How much or how little 

you pray and read your Bible 

Will have an impact on

How much or how little you understand 

Of God's Word and God's ways

What Are You Savoring More?

What Are You Savoring More?

So many are wrapped up, tied up and busy doing man's work - - - but not God's. 

So many are quick to try to sell you on their product or business - - - but yet are hesitant to or won't mention Jesus or the Bible.

So many, too many are so quick to talk about, post about, and like so many things - - - except the things about Jesus.  

So many will try to convince and even COMPEL you on so many things:  "come on! You HAVE to go (name of place or destination)!" or

"you HAVE TO TRY this!" Especially if they mention a favorite food.

and on it goes - - - but yet are embarrassed and afraid to invite someone to come to Church. 

Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 16:23 - thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man.

Savourest = regard; interest oneself in; be like minded with; be of the same mind

What are you savoring (interesting yourself in) more? 

The things of God?

Or the things of man?

Fellow Christian,  we're running out of time.   Jesus is coming soon.  

We must interest ourselves in the things of God more than the things of this world.

We must have the same mind as Christ and be about the Father's business.  We must reach for the lost before it's too late.

REBUILD THE ALTAR

 

REBUILD THE ALTAR

 

What is an ‘altar’? It is usually a raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship. (Merriam-webster)

The Hebrew word for ‘altar’ is ‘mizbeah’ meaning ‘to slaughter’. 

The altar is a place where something is offered to God.  It is a place of worship.

The first mention of someone building an altar in the Bible is found in Genesis 8…

Noah, his family, and the animals had spent a wearisome year inside the Ark where all they could see day after day if they were able to look out was endless miles of water.  

No dry land was could be seen until the waters finally began to abate. The Ark touched land at last, but it sounds like they may have still spent another 2 months inside the Ark as they waited for the ground to dry out after being saturated with flood waters for so long. (Gen 8:13-14)

By this time, everyone and the animals were most likely all anxious to exit the Ark and be able to move around freely as before. The first thing the Bible records Noah doing after he, his family, and the animals exited the Ark was to build an altar to the LORD. (Gen 8:20) 

 

Generations passed and Abram was born.  Abram was a friend of God for he walked and talked with God often.  God told Abram to leave his homeplace, leave his relatives, and leave his father’s house and go wherever God leads him.

Although he was 75 years old and childless, God promised that his descendants would become a great nation and that his name would become great.  God promised Abram that he would be a blessing, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.  

Abram obeyed God and began to wander wherever God led. He came to the land of Canaan unto the plain of Moreh.  The LORD again appeared to Abram and promised to give him and his descendants the land where he was standing.

Abram had a lot of faith and trust in God because God was giving him a promise concerning his children and grandchildren which he did not have at that time.   It’s one thing to believe a promise concerning children and grandchildren when you’re young or even middle age.  But Abraham believed God although he was 75 years young and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (James 2:23)

The first thing Abram did after God promised to give him the land and future generations was to build and altar unto the Lord who appeared unto him. (Gen 12:7)

Abram then moved from that place of Promise to a mountain on the east of Bethel, pitched his tent and there he built an altar unto the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. (Gen 12:8)

THE PLACE OF THE ALTAR

When God told Abram to leave his kindred, he did not fully obey.  He brought his nephew lot with him.  A severe famine came upon the land where they were currently dwelling so Abram, Sarai, and Lot went down to Egypt. 

Egypt is a typology of the world – Abram nearly got himself and his poor wife Sarai in trouble while there, but the LORD had mercy and protected them. Pharoah asked them to leave so they left Egypt (the world) and returned to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: (he returned to his early altar) and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. (Gen 13:1-4)

Everywhere Abram moved, he built and altar…

He moved to the plain of Mamre and built there an altar unto the Lord. (Gen 13:18)

Abram was now 99 years old when God again confirmed His promise to give Abram and Sarai a son. At 99 years old, God changed his name to Abraham promising that he would be a father of many nations. God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, for she also would be blessed and become the mother of many nations even though she was now 90. (Gen 17)

Abraham could not have had such great faith to believe and trust that what God said He will surely do, regardless of how impossible it may appear to man’s eyes and reasoning, if he had not had a daily walk with God.

Isaac was born to Abraham when he was 100 and Sarah was 91 – who would have thought that would be possible? But God! Isaac grew (it is believed by this time he was in his late 20’s or mid to upper 30’s) when God again came to test Abraham’s faith as He commanded Abraham to offer Isaac (God calls him his only son) as a burnt offering.

It was a very hard task that God was asking Abraham to perform, yet Abraham stood upon the Promise of God that what He had promised, He would fulfill.  He had worked the impossible before. He would do it again! 

So, Abraham was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice upon an altar – believing God had promised and would fulfill.  He had to walk by faith at that moment, not by what man can see or comprehend. (Gen 22:9) Because Abraham and Isaac were both obedient to God’s command (Isaac didn’t fight it), God spared Isaac.  Abraham called that place Jehovahjireh (meaning: the LORD will see/the LORD will provide).

Isaac learned from his father, Abraham, to build an altar to the LORD. (Gen 26:25)

Jacob learned from his father, Isaac, to build an altar to the LORD and called it Elelohe-Israel (meaning: the mighty God of Israel). (Gen 33:20)

God told Jacob to return to Bethel (the place of his grandfather’s early altar) and there he was to build an altar unto God as well. (Gen 35) He called it Elbethel (meaning: the God of Bethel). (vs 7)

Jacob couldn’t go off his Daddy’s, his Mommy’s, or his Granddaddy’s altars (walk with God) – He had to have one for himself.  It’s the same for us – we have to get a walk with God for ourselves.

Moses built an altar and called it Jehovahnissi (meaning: the LORD is my banner). (Ex 17:15)  Moses learned to walk with God from his mother, but  he still had to get a walk with God for himself.   Sometimes it takes a wilderness experience to get us to where God can use us in the capacity He desires to.

Later, God gave Moses instructions concerning building an altar of earth to sacrifice burnt offerings upon. (Ex 20:22-26)

Joshua built an altar (Josh 8:30) and later built a GREAT altar (Josh 22:10).

Gideon built an altar called Jehovahshalom (meaning: the LORD is Peace) – Jud 6:24.

Samuel, the Prophet, built an altar to the Lord in Ramah, the place where he dwelt and judged Israel – 1 Samuel 7:17.

 

The children of Reuben and the children of Gad built an altar which they called Ed as a witness between them that the LORD is God. (Josh 22:34)

Sometimes you need to build an altar to remind yourself that the Lord is God!  There is nothing He cannot do!

 

When calamity happens to us or around us, the place we need to run is to the Altar.  Sometimes it’s our prayers and our worship that can change situations for others, not just ourself…

David purchased a threshingfloor from a man named Araunah, a Jebusite, to build an altar to the LORD and offer sacrifice in an effort of worship to the LORD so that He would stop the plague that was killing many in Israel.  In response, the LORD was intreated and stopped the plague. (2 Sam 24:18-25)

 

An angel appeared to Samson’s mother and father (who were childless) before he was conceived to deliver the promise that they would soon have a son.  They were unaware that it was an angel. They thought they were possibly talking to a prophet/a man of God as the angel gave them special instructions concerning what the mother and the child were allowed to consume, not consume, or do. 

After the angel finished giving the instructions Manoah offered a sacrifice to God upon a rock which he used as an altar.   As the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, the angel of the LORD ascended up in the flame off the altar. This is when Manoah finally realized the message was delivered by the angel of the LORD. (Jud 13:20-21)

Sometimes it takes an altar and a sacrifice before God opens our eyes to see the supernatural.

SOME ALTARS ARE BUILT FOR WRONG REASONS….

Balaam was hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel.  He instructed Balak, the king, to build 7 altars and offer sacrifices upon them to see if God would come meet and talk with him. 

God did meet him and instructed him that he was not to curse anyone that He has not cursed. Nor was he to defy God’s people whom He had not defied.  (Num23)  He did not have to offer a sacrifice to know that God would not curse the nation of Israel whom He had promised to bless.

THERE ARE SOME ALTARS THAT NEED TO BE DESTROYED…

Many do not realize they have altars built in their heart that are worshipping the wrong things such as:

Work – they won’t miss work yet they will easily miss Church.  Often this goes hand and hand with money.
Money – seeking and chasing after riches.  Or perhaps not trying to get rich, but working more and attending Church less so they can get money to pay bills or buy a nicer car or bigger house rather than seeking FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  God promised if we do, the rest will be provided.
Fame – trying to become popular and well known; striving to obtain ‘stardom’
God is not a priority – other things are. Prayer and Bible reading are slacking and maybe even shelved because they’re too busy with other things that they ‘have to get done!’ or maybe just want to do. Whatever a person makes a priority above God, above spending time with Him, will keep that person out of heaven.

These are altars built where worship is made to other things whether they realize it or not. 

God warned to have no other gods before Him – that is anything that is made a priority or deemed more important than time spent with Him.

We all need to be careful and watch that we are not making relationships more important than time spent with God. We need to be careful that we do not spend more time fellowshipping with each other than we spend fellowshipping with God.  He is a jealous God.  

And there are altars of distraction that need to be destroyed.

Ex 34:12 – 17, Dt 7:5, 12:3, Judges 2:2, 6:25-28

 

 

 

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BUILD NEAR YOUR ALTAR…

God warned in Dt 16:21-22 not to place anything that might be worshipped near to the altar.  This is anything that might distract or draw you away from your time spent in prayer and Bible reading. NOTHING should be placed on top of our Bibles – it is God’s Holy Word and should be reverenced.

THE ALTARS OF THE TABERNACLE….

God gave Moses specific instructions for building the Tabernacle and the articles that were to be placed within and without. Where each article of furniture was to be placed was important in how the priests and Levites were to minister before the Lord.

There was only one of each piece of furniture EXCEPT there were TWO ALTARS. 

The first thing that everyone would see as they entered the outer court was the BRAZEN ALTAR (also known as the Altar of Burnt Offering - Ex 39:39, 40:6).  The Brazen Altar was the largest piece of furniture.  It is where the sacrifices were offered to make atonement for the people’s sins.

The Brazen Altar is symbolic as a place of repentance.  We need to have an altar built (a place of repentance) that we go to every day: repenting of every wrong thought, every wrong word spoken, every wrong feeling, every wrong action, rebellion, hate, unforgiveness, fear, worry, anxiety, and so on.  

THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR WAS TO BE FOREVER BURNING AND NEVER GO OUT! (Lev 6:13)

Next was the Laver of Water where the ministers washed.  The Ministers were to wash and be clean inside and out before they could come near any of the altars to minister. (Ex 30:20) 

Inside the Holy Place, just before the Holiest of Holies was the GOLDEN ALTAR (also known as the Altar of Incense - Ex 39:38, 40:5) which represented the prayers of God’s people.  It was a place of intercession.  The incense/the prayers would come up before God as a sweet smell.

It is the coals from the Brazen Altar (Sacrifice & Repentance) that ignites the Fire on the Altar of Incense (Prayers and intercession). (Lev 16:11-13)

 

 

BUT THEN THE ENEMY…

The enemy invaded the land of Israel.  They attacked and tore down the walls of protection.  They invaded and destroyed the altar (place of repentance and sacrifice) and the Temple (Place of worship). They destroyed or stole the things within: the Altar of Incense (Prayers/Intercession); the Table of Shewbread (representing Bible Reading/our DAILY Bread); the Golden Candlestick (representing the Light of God’s presence and the oil of the Holy Ghost).

The fire that was to be forever burning went out.  The light from the candlestick went out. The fire on the altar of incense went out.  The bread was no longer available to feed body or soul.  

Sometimes, things happen in our lives which cause the fires that were once burning brightly to dim and barely flicker. Maybe even go out.

Sometimes it feels like an onslaught from the enemy and other times, he’ll attack in subtle ways sending busyness and distractions to make sure the altar that once upon a time was visited frequently and loving care was given to maintain may now feel like it’s in disrepair. Maybe even destroyed.  The fire is barely flickering.  Perhaps it feels like it has gone out.

The enemy of our soul will attack and distract any way he can to try to keep us from praying, distract us from visiting the altars and offering up our sacrifices of praise or humbling our knees in repentance. 

The enemy of our soul will make sure things keep us from visiting the Table of Shewbread and feasting from the Bread of Life (Bible reading).  

Remember your early altars. 

Is the fire blazing brightly on them? Daily?

Are you daily offering up prayers of repentance as well as prayers of praise, worship, and intercession?

Are you daily feasting from God’s Word?

Are you daily praying in the Holy Ghost and letting His light shine brightly through you?

If not, it’s time to rebuild and repair our altars. 

It’s time to stoke and stir up the fire of the Holy Ghost within us. Get it blazing and burning brightly.

It’s time to rebuild and repair the Temple of the Holy Ghost and make it a place of worship and prayer once again.  We are the Temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 6:19). 

Are we a place that God is pleased to dwell or is there too much clutter and sin in our lives to make Him feel comfortable and welcome?

Just as they rose up long ago to rebuild the altar of the God of Israel after the enemy had destroyed them, God is calling us to rebuild the Altars in our lives and NEVER let the fire go out. (Ezra 3:2)

If You Don't....

If you don’t pray
If you don’t read God's Word (the Bible)
Every day
If your mind is mostly focused
on cares of this life
And very few thoughts are about the Lord
If you rarely or never go to His House (Church)
You - will - not - make - it - to - Heaven

That's not being judgmental
That's a warning cry going out to

Jesus instructed we are to
Seek FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD
and His Righteousness
FIRST, before anything else
Put NOTHING before Him.
There is NOTHING on earth
more important than spending time
With our Savior, Jesus Christ

Make God PRIORITY
or the things you are making priority now
Will keep you from making Heaven your home.

Where your Treasure is
(what you make priority)
Shows where your heart is

Jesus instructed in Matthew 22:37...
Thou shalt love the LORD thy God
with ALL THY HEART,
(with every feeling and emotions)
and with ALL THY SOUL,
(With every breath you breathe)
and with ALL THY MIND.
(In all your deep thoughts)

If God is barely in your thoughts
And rarely on your mind
You are NOT loving the Lord your God
With all your heart

Again, all this is not being judgmental
This is a warning cry going out 
Because God is not willing
that any should perish
But we MUST make God PRIORITY
or the things we are making priority now
Will keep us from making Heaven our home.

God said in Jeremiah 29:13...
And ye shall seek me, and find me,
WHEN ye shall search for me
with ALL your heart.

Don't shoot the messenger.  I'm just sharing what came to me strongly during pre-service prayer.  

Can God Call You His Friend?

James 2:23 - Abraham....was called the Friend of God.

How many want to be called a friend of God? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

We know God is our friend.
But what are we doing to be God's friend?

Are we calling Him often to talk to Him through prayer?

Are we reading the letters He's written to us? (The Bible)

Are we spending adequate time with Him daily or do other things absorb our attention and time?
Are we giving Him our attention?

Some friendships feel one sided where one does all the talking and the other does all the listening.
God wants to talk to us. He has things to say, too.
Are we listening, really listening, to what He has to say?

Abraham walked and talked with God everyday,  often.
And He listened to what God was saying as well.

Friendships are developed when quality time is spent together often.

If you want to be a friend of God, do what friends do.  Call Him and talk to Him more often and read His letters (the Bible) daily. 

Many want to be called a friend of God.
Can God call you His friend?

 Thy Word

have I hid in my heart

that I might not sin

against Thee.

Psalm 119:11

To hide God's Word in our heart:

We have to read it every day. 

Not just skim it, but really read it. 

Reading not just the parts we like and make us feel good.

But reading every word, every jot, every verse from front to back then reading it through again.  

With an open heart and open mind to hear what God is truly saying to His people.  

And memorize Scripture. 

We memorize so many things...people can remember books and songs and touch downs and scores and so much more of things that are temporal and one day will no longer matter. 

But God's Word and what it says will....forever!

So read God's Word...everyday....and hide what God is saying in your heart...

Not just the promises but also the instructions and warnings 

SO THAT we will not sin against Him.

HOW IS YOUR HEART?

 

As we get older (and sometimes even for those who are younger), it’s necessary and good to get a heart checkup.  There could be underlying problems that we’re completely unaware of until something serious alerts us to an issue such as a stroke or heart attack.

Too often, people ignore the warning signs until it’s too late. Early detection can help to get any problems under control before it becomes fatal. There are several tests which doctors may do to help determine how the heart is functioning or reveal if there are any problems.

Your doctor may order an EKG (echocardiogram) to determine if a valve is narrowed or leaking.  Or the doctor may order a stress test to reveal how your heart responds to physical activity and whether any heart disease symptoms occur during exercise.

A cardiac catheterization can show if there are any blockages in the heart arteries.  A heart CT scan will take images by which the doctor can see what’s in your heart more clearly. An MRI (heart magnetic resonance imaging) will reveal even more detailed images of the heart.

These tests help the doctor to see and determine if there are any symptoms or problems that they need to be concerned about and how to best treat or remedy them.  If left untreated or a person does not respond well to treatment, it will eventually lead to death.

Parallel that to the spiritual:

In the same way, it’s necessary to often examine the spiritual condition of our heart to see what’s in it. When a problem is discovered, if left untreated or if we do not respond well to treatment, it will eventually lead to spiritual death.

 

“IF OUR HEART IS NOT RIGHT WE WILL NOT MAKE IT!” 

Those words woke me out of my sleep on Oct 3, 2022.  Those loud and clear words of warning were not just for me – they are a cry warning all of us to look deep inside and examine our hearts to make sure they are clear of any spiritual heart disease or problems.

It’s easy to look and think there is nothing in our hearts, but a “stress test” can reveal things we may not have realized were hidden deep inside. 

Jeremiah wrote in Jer 17:9…

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Sometimes, we don’t know what’s truly in our heart until a test or trial comes our way, then all of a sudden something comes to the surface that we didn’t realize was there.  Trials and tests can reveal symptoms showing a problem is there that needs to be treated before it becomes worse or fatal.

Cain is an example of one whose heart was not right.

Cain was the first recorded being born to Adam and Eve after sin entered the world.  Mankind now knew right versus wrong and good versus evil.  Cain grew up to become a gardener, tilling and working with the ground, while his younger brother, Abel, grew to become a keeper of sheep.

Perhaps it was a custom that Cain and Abel learned from their parents, but after some time had passed, they each brought an offering to the Lord.  Cain brought of the fruit of the ground while Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof.

For some reason, God accepted Abel’s but rejected Cain’s. There is much speculation as to why it happened this way…

Perhaps it was symbolic of God rejected Adam and Eve’s fig leaf covering then clothing them with a coat made of animal skin?

We do know that God accepts offerings from the firstfruits of the crops (Lev 2:1-2,12 + Num 18:12 + Ex 23:19, 34:26) but perhaps Cain tried to offer them as a burnt offering when they were only to be brought, not burnt upon the altar? Or perhaps Cain did not try to burn them yet God was requiring a burnt sacrifice as an offering? 

All these are speculations because the Bible does not give detailed explanation as to what transpired.  Perhaps Cain did everything right just as Abel did, yet God rejected his offering. 

Why did God accept Abel’s sacrifice yet reject Cain’s?  The Bible reveals it was because his heart was not right…

1 John 3:12 – Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Cain’s works were evil.  He had sin in his heart.  When he was corrected by God, rather than repent, humble himself, and change his ways to do what was pleasing to God, he became angry, hardened his heart and let hatred toward his innocent brother Abel brew within him.

Jealousy is cruel as the grave and his jealousy over God accepting Abel’s sacrifice led to Abel being in a grave before his time. (Song of Solomon 8:6)  Jealousy led to anger; anger led to hatred; and hatred led to murder.

Then, he tried to cover it all up and act innocent when God asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?”  Rather than confess and repent, Cain arrogantly lied as he replied, “I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?”

Cain’s actions over and over revealed that his heart was not right. 

 

THE HEART IS THE SEAT OF OUR EMOTIONS

Jesus taught in Matthew 15:19

For out of the heart proceed
evil thoughts, (wicked thinking - thoughts often lead to actions such as…)
murders, (hate, anger, violence)
adulteries, fornications, (lust, sexual immorality)
thefts (greed, covetousness, stealing),
false witness (lying about someone),
blasphemies (slander; it is vilification against God or others)

And again in Mark 7:21-22

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed:
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
thefts, covetousness (which come from greed and envy),
wickedness, (plots, malice, sins)
deceit (trickery, lies),
lasciviousness (unbridled lust),
an evil eye, (tricky side-glance given with wickedness in mind)
blasphemy (slander; vilification against God or others),
pride (haughtiness, arrogance),
foolishness; (refuses to listen to wisdom or learn from discipline)

It is out of the heart that these things proceed and are manifested. 

Heart check: Are any of these things in my heart?

Maybe you passed that test, but just as a doctor may order another test to see if it reveals something that the first test did not show, we need to examine our heart further….

The Thoughts of Men’s Hearts….

Let’s examine what we think on.  What do our thoughts reveal? What we think about often or most reflects what is in our heart.

Prov 23:7 teaches - As he thinketh in his heart, so is he…

God looked upon mankind after a span of time and found that every imagination of the thoughts of men’s hearts were only evil continually. (Gen 6:5)

Unfortunately, people do gravitate to and love darkness (things that are sinful) more than light (things that are upright) because their deeds are evil. (Jn 3:19)

But even if a person does not love evil, sometimes the biggest battles take place in the mind. 

Have you ever been sitting in Church while the preacher is preaching yet your mind has wandered off somewhere else.  Same happens when you are trying to read your Bible or pray.  The mind becomes distracted rather than thinking on the Lord.

Philippians 4:8 admonishes us what to focus the mind on…things that are true, things that are honest, things that are just (righteous), things that are pure, things that are lovely (meaning friendly towards), and things that are of a good report (well spoken of).

Think on good things because 1 Chron 28:9 reveals …the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts…

God knows what we’re thinking about and He’s searching our hearts.

Heart check: Are the things we are thinking about pleasing to God or things that grieve His heart?

Let’s keep digging deeper and do another heart check…

Mine Eye Affecteth My Heart…

What we allow our eyes to look at, read, or watch can and will affect our heart. (Lam 3:51)  This is why we need to be selective and careful as to what we watch, what we click on while browsing the internet, what we read, and what we look at. 

And what our children or grandchildren watch and look at. Things that are supposed to be ‘kid friendly’ are no longer ‘kid friendly’.  We are responsible to help direct and protect their young impressionable minds and hearts.  

There are times when we may not be able to help or to stop what may pass before our eyes, but we are in control of what we continue to allow our eyes to look at.

O Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear…

The same with our ears – what we allow our ears to listen to can and will affect our heart.

The old saying is true: Garbage in, garbage out.

What you let your eyes dwell on and what you allow your ears to hear will affect your heart and eventually begin to be manifest in your life because what is in the heart will eventually come to the surface either through words or actions.

Let’s dig further with another test to check our hearts….

Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaketh

Things that are in the heart will often be revealed through what comes forth out of the mouth…

Jesus revealed in Matthew 12:34 - …out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

And Matthew 15:18 – But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Our words can defile us?  Yes, according to Jesus they can.

Jesus said we are going to have to give account for every idle word that we speak in the day of judgment. (Mt 12:36) It is by our words that we’ll either be justified (rendered innocent) or condemned (pronounced guilty). (Mt 12:37)

Makes you really stop and think “what am I talking about?” like Bro Gregory taught on last Wednesday night. 

Are my 16,000 words per day pleasing or displeasing to God?

One of the greatest struggles Christians battle is the tongue. If you watch and observe, you will find much of the trouble, strife, and divisions that arise in churches comes from people’s mouths.  

Even Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth admonishing against things he was afraid they were struggling with: debating (quarreling), envy, wrath (breathing hard in anger toward another), strifes (contentions between each other), backbiting (defaming and speaking evil against another), whispering (slandering others secretly), swellings (haughty and lifted up in pride), as well as tumults arising (meaning agitation and confusion causing disorder and instability – basically someone(s) was sowing discord and division amongst the brethren which is an abomination to God). (2 Cor 12:20 + Prov 6:16-19)

The book of James contains many verses concerning the tongue – one of which is a strong warning to everyone who professes to be a Christian… “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man religion is in vain. (James 1:26)

Meaning: A person may appear to be religious but if they can’t control their tongue, they are deceiving their self if they think they are ok before God.  They are not and their religion (their worship) profits them nothing.  There is a heart problem.

James 3:8-10 – But the tongue can no man tame (that’s why we need the Holy Ghost); it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God…and therewith curse we men…Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

James 3:6 – 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 the fire of hell.

David wisely penned, “I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue.” (Ps 39:1)

We know there is a heart problem with those who cuss or speak vulgar.

We know there is a heart problem with someone who is angry, violent, and throws fits often.

We know that if a person is argumentative, often quarreling, or fighting with others – it reveals that there is a problem in the heart.

But also…

If a person struggles with gossip – it is revealing there is a problem in the heart.

If a person backbites (speaks evil against another) or whispers (slanders others secretly) against another – it reveals there is a problem in the heart.

If a person is sowing discord among the brethren (especially if they are causing others to rebel against or think bad toward the pastor) – it reveals that there is a problem in the heart.

Heart check: Are my words revealing that there is a problem with my heart?

The Bible makes reference to many types of hearts.  Some are good revealing the heart is upright before God; some are not good revealing there are problems in the heart. 

You know what the great thing about King David was?  He wasn’t a perfect man but he would acknowledge his sins and then sincerely repent of them.

He prayed in Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

It is good to often search our own hearts.  Really search, thoroughly digging and looking deep within.

But unfortunately, sometimes, we may not see within ourself that there is a disease forming in our heart - just as King David did not see the issues in his own heart until Nathan the prophet brought them out into the open when he proclaimed, “Thou art the man!” (2 Sam 7)

There are times when God will use the Pastor, Preacher, or teacher to reveal through the preached Word what we may not see or acknowledge is deep within our hearts. 

Because: the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, yet sometimes we may not even realize what is in our own heart. (Jer 17:9)  Therefore, we need to ask God to search our hearts and examine our minds often. (Jer 27:10) 

Because things left untreated in the heart, can lead to death physically and spiritually, a good prayer to pray is one that David also prayed: Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps 51:10)   

If our heart is not right, we will not make it 💔

The Love of Money

 1Ti 6:10 - 

For the love of money 

is the root of all evil: 

which while some coveted after, 

they have erred from the faith, 

and pierced themselves through 

with many sorrows.

Don't seek after how to get more money.  

Many won't miss work yet they'll miss Church. 

One benefits only temporary. 

The other benefits the eternal.

This life is not about how to obtain more wealth 

to buy more things 

or impressing others. 

We have only one life and soon it will pass. 

Only what's done for Christ will last.

At the end of this life only 3 things will matter:

1. Seeing Jesus face to face

2.  Are we Biblically saved and ready?

3.  Have we tried to reach and bring the lost to Him?

WHEN GOD TURNS A DEAF EAR

WHEN GOD TURNS A DEAF EAR

Zechariah 7 (KJV)

¹³ THEREFORE it is come to pass, 

that as He cried, 

and they would not hear; 

so they cried, 

and I would not hear, 

saith the LORD of hosts:

BECAUSE....

¹¹ ...they refused to hearken, 

and pulled away the shoulder, 

and stopped their ears, 

that they should not hear.

¹² Yea, they made their hearts 

as an adamant (hard) stone, 

lest they should hear the law, 

and the words which the LORD of hosts 

hath sent in His Spirit by the former prophets: 

THEREFORE 

came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

Many think of God as a God of love and mercy (and He is), yet there is also a side of God that becomes angry if we harden our hearts and refuse to listen to His Words (the Bible) or the Preachers.  

Their stubbornness and rebellion brought God's wrath and angered Him so much that He refused to hear their cries since they refused to hear His cries.  

Think about it - They were ignoring God, therefore,  God was ignoring them. 

If we don't want God to ignore us, we do not need to ignore His Word, His instructions, or what He's telling us through the preachers.

A LOVE FOR INSTRUCTION

 

A LOVE FOR INSTRUCTION

 

Proverbs 12:1 – Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge….

There is an abundance of self-help videos on Youtube and various social media platforms because people want to learn how to do build or repair something; or learn how to bake certain recipes or decorate a cake; or maybe they want to learn how to make certain crafts; and the list goes on.

Some want to grow in knowledge and learn a skill that will help them become better at something so they seek to learn from others who are skilled in that area.

Many young people go to college in order to increase their knowledge so that they may obtain special degrees so as to obtain better paying jobs.

While this is all good and necessary, this is not the knowledge that this verse is referring to.  I opened my Bible directly to Prov 12:1 the other day and could not get past this particular verse.  It caught my attention so I dug a little deeper as to the meaning behind it.

The word ‘instruction’ means ‘(H4148) chastisement, warning, reproof, discipline.’

Proverbs 12:1 – Whoso loveth instruction (H4148 = chastisement, warning, reproof, discipline) loveth knowledge:

It is not just any instruction that the Bible is referring to in this Scipture - it is referring to instruction given as a chastisement, a warning, to reprove or discipline us. 

Whoso loveth chastisement; whoso loveth receiving warnings and reproofs; whoso loveth receiving discipline loves knowledge.

That is a tough verse to swallow.  We are supposed to love being chastised? We are supposed to love receiving warnings and reproofs and discipline? 

Yes, because chastisments, warnings, reproofs, and discipline help us to learn and discern between right and wrong and correct bad behavior.

When I was a child….

1 Corinthians 13:11 – 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 (when I finally grew up), I put away childish things.

Prov 22:15 – Foolishness (lack of wisdom or good judgment) is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Children do not reason, or think, or talk, or understand as adults do.  Even when they are teenagers, they do not fully understand or comprehend as adults do.  That is why they can be peer pressured into doing something they shouldn’t or become prey to predators.

No child or teen likes to be punished/grounded for misconduct.  They will cry and plead and yes, even lie to get out of being punished, grounded, or losing a privilege, but it is a punishment issued and followed through with that helps them to remember the consequences for poor behavior and choose not to repeat them.

Prov 1:8 admonishes – My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Prov 4:1 – Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Prov 13:1 – A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Scorner means (H3887) ‘to make mouths at’ in other words ‘mouthy.’
A scorner is someone who expresses contempt or disdain for someone or something.  They will not listen to rebuke.  They get ‘mouthy,’ are rude, disrespectful, and will back talk rather than humble their self and submit to instruction.   (Sadly, I’ve seen adults who still exhibit this trait because they did not learn to submit as a child)

Prov 15:5 – A fool despiseth (his father’s) instructions: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent (showing wisdom).

Prov 13:24 – He that spareth his rod (correcting bad behavior) hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Have you ever seen parents who let their children run wild, undisciplined? They Bible says those that do this hate their child.  They do not care about what the child is doing as long as it doesn’t bother them and they stay out of their hair.

A parent who truly cares instructs and issues punishments BECAUSE they love their child and want to see them become a better person.  Just as God instructs and punishes us when needed BECAUSE he loves us.

 

Sometimes the Lord has to issue correction…..

We are human and our flesh wants to do things that we should not.  We see example after example of this throughout the Bible when Israel was punished by God yet they would not repent and turn away from sin so He finally sent them into captivity.

God sent many prophets (men of God) to warn what was coming if they did not repent, yet they refused to hear:

Jer 5:3 – ….Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Jer 2:30 – In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction…

Jer 7:28 – But thou shalt say unto them, this is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Jer 10:8 – But they are altogether brutish (senseless) and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities (they are instructed by worthless idols).

Prov 19:27 – Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

The instructions they were listening to and receiving were not instructing them in the ways of Truth and righteousness. They were not listening to the right voice!

It was pleasing to the flesh but was causing them to stray and err from the words of knowledge.

It grieved God….

Jer 17:23 – But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

Jer 32:33 – And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: (they turned their backs on God) though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened (to hear intelligently) to receive instruction (H4148 = chastisement, correction).

When we hear preached what God’s Word instructs us to do or not do yet we refuse to hear or change and continue to do or not do what God instructed through the preacher, we are turning to Him our backs.  We are not listening or receiving God’s instruction to correct and lead us in the paths of righteousness.

If God’s Word says “do not do (you fill in the blank)” yet we continue to do it, we are turning to Him our backs, refusing to listen and obey.

If God’s Word says “Do this (you fill in the blank)” yet we do not do it, we are turning to Him our backs, refusing to listen and obey.

I don’t want to disobey God.  I do not want to turn to Him my back rather than my face to receive instruction and correction whenever needed.

God in His mercy again reached out to His people in Jer 35:13 – ….will ye not receive instruction to hearken to My words? saith the Lord.

Yet – She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Zeph 3:2

God called out again in Zeph 3:7 – I said, surely thou wilt fear Me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

Sadly, there are some who will refuse to stop sinning no matter what calamity or turmoil that may come into their life over and over again. They are a slave to sin.

God, at times, allows adversity to come our way to refine us or get our attention (because He cares and is not willing that any should perish). Yet, some become angry at God and demand that He do things for them while refusing to listen to and obey God.

Prov 3:11 – My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction.

Heb 12:5 - ….my son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of Him.

Don’t get weary or upset when God rebukes you, because….

Job 5:17 – Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Rev 3:19 – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Correction from the Lord shows that He loves us just as a parent corrects their children because they love them and want good for them.

There is a warning for those that hate correction….

Prov 12:1 starts out – Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge….

Prov 12:1 continues ….but he that hateth reproof (H8433 = correction, reasoning, rebuke) is brutish (H1198 = not wise, foolish).

That’s strong, but that’s Bible.

The hardest part about being a pastor is that people hate correction. 

They do not want to be warned against sin.  They do not want to be told that they are not living in a way that is pleasing to God. They want to do whatever they want to do. They want to live how they want to live and hear motivational preaching, making them feel good about their self and their ways.

If a pastor dares to approach them to admonish them against sin or instruct them in the way of righteousness (right living), they will either bull up and sow discord (or) they will leave that Church and talk against the pastor as they make their way to the next Church.  

However, Pastors are Biblically instructed to…

2 Tim 4:20 – Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Notice reprove and rebuke are listed first.  Exhort is mentioned last.  Yet, a pastor must do it with patience and soundness of doctrine.

Titus 1:13 - …wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

1 Tim 5:20 – Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Most will not go for that.  If a pastor openly calls out sin, then the gossip mill runs amuck that he is rude and mean and controlling. Yet, the Bible says to rebuke before all.

Titus 2:15 – These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Don’t despise a pastor that cares enough for your soul to warn against sin. Most do not realize when and if a pastor openly rebukes someone, he’s most likely privately admonished that person time and again.

 

The Bible warns that those who hate correction and rebuke are brutish (they are not wise; they are foolish).  (Proverbs 12:1)

Prov 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov 15:10 – Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Prov 10:17 – He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

In Psalms 50:17, God became upset because – Seeing thou hatest insruction, and casteth my words behind thee.

God explains the ways they were showing that they hated instruction and were ignoring His instructions as though casting them away like trash….

Psalm 50:18-20 - When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him (H7521 = approved and excused what was done), and hast been partaker with adulterers (H2506 = spoke smoothly to them; flattered them with words – rather than condemn the unrighteous act).  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.  Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother (H251 – can also mean ‘another’); thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

They thought God didn’t care that they did these things.  They justified their selves but God warned…

Psalm 50:21 – These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself (doing all these things, approving, and excusing them), BUT I will reprove (correct) thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

God may let things slide for a while because His mercy is reaching out and calling each to repentance, but, after a while, if there is not a turning from unrighteousness/sin, He will send correction.

Solomon warned his son of the words he and others would cry as consequences followed if they did not heed the words of warning and admonition from their parents, the preacher, or the teacher….

Prov 5:12-13 – …How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof. And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

There will come a time when those who do not obey and continue to do things there own way will realize the parents, the preacher, and the teacher were right. But it will be a grievous lesson to learn at a price greater than they may be wanting to pay.

 

God cried out against those who refused to be instructed….

Prov 1:25 – But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

Prov 1:30 – They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Prov 5:12 – And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart, despised reproof.

Prov 5:23 – He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Prov 29:1 – He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.  

That is a strong warning not to harden our hearts, rebel, and refuse to receive correction. 

 

But whoso loveth instruction….

…openeth also their ear to discipline as God commands that they turn from iniquity. (Job 36:10)

They seek to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; (Prov 1:2)

They receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity (uprightness). (Prov 1:3)

Prov 4:13 – Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Prov 6:23 – For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

Prov 13:18 – Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Prov 15:31 – The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Prov 15:32 – He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Prov 15:33 – The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.

Prov 16:22 – Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Prov 19:20 – Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Prov 23:12 – Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

 

Prov 8:10 – Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Prov 24:32 – Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

We know that….

Heb 12:11 – Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised (trained) thereby.

Correction is not pleasant at that moment – it’s painful! It hurts!, but afterward when it brings about a change for the better and helps us to become better, we understand that correction is necessary and is for our good. 

Therefore… Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Prov 8:33

Because…. Whoso loveth instruction (chastisement, warning, reproof, discipline) loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof (correction, reasoning, rebuke) is brutish (not wise, foolish).