Tag Archives: Christ Jesus
But thou, Beth–lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. –Micah 5:2, KJV
Did you know that there is only one reference in the entire Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) that mentions where the coming Messiah would be born?
Yet it reminds us that God takes care of all of the details, even to the smallest piece.
Micah reminds us that, though we are often faithless and destitute, out of the House of Bread (Bethlehem) would come the faithful Bread of Life (Jesus – John 6:48) who will be lifted to the highest place in the highest heaven.
Micah longed for His coming, as we long for His return.
Faithful Father, fill us with the life of Your Son, the faithful One who redeems and satisfies.
1 Comment | tags: Advent, Bethlehem, bread, bread of life, Christ Jesus, Christmas, Coming, Faithful, Faithfulness, Faithless, Food, House of Bread | posted in Faithfulness, food, Jesus
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning away from the snares of death. -Proverbs 14:27
Many stories – movies, books, television shows – have focused on the fountain of youth, the mythical spring/pool that endows those who bathe in/drink from it with healing, restored youth, and enduring vitality.
Similarly, the search for the cup of Christ – the cup Jesus drank from at the last supper and then later collected His blood, therefore having the same qualities as the fountain of youth – has been a perennial story, stretching back to Arthurian legend.
Even the so-called Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s stone – again, restoring and prolonging life – has been a goal for many, and popularized most recently in the “Harry Potter” series.
Many people have dreamt of finding any or all of these, and some of those have tried.
However, these should be understood as what they are stories.
Stories that point to the truth:
Everlasting life is found only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, we fear the wrath of God, and then we driven to the cross, where Christ’s sacrifice rescued us from that fate.
This is how “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning away from the snares of death.” The only fountain of life is found in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ Jesus, Cup of Christ, Eternal life, Fear of the Lord, Fountain of life, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Philosopher's Stone, Sorcerer's Stone | posted in Fear of the Lord, Jesus
Proverbs 27:20
“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
“Death and destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.” – NIV
I, I
I enjoy video games. I have done for a long long time. I have worked in a video game shop. When a new big game comes out I find it hard to resist: I want to play it, to experience it. I knew the latest Grand Theft Auto would be a well deserved 18: but I am a sensible deserving adult, right? However upon playing a portion of the game I just simply decided that I didn’t want this kind of thing in my life. I can appreciate that it is a good game: the mechanics work well but for me the mechanics are implemented in a dark fashion. So I got rid of it. To be honest it was a sacrifice. I enjoyed most elements of the game but when it forces me in a direction that I don’t want to go in and have no chance to skip, I have to make a choice.
Why? Because what I fill my life with dominates it. What I let my eyes see affects my actions. Or as Jesus put it: what I fill my heart with will eventually come to the surface. Let me be clear – I’m not suggesting that playing dark or violent video games will turn a person into a killer: just that at some point, on some level, it will have an impact on their mood and outlook. That’s why despite me enjoying parts of the game, especially the chance to play online with friends, I have decided it’s not for me. I guess it crossed a line that I didn’t want to. Now I still have games in my collection that involve things like shooting so what does this verse have to say about them?
Balance in Favour of God
The eyes are never satisfied. They take everything in and the more they see of one thing the more they want it. Be that video games, films, porn or purity. People talk about our lives being in balance but for me the key is to make sure your eyes see enough of God that they just keep wanting more. The times I have genuinely spent focusing on God are the times when all other things in my life take a back seat. You may not like video games but I guarantee there is something in your life that is your go to thing when God is not central. The thing you spend most of your time doing, or thinking about when you aren’t doing it. If we could make God that thing, a lot of our other problems would fade into insignificance.
Matthew 6:33 ‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’
Leave a comment | tags: Bible, Book of Proverbs, Christ, Christ Jesus, Christianity, faith, God, Grand Theft Auto, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Proverbs and Sayings, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, Wisdom | posted in advice, counsel, desire, Faithfulness, Fear of the Lord, Love, Trust the Lord, Wisdom
Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
It Makes Sense
This is one of those proverbs we can look at and agree with. We all know it makes sense. It is much better to have friends who will be honest with us even when it hurts, then friends who will just pamper and flatter us even when we are clearly in the wrong.
The trouble is something making sense doesn’t guarantee we will follow the advice. In this case there are multiple reasons why we ignore this advice, our society is much more comfortable with flattery, even when it’s false, than truth; it can be hard to receive truth from a friend; we can find it difficult to speak truthfully to our friends in case they decide to ditch us.
First Things Firsts
To see more meaningful relationships we need to be ready to be examples. We need to be people who are good at taking criticism, and also brave enough to give it. Many people misread the plank in the eye parable. They use the excuse that as they will never be perfect, and therefore always have impaired vision, they cannot challenge other’s behaviour. I have even heard parents say that they cannot challenge their wayward ward because they were just as bad when they were children. But we only need to read to the end of the parable to see Jesus intention –
Matthew 7:5 (emphasis mine) ‘You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’
We are to be wounded and we are to wound. And all the better our friendships shall be for it.
Leave a comment | tags: advice, Bible, Book of Proverbs, Christ, Christ Jesus, Christianity, faith, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lord, Matthew 7:5, Proverb, proverbs, Proverbs and Sayings, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, Wisdom | posted in advice, counsel, Love, pride/humility, Temptation, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-14
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”
The Point
This is the whole point: Wisdom is the highest thing to pursue.
Before you hunt me down for blasphemy or heresy, I must repeat something quoted earlier:
Anything but the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the true wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
The best, most worthy, most desirable thing we could ever hope to attain in this life or the next is the Wisdom of God: Jesus Christ.
God has given us the opportunity to draw close and hear His voice. God has welcomed us as friends into His home. God has made a way for us to finally reach out and take His hand.
When we understand that God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ and that we can intimately walk with Him, how can we not be blessed, be happy?
Need I really say more?
Dear Lord, thank you for Your love and coming to save us. Thank You that You have made a way for us. Thank You for giving us Yourself and inviting us in. Give us more of You. Help us understand You more.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ Jesus, God, Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in Knowledge, Wisdom
Proverbs 14:10
“Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.”
Know Thy Self
The only person who knows your heart better than God is you. You know how it feels to be you. You know what what it feels like to hurt like you hurt. You and God are the only ones who know the depth of the bitterness contained in your own heart. Other people might have been through similar things, they might have some level of understanding but the only other person to know the full picture is God.
All by Myself
So is this proverb suggesting we should shut up shop, keeping our bitterness and joy to ourselves? I would like to suggest not. This proverb isn’t saying no one should share it’s joy, it is just making the observation that the natural state of play is that no one knows what is truly going on in someone’s heart (except God) unless we learn to share our hearts with others.
Grieving and Rejoicing Together
Romans 12:15 tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This is only possible if we open our hearts to others. Now I am not saying we should share our intimate secrets with all and sundry but it is healthy to have a few trusted confidants to open our hearts to.
Extended Family
When we first found out that I had a low sperm count we had to decide whether to keep this news to ourselves or share it with our church family. When I got up and told our church I said something like this: “I tell you this now not for your pity, but so that as you grieve with us presently you will rejoice with us when we have our children.”
Leave a comment | tags: Christ, Christ Jesus, Christianity, faith, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Proverb, Proverbs and Sayings, Religion and Spirituality | posted in advice, counsel, Knowledge, Love, Peace, Trust the Lord
Proverbs 10:30
“The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.”
It’s About Home
One of the hardest things a person can endure is the forced expulsion from one’s home. The pain and humiliation of being forced to leave the place where your ancestors lived, where your parents played, and where you planned for the future is a terrible thing. And it is especially hard when that home is not only taken away from you, but given to your enemies.
This verse is really all about having a home. It is about staying where one’s planted. It’s about security and peace. It’s about having a place where you belong.
It’s About a Promise
This verse also has to do with a promise that was made to the children of Israel. When Solomon penned (or quilled) these words, he was familiar with the promises and warnings God had given his forefathers. I am sure he knew of the final warnings of Joshua as the Israelites settled down in Canaan…
When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. – Joshua 23:16
The promise was that if they kept the commandments of the Lord, they could stay in their homeland. But if they decided to act like the heathen and forget who brought them there, they would be evicted. That was a promise.
It’s an Awesome Truth
But stop and think about something. Notice what is said about the righteous: they shall “never be removed.” Never being removed from somewhere tells me that you’re already there. How is that possible? It only possible through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ by grace through faith.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ … But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” – Ephesians 1:3; 2:4-6
The ESV translates Proverbs 10:30 this way: “The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.” If we are in Christ, then we are as good as there. But those without His righteousness will never have a place to call their own. They will always be strangers without a home.
Leave a comment | tags: Christ, Christ Jesus, English Standard Version, faith, God, Joshua, promised land, Righteousness, Wisdom | posted in The Righteous, The Wicked, Uncategorized, Warnings
Proverbs 9:1-5
“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.”
Made-Up or From Before
Many in our world today will try to tell you that truth is what you make it. Wisdom is understanding how your world works for you.
In other words, make it up as you go along! You are what you want to be!
In a sense, that last part is true. We have a tendency to get in our own way, because we do not believe we can do something we are able to do. Or we do not believe others can love us. Or we believe that God cannot forgive us for what we have done.
But we know this is not true, because the Bible tells us so. We read just a few days ago:
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. – Proverbs 8:23
Wisdom, whom we have discussed is God and realized in Jesus Christ, was established in eternity. This means wisdom is not something we can just make work for us or discover in ourselves.
Built, Bread, and Wine
Jesus Christ proved His Godhood through the Resurrection and ascension. He has told us:
“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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:2-3 KJV
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” – Luke 22:19-20 KJV
The Moral
Jesus of Nazareth has built His house (the Church), has killed the “beasts” (sin and death), and sent out His call (the Great Commission).
To leave “simple ways,” seek understanding, turn from foolishness, and find wisdom is to find Jesus.
Father, thank You for revealing Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the world. Thank You for Your Wisdom and grace, as revealed through Your Holy Spirit. Thank you for preparing a place for us. Help us to cling tightly to our Lord, and help us to introduce Your Wisdom to the world through love, grace, forgiveness, gentleness, and humility, as Your Son did for us.
071912
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ, Christ Jesus, Church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Knowledge, love, Path of Life, trust, Wisdom | posted in Knowledge, Love, Paths of Life, Trust the Lord, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-14
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”
The Point
This is the whole point: Wisdom is the highest thing to pursue.
Before you hunt me down for blasphemy or heresy, I must repeat something quoted earlier:
Anything but the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the true wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
The best, most worthy, most desirable thing we could ever hope to attain in this life or the next is the Wisdom of God: Jesus Christ.
God has given us the opportunity to draw close and hear His voice. God has welcomed us as friends into His home. God has made a way for us to finally reach out and take His hand.
When we understand that God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ and that we can intimately walk with Him, how can we not be blessed, be happy?
Need I really say more?
Dear Lord, thank you for Your love and coming to save us. Thank You that You have made a way for us. Thank You for giving us Yourself and inviting us in. Give us more of You. Help us understand You more.
6 Comments | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ Jesus, God, Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in Knowledge, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:1-2
“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
The Lord’s Prosperity
The last entry I wrote on 2:16-19 mentioned people preaching a message other than Christ. One of those mentioned was “wealth and health,” which some have called a “Prosperity Gospel”. Something quite interesting about this passage is that some translations of the Bible mention long life and “prosperity.” The Message puts it this way:
They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
Honestly, I like the way the KJV and others put it “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Let us look at what remembering the Lord’s commands means:
Peace:
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Long life (which I think the NIV does a spectacular job of explaining clearly):
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20, NIV
Keeping wisdom in our hearts – keeping the Lord Jesus in our hearts is the only way to peace and a good life. Jesus is the only good life.
Lord Jesus, dwell in our hearts. Remind us always of Your love and grace, and help us to share You with our world. Bless us, Lord, with all of You.
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ Jesus, Eternal life, Jesus Christ, New International Version, Peace, Prosperity theology, The Message, Wisdom | posted in Wisdom
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Proverbial Thought 