Blessed are the Encouragers! ~ Raul Ries

‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God.”

Isaiah 40:1

The Lord tells us to encourage one another. That shouldn’t be a difficult task since the Lord does so much to encourage us through His word. William Barclay said, “One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement… It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word.”

Thought for the Day:

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be – not what you nag them to be.

Paul's Apostolic Credentials and Final Command ~ WOW the Bible in 7 minutes a day

Paul's Apostolic Credentials and Final Command

2Corinthians 11:16-12:10,19-21; 13:1-11; Psalm 122:1-4; Proverbs 23:4-5

I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold-I speak foolishly-I am bold also.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?-I speak as a fool-I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, inperils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare-since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10, 19-21; 13:1-11

WORSHIP

I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go into the house of the LORD."
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built
As a city that is compact together,
Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the LORD,
To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
Psalm 122:1-4

WISDOM

Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5

Gathering to listen, not to be seen or heard ~ Mike MacIntosh

Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." Mark 12:38-40

Our desire should be to treat one another with the love and respect that God has shown to us. The scribes and religious people "played church" to look good in front of people and to have others treat them with dignity and honor. Is that why you go to church? I sure hope not! We should be attending our church services and Bible studies with God in mind; we should be asking the questions, "What does He want us to learn today? How does He want to show me what it means to be a Godly man or woman?"

In Matthew 11:7-8, Jesus was talking about John the Baptist, and He said to the scribes, "What did you go out in the wilderness to see, a reed that was shaken in the wind or somebody dressed in king's apparel?" (Matthew 11:7-8). Those religious people didn't really want to hear the Gospel that John was preaching; they wanted to look good in front of their constituents. They weren't looking for a humble man; they were looking for a popular preacher with fine clothes looking dapper and fancy. Again I ask the question, is this why you attend the church you do? Do you go to a place to worship because a preacher is decked out to the nines? Do you attend a church because of the rich people that attend and you want to be like them?

We need to take these words of Jesus seriously. We don't want to be like the scribes when we gather together, praying long-winded prayers to appear spiritual. We don't need to sit in the "best places" in order to be seen by others, thinking somehow that they will see you as more spiritual. We need to simply praise and worship the Lord when we gather together. Don't be concerned with what other people think about you. Come to church to give glory and honor to the Lord. Come to church to grow and to learn what it means to be His disciple.

Thirsting for His Grace ~ David McGee

John 4:10

....He would have given you living water."
NKJV

Life Lesson

We should be vessels for God's grace to others.

Jesus desires to give living water. After all of our mistakes and all of our failures, He still desires to give mankind life eternal. He wants to give it to the atheists and those who defraud and defame His glorious name. He wants to give it to those who try to silence the good news by false interpretations of church and state. He wants to give it to Muslims, to New Age gurus, to those who say He was married to Mary Magdalene. If only they would ask for it.

He gave it to a woman with a sordid past. He gives it to those who do not deserve it. He gave it to you and to me. Now Jesus wants to use us as earthen vessels to distribute this 'living water' into a world that is dying of thirst.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the grace You have so abundantly heaped onto my head. I want to be established each morning in Your new mercies and I am ever dependent on Your grace and love. Let me be a light of Your grace to all who I come across today. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Changes Everything ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Get People to Jesus” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 11/14-15/09,

Message #MB396; Daily Devotional #2 - “Prayer Changes Everything”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): [Jesus praying] I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:14-21 ESV)

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): The world needs to know Jesus is Who He says He is, that He did what He said He would do, and that each person can trust Him with his or her very life. As Christ followers, we are God’s ambassadors to people blinded by the evil one. We must ask ourselves, how well are we representing God to those within our circle of influence? Is our life a sweet fragrance, captivating those who inhale our presence? Or do those who we encounter walk away in confusion at the duality of what they’ve experienced, a professing follower of Jesus more influenced by the world than by the Word? We may respond in protest to the thought that we put our faith in tangible stuff more than the living Word—but do we worry? Do we walk in fear? Do we take matters in our own hands rather than wait for God’s provision? We’ve all walked in both arenas, living lives of faith only to respond to some crushing circumstance in our own strength, consequently revealing a Jesus to the world not rooted in the reality of the Word.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): So how do we put Jesus on display in such a way that the world takes notice, so that they see Him in all Truth? First and foremost, we pray. We pray as Jesus prayed. Prayer gives us strength to face the day, to stand when our flesh wants to fall. When we pray, we open our lives to God’s transforming power. We place our very existence in oneness with God and with other believers. When we are one, the world takes note, and according to Jesus, they believe He really is Who He says He is: evangelism through unity as a consequence of prayer. Selah: stop and think about that.

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 141:2; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 12:12

His power within us ~ Jon Courson

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. - 1 Peter 2:21-24

Facing persecution, the early believers were not left on their own without a Model to follow, for ‘Christ also suffered for us, leaving an example, that we should follow in his steps.’

When Peter John was about three years old, we were playing in the snow, and I said, ‘Come on, PJ, follow in my footprints if you can.’ But he couldn’t. My stride was too big.

Folks, to be frank, I look at a verse like this and read that when He was being wrongly, cruelly, terribly treated, Jesus didn’t answer back — and that I am to follow His steps. Yet I know I can’t do this because I want to fight back; I want to let my opinion be known; I want to make sure I’m heard. But here’s the good news: Jesus not only is our Example, but He is our Enabler, not only the Lamb, but also the Shepherd of our souls.

Peter John did indeed follow in my steps that day — as I lifted him into the air and back down again and again so that he could put his feet in each one. He followed in my footsteps because I not only gave him steps to follow, but I enabled him to do so by lifting him up.

That’s what our Lord does. He’s the One Who hoists me up and allows me, if I’ll let Him, to follow in His footsteps when I never could in my own ability. And He’ll do the same for you.

Weightless endurance training ~ Jack Graham

… let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely… and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
-- Hebrews 12:1

Let me ask you something as a little check up. How much time do you spend watching TV?

I read once that the average American spends 15 years of their life watching television. Does that shock you? It did me!

There are so many other important things for people to do with their time. Watching too much TV, or the wrong kind of programs, can hinder your ability to run the great race of faith to which you are called.

And here’s why it matters. There’s coming a day when each of us will stand before God and give account for our lives. God will ask what we did with our lives as Christ-followers, how we used our talents and gifts for him, and what we did with our time and resources.

And on that day, only that which was done to advance the Kingdom of God will matter!

So I need to ask you, how are you advancing the Kingdom of God on earth? Are lives being touched because you served… loved… and because you told them about Jesus?

Set aside those things that keep you from running your best race and you will meet Jesus without regrets.

HOW ARE YOU ADVANCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH?

God Fulfilling the Work of Faith with Power ~ Bob Hoekstra

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

These verses provide another opportunity to reflect upon the central point in our last sequence of devotions (from Hebrews). Therein, we examined the extensive consequences of walking by faith (and thereby drawing upon the effective grace of God). The good things that appeared in these lives were the result of God fulfilling the work of faith with power.

The opening words remind us of the need for intercessory prayer for one another. "Therefore we also pray always for you." The following terms remind us of what to pray about: "that our God would count you worthy of this calling." God counts us worthy to be His children and His servants on the basis of faith, not performance: "not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith" (Philippians 3:9). The following words from our present text also indicate that true faith in the Lord results in proper performance: "and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power." God wants to develop in us the good things that His own goodness desires for us. Of course, He desires godliness for us. He accomplishes this by "the work of faith with power."

When we trust in the Lord, the glorious works of God are manifested in and through our lives "with power."His power. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily" (Ephesians 3:20 and Colossians 1:29). This is the process that is vividly portrayed in the lives we have looked at in Hebrews. They trusted in God: "By faith Noah…By faith Abraham…By faith Sarah" (Hebrews 11:7, 8, 11). The God upon whom they relied worked mightily in them, by means of His great grace: "according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." Our God wants to fulfill the work of faith with power in our lives—"according to the grace of our God." This is what brings glory to the Lord on earth, while reminding us that we will enter into His glory some day in heaven: "that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him." The power involved in this process is

Lord God of great power, please fulfill in me the work of faith with power. As I look to You for the grace that is needed for godly living, glorify Your name through my life. I eagerly await dwelling forever with You in the glories of heaven above, Amen.

Don't Take It Easy ~ Chuck Swindoll

Psalm 90

Last fall one day at the church, I spotted a visiting gentleman who was shaking hands with a half-dozen folks he’d never met belore. Then he looked at me, and with a grin and a twinkle, he whipped out his hand. It was a hand you could strike a match on, toughened by decades of rugged toil.

“You look like a man who enjoys life. What do you do for a living?” I asked.
“Me? Well, I’m a farmer from back in the Midwest.”
“Really? I guess I’m not surprised, since you’ve got hands like a tractor tire.”
He laughed . . . asked me a couple of insightful questions, then told me about his plans for traveling on his own.
“What did you do last week?” I asked.
His answer stunned me. “Last week I finished harvesting 90,000 bushels of corn,” he said with a smile.
I then blurted out, “Ninety thousand! How old are you, my friend?”
He didn’t seem at all hesitant or embarrassed by my question. “I’m just a couple months shy o’ 90.” He laughed again as I shook my head.

He had lived through four wars, the Great Depression, sixteen presidents, ninety Midwest winters, who knows how many personal hardships, and he was still taking life by the throat. I had to ask him the secret of his long and productive life. “Hard work and integrity” was his quick reply.

As we parted company, he looked back over his shoulder and added, “Don’t take it easy, young feller. Stay at it!”

The Bible is filled with folks who refused to take it easy. Remember our friend Caleb, who, at age 85, attacked the Anakim in the hill country and successfully drove them out (Josh. 14)? Or Abraham, who had a baby (well, actually Sarah did) when he was “in his old age” . . . he was 100, she was 90 (Gen. 21)? Or Noah or Moses or Samuel or Anna, the 84-year-old prophetess . . . significant people, all.

Age means zilch. Wrinkles, gray hair, and spots on your hands, less than zilch. If God chooses to leave you on this old earth, great. If He makes it possible for you to step aside from your work and move on to new vistas with fresh challenges, that’s also great.

And whatever else you do, don’t take it easy!

"No disease is more lethal than the boredom that follows retirement" (Norman Cousins).

Caught! ~ Bob Coy

Then He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" Mark 9:33 (NKJV)

Everybody knows what it's like to get caught with your hand in the cookie jar. You get that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. What seemed like such a great idea just a second ago suddenly becomes a source of humiliation. It's not a fun experience, but it's an essential part of growing up. Without it-without getting busted-our unhealthy appetites would go unchecked.

In Mark 9:33, Jesus catches the disciples with their hands in the cookie jar. They had just been arguing among themselves about which of them would be the greatest in God's Kingdom. "Greatest in God's Kingdom" is a contradiction of sorts, because in God's Kingdom the greatest happens to be the one with the most humble heart. So Kingdom greatness is not something that's attained by those who pursue it. The way up is down.

The disciples were in need of some serious discipleship on this point, so Jesus asked them what they were arguing about. You can just imagine that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Of course, nobody wanted to fess up and admit they'd been speaking so selfishly. There must have been an awkward, yet healthy, moment of contemplation. "Wow, what were we arguing about? Jesus never seems to worry about being great, so why should we?"

With their minds made pliable by the question, Jesus explains that the greatest in God's Kingdom will always be the most humble servant of all. The disciples understood His point, but it would still take some time for them to fully put this principle into practice...as it does with us.

From time to time, God asks us similar questions. Questions that bring our attitudes and actions to light, questions that catch us with our hands in the cookie jar. But when He does, He always does it for our discipleship.

Discuss God’s perspective on greatness. In your life, who has best demonstrated the Christian life? How is that person a true servant?

Dig into Mark 9:30–37. Why do you think Jesus posed this question? Why didn’t He receive an answer? What message did Jesus convey in verses 36–37? How does this challenge our faith?

Decide as a group to pray for those who faithfully serve in your local church. Thank God for the role that they play and the Kingdom contributions they make.

The Courage to Obey ~ Charles Stanley

Joshua 1:1-9

Most men would be pleased to accept the honor of leading a nation. Perhaps Joshua felt that way, too, but he was likely very aware of the daunting task and responsibility of being the Israelites’ leader as they left the wilderness. Yet he determined to obey God no matter what.

The Hebrew people were a difficult bunch. Not only did they grumble about food, water, safety, and rules; they also questioned Moses’ leadership and almost as soon as his back was turned, rebelled against God. Now Joshua—a man they once threatened to stone (Num. 14:10)—was poised to lead these wayward desert nomads safely home. His was a God-sized task indeed.

Yet Joshua ultimately took up the mantle of leadership with courage. Any uncertainty was replaced by boldness and resolve. He placed his faith in God, who had never let the people down. Joshua fully expected the Lord to be true to His word again and deliver them to the Promised Land.

I do not know what challenge you are facing, but I do know that God will enable you to tackle it bravely, calmly, and victoriously. Whether you are a woman in a painful marriage, a family man contemplating a return to school, or a person in the clutches of a dreaded disease, God says to you, “Be strong and courageous” (Josh 1:7).

Joshua’s courage was based upon years of seeing God’s faithfulness. Whether you’ve been a Christian for 5 minutes or 50 years, you can have the same confidence. The Bible promises that He is sufficient to meet your needs and see you safely through your journey until you reach heaven (Phil. 4:19).

Are you consistent and fair with all your team? (96-1) ~ Barry Werner

Are you consistent and fair with all your team? (96-1)

November 16th, 2009 in 2 Samuel, Fairness, Interpersonal Relationships, Old Testament, Proverbs, Team Building | leave a response

Even the most fair, consistent leaders will have situations when jealousy among their teammates changes the dynamic of their team. When a leader has been fair and consistent in their actions toward the team, they can generally restore order by fair and just application of the established practices, policies, and procedures. If the proper team is in place, the team order is restored because consistent behavior and fairness cannot easily be questioned without someone openly showing greed or selfishness that sets them apart as the culprit. However, add any inconsistent behavior on the part of the leader and the situation has the potential to be blown out of proportion and teammates will react in ways that destroy team unity. Read 2 Samuel 19:9-20 and 19:38-20:2.

Absalom, the king’s son who led the rebellion against David, was dead and it was obvious to all the tribes of Israel that David was still God’s choice as king and firmly in a position of power. The tribes that had supported Absalom knew they needed to do something to demonstrate loyalty to David or face potential retaliation for their rebellion so they determined to send a delegation to escort the king from exile back to the palace in Jerusalem. When David heard about the intentions of the rebellious tribes he sent word to leaders of Judah, his tribe, and suggested they join the others in escorting him back to the capitol.

When both groups showed up to escort David to Jerusalem, David did not demonstrate fair, equitable leadership by giving direction that dignified both team’s actions. Without directions from the king, jealousy dominated the emotions of both groups. It did not take long for a dispute to develop between the tribe of Judah and the other tribes that led to a second rebellion against David’s leadership. David had a great opportunity to heal the nation but his own inconsistent behavior as their leader led to more acts of violence and more death before order was restored to the nation.

Have you struggled with consistent behavior and fair and equal application of policies and rewards for your team? There are no shortcuts to solving this problem. Your attitude will need to change. The solution will take consistent, fair behavior over a period of time to win the teams confidence. In the short term you may lose the favor of some you have favored but over time you will gain the loyalty of the entire team. A leader may get the benefit of the doubt as they begin to establish consistent behavior but it is important to know the team is watching and one inconsistent act or one act of favoritism will create a setback that takes longer to solve the next time.

Effective leaders live by Proverbs 16:11 (TLB), “The Lord demands fairness in every business deal. He established the principle.”

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Tags: Consistency, Favoritism, Jealousy

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Only Believe ~ Joyce Meyer

Jesus asked, Do you believe that I am able to do this?
— Matthew 9:28

In Mark 5:36 (GNT), He said, "Don't be afraid, only believe." There have been many times in my life when I have been discouraged and not known what to do, or felt that nothing was working and that everybody was against me. Whether it was about unfilled financial needs or unrelenting pain in my body, I would say to God, "What do You want me to do?"

The thing I have heard over and over again is, "Only believe." Hebrews 4:3 tells us that believing brings us into the rest of God. Once we enter that rest, it is wonderful because although we may still have a problem, we are not frustrated by it anymore.

In Mark 11:24 Jesus said that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will get it. In Acts 16:31 we are told, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Hebrews 11:6 tells us that those who come to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Can you see from these scriptures how important it is to believe? If you and I want to receive anything from God, we must first believe that He is, and then we must believe that He is good.

Keep Running! ~ Greg Laurie

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

— Hebrews 12:1–2

When people say they enjoy running, it makes no sense to me. I don't enjoy any kind of exercise, but I do it—reluctantly and under protest. My favorite part of a workout is when it is done. I have met people who talk about a runner's high, which, I am told, happens when endorphins are released. I have never experienced a runner's high, but one little secret I have discovered is that I always seem to do better when there is someone watching, when there is someone cheering me on.


In the race of life, you are being watched by others who have gone before you, by those who have already run this race. We read in Hebrews 11 about the great men and women of God who served Him faithfully, and they are referred to as "so great a cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1. Another version puts it this way: "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins" (MSG).


The idea is that you keep running. When I look at the lives of some believers I knew when I first came to Christ, it is sad to see the mess they have made of their lives through wrong choices and by getting sidetracked. Then I can think of others who started their race without much promise, but they are doing very well today. So it is not enough to start well. We need to finish well too.


Keep running. Look to Jesus as the one you are running for. He is watching you. He is urging you on. Are you running to win?

Relationships Are Worth Restoring ~ Rick Warren

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you ... agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends” (Philippians 2:1-2 Msg).

Relationships are always worth restoring.

Life is all about learning how to love, and God wants us to value relationships and make every effort to maintain them instead of discarding them whenever there is a rift, a hurt, or a conflict.

In fact, the Bible tells us that God has given us the ministry of restoring relationships. For this reason a significant amount of the New Testament is devoted to teaching us how to get along with one another.

The Apostle Paul taught that our ability to get along with others is a mark of spiritual maturity. Since Christ wants his family to be known for our love for each other, broken fellowship is a disgraceful testimony to unbelievers. This is why Paul was so embarrassed that the members of the church in Corinth were splitting into warring factions and even taking each other to court.

He wrote, "Shame on you! Surely there is at least one wise person in your fellowship who can settle a dispute between fellow Christians" (1 Corinthians 6:5 TEV). He was shocked that no one in the church was mature enough to resolve the conflict peaceably. In the same letter, he said, "I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other" (1 Corinthians 1:10 Msg).

"If you want God's blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God, you must learn to be a peacemaker. Jesus said, "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9, NLT).

Notice Jesus didn't say, "Blessed are the peace lovers," because everyone loves peace. Neither did he say, "Blessed are the peaceable," who are never disturbed by anything. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who work for peace"—those who actively seek to resolve conflict.

Peacemakers are rare because peacemaking is hard work, but because you were formed to be a part of God's family, peacemaking is one of the most important skills you can develop.

Unfortunately, most of us were never taught how to resolve conflict, so over the next few days, we’ll consider the steps necessary to resolve conflict.

Good And Bad Shepherds, Part 2 ~ Kay Arthur

Jeremiah, Part 1 (Return To Me)

Program 42 – Good And Bad Shepherds, Part 2

Do you realize that every ruler, every leader of a people of a country is someday going to stand before God Almighty? If they don’t know Jesus Christ, they’re going to stand at the Great White Throne Judgment of God. And do you know what God’s going to do? He’s going to judge them according to their deeds and that will determine the punishment and the greatness of the punishment in the lake of fire. (See Revelation 20:11-14) We’ll talk about it today.

As we saw last week in our study of Jeremiah, God is a God of justice. And He’s looking for those that rule people to rule in justice and to rule in righteousness. Now you and I know from history, we know from Hitler, and we know from Stalin, and we know from the rulers of China and other places that there are men that are despots. That they are cruel, cruel leaders of their people, that they do not really care about the welfare of their people, they just have their own agenda.

And what you and I need to understand this week as we listen to God’s Word when He pronounces woe on the shepherds, on the rulers of His people Israel, and when He speaks to the prophets that are prophesying dreams and oracles that are not from God, we need to know that God is going to hold those people accountable.

Remember yesterday in the program I took you from the days of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, the last five kings of the Southern Kingdom and the destruction of Jerusalem, which has not yet happened in Jeremiah, but which will be recorded for us in Jeremiah 52, which happens in 586 B.C. Then I had you draw a line. I had you draw a time table. And if you’ve already gotten our chart on Jeremiah then, if you’ve downloaded that by going to “preceptsforlife.com” you saw the first coming of Jesus Christ. Then you saw the second coming of Jesus Christ, and then you saw a thousand year reign.

Well at the end of that thousand year reign there is going to be a Great White Throne Judgment. And it’s recorded for you in Revelation chapter 20 in verse 11 to the end of the chapter. (See Revelation 20:11-15)

In that Great White Throne Judgment then all the dead are going to stand before God. The great, the shepherds, the rulers, the great and the small, it matters not. And they’re going to stand before God. They are going to be brought out of hell, which is a holding place. And the books are going to be opened, and they’re going to be judged according to the deeds that are recorded in those books. And then they are going to be cast into the lake of fire.

Let me read it to you just so that you have it before you and you have it in mind. Because what we’re going to see this week about rulers and about those that are spokesmen for God is very, very critical. In Revelation 20 it says “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life….” (Revelation 20:12) Their names are not in that book of life.

Their names have been erased from that book of life. They were among the living, but they never believed in Jesus Christ. And there’s only one way to God. [There is salvation in no other for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you and I must be saved.] (PARAPHRASE, Acts 4:12) There’s only one name.

There’s only one way to God, and “Jesus said... “I am the way, [I am] the truth, and [I am] the life [and] no [man, no man] comes to the Father [except by] Me.” (John 14:6)

And you say, “Kay, you sound very narrow-minded.” I’m quoting to you Scripture, and I’m saying to you that God is very narrow-minded. [Narrow is the way and small is the gate and few there are who enter into eternal life.] (PARAPHRASE, Matthew 7:14)

You only get it by going that narrow way, and that narrow way is the way of Jesus Christ. So I’m telling you these things because I love you. I’m telling you these things because it’s what the whole counsel of God teaches.

So then he says, “…The dead were judged from the things which were written in the books…,” (Revelation 20:12) all these books that God has kept on every human being. “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades….” (Revelation 20;13) I said “hell,” but I should have said Hades. “…Gave up the dead which were in them….” (Revelation 20:13) And that is the holding place of the dead.

You can read about it in Luke 16. (See Luke 16:19-31) It’s not a pleasant place. And it says “…And they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:13-14)

They were born dead in their trespasses and sins, and now they are going down into the lake of fire. And as they go into the lake of fire, it is a place that is eternal. If you studied Isaiah with us, go read the last verses of Isaiah 66 and it will tell you. [It’s where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.] (PARAPHRASE Isaiah 66:24)

It is forever and ever and ever just like eternal life. And it says “And if anyone‟s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

So you can know this is where many kings, many rulers, many heads of countries, dictators and despots, Hitler and many, many others are going to be put in this lake of fire. Now they’re in Hades, but then at the Great White Throne Judgment they’re going to be cast into the lake of fire. This is the destiny. Now why?

Because God is just, because God is righteous, and because sin cannot go unpunished. These people refuse to believe in Jesus Christ. They’ve refused to come to Him and say, “I am a sinner. I need a Savior.” And because they refuse to do that; they may profess Christ, but their lifestyle showed that they did not know Him.

And many, many people when they’re running for office, when they’re running for the presidency of the United States knowing that the majority of this country and this nation are people that have a fear of God. Now the, the numbers are dwindling. But knowing that we were founded on Christian principles they like to say “I am a Christian.” But does their testimony bear out the fact that they are a Christian?

So God is speaking to shepherds. Let’s go back to Jeremiah chapter 23. All of this is introduction. All right now, He says “„Woe to the shepherds who are destroying…the sheep of My pasture!‟ [says] the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people….” (Jeremiah 23:1-2)

Now the word “tending My people” is literally, “who are shepherding My people.” “„…You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds….‟” (Jeremiah 23:2)

And so what you see is you see the justice of God. “You didn’t handle My people correctly.” Now He’s talking to Israel. When I’m talking about rulers, I’m talking about the fact that all rulers are accountable to God because He is the God who created the heavens and the earth. (See Genesis 1:1) He is the God who created the nations. He is the God that separated them and appointed their boundaries as Acts tells us. (See Acts 17:26) He is God. He’s the sovereign Ruler of all the universe.

All right now, we saw that Israel was a people that were shepherds. We saw that Jacob, who was the father of Israel, of the twelve tribes of Israel called God his Shepherd. (Genesis 49:25)

Now I want you to go, and this is important. I’m setting you up in 2 Samuel chapter 5, in verse 1 and 2, Saul is dead. Ish-bosheth, his one son that was alive died. And it says, “Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, „Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. Previously, when Saul was king over us, [and] you were the one who led Israel out and in. and the LORD said to you, “You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be…ruler over Israel.”‟” (2 Samuel 5:1-2)

What I want you to see again is this, that a shepherd is the ruler of the people. The shepherd is the ruler of the people. So when God is talking to the shepherds in Jeremiah chapter 23 He’s talking to these rulers. Remember in Jeremiah chapter 22, we saw a reference to Shallum. (See Jeremiah 22:11) We saw a reference to Jehoiakim who was also called Eliakim. (See Jeremiah 22:18) We saw a reference to Jehoiachin who was Coniah. (See Jeremiah 22:24) These are the shepherds.

And what I want us to see is I want us to take the history of Israel, and I want us to take the current times, and I want us to marry them together and see what lessons you and I are to learn.

Welcome back, Beloved. I love teaching you the Word of God. I love having you get the big, big picture and put it all together. And this week we are looking at shepherds, rulers and we are looking at prophets. In the end of the week we’ll look at good figs, and we’ll look at bad figs. But we’re gonna let the figs go until we get these shepherds and these rulers situated.

So this is what I want us to do. We’ve been looking at shepherds. I left you at 2 Samuel chapter 5. Now I want you to go to Isaiah chapter 44, because once again I’m establishing to you that rulers are shepherds. And I’m doing that so that you can understand that whoever rules over the United States of America can make or break America because of the high position of authority that they hold. Now the Congress and the Senate are to hold them accountable. But if you and I are not electing officials that fear God we’re in trouble. But you better fear God. The people are very important that live under a ruler. And it is people that many times can overturn a ruler.

We work in Romania. We work in Russia. We work in 150 countries and in 70 languages. We have these Precept Bible studies being taught all over the world. But the heads of our Eurasian Ministry are dear, dear friends of mine. And we were ministering before the curtain ever came down. And I remember the wife saying to me, “Kay, we’ll never have an uprising because the secret police have so infiltrated our lives there’s no capability of coming together.”

And yet when God was ready through a Hungarian pastor He brought about an uprising that was not planned, but the people took to the streets. The people decided that they were going to stand around the church. The people decided that this was something that was worth dying for and a dynasty tumbled. And what you have is the death of Ceausescu and the freedom of Romania. You and I need to know that these are critical days.

Now God is prophesying. He is telling way back in the days of Isaiah. This is before Jeremiah. About 150 years before it happens, God is talking about a man that will be born whose name is Cyrus and this is what He says. “„It is I who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.” And he declares of Jerusalem, “She will be built,” and of the temple, “Your foundation will be laid.”‟” (Isaiah 44:28)

The book of Ezra fits right in here. The end of Kings fits right in here. The end of Chronicles fits right in here. And so here He’s showing here’s the head of the Medo-Persian Empire, and God is saying, “He’s My shepherd. He will perform My will.”

All right, so now from there I want us to go to Jeremiah. Remember we saw Jeremiah chapter 2, verse 8, “„„[Your] rulers [have] transgressed against Me….”‟” (Jeremiah 2:8) Let’s go back and look, look at it, Jeremiah chapter 2, verse 8. And He says, “„“…The rulers [have] transgressed against Me….”‟” (Jeremiah 2:8) Why?

Because God holds every ruler accountable. The ultimate Shepherd is God Almighty as we have seen. And when it says rulers it’s really the word “shepherds”.

Now go to Jeremiah chapter 3, and let’s look at verse 15. He’s telling about a time that He is going to give them shepherds. Now watch what He says, “„Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you [with] knowledge and understanding.‟” (Jeremiah 3:15)

Unfortunately the leadership of the United States of America is in conflict with the precepts and the Word of God because they are endorsing things and behaviors that are directly opposed to the Word of God. When they want to make marriage something more than between a man and a woman, they’re going against the first thing that God instituted when He created man and woman and that was marriage. For this cause “…shall a man leave his father and…mother, and…cleave [to] his wife….” (Genesis 2:24) And his “…wife‟s name [was] Eve, because she was the mother of all…living.” (Genesis 3:20) Two men cannot conceive a baby. Two women cannot conceive a baby. When we go against the sanctity of life then our rulers that are saying that this is what we are to do, they are in direct opposition to God.

So He’s saying here, “„[I’m going to] give you shepherds after My own heart, [which] will feed you on knowledge and understanding. [And] it [will] be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land…they will no longer say, “The ark of the covenant….” And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again.

At that time they will call Jerusalem “The Throne of the LORD,” and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD; nor will they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.‟” (Jeremiah 3:15-17)

Now what is He pointing to? He’s pointing to this time. He’s pointing to the millennium, the event that happens just a thousand years before the Great White Throne Judgment, before the new heaven and the new earth. This is what He’s talking about.

So from there in Jeremiah we go to Jeremiah chapter 6. And in Jeremiah chapter 6, in verses 1 to 3, He’s talking about what’s going to happen to Zion, and how, “Shepherds and their flocks will come to her [and] they will pitch their tents around her….” (Jeremiah 6:3)

Now when He’s talking about the shepherds coming to Jerusalem and pitching their tents around her, He’s talking about the days of first of all, He’s talking about the days of Jehoiakim when there is a siege and it’s the days of Jehoiakim to Jehoiachin. And then He’s talking about the days of Zedekiah. But also it’s a picture of the last days before Jesus Christ comes when all the nations are gathered to, together against Jerusalem. Zechariah 14 talks about it. (See Zechariah 14:2) Do you see the importance of the big picture? Do you see the importance of rulers? Do you see the importance of prophets? This is what the prophet is telling us. This is what we need to know.

And this is the foundation that I’m laying for you, Precious One, in the Word of God. Why am I telling you all this? I’m telling you this as the people wake up. Get knowledge. Get understanding. You and I could be in the last of the last days, and we need to be ready, as Jesus said. When He was here in His first coming He said “Be ready! Be ready! Be ready!” (See Luke 12:40)

The Power of Money ~ Bob Caldwell

The Power of Money Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. Our relationship with money is one of the surest ways to reveal or to discover our true character. Here in Proverbs 21 through 23, this is made abundantly clear. To start out, there must be an unswerving commitment to the wisdom that a "good name" is of much greater value than material gain (22:1). There are countless forms of deception that will be avoided by a person who seeks to be known by his actions as an honest, generous, and fair person whenever money is involved. Living out a relationship with money in a way that honestly produces a "good name" makes one worthy of being called a child of God, one who imitates his Father in Heaven. For such a person, there is no treasure worth having if it requires "a lying tongue" to get it (21:6). A man who has earned a good name will not take advantage of another person's poverty or ignorance on a financial matter (22:22). The man who has a right relationship with the good and the bad that comes from money is careful to not overwork to gain more and more wealth (23:4). This is the person who works hard enough to supply the needs of his family, but not so much that he has no time to meet their emotional and spiritual needs. The wise man does not love pleasure so much that he lives beyond his means and therefore finds himself losing everything. In like fashion, a wise man will not seek to enter into contracts to have what he has no way to pay for (22:26-27). A man with a good name is one who is generous in his giving and finds no fellowship or friendship with those who have acquired wealth through miserly means (22:6-8). Instead, he is faithful to God in his financial dealings and has earned his money honestly by hard work. Such a man will find himself trusted by those in great power (22:29). Money has the power to either make you a man of honor or a man who is a curse. How you get your money and how you use it will become one of the most formative forces in shaping the person you will become.
Proverbs 21:1-23:35 1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. 5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. 6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. 7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. 8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. 9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. 13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. 14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. 15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright. 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. 20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. 21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. 23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. 24 A proud and haughty man—"Scoffer" is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. 25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. 26 He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! 28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. 29 A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. 30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. Proverbs 22 1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. 9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. 11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless. 13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the LORD will fall there. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. Sayings of the Wise 17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; 18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD; I have instructed you today, even you. 20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you? 22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them. 24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul. 26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you? 28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. Proverbs 23 1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; 2 And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. 3 Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food. 4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 6 Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you. 8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words. 9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10 Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; 11 For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you. 12 Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. 13 Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. 14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. 15 My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; 16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; 18 For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. 19 Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. 20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. 22 Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. 25 Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. 26 My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. 27 For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. 28 She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. 29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: "They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"
Proverbs 21:1-23:35 v. 1 He turns it wherever he wishes – This figure of speech refers to the eastern method of irrigation where several canals were dug from a stream or river. These irrigation canals were then directed wherever the farmer needed them to go. v. 4 haughty – proud and arrogant v. 9 contentious – one who causes regular arguments or strife v. 11 the simple is made wise – Regular people learn and become wise by watching God punish the scoffer who mocks God. v. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination – Worship from the wicked is repulsive to God. The wicked worship God while clothed in hypocrisy. It is an outrage to God that one could bring a sacrifice to Him while plotting an evil act. Proverbs 22 v. 1 A good name – conveys the idea of reputation or character v. 3 A prudent man – A prudent man is wise or judicious in governing practical affairs. A prudent man is also careful in providing for the future. v. 5 Thorns and snares – Trouble awaits a perverse person because of the path they choose to travel. Staying on the path God set out will help a person avoid the thorns and snares. v. 15 Foolishness – Can also be described as poor behavior or the love of mischief. This behavior is natural to the self-willed child. The "rod of correction" is meant to break a child of their self-will. It is for that child's good. v. 22 Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate – The gate refers to the place where court was held. Solomon is warning against exploiting the poor before a judge. v. 28 Do not remove the ancient land marks – An ancient landmark was a boundary stone marking the property line of a family's property. Proverbs 23 v. 1 put a knife to your throat – practicing restraint v. 3 delicacies – a delicacy is a choice food that tends to be more costly and rare than regular foods v. 10 the fields of the fatherless – Israelite law forbid anyone from taking advantage of the poor and powerless, such as widows and orphans (Ex. 22:22; Deut. 27:19). The fields of the fatherless would only have a widow or child to keep watch over the land. It would have been easy for others to take land from the fatherless. v. 20 winebibber – A winebibber was one who drinks too much wine. v. 21 glutton – A glutton was a person who eats excessively. Gluttony is more then just overeating, it is often associated with drunkenness and is a term used to describe a life given to excess. v. 27 a harlot is a deep pit – The situation was liable to trap the person involved in it. v. 30 mixed wine – a mixture of wine and other ingredients such as honey or pepper to create a type of spiced wine
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold." –Provberbs 22:1 We see, Lord, that the true riches of this life are not found in money or material possessions. Those things come and go, God, for You give them and You take them away. Help us to remember that we are more than what we do or what we own. Keep us from the pursuit of materialism and the love of money, Lord.
Care Ministry The Care Ministry continues to get requests. There are some who have been filled very quickly and some that continue to be worked on. Praise the Lord we have had some new volunteers sign up and another person who will be working with Elsa to call the volunteers. The Lord is good and we just continue to pray for God's guidance. Prayer Points that the Core Group that does the follow up will continue this fall that those who are requesting help will be blessed that the volunteers can encourage those who make requests to get involved in a Core Group