Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 10-2010

Proverbs 10:11

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Your mouth is an opening to your heart. It is a passageway that lets out what is in your heart. A righteous man has a good and noble heart, and his mouth is a well of life to those around him. He comforts, encourages, and instructs them. A wicked man has an evil heart, and his mouth is covered with violence. He hurts and destroys those around him.

You can know the heart of a man by his speech (10:20). While many like to say, “You do not know my heart,” it is easy to know their hearts by the kind of words that come from their lips. Gentle, gracious, helpful, kind, and modest speech proves a virtuous heart. But caustic, critical, cruel, harsh, negative, and slanderous words prove a depraved heart.

The Lord Jesus Christ explained this proverb. He said, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matt 12:34-35).

This proverb is an observation by Solomon. You can measure a person’s character by their speech. A good man knows what words are acceptable, and he says them at the right time (10:32; 15:23; 25:11). It makes you want to kiss his lips (24:26)! He speaks with a good purpose – to comfort, heal, encourage, teach, or warn (13:14; 15:7). He adds to the peace, pleasure, and prosperity of those around him (12:18; 15:26; 16:24; 18:4).

A wicked man cannot rule his mouth, so it spews forth the volcanic evil of his heart. He talks far more than he should (15:2,28; Eccl 10:12-14). The harsh, hateful, and sarcastic sword of his mouth leaves those around him bleeding (12:18; Ps 52:2). He feels no pang of conscience or remorse for ruining the reputations of others by backbiting, slandering, talebearing, or whispering (26:20-28). He is a false witness and liar (14:5; 18:21; 25:18).

The proverb has two metaphors. How is the mouth of a righteous man a well of life? It is a place where refreshing speech can satisfy your longings and invigorate your soul! How does violence cover the mouth of the wicked? There are no refreshing waters in his mouth, for his mouth is only violent. Compare “covereth” elsewhere (Ps 73:6; Jer 3:25).

Reader, what will you do with this lesson? Do others crave your words and conversation like a thirsty man craves a well? Does your speech bless and enhance their lives? Or do others dread being around you, because your words are critical, negative, and destructive? If you have unsavory speech, confess it to God, and beg for a new heart!

Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 9-2010

Listen to this wonderful Psalm. Here in Psalm 9 David praises the Lord, the righteous Judge, for destroying

the wicked (vv. 1-10), exhorts the people to praise Him (vv. 11-12), and calls upon God to destroy the

wicked so the righteous may be delivered (vv. 13-20.

Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 8-2010

Proverbs 8:1-36

In Proverbs 8 wisdom is exalted. Wisdom is personified and appeals for all to receive her instuction. Below is a short video on this wonderful Proverb. I trust you will be refreshed as you catch the qualities of wisdom from God’s Word.

Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 7-2010

What Jesus Saw

“And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following.” (John 1:37-38)

There are seven times in the Gospel of John where “Jesus saw” something which led Him to action. First, when Jesus saw the two disciples mentioned in our text, He invited them to come with Him, and their lives were changed forever. Then, the next day “Jesus saw Nathanael” (John 1:47) and also called him as one of the twelve disciples.

At the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, there was a man who had been crippled for 38 years. But “when Jesus saw him” (John 5:6), He healed him and made him whole. Back in Galilee, as He was teaching His disciples, “Jesus . . . saw a great company come unto him” (John 6:5), and this soon led to the great miracle of the feeding of 5,000 men with just five loaves and two small fishes.

Another great miracle took place, presumably in Jerusalem. As He was passing by, “Jesus . . . saw a man which was blind from his birth” (John 9:1) and proceeded to open his eyes. At the small town of Bethany, a close friend of Jesus named Lazarus was worse than blind–he was dead! His two sisters, Mary and Martha, along with many friends, were mourning bitterly when Jesus finally came. But “when Jesus therefore saw . . . |Mary| weeping” (John 11:33), He also wept and then called for Lazarus, already dead for four days, to come forth alive from the grave, and he came!

Then, at the cross as He was being crucified, His own mother was there, as well as His beloved disciple John. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother” (John 19:26), He commissioned John to care for her after He was gone.

Our Lord Jesus does see us, and sees our needs, and He does care. And there is a soon-coming day when He “shall wipe away all tears from |our| eyes” (Revelation 21:4). HMM (From Pray & Praise)

Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 6-2010

  Blessing In the City

“If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, blessed shalt thou be in the city.” Deut. 28:2, 3

The city is full of care, and he who has to go there from day to day finds it to be a place of great wear and tear. It is full of noise, and stir, and bustle, and sore travail: many are its temptations, losses, and worries. But to go there with the divine blessing takes off the edge of its difficulty; to remain there with that blessing is to find pleasure in its duties, and strength equal to its demands.

A blessing in the city may not make us great, but it will keep us good; it may not make us rich, but it will preserve us honest. Whether we are porters, or clerks, or managers, or merchants, or magistrates, the city will afford us opportunities for usefulness. It is good fishing where there are shoals of fish, and it is hopeful to work for our Lord amid the thronging crowds. We might prefer the quiet of a country life; but if called to town, we may certainly prefer it because there is room for our energies.

Today let us expect good things because of this promise, and let our care be to have an open ear to the voice of the Lord, and a ready hand to execute His bidding. Obedience brings the blessing. “In keeping his commandments there is great reward.”

—Faith’s Checkbook

Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 5-2010

 

 

Proverbs 5:7

Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

Here are important words of warning from a father to his children! Can you detect his anxious care for them? Can you discern his fear that they might neglect or reject his advice? What was the grave danger? Solomon the loving father warned his children against fornication, or sexual activity outside of a legitimate Christian marriage (5:1-23).

Sexual temptation is one of the greatest threats to youth. There are two reasons for this danger – the bodily and social lusts are powerful, and the consequences are terrible. If a father loves his children, he will make every effort to protect them from this temptation and its life-wrecking results. Because of inborn folly in youth, he must exhort strongly.

The temptations to sexual sins are very powerful, especially for youth. They have young bodies with the highest levels of sex hormones. They are foolish and cannot see the pain that lies ahead for cheating. They are driven by peer pressure to acquire friends of the opposite sex, which often causes sexual compromise. They generally have excessive freedom and numerous carnal activities that lead to frivolity and opportunities for sin.

The consequences are terrible. Of course, the foolish young person, without proper instruction and warnings, will never appreciate the danger. They cannot rightly dread the shame, the guilt, the loss of virginity, the unwanted pregnancy, the emotional scars, the painful memories, the loss of fellowship with God, the strained relationships, the sexual bondage, the defiled conscience, the sexual diseases, the difficulty of moving forward, the broken trust, the feelings of worthlessness, the impaired intimate ability, and so on.

Today’s profane generation makes it worse! Fornication, or casual sex as they call it, is normal, wonderful, and painless. They promote it by lascivious songs, movies, novels, and magazines. They promote it by immodest clothing and immoral activities. They ridicule purity and virginity. They despise parental authority that limits activities with the opposite sex. They denigrate marriage. They provide easy birth control. They pound the senses with a constant barrage of audio and visual images to destroy inhibitions.

Children! You must soberly consider and remember your parents’ warnings. Obey them. Do not think you know better! Do not think your parents are depriving you of pleasure! Do not deceive yourself! You do not have a clue about the painful consequences listed above. The short-term pleasure of sexual sins never comes close to the long-term pain and trouble that certainly follows. Your parents and pastor are the only ones that truly care for your successful future. If you have any wisdom, hear them and obey them!

Parents! Are you plainly warning your children about the danger? Are you establishing rules from early ages against unchaperoned dating? Do you have inviolate rules for music, movies, reading, friends, and activities? Do you clearly point out the appeal and power of sexual lusts? Do you graphically identify the painful consequences? If you are not doing these things openly and consistently, you are an accomplice in your children’s future ruin. It does not matter that you do other things, for this is their greatest battle.

Reader! Are you past youthful lusts? Great! But your Father hates spiritual fornication – religious compromise (Jas 4:4; II Cor 6:14-18)! Do you seek and hear preaching of sound doctrine (Luke 8:18; II Tim 4:3-4)? Are you committed to the old paths of apostolic Christianity (Jer 6:16; Jude 1:3)? The danger to play the whore is great, especially with the seduction of carnal Christianity (II Tim 3:1-7). The Lord Jesus Christ will not stand for your infidelity (Rev 2:20-23). Repent! Keep yourself a pure virgin (II Cor 11:1-2)!

Sound Doctrine

  Also Read Daily Devotion

Studying The Scriptrues (Daily Devotion) February 4-2010

Proverbs 4:2

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Fathers should teach good doctrine; they should know their doctrine is good; they should tell their sons it is good; and their sons should keep it. Doctrine is teaching and instruction, or the system of principles, which is given as final truth on a particular subject. To be good doctrine, it must be instruction or principles based on God’s word.

Godly fathers are not confused or timid men. They know they have the truth and wisdom the world does not have, and they give it authoritatively to their children. God said of Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment” (Gen 18:19).

Moses commanded fathers to teach their sons. He ordered, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deut 6:6-7).

David said to his family, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Ps 34:11). This doctrinal instruction from father to son can have far reaching effects. “Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation” (Joel 1:3). It can guide four generations … or more!

Where are fathers? The typical Christian father today sends the kids to Sunday School for a woman to teach them, attends their Little League games, locks out adult channels on the television cable, brings home enough cash flow for three modest families to subsist on, sends them to a secular university, and pays for a big wedding. He is AWOL!

They are a despised species! They are demeaned at school, ridiculed on television, mocked in movies, and ignored in court. They are browbeaten at home by overbearing wives, who “need to say something.” They are the butt of most family jokes. Kids learn to avoid them, conspire against them, steal from them, placate them, and disregard them.

Real fathers laugh at the conspiracy. They have an office and mandate from heaven, and they are going to do their job with confidence and zeal. They fear no man, especially their wives and children. They know they have more truth and wisdom than the local school board combined and squared. They say boldly, “I give you good doctrine!”

What is their textbook and manual? The Word of God, the Holy Bible, the inspired Scriptures! They know that everything else is mere drivel and twaddle, the babblings of

egotistical idiots in love with themselves (Is 8:20; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). They despise any opinion contrary to God’s Word (Ps 119:98-100,128). They know they have wisdom, righteousness, and life to make men and nations great (Deut 4:5-10; 6:24-25; 32:46-47).

Where are the pastors to give fathers a holy example? They have abdicated their office to the minister of music, minister of sports, and minister of building programs. They are browbeaten by the deacon board and warned by the denominational headquarters to keep the message watered down to be politically correct and keep the unregenerate attending.

They are a despised species! Their heroes in the faith – mighty men who thundered sound doctrine – are ridiculed or ignored as Neanderthal tyrants out of touch with their feminine side, who preached a male view of God and the psychologically-damaging concept of hell. They usually get ten minutes to preach to sleepy hearers in sandals and tank tops, for children’s theater, interpretive dance, Jesus rap, and fundraising took most of the service.

Real pastors laugh at the conspiracy. They also have an office and mandate from heaven, and they are going to blast the trumpet of repentance, reformation, and righteousness. They don’t care about numbers, since they know only eight were in the ark and twenty-three million in the water! They are going to preach the word intensely, in spite of marketing surveys showing universal demand for fables and entertainment (II Tim 4:1-4).

What is their textbook and manual? The same Word of God, Holy Bible, and inspired Scriptures! They know they are perfectly prepared for any and all ministerial work with simply the Bible (II Tim 3:16-17). They are not moved by men or angels preaching or suggesting anything else (Job 32:6-10; Gal 1:6-9; II Cor 2:17; 4:1-2; 11:3-5,13-15).

Reader, do you love sound doctrine? Or are you part of the feminine movement to replace Bible preaching with entertainment and sharing sessions? Could you stand all day to hear the Word of God read distinctly and the proper sense given (Neh 8:1-8)? Would you? Could you grieve for your sins, but celebrate for joy of understanding (Neb 8:9-12)? Would you ask for the same kind of service the next seven days (Neh 8:13-18)?

Do you know how to find sound doctrine? It is only in the Holy Bible. It is your duty to search the Scriptures faithfully to see if what you are hearing is right (Acts 17:11). It is your duty to prove all things and hold fast that which is good (I Thess 5:21).

Father, at your disposal is the truth and wisdom of God. You should teach your children; you should do it confidently and dogmatically; and you should enforce it. Your family’s future depends on it. Stand up, and be counted among God’s mighty men of valor!

Child, your father knows more than you can even imagine. Listen to him. When he brings God’s Word and his doctrine, pay attention! Humble yourself! Do not forsake – forget or neglect or disregard – his law. Honor him for his efforts. Thank him.

Pastor, you stand between mankind and their total destruction. You have good doctrine, for the scriptures are profitable for doctrine. Preach the Word! The Lord is with you!

John Piper — Where are the faithful?

Studying The Scriptures (Daily Devotion) February 3-2010

Proverbs 3:16

 

“Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour” .

A beautiful woman is approaching you today! She calls to you (Proverbs 1:20-23)! She is full of desire for you (Proverbs 8:1-4)! She wants to be your companion for life (Proverbs 9:1-5)! Will you embrace her (4:8)? If you love her, she will love you back (Proverbs 8:17)! She is beautiful and offers a feast at her house; but she also offers long life, riches, and honor. How can you resist such a fantastic invitation and situation (Proverbs3:13-18)? Most reject it! What about you?

Here is Solomon’s personification of wisdom – the representation of an abstract concept like wisdom as a beautiful woman. Personification is a powerful tool of language, as you can see by considering Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, and Father Time. Solomon painted the literary picture of Lady Wisdom for his son and all men (and women). The image is delightful, the offer sincere, and the simple condition easy. Will you love this woman?

Lady Wisdom offers three things – long life, riches, and honor (Proverbs 22:4). Is there a better combination? Every man desires these things, but few obtain them. With these three, what else do you need? With these three, you can achieve total success. How do you get them? Embrace Lady Wisdom! How? Love the wisdom of Proverbs and Scripture!

Length of days is long life. It is God’s reward for obedience (Proverbs10:2; 11:4; Deut 4:40; 5:16; 6:2). Solomon connected long life with wisdom (Proverbs 3:2; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27; 13:14). How can wisdom extend your life? It can save you from whores (Proverbs 2:16-18), the judgment of God (Proverbs3:4; 26:10), revenge (Proverbs 6:34), disease (Proverbs15:13; 17:22), the executioner (Proverbs16:14), a dangerous lifestyle (Proverbs1:15-19), accidents (Proverbs 22:3), an odious woman (Proverbs 30:21-23; Eccl 7:26), and drunkenness (Proverbs 23:29-35). If you reject Lady Wisdom, you must love death (Proverbs 8:36)!

Riches are financial and professional success. Solomon taught excellent economic wisdom in his proverbs. He preached diligence (Proverbs 10:4), faithfulness (Proverbs 27:18), savings (Proverbs 6:6-8), giving (Proverbs 11:24-25), career planning (Proverbs 24:27), and capital investment (Proverbs 14:4). He warned against debt (Proverbs 22:7), spending (Proverbs 21:20), squeezing the poor (Proverbs 28:8), waste (Proverbs 12:27), risk (Proverbs 22:3), contingent liabilities (Proverbs 6:1-5), sleep (Proverbs 20:13), get-rich-quick schemes (Proverbs 14:23; 28:19), fear (Proverbs 22:13), cornering a market (Proverbs 11:26), and evil negotiating (Proverbs 20:14).

Honour is personal respect from others. Wisdom leads to honour (Proverbs 3:35; 4:8; 8:18). It secures a good name and favor with others (Proverbs 3:4; 22:1). Solomon taught, among other things, as rules for honour, a gracious spirit (Proverbs 11:16; 22:11), ending strife (Proverbs 20:3), searching out controversies (Proverbs 25:2), humility (Proverbs 29:23), using few words (Proverbs 17:27-28), hearty counsel (Proverbs 27:9), handling matters wisely (Proverbs 16:20), and marrying a great woman (Proverbs 31:23).

But there are even better rewards in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The wisdom of the gospel leads to eternal life, spiritual riches, and the honor of being an adopted son of God! Glory! What are you doing to pursue these superior things? Paul charged the financially rich to give up their money to be spiritually rich (I Tim 6:17-19)! Moses dumped the treasures of Egypt for the reproach of Christ, seeing a better reward (Heb 11:24-26).

Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to death and destruction, and most men are fools and travel that suicidal road. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life and limitless blessings, but only a few choose to travel there (Matt 7:13-14). What road are you pursuing today? Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-12)? Or Lady Folly (Proverbs 9:13-18)? Embrace her in love today! Humble yourself before the wisdom of God’s precious word and say with Paul, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6.)