Monday, September 10, 2007

Opposites of the world and the Church:

The world says "live" but Christ says we are "dead".

Colossians 3: 1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

The world looks on gray hair as a bad thing and people spend lots of money to hide it. The Bible says that gray hair is a blessing if it is found with wisdom.

Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. 16:31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

The world fosters self-exaltation but God looks for those of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

The world teaches to be proud but Christ's teaches us to have a humble heart.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

The world counsels to "look out for number One" but Christ says to "Love others as I have loved you." He went to the cross for us.

John 15: 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The world measures one's worth on their financial gains but Paul says that "The love of money is the root of all evil."

I Timothy 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.

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

The world says that our joys are gotten by prosperity, good times, partying, etc. while only Christ can give us the real joy.

1Peter 1: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Psalm 101 IV

“ He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.” Psalm 101:7-8
I must finish my comments on Psalm 101 so I can move onto other matters. First, this is a wonderful psalm and is worth committing to memory as most scripture is. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11 We should remember that when we read this, it is not just David that is saying this, but God.
“ He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house:”
We have the house of God on earth which is the church, but we will have his house in heaven. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-2 While many dwell in the church working deceit now, it won’t happen in heaven. Deceit is defined as “a misleading falsehood” or “the quality of being fraudulent.” Another words, it is trying to appear as something that one is not. Is this happening in the church today? Well, it did in the early church and is much more prevalent now. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” II Corinthians 11:13-15 We must have our loins gird about in truth and keep on the breastplate of righteousness.
“he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.”
A lie is simply something that is not true. That may have seemed like a very shallow statement to some but now days we have to define almost everything. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44 Satan lied to Eve in that while he told part of the truth, he did not tell her all but distorted it. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 He lied in that they would not die for they did as well as all of mankind since then except for Elijah and Enoch who were taken up to heaven. Even Jesus had to die for the sins of mankind that started that day of deception by Satan in the garden of Eden, but he has risen! Thank God! There will be no liars in heaven. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
“I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.”
Christ is coming back to judge the earth and will rule with a rod of iron. “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Revelation 19:15 The deceiver of the brethren shall be cast out. “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” John 12:31 One day all shall bow before our Lord and Savior. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:9-12

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Psalm 101 –Part III

We continue comments on Psalm 101. First, here it is in its entirety.

1 ¶ A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Now let's l 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.ook at verses 5-6.

5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

"Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off:" The word "slander" means, "Words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another" or "An abusive attack on a person's character or good name." This is familiar and the political arena but it should not be done with Christians. Our tongues are so hard to control, especially when we are upset with someone for any given reason. James 3:6 says, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." We must not be of those that were written about in Psalm 12:3-4 "The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" Here we must continually examine ourselves.

"him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer" When we read scripture such as this, it is like a mirror and we should examine ourselves before examining others. God hates pride, in fact it is one of the seven things he hates as we see in Proverbs 6:16-17. "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood," Satan fell because of pride. " How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." Isaiah 11:12-15 It is too lengthy of a subject to continue in here but be certain that there is no place for earthly pride in the Kingdom of God.

"Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me."

We should have our eyes on those who we know are living godly lives and who can be a good influence to us and our children, not the Hollywood stars or the loose talkers and livers in the world. Our eyes should be on those who are faithful to God and his Word, not on them who are only asking for money and who say gain is Godliness. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain." I Timothy 6:3-6 While God can and will prosper his people, it is not an end to itself, but the end is to obey and love hime.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.