7-6-2022 Devotion: Wisdom and Knowledge

 Proverbs 4: 7: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."  As translated the verse means, “Wisdom is of the first importance, do not neglect it.” Another possible sense is that “Wisdom is first in line” for the learner. Wisdom is ready, and the one who wishes to learn may begin immediately. Notice the way he speaks of wisdom. It is not just knowledge; it is not simply having a computer mind. It is wisdom and intelligence to use knowledge properly and to have a love for it. That is something that the souls of men need today. Someone once said to me, "Knowledge is knowing what to do and wisdom is knowing how to do it." While this may be an oversimplification, it makes the valid point between wisdom and knowledge. We are to strive to get wisdom and that process will begin with reading the Word of God. There, you will find the supreme source for wisdom and knowledge.

7-5-2022 Devotion: Others

 Proverbs 3: 27: "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Generosity to the poor was a common theme in ancient Near Eastern wisdom. Typical is the following quote from the Egyptian Instructions, but similar sentiments are found in the Babylonian Counsels of Wisdom as well as the Egyptian Ptahhotep and Ankhsheshonqy:

"Do not eat bread while another stands by

Without extending your hand to him."

We need to remember this Scripture. There are many hurting people today. If we can reduce their suffering and we have the means to do so, we should. Do not limit this to money. Perhaps someone needs a friend to talk to, someone to just be with them, and we can all make time for others. We just need to keep it "on the radar."

7-4-2022 Devotion: Correction

 Proverbs 3: 12: "For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." God is going to chasten you as you go along through life if you are His child. Remember that God does not whip the devil’s children, but He certainly does spank His own. That is good evidence that you belong to Him. In the Book of Job it says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole”. Now remember that chastening is not punishing. We have confused punishment with chastisement. The criminal is to be punished; the child is to be corrected. If you know you are saved, then put away that God wants to punish you. Get the mindset of correction. Correction is for the person's own good; punishment is for the benefit of the one wronged. Never confuse the two. If you are His, He loves you and will always act in your best interest, even if it is a correction.

Biblical Sexuality: Marriage, Gender Identity, Transgender, and Pornography Part Two

 Biblical Sexuality: Marriage, Gender Identity, Transgender, and Pornography Part Two

Part III: Redemption 

Q. What has the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished for me in the gospel with regard to all forms of sexual sin?

1. Through true faith in the promise of God’s Word (John 17: 3, 17; Hebrews 11: 1-3; James 2: 19), and wholehearted trust in Christ (Romans 4: 18-21, 5: 1, 10: 10; Hebrews 4: 14-16), not only to others but to me also; the forgiveness of all my sexual respasses (Colossians 2: 13-14; 1 Corinthians 6: 13-14), canceling all my guilt (Colossians 2: 14; Hebrews 2: 14), and meriting for me eternal righteousness and salvation (Romans 1: 16-17; Hebrews 10: 10).

Q. How does the truth of the gospel set us free with regard to sexual sin?

1. Since I died, was buried, and have been raised with Christ (Romans 6: 1-4) through His death and resurrection, I am set free from slavery to any form of sexual sin. Christ has broken its dominion over me (Romans 6: 5-14), and I now live with a renewed desire (Hebrews 8: 10-12; Colossians 3: 1-5) to reckon myself dead to my old way of sexual immorality (Romans 6: 21; Ephesians 5: 1-17), but alive to God in pursuing a sexually pure life for His glory (Romans 6: 11).

Q. Why are all forms of sexual immorality incompatible with my union with the Lord Jesus Christ?

1. Since I have become one with Christ in body and spirit, any form of sexual immorality invites that which is profane into my holy union with Christ (1 Corinthians 6: 15-20). Therefore, I am called to be one with Christ by fleeing all forms of sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6: 18; 1 Thessalonians 4: 3).

Part IV: Restoration

Q. What does God call us to do when we fall to sexual sin?

1. When I commit any form of sexual sin, even the slightest desire or thought contrary to any of God’s commandments, I should confess my sins to Him (Psalm 1; 32: 5; 2 Samuel 12: 13; 1 John 2: 9), eagerly turn away from all sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6: 18; 1 Thessalonians 4: 3), and seek to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6: 4; 7: 6; Colossians 3: 1-5). 

Q. Since we have been delivered from all sexual sin, why should we pursue a life of sexual purity?

1. Five reasons:

1. Because our sinful desires do not define us or constitute our identity as those purchased by the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6: 20; 7: 23; 1 Peter 1: 17-18). 

2. Because sexual purity is the will of God for our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4: 3).

3. By pursuing a life of sexual purity, we show that we are thankful to God for His salvation (Romans 6: 13; 12: 1-2; 1 Peter 2: 5-10).

4. We also stand as witnesses, that those living in sexual immorality might see in us the holy purity that God loves (Matthew 5: 14-16; Romans 14: 17-19; 1 Peter 2: 12; 3: 1-2).

5. As we battle against our sinful nature, the Holy Spirit strengthens our Christian walk and we give glory to God (1 Corinthians 10: 31; Galatians 5: 17).

Q. What is pornography? 

1. Pornography is a lustful desire of the flesh, activated through the channel of the eye (Job 31: 1; 1 John 2: 16), through the looking upon or distributing of naked images of males and females for the purpose of sexual arousal (Matthew 5: 28; 1 Corinthians 7: 9). 

Q. Why is pornography so destructive?

1. Because the use of such images ruins the sexual intimacy intended for marriage (Ephesians 5: 25; Hebrew 13: 4), supports idolatry in the worship of the creature (Romans 1: 24-25), dehumanizes men and women promoting abuse, especially of women (Genesis 1: 26-27), advances other forms of sexual purity (Romans 1: 18-27; James 1: 14-15; 2 Peter 2: 14), creates idleness in society to the harm of our neighbors (2 Thessalonians 3: 6-12), and degrades the mind into darkness (Romans 1: 28-32; Ephesians 4: 18-19).

Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their unholy desires and are unrepentant of their sexual ways? 

1. By no means. Scripture tells us that no sexually immoral person, no adulterer, no fornicator, no homosexual, no abuser of women, or the like will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6: 9-10; Galatians 5: 19-21; Ephesians 5: 1-20; 1 John 3: 14). 

Q. What is involved in genuine repentance of all sexual sin? 

1. Two things:

1. The dying away of the old self, by hating all forms of sexual immorality and fleeing from it (2 Corinthians 5: 17; Ephesians 4: 22-24; Colossians 3: 5-10; 1 Corinthians 6: 15-20).

2. And the rising to life of the new self, by finding great joy in leading a sexually pure life and, if married, by properly loving our spouses (Psalm 51: 8; Isaiah 57: 15; Romans 6: 1-11; Ephesians 5: 22-33).

In conclusion, the above catechism is important to deal with some of the issues facing Christians today. We need to stand strong for the Gospel and not compromise with the world. We must be prepared to be persecuted. The world seeks to force sexual sins upon us not just accept the sinful lifestyles but to approve of them also. This ministry is opposed to all sexual sin, not just homosexual sin. We stand in opposition to transgenderism, gender identity or confusion, and same sex marriage. We believe our stands are Biblical and we will stand for truth. 

7-3-2022 Devotion: Fear the Lord

 Proverbs 3: 7: "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." The first part of the verse instructs us about the danger of believing in our own wisdom. The initial phrase summarizes the idea that the human mind with its intellect and reason is independently capable of reaching a true understanding of reality, without any dependence upon God’s revelation. This is dangerous and can lead you astray quickly. We are to "fear the LORD." The word "fear" includes respect, awe, dread, and terror. When we do that we will depart from evil. To "depart" from evil means to turn away, reject, leave or turn aside. That should be our approach to evil. Get away from it! The verse doesn't say argue with evil, protest evil, or fight with it. The greatest battle is in prayer. As we pray, we place your faith and confidence in the LORD Jesus Christ and His Sovereignty and Providence. We don't let our natural wisdom get in the way. We want God to have His way. When we have a proper fear of the LORD, it enables us to meet the demands of the day with confidence and assurance that His will is our will and all will eventually end in the result He wanted. That is a comfort.

7-2-2022 Devotion: In All Your Ways

 Proverbs 3: 6: "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  This is the practical expression of the mind that submits to God and knows Him. The word "acknowledge" could be interpreted as to submit to. We are to submit each and every way we have, that is, all that we say and do, to the direction and guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will guide you to the final goal of life. God gives wisdom and with it the task of making wise decisions; these are the two aspects of guidance in wisdom teaching. There is no hint of guidance that bypasses the duty of making decisions. But human decisions do not overrule the protection of God’s providence. We are responsible for our actions. We have a free moral agency. However, those actions on our part are under the guidance of the Providence of God. He is still in charge and His plan will become manifest, yet, we are still part of the process. The LORD is Sovereign, but we are responsible. Don't try to reconcile these two principals, people have tried for centuries without success. Someone once said, "Stay in your lane." In this case, we will be faithful to submit to Him and leave the rest up to our Sovereign LORD.

7-1-2022 Devotion: Trust

 Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not on your own understanding." We must have a continual regard to God’s providence, must own and depend upon it in all our affairs, both by faith and prayer.  We must place our entire confidence in the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, assuring ourselves of the extent of his providence to all the creatures and all their actions. We must therefore trust in the Lord with all our hearts; we must believe that He is able to do what he will, wise to do what is best, and good, according to his promise, to do what is best for us, if we love Him, and serve Him. We must, with an entire submission and satisfaction, depend upon Him to perform all things for us, and not lean to our own understanding, as if we could, by any forecast of our own, without God, help ourselves, and bring our affairs to a good issue. When you trust God's Sovereignty and Providence, it is easier to trust in Him regardless of the circumstances. God's way is the best way. Trust Him.