for her, and nothing I said was going to make her happy. This happened several years ago, but it still affects me because lies hurt, which is why we are to choose our words wisely, [James 3:5-6,13 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.]
Jesus Christ Magnified: [Proverbs 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for your mercy and grace to save a sinner like me. Thank You, for opening my heart and giving me the knowledge needed to accept Your Son as my Saviour so that I would be saved from the punishment of eternal death and hell for my sin. There is nothing I will ever do that could ever take my salvation away, and for that I am eternally grateful. Forgive me where I failed You, and hear my prayers. Lord, You are the Judge, there is not one thing that You do not know about me, and yet, Your mercy endures. Lead me and guide me, let me not be ashamed or fear coming to You, rather run to You confessing all my sin and allowing You to cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. Teach me to use my words wisely, with love and compassion, and search out the matter before I respond. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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