Tag Archives: Jesus
Proverbs 3:18
“She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”
I feel like I keep repeating myself, but it seems that that is a good thing. How many times did God tell the Israelites to repent? How many times did John the Baptist and Jesus tell people to repent? How many times did Jesus say “follow me”?
Answer in all cases: A lot.
Humans seem to need a lot of repeating to hear and then retain truth, to retain wisdom. Yet, the question remains …
How do we lay hold of wisdom?
Is it not interesting how God has told us in the Bible?
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:7
“To him that overcometh …”
How do we overcome?
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus is the one who has overcome troubles, trials, pain, sin, and death. Only in Him can we overcome.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:5
Get wisdom, the Wisdom of God – Jesus Christ. Daily seek out the Lord, and you will overcome this world. Then will you have the tree of life. Then will you find happiness and joy.
Dear Lord, give us more of You. Help us to seek You and take hold daily that we might have life, that we may have You. Give us a passion for You.
2 Comments | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ, Christ Jesus, faith, Jesus, Tree of Life, Wisdom | posted in Paths of Life, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:17
“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.”
Tonight’s Proverbial Thought continues to show the value of wisdom. We have seen over the past couple of days that Solomon has said that if we want happiness then we need to find wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-14). He then went on to say that obtaining wisdom is “more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 3:15), and if we obtain wisdom we can have both long life and honor (Proverbs 3:16).
How in the world could it get any better than that?
Well it does! Solomon continues to tell us in verse 17 that if we obtain wisdom then we will find pleasantness & true peace.
Verse 14-17 all deal with money in some form but we all know that having money does not give us peace. Money does not satisfy – only Jesus can satisfy and give us true peace! Warren Wiersbe writes of this verse,
“Happiness, pleasantness, and peace aren’t the guaranteed by-products of financial success but they are guaranteed to the person who lives by God’s wisdom.”
Proverbs is a book that was written by one of the wisest men who has ever walked the earth – Solomon. One word can describe the entire book of Proverbs – wisdom. In the book of Proverbs, the word wise or wisdom is used at least 125 times. This book was written to help us gather and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of our every day lives.
God has promised happiness, long life and honor, and peace to those who search and find wisdom, but it is a choice that each of us must make. We have the option of deciding if we want to pursue wisdom and understanding or not. Do you want to know God more deeply? Then find wisdom and understanding!
The blessings of the Lord are known
By those who will obey;
His wisdom, truth, and love are shown
To all who choose His way. —D. De Haan
Lord, please help us to choose your ways and paths for our lives and trust you each step of the way – Amen.
1 Comment | tags: Bible, Book of Proverbs, Jesus, Knowledge, Peace, Solomon, Wisdom | posted in Knowledge, Value and Worth, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:15
“She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”
More Precious Than Rubies
On 7 November 2000 a gang of criminals used a JCB excavator to ram their way into the vault area of the Millennium Dome in London. Their target was the De Beers diamond exhibition where the Millennium Star diamond valued at more than £200 million ($320 million) was one of several precious stones on view. Unfortunately for the gang they had been under police surveillance for some considerable time. The diamonds were substituted with worthless fakes prior to the robbery. On the day that the gang struck, the Millennium Dome was awash with undercover police officers. All the gang members were arrested, including one manning a powerboat on the River Thames, which was to have been the getaway vehicle.
The Value of Wisdom
The Millennium Dome gang were distinctly lacking in wisdom. Instead, folly driven by greed led them in an attempt to steal a diamond that would have been impossible to trade for cash.
What price wisdom? Solomon knew, and attempted to portray the priceless nature of wisdom in Proverbs 3:15. All the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. The message is that wisdom is to be valued above anything and everything this world can offer. But wisdom is not found on display behind armored glass. It cannot be bought, but is a treasure that has to be sought over time.
The word used by Solomon for rubies also translates as pearls. Jesus used a priceless pearl to illustrate a parable in Matthew 13:45-46:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
What do you value more than anything?
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, faith, folly, God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, London, Millennium Dome, Millennium Star, proverbs, River Thames, Solomon, Wisdom | posted in Fools, Value and Worth, Warnings, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
Correction
I have yet to meet a human being who enjoys being corrected, or disciplined for errors, mistakes, or any form of wrongdoing. I well recall the unpleasantness of discipline exercised by parents and teachers when I was growing up. Physical punishment was the norm at school in my day, and the threat of a visit to the headmaster’s study generally had the desired effect on pupils.
Most of us do not like to imagine God as a Headteacher or Principal with a list of punishments to be levied for misdemeanors. But Scripture teaches that every one of us will one day stand before God and answer to Him for the way in which we have lived our lives (Romans 14:10-12).
Feared, or Welcomed?
Inevitably there will be times during our journey on earth when we will face corrective action from God. The question we must consider is whether correction from God is a form of discipline to be feared, or a process of discipling that is to be welcomed?
While Proverbs teaches that we should fear God, the above verses confirm that if God corrects us it is because He loves us and wants to delight in us as He trains us to be disciples.
Abba Knows Best
The use of the word father in verse 12 is important. The writer is defining the relationship that God desires with those He created. Jesus confirmed that God is a loving Father who delights in His children when He referred to God as ‘Abba’.
If God needs to discipline His children He will. It may not be pleasant, but it is vital if we are to grow into spiritual adulthood. Is that what you desire?
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
Leave a comment | tags: Bible, Book of Proverbs, Christ, Christianity, Correction and Discipline, devotional, faith, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon, thought | posted in Fear of the Lord, Parenting
Proverbs 1:28-30
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
No Answer for Some
I love how God does not beat around the bush about things – He just comes out and says exactly what He wants to say. We see this in verse 28 when He is talking about fools and scoffers and how that when storms, calamity, distress & anguish come upon them (v. 27), God says that He will not answer them during this time. Those that “call upon me”, God says you are on your own because I will not answer you. God was doing to them what they had been doing to Him (v. 24)
Fear of the Lord
To me, the key verse in the book of Proverbs is centered around verse 7 in chapter 1 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
But what exactly is the “FEAR OF THE LORD”? Charles Bridges answers that questions this way:
“It is the affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s law. His wrath is so bitter, and His love so sweet; that hence springs an earnest desire to please Him, and – because of the danger of coming short from his own weakness and temptations – a holy watchfulness and fear, “that he might not sign against Him.'”
When I was a small child, I had a FEAR of my father. I knew that if I did anything bad I was going to have to face the wrath of my father. It was something that I did not look forward to at all. As I have gotten older, I still have a FEAR of my father, but more “reverential” than afraid. I have a fear that I don’t want to do anything that would disappoint him and this is the same fear we should have for God.
“I Told You So”
Have you ever said these words, by accident or intentionally (or under your breath), to anyone? This saying implies several things:
1. That there was some kind of warning given; and
2. That the warning that was given – was not heeded
April 2nd’s evening post (by Daniel Klem) shows us that there is a group of people (the simple, scorners and fools) that just did not want to listen to the warnings that were given to them (wise counsel) because they had no fear of God. Because of no fear for the Lord, they ultimately lead themselves to their own ruin. Look at it this way, the ruin of the simple, scorners and fools where brought on by their own rejection of wisdom and knowledge. They refused to listen to wise counsel or any type of reproof.
Lord, help us to seek you early and often and heed your words of wisdom. Help us to fear you in all areas of our lives.
Leave a comment | tags: Bible, Book of Proverbs, Fear, God, Jesus, Knowledge, Wisdom | posted in Fear of the Lord, Fools, Knowledge, Wisdom
The following is a sermon I just recorded for radio. It will be broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019 at 2:45 pm (Eastern).
I would appreciate your prayers, both for those who might listen and for myself.
God knows what we all go through, and just like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, He is walking with us, whether we recognize Him, or not.
If you have a moment, listen to this short sermon covering Proverbs 3 and Psalm 13. If it is a blessing to you, share it with someone else who might be going through a difficult and trying time.
https://anthonycbaker.sermon.net/main/main/21329008
4 Comments | tags: counselling, counselor, depression, endurance, faith, hope, Jesus, Suicide | posted in counsel, hope, Temptation, Trust the Lord
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What [is] his name, and what [is] his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
Proverbs 30:4
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:9-11
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:9-11
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20b-21)
Merry Christmas from Proverbial Thought!
4 Comments | tags: Acts, Book of Proverbs, Christ, Christmas, Christmas Hope, Coming, Holidays, Jesus, Luke, Merry, Revelation, Second Coming | posted in hope, Jesus
First of all, I would like to thank Daniel Klem for his posts on Advent. They were a blessing and obviously much appreciated.
Secondly, for all of you who have been regular followers of this blog over the years, thank you for reading and praying for all involved.
But to the main point, tomorrow we celebrate the birth of someone who was not only spoke of extensively in the New Testament, but also in the Proverbs.
As a matter of fact, in the next to the last chapter, one of two that are attributed to people other than Solomon, a wise man named Agur asked a very profound question (or several in one):
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What [is] his name, and what [is] his son’s name, if thou canst tell? – Proverbs 30:4
Was Agur asking about a simple man? A mortal?
Or, as the context suggests, was he asking questions reflecting the nature of “the holy” (v. 3), the one of whom every word is pure and “is a shield to those who put their trust in him” (v. 5).
I believe it was the latter.
To put it simply, at least a thousand years before there was no room for Him in the inn, Agur was asking about the Holy One’s Son.
His name is… Jesus.
1 Comment | tags: Christmas, Jesus, Son of God | posted in Jesus
It is Christmas Eve! Our Lord is coming!
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. -Revelation 22:16-17, KJV
In the beginning, God created everything, including us. We sinned and messed it all up.
God sent His messengers throughout history to warn us and guide back to Him, including the shadows of His own Son in people like Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and King David.
Then Jesus came to redeem us through the line of David, by dying on the cross.
May we never grow weary of hearing it: He died to save us from our sins!
Those of us who believe it are members of His Bride – the Church – and He offers His Bride the living water that is the Holy Spirit.
We shall find an end to all suffering, pain, thirst, and hunger upon His return.
Therefore, we echo the words of Him and the Apostle John from Revelation 22:20:
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
1 Comment | tags: Advent, Amen, Bride, Bridegroom, Christ, Christmas, Christmas Hope, Church, Come, Coming, Creation, Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus, Living water, Lord, Peace, Revelation, Second Coming | posted in Creation, hope, Jesus
Welcome to the fourth week of Advent!
Tradition holds that the final week of Advent is all about Love and Adoration for 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. -Philippians 2:9-11, KJV
Jesus, the God-Man, came and lived as one of us to redeem us from death into life. Because of this, He has been exalted by the Father. How much more should we make Jesus famous around the world?
The day is quickly coming when the choice to love and worship Jesus will be taken away. We will either be in the group that gets to love and worship Him for eternity or the group that is in anguish and hates Him, so may we go out to help convince as many as we can to follow Him now!
Exalted Lord, thank You for loving us and coming for us. Help us to spread Your love to our world.
5 Comments | tags: Adoration, Advent, Christ, Christmas, Christmas Hope, Coming, Desire, Jesus, love, praise, Second Coming, worship | posted in desire, Jesus, Love
Caitlin Klem
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Daniel M. Klem
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Proverbial Thought 