Episodios

  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑:𝟐𝟏 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬: 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑:𝟐𝟏 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬: 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
    Aug 2 2024
    How attentive are you? How good is your memory? Poor attention or memory can cost you dearly. After listing many benefits and blessings that wisdom and discretion can give a man for his life, King Solomon exhorted his son to remember the invaluable lessons. Most young men have a short attention span and memory. They easily forget instruction and warnings, when they face a difficult controversy or strong temptation. Solomon often stated the importance of remembering instruction (Pr 3:3,18; 4:4,21; 6:21; 7:3). Reader, you must keep and remember wisdom, understanding, and discretion, for it is only by retaining instruction that you will ever realize the great benefits of it. If honest, you will likely admit your memory is little better than memory-impaired young men. Will you take some steps to make sure you retain and remember wise instruction you receive? What good is a sermon you lazily listen to and forget as soon as the preacher says, “Amen”? Jesus said the teaching is immediately taken away from such a hearer by the devil (Matt 13:19; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12). It is the common experience of all men to have difficulty remembering what was preached just a few days or weeks before. Shame! Instruction for success in any endeavor is only as profitable as your ability to remember and apply the knowledge to the specified situation. Warnings about danger in any situation are only as valuable as the hearer’s ability to remember and apply the advice when facing the threat. A great hindrance to success for many is a poor memory. The blessed God of Israel knew this danger. After giving wonderful laws, precepts, and statutes to Israel through Moses, He warned them not to forget what He had taught them (Deut 4:9,23; II Kgs 17:37-38). He knew that prosperity was a curse to memory, for luxury induces laxity and impairs the conscience (Deut 6:10-12; 8:7-20). To counter this problem, God commanded fathers to diligently teach His laws to their children when in the house, when traveling, when preparing for sleep, and when getting up (Deut 6:6-7). He required remembrance comparable to tying signs to hands, putting frontlets between eyes, and writing His laws on the posts of their houses (Deut 6:8-9). Furthermore, God required Israel to keep certain feasts each year. For example, the Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread was to cause them to remember their glorious deliverance from Egypt (Ex 12:26-27; 13:8-10). Even the name, Passover, contains a reminder of God passing over the houses of the Israelites when He slew the firstborn in every home and barn of the Egyptians. God’s deliverances are to be remembered. Christians do not observe the Passover, for that feast was only for Israel and merely for deliverance from Egypt. The New Testament has a better feast that replaced the Passover – the Lord’s Supper, or communion, where bread and wine represent Jesus Christ’s body and blood to remember His death (I Cor 5:7-8; 10:16-17; 11:20-34). God will pass over His elect in the great Day of Judgment and not cast them into hell due to this blood. Forgetting teaching is dangerous! The church at Corinth forgot the resurrection of the dead that Paul had taught them, which stole the hope and joy of the gospel from them (I Cor 15:2,19). The gospel must be kept in memory. The world assaults your senses every moment you are awake with their enticements, which are entirely opposed to the truth of God. What will you do to defend yourself from this assault and retain God’s wisdom? Do you know your weak memory? Do you understand prosperity and activity dull it further? What do you do to review, remember, and retain what you have been taught? Do you have habits in place to review sermons, remember lessons, or retain advice? It is by daily use and application of wisdom that causes it to stay in your heart and mind (Heb 5:12-14). If you tell a friend about wisdom, then two could help each other remember.
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    6 m
  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟖 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝.

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟖 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝.
    Aug 1 2024
    Do you really know where you are going? Do you know where the road you are traveling will end? An attractive or enticing woman’s beauty and appeal hide the great danger and tragic consequences ahead. You will be another fatality unless you stop and turn around. The house and paths of the strange woman slope downhill – to death and hell (Pr 2:16-19; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18). There is hardly a greater danger to men than a strange woman – an exciting and flattering woman outside his marriage with a whore’s heart, who by giving her body destroys men’s souls, either ignorantly or intentionally (Pr 6:26; 23:28). Strange women have wounded and killed many strong men (Pr 7:26). They have enticing and erotic power over men due to the sinful lusts and raging hormones in men. Only very righteous men like Joseph escape her (Gen 39:7-10; Eccl 7:26). Only by God’s grace do any men ever recover from sinning with her (Pr 2:19). Man! Get away from her! Today! Her house and her paths are not limited to those literal places – they include any sexual activity with her, no matter where the sinful liaison takes place. It may even be her pictures in a glossy magazine or adult website. Going to bed with a strange woman, or fantasizing about doing so, or choosing her lifestyle will bring the same result – death. There is more than one way to die. Physical death – the death of the body – is only one way to die. Fornicators die physically from STDs, jealous husbands, protective fathers, and capital punishment in moral nations. Of course, such deaths today are hidden away and disguised, for this wicked generation has glamorized the house and paths of whores. Men also die spiritually, emotionally, and eternally. They can lose their fellowship with God. They can lose their reputations, families, wealth, health, ambition, peace, and other essential assets – all of which may be called death, the ruin of a good life. They also end up in hell, the second death, where all whoremongers will spend eternity (Rev 21:8). The average man lives 73 years, but whoremongers cannot expect so many years. Popular movie actors, music stars, and other public fornicators often live only half those years. Even the world knows that hard partying and whores will steal years off a man’s life. A benefit of Hollywood is seeing the shorter life expectancy of profligates like Errol Flynn, Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith, and many others. Young man! Older man! Do not be deceived. Do not let this wicked generation paint an illusion over the house and paths of the strange woman. They are sloped down, down, down. They lead to death and hell. The lie of today’s music, movies, clothes, and lifestyles, that free love and casual sex are elixirs of life, will destroy you. Do not be as blinded by women as Adam, Samson, David, and Solomon. It cost them life and peace. Male seducers have also enticed and destroyed many innocent girls and women, though this is not emphasized in Proverbs, where Solomon warned his son. Only carefully chaste girls or those with vigilant and protective fathers escape them. Only by God’s grace do such women recover from sinning with men. Girl! Get away from him! Father! Save her! Once you start down the slippery slope of sexual sin, who will pull you back? The strange woman has no heart or ability to help. She already lives in hell and likes it there. The fascinating addiction to sexual sin will pull you down. The blessed God, Whom you rejected for a devilish woman, will only help after repentance, which will be hard to find.
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    6 m
  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏:𝟕 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏:𝟕 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
    Jul 31 2024
    This is a crucial proverb, for the rest are wasted without fearing the LORD. Solomon put it first! The basic foundation for learning is to fear God (Pr 9:10), but fools reject wisdom and instruction, for they are proud and selfish without regard for God. They love their own opinions (Pr 26:12). Rather than search for truth, fools simply want to promote their own thoughts (Pr 18:1-2). You cannot even start learning without the true fear of God. Who is the LORD? He is Jehovah of the Bible, the great I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14; 6:3). He created the heavens, earth, seas, and everything in them in six twenty-four hour days. When He came as a man 2000 years ago, He was named Jesus (Is 7:14; 9:6; Matt 1:21-23; John 1:1,14). Jesus Christ is Jehovah! He is coming soon with His mighty angels in flaming fire to destroy His enemies and this world (II Thess 1:7-11; I Tim 6:13-16). The fear of God is an affectionate reverence for Him and humble submission to His word. Fearing God is loving His commands and hating evil (Pr 8:13; 16:6; Ps 111:10; 112:1). Fearing God recognizes Him as the First Cause and Last End of all things (Pr 16:4; Rev 4:11). It knows His forgiveness and seeks to please Him (Ps 130:3-4). A man fearing God trembles humbly at His word (Is 66:2). It is the whole duty of man (Eccl 12:13-14). Natural men, who do not fear God, are fools (Ps 14:1; 36:1; 58:1). Their reasoning processes are perverse, for they reason in a circle from their own conceited ideas (Rom 1:20-23; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). Spiritual men, who do fear God, are wise and reasonable, because their thoughts begin with faith in a Creator God (II Thess 3:2; Heb 11:3,6). The fool begins his thinking with thoughts of other fools, the believer with the words of God. All men reason in a circle, or begin by assumptions. Their knowledge and wisdom depend on their assumptions. The God-rejecter begins by assuming his ideas and those of the fools before him are intelligent and rational. He begins by assuming he has made great advances in the twenty years since he was in diapers. The righteous man begins by assuming faith in an infinitely wise God, Who has revealed truth and wisdom in Scripture. He begins by thinking he knows nothing at all and needs the help of Another. The fool cannot prove his theories. He calls hallucinations like evolution to be science, but he has never observed evolution, duplicated it in a laboratory, or adequately defined it. He is a fool! And his so-called science is merely a fable (I Tim 6:20-21). The believer knows the Bible is absolutely true internally and externally, but he cannot and will not prove it to the fool, because the fool is missing the essential factor – faith (II Thes 3:1-2). Consider faith closely. The fool has faith – belief and trust – in himself and his other fellow fools. It takes more faith to believe man came from chaotic gases and baboons than it does to believe man came from an intelligent Creator. The fool has faith, but it is faith in man’s hallucinations. The fool has faith in lies, which is self-deception. The believer has faith in God and His word (Heb 11:1-6), which is self-instruction (Pr 15:33). How did man originate? The fool says a big bang of chaotic gases formed order, design, beauty, life, and the ability and laws to reproduce and preserve them. The man who fears God knows the fool is a fool, because only an idiot could imagine such nonsense, and only the insane would say it. As a humble child trusting God, he cries, “The Emperor has no clothes!” He knows God made man from dust and breathed into him the breath of life.
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    11 m
  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑𝟏:𝟑 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑𝟏:𝟑 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.
    Jul 30 2024
    Whores can destroy kings; how much more average men? A queen mother appealed to her son King Lemuel as only a mother can do and warned him against a great threat to his life and reign – evil women (Pr 31:1-3). Every good mother will intensely warn her sons. Kings, due to power and riches, were objects of seduction by whorish women. Kings, by their power and riches, lived luxuriously, which promoted lascivious living and the lusts of eyes and flesh. This great mother despised whores and warned her son against them. Kings ruled nations, raised armies, and conquered empires. Kings are the greatest rulers in history. They made weighty decisions that affected the lives of those in and out of their kingdoms. They had absolute authority of life and death over every citizen. To influence a king was to influence nations and the lives of millions. For a king to become infatuated with a woman was to give his strength, duty, and honor to the base lusts of his loins. How many kings have been destroyed by evil women affecting their decisions? Or would it be easier to ask how many kings have not been so affected? The threat was real; the historical record bleak; the consequences terrible. Kings, and all men in authority, must be stricter and stronger in resisting women than other men. Power is an aphrodisiac and an opportunity for the flesh. On these two counts men in leadership roles must be vigilant. They must deny the flesh to keep themselves, their offices, and their charges. King Lemuel’s mother knew good women, for she wrote the loftiest description of the best woman described in the Bible (Pr 31:10-31). She wanted her son the king to have one woman – a virtuous, God-fearing woman – to be his wife. She did not desire a harem for him. She rejected thoughts of mistresses. She despised concubines and courtesans. She knew his success depended on one great woman as his wife. Consider it well, men. Samson was judge of Israel, but the conniving whore Delilah brought him down to terrible destruction. David had a harem of wives, but taking the wife of one of his best friends brought him terrible trouble, nearly destroyed his kingdom, and cost him dearly for the rest of his life. His son Solomon followed David’s horrible example against his own wisdom and is left in ignominy and shame in the Bible (I Kgs 11:1-11; Neh 13:26). What can be said about such foolish rulers as Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony, who were seduced and destroyed by the Egyptian whore Cleopatra? Only Augustus knew how to treat her, so she did the best thing for all concerned and committed suicide. Entire history books have been written of royal adultery and sex scandals from ancient Babylon to the Caesars and popes of Rome to Edwardian England. Women have destroyed many rulers. What are the lessons? Great mothers warn their sons plainly about the danger of whorish women. Great men, especially in positions of authority or leadership, must take extra precautions to be vigilant against this dangerous threat. And if women can destroy gifted rulers with many options, common men should be even more careful. Good women will realize their sexual power and use it loyally for righteous purposes with their husbands. There is only one King never moved by evil. This king loves righteousness and hates iniquity and always rules righteously (Heb 1:8-9). David wrote of his distant Son, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain” (II Sam 23:3-4). Jesus Christ is that perfect king. Tempted in all points like other men, He never sinned (Heb 4:15). Though many women followed him with great devotion, He knew them only as repentant sinners. He was moved with eternal affection and dying passion for His one true love – the elect of God His Father that make up His bride...
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    6 m
  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟗:𝟏𝟕 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭; 𝐲𝐞𝐚, 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥.

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟗:𝟏𝟕 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭; 𝐲𝐞𝐚, 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥.
    Jul 29 2024
    Child discipline has two great benefits (among others). First, the child is saved from folly and prepared for a productive life. Second, the parents have happy and peaceful lives as they watch their wise child succeed in life, and this second benefit is the lesson here. If you correct your children, they prosper and you celebrate. This is a win-win proposition, but parents neglecting to correct their children cost both their children and themselves. Foolish parents often say, “We can let it go this time. If he does it again, then we will do something.” What a dangerous idea! Ignoring a problem does not help it go away. Ignoring foolish conduct reinforces it in a child. It will be even harder to correct later. It will also be easier to procrastinate again the next time. And before the parents realize it, they will have established the terrible habit of overlooking a child’s sinful behavior. Many parents overlook foolish conduct to preserve domestic tranquility. They crave peace at home. They hope that giving a child some leeway will keep things comfortable and calm. They are terribly mistaken! The proverb teaches that rest and delight depend on correcting children, not accommodating them. Though seeking peace, many parents end up losing it. A short loss of peace to correct a child is a cheap price for long-term peace. The wisest parent you will ever meet, King Solomon, warned against letting child discipline slide. He wrote, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Pr 29:15). The rule is simple; the consequences are terrible. The pain and shame that some mothers have endured are enormous. And why? They chose to take the road of compromise and not correct their children with tough love. The rod and reproof will correct and train children to give wonderful joy to parents. The promise is sure: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Pr 22:6). “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Pr 22:15). Do not procrastinate! Every time you put off the inevitable, you harm your child and sacrifice your own future pleasure. If you love your children, you will aggressively save them from dysfunctional lives (Pr 23:13-14). You will not delay in this great matter. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Pr 13:24). Betimes means to do it early, speedily, before it is too late. “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Pr 19:18). Only hatred or lazy ignorance would cause you to delay. These and other parental sins have spawned the most selfish generation in history. The happiest parents are those with noble children that lead successful and beneficial lives. Solomon, who had the means for happiness in any aspect of life, mentioned this fact several times (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 23:15-16,24-25; 29:3). Such parents can live and die in peace, knowing they left a legacy on earth of godliness and virtue in their children. A great source of unhappiness in parents is foolish children with dysfunctional lives. Solomon also mentioned this several times (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 17:21,25; 19:13). Problematic children cost their parents peace and rest during their latter years and then send them to their graves knowing they have failed and left thorns of foolishness for others to endure. The choice is yours. The cure is simple. Correct your child! Do not let him get away with doing wrong in any matter. Tell him he is wrong. Teach him the right way. You brought him into this world knowing nothing, and his future and yours depends on you showing him the true and wise way. Reprove and rebuke him; then instruct and admonish him.
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    7 m
  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑𝟎:𝟔 𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫.

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑𝟎:𝟔 𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫.
    Jul 29 2024
    The Bible is totally sufficient for all righteousness, wisdom, and truth (II Tim 3:16-17; II Pet 1:19-21). There is no need for further revelation, human rationalization, or religious tradition (I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). Adding your thoughts to His inspired words is only arrogance and folly (Deut 4:2; 12:32; Matt 28:20). Since He has magnified His word above all His name, He will not take any profane additions lightly (Ps 138:2). He will judge men severely for adding their lying thoughts to His pure words (Pr 30:5; Re 22:18). Wise Agur had just taught his two pupils, Ithiel and Ucal, that every word of God is pure (Pr 30:1,5). Though he confessed his own brutish ignorance, he exalted the glory and wisdom of God Himself (Pr 30:2-4). He knew that God had revealed divine wisdom to the sons of men in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible (Deut 29:29; Ps 19:7-11). Therefore, he was adamant that Ithiel and Ucal not think outside Scripture, but rather submit in reverent fear to the Author of the Bible, the Creator God of heaven and earth (Is 66:2,5). There are no better ideas. Reject the thought! All thoughts of man are vain (I Cor 1:19-20; 3:19-20). All of them! Thoughts of modern man are even more foolish and profitless. God has spoken, and that settles every issue, controversy, and question (Ps 119:128; Is 30:8). Let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4). Progress in science or other fields of learning is the prosperity of fools (Pr 1:32; Deut 32:15; Ps 69:22; 92:7; I Tim 6:20-21). It is God’s blinding judgment on men as they sink deeper into a moral cesspool of ignorance and depravity. The world is not a better place to live, if you can smell folly. But Bible corrupters have been around for a long time (II Cor 2:17). They have added to and taken away from the Scriptures from the beginning, when Satan began his conquest of the human family by altering the words of God to Eve (Gen 3:1-6). And they are worse today than ever, as Paul warned Timothy (I Tim 4:1-3; II Tim 3:13). Through extended education and the information explosion, human learning is expanding geometrically, but without God’s truth (II Tim 3:6-7). Men are blinder today than they were 500 years ago. Consider a few additions that God has and will reprove as lies. The Mother Church adds the confused and contradictory opinions of the so-called church fathers. The Seventh Day Adventists add the visions of Ellen Harmon. The Mormons add the plagiarized fantasies of Joseph Smith. The Jehovah’s Witnesses add the failed forecasts of the perjured Charles Russell. The Charismatics add the word-faith delusions of Benny Hinn. The Premillenialists add the futuristic speculations of Hal Lindsay and Tim LaHaye. And contemporary Christians add the psycho-babble of James Dobson and the prosperity gospel of Joel Osteen. All these examples have added to the finished words of God. Look around! Men have added all kinds of heresies to God’s words. Consider Mary’s flying house, Veronica’s towel, a fish hat on the pope, no meat on Fridays, vows of celibacy, calling priests “father,” Mary’s assumption into heaven, Purgatory, infant baptism, the most pompous throne on earth, Extreme Unction, candle sales, Mary’s perpetual defrauding of Joseph, a church office called cardinal, required confession of sins to a priest, Mary’s sinless perfection, calling three meals a day during Lent a fast, reverence for Latin, and nuns’ habits. And these are just a few of Rome’s additions! Listen! Men have added to God’s words same-sex marriages, casual worship, women preachers, a Christian flag, sodomy as an acceptable lifestyle, divorce for any cause, Halloween parties, labor unions, disrespectful children, instruments in public worship, Easter egg hunts, gymnasiums, Christian rap, baptism by sprinkling, seeker sensitive compromise, partnership marriages, sunrise services, time-out for training children, gender-neutral Bible versions and hymnals, Christmas plays, and many more inventions.
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  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟖:𝟕 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐧: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬...

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟖:𝟕 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐧: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬...
    Jul 27 2024
    Do you want to make your father happy? Then obey God’s commands and get away from those who play most of the time. A father is shamed when he knows that his son usually wants to play with the boys. A father is honored when he knows that his son values God’s word and sober, diligent living above all else in life. Children, do you hear Solomon? Wise children grow up. Paul said, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (I Cor 13:11). Foolish children never grow up (Pr 10:5). They are fascinated with playing games, following sports, working out, buying cars, hanging out, racing motorcycles, chewing the fat, or otherwise wasting their lives in vain pursuits with one another. Wise sons keep God’s law. What is the first commandment? “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut 6:5). What commandment comes next? “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt 22:39). Fathers love to see their sons do these two things. What is a riotous man? An undisciplined, extravagant, and wasteful man, who is given to excessive revelry, like the prodigal son (Pr 23:19-22; 29:3; Luke 15:13). What is revelry? Having a wild good time (Gal 5:21; I Pet 4:3)! Paul ordered saints to avoid rioting (Rom 13:13), which was a rebuke for too much fun, too much partying. What goes with reveling? Drunkenness, gluttony, banqueting, and surfeiting (Pr 23:20; Luke 21:34)! Solomon warned against keeping company with such men. Evil communications corrupt good manners, and wise sons will not choose friends from such men (I Cor 15:33). A son that hangs around with jocks, car lovers, gluttons, party animals, cool dudes, or foolish young men is a shame to his father. His father does not understand the attraction. It is a sin against these proverbs to associate with such fools (Pr 4:14-17; 9:6; 13:20; 14:7). America in the 21st century is addicted to pleasure and recreation. It is a nation of riotous men. Contemporary Christians fulfill the sober warning of men being lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (II Tim 3:4). The church basketball and softball teams get more attention and passion than the preaching of God’s word. These are riotous Christians! Young man! Where is your heart? Is it meditating in God’s law day and night (Ps 1:1-3)? Do you hate vain thoughts but love His law (Ps 119:113)? Do you use extra time for God’s word or recreation? Your father can see where your heart is by the location of your treasure – where you make your investments of energy, time, and money (Matt 6:21). Young man! Does God’s law rule your thoughts and activities about women? About beer? About food? About time? About speech? About sleep? About friends? About diligent labor in your job? About giving your money to God? About saving your money? About music? About clothes? About your wife? About your parents? About any children? Parent! Train your son while there is hope (Pr 19:18). Train him now, and he will live wisely when older (Pr 22:6). It is a child left to himself that brings parents to shame (Pr 29:15). Correct him, and he will bring you rest and delight (Pr 29:17). Teach him the fear of the Lord and bring him up in the Lord’s nurture and admonition (Ps 34:11; Eph 6:4).
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  • 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟕:𝟏𝟎 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭; 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞...

    𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟕:𝟏𝟎 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭; 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞...
    Jul 26 2024
    Great men have great friends. Here is precious wisdom. But very few men qualify as great friends. It is very prudent to keep such friends, even above a blood brother. A small band of committed and virtuous friends is far better than the natural relationship of family. Blood may be thicker than water, as it is said, but it is not thicker than godly character in Jesus Christ! “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Pr 18:24). When trouble comes, and it will come, you want a real friend to stand with you, one that loves at all times and considers your problems to be his own (Pr 17:17). You want a friend that thinks the same as you and will stand with you no matter the cost or difficulty. A cultivated friendship based on character, conviction, truth, and wisdom will far surpass the expected help of a natural brother that is only connected to you by blood and name. Your success depends on great friends, for there are four benefits (Eccl 4:9-12). When God gives such a friend, it is a great blessing. Solomon used this proverb to help his son rule a great nation that stretched from the Euphrates to Egypt. He himself had benefited much by his father’s friends, Hiram the King of Tyre (II Sam 5:11; I Kgs 5:1-18) and Benaiah, captain of the bodyguards (II Sam 20:23; 23:20-23; I Kgs 1:38; 2:25-46). Consider inspired history. Joseph found greater kindness from foreign captors than his brothers. David found greater loyalty and service from vagabonds than his envious brothers, and he found greater love and loyalty from Jonathan. Jesus found greater sympathy and loyalty from His disciples than His brothers (John 7:1-5; Luke 22:15). He knew His true friends were those who heard the word of God and kept it (Matt 12:46-50). God chose David for his pure heart (I Sam 16:6-13). Jonathan saw this clearer than his envious brothers did (I Sam 17:28). Though losing much, he loved him dearly (I Sam 18:1-4). Loving virtue above family and career, Jonathan chose David over his own father (I Sam 19:1-7). They made a vow against the blood ties of Jonathan (I Sam 20:1-17) and included their children (I Sam 23:42). David valued Jonathan’s love above women (II Sam 1:26), and he saved Jonathan’s son when he was in need (II Sa 9:1; 21:7). Godly friends are superior to blood brothers, for the relationship is built on a better foundation. They are superior for their regenerated hearts, the precious blood of Christ, the absolute truth of God’s Word, godly hatred of compromise, a life pursuit of holiness, and the hope of eternal life. The Bible recognizes these friends as dear as one’s own soul, even distinguishing them from a precious wife (Deut 13:6; I Sam 18:1,3; 20:17). Do you understand the importance of this lesson? Without great friendships based in godliness, who will help in the day of your calamity? You will go down and stay down. Two are better than one for four reasons, and you risk your future by not securing good friends for it (Eccl 4:9-12). A wise man will secure his life and that of his family by doing what is necessary to preserve vital friendships with noble and virtuous men. There is a place for godly networking, though the objective and methods are infinitely superior to the world’s effort to find contacts and customers for their own selfish ends. The great God instructed His messengers to be lovers of good men (Titus 1:8), as Paul was of Timothy (Acts 16:1-3; Phil 2:19-23; II Tim 1:1-5). Most so-called Christians have no clue about great friends, because they despise men that are holy (II Tim 3:1-5). What kinds of friends meet the intent of this proverb? The context, unusual in Proverbs, gives valuable traits of godly friends (Pr 27:4-5,9). True friends love at all times, whether you are in good or bad circumstances (Pr 17:17). They are chosen for their fear of God, love of truth, and personal righteousness (Ps 119:63). Do you know such men? You cannot cheat on any of these measures, or you will lose the benefit...
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