Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

July 12, 2013

Credible Witnessing

By David

Proverbs 21:28

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. (NLT)

When I was growing up my father used to tell me a story about a boy who constantly shouted wolf when there was no wolf. Eventually the villagers began to ignore his cries because whenever they responded to the call there was no wolf. One day the boy found himself confronted by a large hungry wolf. He shouted for help but no help came. The villagers thought that it was another prank. They never saw the boy again.

My father told me this story to encourage me to be truthful and completely accurate in all things. The ability to twist stories or to lie blatantly is not confined to small children. It is a significant problem in society in general. In the UK in recent years there have been several incidences of prominent politicians being caught out lying, and even more of politicians fiddling their expenses. A number have been sent to prison. Few are viewed as credible on their release. Except one perhaps, the one who came to faith during his incarceration who now speaks for God, instead of addressing Parliament.

Credibility is especially important for followers of Jesus. The early apostles set an example by living their faith. Some didn’t make the grade and perished because of giving false witness. What a difference between Ananias and Sapphira and the rest of the team. What a difference the Holy Spirit makes.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)

Leave a comment | tags: Ananias and Sapphira, Holy Spirit, Jonathan Aitken | posted in advice, Warnings

April 1, 2013

Happy First Anniversary!

By Anthony Baker

I can’t believe it has actually been a year since this blog first went live. One year ago, on April Fool’s Day, Proverbial Thought set out to share a little bit of God’s wisdom with the world.

As I thought about this day, the famous words of the martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, came to mind:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The greatest fool is the man who attempts to gain the whole world, but then loses his soul (Mark 8:36).

Special Thanks

I would like to extend my personal, heartfelt thanks to all those who make this blog possible. I appreciate each of you from the bottom of my heart, for I could not have done all this on my own.

My wife and daughters – for allowing me the time to study Proverbs in between work, seminary, writing, preaching, and the long honey-do list still incomplete.
David Welford – for encouraging me to take a step of faith, and believing in someone you have never met.
Nick Welford – for your original blog that brought us together, and for your unique perspective which has challenged me, along with brought me to tears.
Daniel Klem – for faithful, consistent blogging with a heart for God, and for wisdom beyond your years.
Grady Davidson – for being an encouragement as a fellow pastor in the same part of town. I am blessed to have friends who care more about bringing glory to God through the unity of the Body of Christ (John 17:22) than for denominational pride.
Jason Sneed – for your friendship and support through the years, and for your deep passion for serving the Lord.
Chris Jordan – for giving this blog a chance, for excellent writing, and for not treating this American like the intellectual inferior other Canadians think I am ;-).
Father God – for liberally giving wisdom to the lacking ones who ask (James 1:5).
Jesus Christ – the Wisdom of God made flesh; my Savior.
The Holy Spirit – for opening our eyes and hearts to treasures the world cannot know.