Some "Great Commission" Advice To Follow

Some of you may know of Francis Chan, and thus have either a positive or negative impression of him.  Usually it comes down to what some think of his teaching style. However you feel about him, I ask that you give this short video a listen.

Now I am not trying to convince you to become a follower of Francis, but in this short 1:45  he says exactly what is wrong with many Christians when it comes to following the "Great Commission" of Jesus Christ that can be found in Matthew 28:18-21;

Proverb 42:1 Only A Fool Would Want Rain At Harvest Time

1.) As snow in summer and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool. Proverb 42:1

Very interesting in the way Solomon explains the folly of a fool in verse 1. No one but a fool would desire a snow blizzard in the middle of the Summer. Judea was primarily an agriculture society, so they needed the weather to be as it was meant to be. Just as a rain storm at harvest time would be a disaster for the farmer. So too would the weather needed for snow in mid Summer be a disaster to crops.

Psalm 1 Be Like A Tree Planted By The Rivers Of Water

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Stop Being Greedy With The Light Of Christ

Proverb 18:1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
00 He rages against all wise judgment.

Proverb 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
00 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

In today's world, we fight against our desire to isolate ourselves from the world that is so dangerous and greedy. We feel as though we would rather not make new friends so that we will not be harmed or taken advantage of. This goes against what God created us to be and is thus very unwise, for we were created to be social and friendly with others.

This is what the Lord wants us to be, because otherwise we are just keeping the Light of the Lord hidden under a basket instead of allowing the Light in us to shine on others who are lost stumbling in the dark.

This is something that I struggle against as I get older. I seem to steer away from strangers when I should be confronting them with the love of Christ. I am saddened for all the times I failed to share my best friend, whom is Christ, and thus I kept Hie light under a basket and and failed to share His love which was once shared with me.

Lord, forgive me for being greedy with that which you gave me. Change my greedy fearful heart, and help me be what I was when I was a younger man. Bold in Your name, and bold in the face of that which my aging heart seems to be fearful of. For I know in my heart that with You I have nothing to fear. So I pray for Your strength so that I can again be the spiritual and fearless warrior I once was.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

In Proverb 9:1 we read that;

“Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars"

This is obviously a symbolic description, since Wisdom is personified. So what is this house and what are these “Seven Pillars” that wisdom has erected?

Many explanations exist regarding the seven pillars of wisdom in this passage. One idea is that, seven expresses completeness in Scripture, thus Solomon may be communicating that the application of wisdom results in a complete, orderly, well-furnished house, one that which lacks nothing.

Then there are commentators who see the seven pillars as describing a traditional banquet. So then, Wisdom’s call in Proverbs 9:5 would be fitting in that;

“Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed”

I would be remiss if I failed to point out how many ancient writers often described the world as resting on seven pillars. If this was Solomon's meaning, it is possible that “her house” in Proverbs 9:1 is parallel in some way with the world. However, I offer this belief just to allow all thought to be considered I actually doubt this is what Solomon was referring to, because when he wrote he did so under the influence of the Holy Spirit. So we must look to the Strictures themselves for the answer.

Which brings me to 2 men who wrote extensive commentary on the Scriptures, John Gill & Matthew Henry. John Gill of Proverb 9:1 that;

”Wisdom has built her house”....”There are two other senses, which bid fairest one of them to be right;
(1.) Either the heavenly glory, the house not made with hands, Christ's Father's house, in which are many mansions for his people; and which is a city whose builder and maker is God, and is prepared by Christ; and stands firm upon the promises of God, the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, and the grace of the blessed Spirit:
(2.) Or rather the church of Christ on earth, the house of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth; this is built by Christ upon himself, the rock and foundation; the materials of it are true believers, precious and lively stones; built up a spiritual house, and a fit and suitable habitation for God through the Spirit.

As for, she hath hewn out her seven pillars John Gill suggests 3 meanings;

(1.) Ministers of the Gospel, compared to pillars for strength and stability, and for their being instrumental in supporting the interest and church of Christ; in allusion to the pillars in Solomon's temple, Jachin and Boaz; see Gallatians 2:9 These are said to be "hewn", being polished, beautified, and adorned with the gifts and graces of the Spirit by Christ, and thereby fitted for their work and service; and said to be "seven", because there is a complete and sufficient number of them, which Christ has provided, and always will provide for his churches, as long as they continue in the world.
(2.) Though it may be these seven pillars may denote in general the firmness and solidity of this spiritual building, the church, and the continuance of it by the power of God;
(3.) Or they may have respect to the seven states of the church in so many periods of time, to last to the end of all things, signified by the seven churches in the book of the Revelation.”

Matthew Henry suggests that the house in Proverb 9:1 eludes to the place Jesus mentioned, “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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”. (John 14:2) While the seven pillars could be a reference to the Temple Solomon built, or the schools of the prophets;

Here is a stately palace provided, Pro_9:1. Wisdom, not finding a house capacious enough for all her guests, has built one on purpose, and, both to strengthen it and to beautify it, she has hewn out her seven pillars, which make it to be very firm, and look very great. Heaven is the house which Wisdom has built to entertain all her guests that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb; that is her Father's house, where there are many mansions, and whither she has gone to prepare places for us. She has hanged the earth upon nothing, there in it we have no continuing city; but heaven is a city that has foundations, has pillars. The church is Wisdom's house, to which she invites her guests, supported by the power and promise of God, as by seven pillars. Probably, Solomon refers to the temple which he himself had lately built for the service of religion, and to which he would persuade people to resort, both to worship God and to receive the instructions of Wisdom. Some reckon the schools of the prophets to be here intended

Considering these interpretive options, it is likely that “her house” and “seven pillars” both refer to a home that is in proper order, with the use of “seven” emphasizing its completeness and all-sufficiency. Overall, Proverb 9 is presented in a chiastic structure, meaning the first and last portions are parallel ideas with the main point in the center passage. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” The entire Proverb is devoted to the emphasis of seeking wisdom, avoiding folly, and finding this wisdom in the Lord.

God bless you all as you study to be approved and ready for the moment the Bride Groom comes for his bride.

He's My Savior

Author Unknown

"He came from the throne of the Father to the womb of a woman.
He put on humanity that we might put on divinity.
He became Son of Man that we might become sons of God.
He was born in a supernatural way, lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity.
He had neither wealth nor influence, yet the wisdom of men has never matched His wisdom.
Never has a man spoken like this man.
His family was inconspicuous and uninfluential.
In infancy He startled a king.
As a boy, He stunned theologians with His knowledge and wisdom for He was taught of God.
In manhood, He ruled the elements and quieted the raging sea.
He healed the multitudes without medicine.
And fed thousands from a boy's lunch.
Even demons obeyed Him and He gave back life to those who died.
He never wrote a book, yet none of the libraries of the world can contain the books that have been written about Him.
He never wrote a song, yet He has furnished the theme of more songs than all song writers combined.
He never founded a college, yet all the colleges together cannot boast of as many students as He has.
He never marshaled an army, yet no leader has ever had more volunteers.
Great men have come and gone yet He lives all.
Herod could not kill him.
Satan could not tempt Him to sin.
Death could not destroy him.
The grave could not hold Him.
He laid aside His purple robe for a peasant's gown.
He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor.
He slept in another's manger.
He rode on another's donkey.
He was buried in another's grave.
He conquered death and rose on the third day as He said He would.
He ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the throne of God.
One day He will return with power and great glory to judge the world when
every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue shall confess Him as Lord.
His friends gladly.
But enemies seeking for a place to hide from His face.
He is the perfect one.
The only one who can satisfy the soul.
He gives everlasting life to those who love Him.
He is altogether lovely.
But best of all, He is my Savior."