God's Truth In Love

Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category

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Jesus Revolution Movie

In Agape Love, Biblical Principles, Change, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Church Growth, Disunity, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Revolution Movie, Lifestyle, Reformation, Religious Freedom, Revival, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Change, Spiritual Remnant, Unity on March 4, 2023 at 5:19 pm

Saw Jesus Revolution yesterday. I literally cried three quarters of the way through the movie. It was only the last half an hour or maybe that I did not cry big buckets of tears.

It reminded me in many ways, not particularly the hippie thing, but the closeness and openness of the people, it reminded me of the churches that I helped start back in the late 1990s and the early to mid-2000s (based on guidelines God had given us in the late 90s for the types of churches in our lifetime that he would bless and grow substantially). After I came here, Florida, I never found any places like those again, or any spiritual leader who truly wanted to create one.

No offense because I was born here in Florida and grew up here, but compared to a lot of the other places in the country I have been to, this place is so spiritually repressed and I’m talking about godly Christian spirituality. The Body of Christ is supposed to be a family but here in Florida or at least Northern Florida and West Florida, I lived over in Pensacola, it doesn’t seem like a real godly family (then ministers wonder why their churches don’t grow or their ministries aren’t operating the way they should or they are not being used).

The churches that the movie reminded me of…we were so close, we were truly there for each other, we invested our lives in each other, we corrected each other, we helped each other, we loved each other, we truly had agape love for each other. I have not found that to exist here on a deep level, everything the ministry and the relationships are very superficial. Sadly, change can only be on the horizon once people recognize those things and are willing to do something about them, just like in the movie, until that man recognized why his church was so small and so void of the True Spirit, nothing changed.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:22 Swine or Swan

In Advice, Attitude, Behavior, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Decisions, Discernment, Discretion, Femininity, Feminism, Gender, Godliness, Grace, Instruction, Lifestyle, low self-esteem, New Year’s Resolutions, Proverbs, Prudence, Righteous Living, Righteousness, self-esteem, Uncategorized, Wisdom on January 12, 2023 at 5:46 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew definition(s).

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Swine or Swan

If you are a woman let me ask you, would you rather be an ugly dirty swine or a beautiful white swan? If you answered the swine, you might as well stop reading now, but if you answered a swan, however, and are just not sure you are there yet, read on and let God work in your life.

Have you ever met a woman who walking by looks absolutely beautiful, and then you meet her, she opens her mouth, you spend a few minutes with her and see her inner ugliness, lack of intelligence, low character, ugly mouth, pettiness when it comes to life and other people, her shallowness, vanity, gossipy tongue, etc. and you just can’t believe that such a pretty package is filled with such an ugly gift inside.

An inner swine: you can dress her up, you can ply her with pretty jewels, but ugly is ugly and when you are ugly on the inside that is something that you cannot hide for long and something that will strip the bloom off the rose so to speak with people pretty quickly no matter how beautiful your face, hair, or figure.

I absolutely believe a woman should take care of her outer self. Her looks, her health, her figure, all of it, but more than that she should care for her inner self, her swan, that thing that makes women beautiful and appealing no matter what the outer package looks like.

Also when you look at what it means to be “fair” as described in this verse you see that it can be two fold, inner and outer. Note the physical, but then note the inner “to be bright” which is always a sign of inner beauty.

“fair” is defined in the Hebrew language is as follows:

3303. יָפֶה yâpheh, yaw-feh’; from 3302; beautiful (lit. or fig.):— + beautiful, beauty, comely, fair (-est, one), + goodly, pleasant, well.

3302. יָפָה yâphâh, yaw-faw’; a prim. root; prop. to be bright, i.e. (by impl.) beautiful:— be beautiful, be (make self) fair (-r), deck.

Discretion is the number one key to a swan, the key to inner beauty that cannot be match or outdone by outer beauty. Now a look at what discretion actually is and how it manifest itself.

“discretion” in the Hebrew is defined in the following manner:

2940. טַעַם ṭa˓am, tah’-am; from 2938; prop. a taste, i.e. (fig.) perception; by impl. intelligence; tran. a mandate:— advice, behaviour, decree, discretion, judgment, reason, taste, understanding.

As we look at what this means in the Hebrew language, we see that for a Christian godly woman discretion is “a mandate” – a mandate to use sound “judgement and reason” in one’s behavior and when providing “advice” to others. A woman of discretion is a woman who lives by a “decree” in daily life, God’s Decrees, about what she will and will not do, and is a woman who has “understanding” which in biblical terms is synonymous with wisdom.

“discretion” in the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary is defined as:

1 : the quality of being discreet : CIRCUMSPECTION; especially : cautious reserve in speech
2 : ability to make responsible decisions

“discreet” is defined as:

1 : having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : PRUDENT; especially : capable of preserving prudent silence
2 : UNPRETENTIOUS, MODEST

A gossip or as some in church circles call it, the woman running around always talking about who we need to pray for and why, is not a woman of discretion by any stretch of the imagination. She is a gossip, plain and simple, doing much harm to the Body of Christ.

Women of discretion must take the time to use “good judgment” in what they will do and in how they go about life in order to “make responsible decisions” that will not negatively impact their life or the lives of others.

Lastly, a woman of discretion is a “modest” woman in her manner of dress. A woman who has half her cleavage hanging out, then gets angry or feels disrespected when men look, is not only foolish she is a swine and lacks the swan trait of discretion. If her dress is so tight or the hemline is so high that nothing is left to the imagination this is a swine woman not a swan woman, this is a woman without respect for herself or discretion.

A little tip ladies about swine women (women with no discretion, grace or class) verses swan women (women of discretion, grace and class). A good man, a Christian man, a man of quality will look at those swine type women, might even play with them here and there, but when it comes to the woman he wants to marry, the woman he wants as the mother of his children, these swine woman are not the type of women they want long-term. Almost all men want a swan.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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A New Year’s Thought – Living the Righteous Life

In Lifestyle, New Year’s Resolutions, Resolutions, Righteous Living, Righteousness on December 27, 2022 at 10:07 am

For the next month, we will forgo our regular blog study of Proverbs to pursue postings that center around Christmas and New Year’s.

If you get the blog entries via email you will receive each entry as it is posted without delay. If you go to the site to read each entry there will be no further notices of those entries, but the following titles will be released between now and the new year.

A Candymaker’s Witness – November 26th

An Old Man’s Christmas – December 3rd

Precious Baby /Christmas Star Lecture – December 11th

Merry Christmas / Christ for Christmas – December 20th

A New Year’s Thought / Living the Righteous Life – December 27th

A New Year’s Thought – Living the Righteous Life

Before you take action to make all those resolutions about what you are going to do or not do, who you are going to be or not be, take a moment and reflect on God’s method of change.

Read the thoughts of a young woman desiring honest change in her life, and my response to her.

Quote = “When I pray and read the Word and worship as I have been recently, i am experiencing more of a closeness and a love… like i am coming back to my first love. I do not think I am explaining it well but I want to live a righteous life and spend time with my Father becuase I love Him and want to, not because there is this list of "do’s and don’ts" to follow.” = End Quote.

You need not worry sister…you are not going to live a “righteous life” without it being a manifestation of God’s grace in your life. Any desire you have for God is a manifestation of God’s grace in your life.

Some thoughts…

A ship is not going to move along steady by being propped from the outside. In order for a ship to be balanced, it must have ballast within the ship in order for the ship to move along steadily. The same is true for us as God’s children. Nothing on the outside of us is ever going to make our lives steady and balanced. It is only through and by the grace of God that our lives ever become consistent, steady, and balance. All three of which God wants for us and all three of which He is more than willing to shed out His grace in service to perform.

Therefore, God’s grace becomes our ballast. Ballast being:

bal·last

1. stabilizing heavy weights: heavy material carried in the hold of a ship, especially one that has no cargo, in the keel of a sailing boat, or in the gondola of a balloon, to give the craft increased stability

2. something that gives bulk or stability: anything that serves no particular purpose except to give bulk or weight to something or that provides additional stability

3. foundation material: stones or gravel when used as a foundation for a road or railroad track

4. industry gravel used in making concrete: gravel used in making concrete and in earthworks

5. electrical engineering circuit limiting current flow: a circuit that limits the current flow in a fluorescent lamp

Encarta ® World English Dictionary

A play on the definitions and a connection to God’s grace.

1 – God is the weight that holds us steady when life blows and blows; only He and His grace provide us stability.

2 – Grace is simply there to bring stability to our souls, our spirits, and our lives.

3 – Grace is the foundation of our relationship with our Savior Jesus.

4 – The endless grace of God turns our liquid hearts and jelly backbones into faith stronger than concrete.

5 – God’s grace is always poured out in just the right dose at just the right time so that we might not become overwhelmed spiritually.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:21 Safety in Numbers, Really?

In Actions, Advice, Behavior, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Decision Making, Decisions, Discernment, Discretion, Divine Protection, Godliness, Lifestyle, Proverbs, Responsibility, Righteous Living, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on November 19, 2022 at 6:39 pm

We will now resume with our study and reflections on the Book of Proverbs. 

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Safety in Numbers, Really?

People tend to believe if they band together, they will somehow be safe. When it comes to God this is not true. There is nowhere to hide from God. There is no place that God cannot reach and no protection great enough to overcome Him or keep Him at bay if He desires to reach you.

“hand” in the Hebrew means:

3027. יָד yâd, yawd; a prim. word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.]

The wicked can attempt to secure their power by joining with other wicked people but none of them shall escape the wrath of God in this life and the life to come (v.21).

The “seed” as defined in the Hebrew language is:

2233. זֶֶרַע zera˓, zeh’-rah; from 2232; seed; fig. fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:— × carnally, child, fruitful, seed (-time), sowing-time.

2232. זָרַע zâra˓, zaw-rah’; a prim. root; to sow; fig. to disseminate, plant, fructify:— bear, conceive seed, set with, sow (-er), yield.

However, the opposite is true for the righteous. Their seed, in works, off spring, or people will be taken care of and delivered to its fruition.

Each day we make a choice of what type of fruit we will produce. We choose what type of life we will live, wicked or righteous. We decide if we are going to allow God to rule in our life by doing His Will. You will eat the fruit of those choices without escape, so choose very carefully.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

You can sign up to have each blog posting sent directly to your email. Just find the small “follow” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the main page, then enter your email address. All email information remains confidential and is never shared in any manner.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Freedom or No?

In Actions, Behavior, Choices, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Disobedience, Freedom, Lifestyle, Obedience, Responsibility, Sin on October 30, 2022 at 2:08 pm

Whether they realize it or not most people feel that freedom is too demanding and too unpredictable.

When God’s people were led out of slavery into the wilderness, this was their mindset. They complained continually because they feared uncertainty. It is easier for a person to stay mired in what they know whether that be drugs, an ungodly lifestyle, alcohol, pornography, overeating, smoking, excessive busyness, etc., easier for them to stay there than it is to walk in the complete freedom that Jesus died to give them.

That freedom comes through obedience to God and following God’s Will day by day. People find doing what God says to do or not to do too demanding. People find walking with Jesus in faith day to day seeking to know and do His Will too unpredictable. Therefore they just stay mired in their bondage, a slave to whatever controls them, for they would rather continue as a slave doing as they wish, knowing what to expect than to walk as a free person not knowing what to expect, and not doing as they wish.

Then of course there are the excuse-makers. Instead of taking responsibility for their choices they say things like, ‘I can’t help it, it’s an addiction, it’s an illness, or the worst one of all, this is how God made me.’ I can only imagine what it is going to be like when those who use that last excuse stand before God and He asked them, ‘How could you say that is how I made you?’

People with rather live in bondage than  have to actually take responsibility for making a choice for freedom.

You can sign up to have each blog posting sent directly to your email. Just find the small “follow” button in the bottom right-hand corner of the main page, then enter your email address. All email information remains confidential and is never shared in any manner.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:20 God’s Delight

In Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Godliness, Instant Sanctification, Lifestyle, Progressive Sanctification, Proverbs, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Sanctification, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on September 6, 2022 at 5:57 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

God’s Delight

We will address part two of this verse.

Now on a more positive note. To bring delight to God’s heart would be wonderful. Being an upright person does that (v.20).

“upright” is defined as:

8549. תָּמִים tâmı̂ym, taw-meem’; from 8552; entire (lit., fig. or mor.); also (as noun) integrity, truth:— without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.

The richness of what it means to be upright is really meaningful when you examine it closely. To be “entire” literally, figuratively, and morally is to be “whole” and “complete” and we are that in Christ. Yet, we need to allow Him to move us toward that more and more daily as our sanctification is manifest in our daily life.

Side note here.

People make sanctification way too complicated and seem to believe that the idea of instant or progressive sanctification are the only options. They seem to believe that the two (instant sanctification and progressive sanctification) are at odds with one another. Well they are not.

Sanctification is both instant and progressive.

When we accept Christ, we are in that very moment “instantly” sanctified in Him, in the spiritual realm. That instant sanctification is manifest in our daily life, in our lifestyle, in our spiritual maturity, in a “progressive” manner, to varying degrees, at different speeds over the course of our lifetime, as we walk with Christ and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

It truly is that simple, people just make it, like most of the things of God, far too difficult and complicated.

As we grow in godliness and holiness we become more and more “upright” in God’s eyes and thus become more and more of a “delight” to Him.

And “delight” in Hebrew language means:

7522. רָצוֹן râtsôwn, raw-tsone’; or

רָצֹן râtsôn, raw-tsone’; from 7521; delight (espec. as shown):— (be) acceptable (-ance, -ed), delight, desire, favour, (good) pleasure, (own, self, voluntary) will, as … (what) would.

7521. רָצָה râtsâh, raw-tsaw’; a prim. root; to be pleased with; spec. to satisfy a debt:— (be) accept (-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have a) favour (-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please (-ure), reconcile self.

The idea of God “enjoying” me and “liking” me just tickles my heart.

I want to make two other points about what it means for God to “delight” in the “upright” child of God, but I need to be very careful about how I do it, so I am not misunderstood. From the Hebrew definition we see the idea of “having the favour” of God and the idea of “satisfying a debt” we owe.

Point One. Jesus paid a great price to redeem us from hell. Coming to this earth. Living among us. Being hated. Being mocked and scorned by society. Being beaten. Being executed (crucified) on the cross. Dying. Resurrecting (this was the good part for Him I am sure). Having gone though all of that for us, we owe Him our “uprightness” we owe Him the debt of obedience.

Point Two. Obedience to God, the Holy Spirit, is an “upright” thing to do. Obedience is owed Him. We earn nothing from God, but with that said, obedience to God will bring about the spiritual law of God’s favor in your life.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:18-19 Your Fruit Your Choice

In Actions, Advice, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Evil, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Godliness, Holiness, Lifestyle, Obedience, Proverbs, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Uncategorized, Wisdom on August 3, 2022 at 6:41 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

Your Fruit Your Choice

Death and life in the figurative, moral, mental, emotional, physical (to some degree) and spiritual (to a small degree) are in your hands based on your choices you make each day. In these verses we see a contrast between evil and righteousness, between deceitfulness and uprightness and the resulting fruit of each.

Wickedness is deceitful, plain and simply. Many of their wicked acts require deceit.

“deceitful” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

8267. שֶׁקֶר sheqer, sheh’-ker; from 8266; an untruth; by impl. a sham (often adv.):— without a cause, deceit (-ful), false (-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully.

8266. שָׁקַר shâqar, shaw-kar’; a prim. root; to cheat, i.e. be untrue (usually in words):— fail, deal falsely, lie.

Deceit takes on many forms but at its heart is something rooted in being dishonest with someone about something in order to gain an advantage in some manner. It is wicked to be deceitful despite what some might think; to lie, to scam a person, to mislead them, to deal with them in a manner that is morally wrong, or to cheat them in some manner. To be less than genuine or real, which is what “feignedly” means, is also deceitful. Deceitfulness has an air of vanity about it because people feel they are somehow entitled to treat others with such contempt.

Righteousness on the other hand is just the opposite. It knows that our true worth is only found in Christ and in obeying Christ’s Will for our life.

In the same language “righteousness” is defined as:

6666. צְדָקָה tsedâqâh, tsed-aw-kaw’; from 6663; rightness (abstr.), subj. (rectitude), obj. (justice), mor. (virtue) or fig. (prosperity):— justice, moderately, right (-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).

6663. צָדַק tsâdaq, tsaw-dak’; a prim. root; to be (caus. make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):— cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be, turn to) righteous (-ness).

Righteousness wants to see justice done, to make or cause things to be put right, hungers for virtue, is moderate in its dealings, actions, and lifestyle, seeks goodness and decency, which is what “rectitude” means. Righteousness wants to cleanse itself and wants to see the world cleansed from wickedness. Righteousness produces prosperity, not just monetarily but mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, etc. in so many manners.

That prosperity is there, a result, a fruit, of what is written about in verses eighteen, where it states that the righteous “shall be a sure reward” or shall have a sure reward. Righteousness is a reward to the person who is acting in a righteous manner and a reward to all who have the privilege of dealing with someone who lives their life by a morally righteous code based on God’s Word.

The Hebrew defines “sure” as:

571. אֶמֶת ˒emeth, eh’-meth; contr. from 539; stability; fig. certainty, truth, trustworthiness:— assured (-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.

539. אָמַן ˒âman, aw-man’; a prim. root; prop. to build up or support;

And the Hebrew defines “reward” as:

7938. שֶׂכֶר seker, seh’-ker; from 7936; wages:— reward, sluices.

The righteous person knows they can depend on the rewards of God. They will receive the wages for their faithfulness. Those rewards will flow to them from heaven’s throne to their daily life.

Righteousness will bring life to your life, just as evil will bring death to your life (v.19). Righteousness or evil are a choice, a choice that will bear fruit, a choice that must be made.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Sanctification – Instant, Progressive, or Neither?

In Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Godliness, Grace, Holiness, Instant Sanctification, Learning, Lifestyle, Obedience, Progressive Sanctification, Renewal, Repentance, Sanctification, Truth, Wisdom on July 15, 2022 at 5:48 pm

I am going to take a detour here from Proverbs because this has come up a couple of times this week and was just part of a future blog post I was writing from the book of Proverbs.

Sanctification – Instant, Progressive, or Neither?

People make sanctification way too complicated and seem to believe that the idea of instant or progressive sanctification are the only options. They seem to believe that the two (instant sanctification and progressive sanctification) are at odds with one another. Well they are not.

Sanctification is both instant and progressive.

When we accept Christ, we are in that very moment “instantly” sanctified in Him, in the spiritual realm. That instant sanctification is manifest in our daily life, in our lifestyle, in our spiritual maturity, in a “progressive” manner, to varying degrees, at different speeds over the course of our lifetime, as we walk with Christ and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

It truly is that simple, people just make it, like most of the things of God, far too difficult and complicated.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:16 Woman’s Honor Men’s Strength

In Advice, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Discernment, Discretion, Godliness, Grace, Lifestyle, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Wisdom on July 6, 2022 at 3:25 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

Woman’s Honor Men’s Strength

I am going to primarily focus on the part of the passage that addresses women so I will address the portion of verse sixteen that speaks to men first.

It takes a man of certain character and strength to hold on to the monetary blessing God has provided Him (v.16). If a man has a weakness for drink, for women, for gambling and the like, in the end he shall surely end up losing most, if not all, that God has blessed him with. It takes strength to manage one’s money well. Sadly, not all men have that type of godly strength.

Now a look at the graciousness of women of honor (v.16).

“gracious” in the Hebrew Language is defined in two parts as follows:

2580. חֵן chên, khane; from 2603; graciousness, i.e. subj. (kindness, favor) or obj. (beauty):— favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.

2603. חָנַן chânan, khaw-nan’; a prim. root [comp. 2583]; prop. to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; caus. to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):— beseech, × fair, (be, find, shew) favour (-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious (-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, × very.

I just delight in the fact that the gracious women is defined as “precious” in God’s sight. It also moves my heart that she will “implore” or moves people to her way of thinking not through demand but through heartfelt appeal. She is the kind that would beg before she would demand something from someone. She has “mercy” for people, compassion, “pity” not animosity. She has the strength of character to humble herself in kindness to someone who is clearly her inferior in some manner, intelligence, grace, style, education, godliness, culture, talent, godly insight, wisdom, maturity, manners, refinement, etc. She would rather “pray” for you than tell you off. What a heart in such a woman – God’s heart.

Why is she this way. We will look at another definition to find out why.

In the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary the first definition for gracious is quite telling. The same holds true for the word fair, which you will find below. But first a note about the Webster’s Dictionary.

The original Webster’s Dictionary always had, and has, the biblical meaning of a word as the first definition. The original is still in print, I have one, and I recommend owning one because as you will find in the definition below took from the Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary our “educated” and “enlightened” society (sarcasm intended) believes that biblical meanings no longer have a place in our society, they are in their definition “obsolete” but in God’s definition they are not and never will be obsolete.

“gracious” per Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary is defined as:

1 a obsolete : GODLY b archaic : PLEASING, ACCEPTABLE
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy £ a gracious host b : GRACEFUL c : marked by tact and delicacy : URBANE d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding £ gracious living
3 : MERCIFUL, COMPASSIONATE — used conventionally of royalty and high nobility

To be a gracious women is to be a woman “of royalty and high nobility” – God’s royalty and nobility. Yet, to modern society to be a “godly” woman has nothing to do with graciousness and it is “archaic” to be a “pleasing” and “acceptable” as a woman. How ridiculous! It just shows how far from the Standards of God we have fallen as a society.

By the way the first definition for the word “nobility” in the same dictionary means:

1 : the quality or state of being noble in character, quality, or rank

Well a godly gracious woman of honor is definitely all of that “noble in character” a woman of “quality” and much more.

To be “fair” in the Hebrew language means to be as follows:

3303. יָפֶה yâpheh, yaw-feh’; from 3302; beautiful (lit. or fig.):— + beautiful, beauty, comely, fair (-est, one), + goodly, pleasant, well.

3302. יָפָה yâphâh, yaw-faw’; a prim. root; prop. to be bright, i.e. (by impl.) beautiful:— be beautiful, be (make self) fair (-r), deck.

“fair” per Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary

1 : pleasing to the eye or mind especially because of fresh, charming, or flawless quality

You might have heard the saying beauty is only skin deep but ugly is to the bone; well, real beauty is much deeper than the surface and ugly shows regardless of how beautiful the surface of the package might be. In the definition for “fair” it states that to be “fair” is “to be bright in example by implication thus beautiful” – what is on the inside is what makes a woman bright; personality, character, and temperament are beautiful to those who are looking with open eyes.

Grace, exhibiting graciousness, does not allow a woman to sacrifice her honor for anything. Gracious women retain their honor at all times (v.16).

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:15 Watch Whom You Cover

In Advice, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Debt, Decision Making, Guidance, Lifestyle, Loans, Money, Poverty, Proverbs, Prudence, Uncategorized, Wisdom on June 15, 2022 at 8:41 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

Watch Whom You Cover

Oh the perils of money, especially when we believe we do not have enough of it and seek to borrow money. The development of debt is dangerous. Debt enslaves the borrower. However, money, debt, another person’s debt can enslave the lender or the one that secures the funds for another person.

“surety” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

6148. עָרַב ˓ârab, aw-rab’; a prim. root; to braid, i.e. intermix; tech. to traffic (as if by barter); also to give or be security (as a kind of exchange):— engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be (-come, put in) surety, undertake.

“smart” in the Hebrew is defined as:

7321. רוּעַ rûwa˓, roo-ah’; a prim. root; to mar (espec. by breaking); fig. to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy):— blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph.

It is very unwise to get involved in another individual’s finances. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be helpful to another human being but once money, especially borrowed money, becomes involved often relationships are fractured. In a situation with a person that you do not know well it is even worse. Money has destroyed many relationships.

It would be far better overall to simply give a person money than it would be to loan them money or become a co-signer for them to borrow money from a financial institution. To risk our indebtedness in order to secure a debt for another is to put our life, our future, in that person’s hands.

“suretiship” is defined as:

8628. תָּקַע tâqa˓, taw-kah’; a prim. root; to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by anal. to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by impl. to become bondsman (by handclasping):— blow ([a trumpet]), cast, clap, fasten, pitch [tent], smite, sound, strike, × suretiship, thrust.

“sure” in the Hebrew language means the following:

982. בָּטַח bâṭach, baw-takh’; a prim. root; prop. to hie for refuge [but not so precipitately as 2620]; fig. to trust, be confident or sure:— be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust.

Debt is a hopeless hole that can suck the life out of you and nothing you bought that created the debt will take away that draining feeling and burden that debt brings. However, being without debt provides a sense of peace, security, and safety that can only be experienced by having little to no extensive debt.

Wisdom does not loan money, wisdom does not borrow money if it is at all possible, wisdom does not indebt itself so it can drive the latest and greatest, and wisdom does not run up credit card debt buying things that are not truly needed.

Do you want to be a slave to those credit cards, a slave to that overpriced vehicle you bought for show, a slave to that huge home that is far more than you actually need, or do you want freedom?

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:8-12 Divine Protection and Favor

In Advice, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Divine Protection, Favor, Godly Counsel, Guidance, Lifestyle, Obedience, Proverbs, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Uncategorized, Wisdom on April 23, 2022 at 5:08 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Divine Protection and Favor

God is going to take care of His people. If the righteous person and the sinful person are walking side by side into trouble God is going to pluck out the righteous person first. There are times when the wicked will take the place of the righteous on the path of trouble (v.8).

What is a “hypocrite” exactly? Is it what people often think a hypocrite to be?

“hypocrite” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

2611. חָנֵף chânêph, khaw-nafe’; from 2610; soiled (i.e. with sin), impious:— hypocrite (-ical).

2610. חָנֵף chânêph, khaw-nafe’; a prim. root; to soil, espec. in a mor. sense:— corrupt, defile, × greatly, pollute, profane.

One of the major marks of a hypocrite is the irreverent attitude toward God, God’s Will, God’s Way, God’s Purpose, etc. The fact that they sin is secondary though it is what people often think about when they think of a hypocrite. They are soiled and stained with sin because they have no reverence for what God wants of them and from them.

Hypocrites are morally defiled and being so, they have no problem attempting to defile the reputation and character of other people (v.9). Using their slanderous mouth to attempt to tear down other people. However, when this is attempted against the just righteous person it is surely going to fail. God will not leave His just righteous people unprotected; information will come to light to deliver them from the slanderous false accusations against them (v.9).

Things going well for the righteous person often results in benefits for all of those around the righteous person. Most people rejoice when goodness prospers, and fruitful plans are able to flourish (v.10). On the flip side of that coin people also tend to rejoice when the wicked person gets what they have coming to them (v.10). When they reap what they have sown or eat the fruit of their works (Galatians 6:7). It is very rare that people root for evil in their hearts, most people hunger for righteousness in their hearts even if their words or acts do not reflect such. What is deep inside a person’s heart can be very different from what you see on the outside of a person.

Something interesting to note is that in verse twelve the word “despiseth” in the Hebrew language actually means “disrespect” and “of understanding” actually means a person of “intelligence.” To “holdeth his peace” means in the Hebrew language “to be silent” about or “to let alone” a situation.

Based on all of those definitions another way you could paraphrase that verse would be something like, ‘An unwise person who is not very smart will disrespect people but a wise person who is intelligent will let alone a volatile situation or remain silent instead of entering into conflict’ (v.12).

People mistakenly think that someone who refuses to participate in an argument or a shouting match with another person is somehow a coward or a weak person, when in fact the exact opposite is true. It takes great strength to hold your tongue when you are being verbally attacked or to walk away and let a situation alone when conflict arises.

Keeping silent or walking way is often called taking the high road. Life is more peaceful, fruitful, productive, and godly when you take and stay on the high road. Divine protection and favor is found for the wise righteous person who travels on the high road.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:7 Wickedness has a Narrow View

In Abominations, Advice, Afterlife, Biblical Principles, Hell, Lifestyle, Proverbs, Repentance, Uncategorized, Wickedness, Wisdom on April 16, 2022 at 2:01 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

Wickedness has a Narrow View

For the wicked all their hopes, dreams, desires, their everything is based in this life; yet the harsh reality of their life to come will be waiting for them.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:2-3 Pride and Perverseness vs. Integrity and Uprightness

In Advice, Attitude, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Correction, Decision Making, Guidance, Knowledge, Lifestyle, Obedience, Proverbs, Prudence, Renewal, Repentance, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom on March 26, 2022 at 12:19 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew definition(s).

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Pride and Perverseness vs. Integrity and Uprightness

These two verses are pretty straightforward and easy to understand. Certain behaviors and characteristics in your life will bring about a spiritual law in your life or what some might call a spiritual reaction.

Let’s look at each one, what they produce in a person’s life, and the actual biblical meaning of said behavior or characteristic.

Pride will bring shame in your life.

“Pride” =

2087. זָדוֹן zâdôwn, zaw-done’; from 2102; arrogance:— presumptuously, pride, proud (man).

2102. זוּד zûwd, zood; or (by perm.)

זִיד zı̂yd, zeed; a prim. root; to seethe; fig. to be insolent:— be proud, deal proudly, presume, (come) presumptuously, sod.

“Shame” =

7036. קָלוֹן qâlôwn, kaw-lone’; from 7034; disgrace; (by impl.) the pudenda:— confusion, dishonour, ignominy, reproach, shame.

7034. קָלָה qâlâh, kaw-law’; a prim. root; to be light (as impl. in rapid motion), but fig. only (be [caus. hold] in contempt):— base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile.

Humility (lowliness) produces wisdom in your life.

“Lowly” =

6800. צָנַע tsâna˓, tsaw-nah’; a prim. root; to humiliate:— humbly, lowly.

“Wisdom” =

2451. חָכְמָה chokmâh, khok-maw’; from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):— skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

2449. חָכַם châkam, khaw-kam’; a prim. root, to be wise (in mind, word or act):— × exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiser.

Integrity results in insight in your life.

“Integrity” =

8538. תֻּמָּה tummâh, toom-maw’; fem. of 8537; innocence:— integrity.

8537. תֹּם tôm, tome; from 8552; completeness; fig. prosperity; usually (mor.) innocence:— full, integrity, perfect (-ion), simplicity, upright (-ly, -ness), at a venture.

“Guide” =

5148. נָחָה nâchâh, naw-khaw’; a prim. root; to guide; by impl. to transport (into exile, or as colonists):— bestow, bring, govern, guide, lead (forth), put, straiten.

Perverseness will bring destruction in your life.

5558. סֶלֶף çeleph, seh’-lef; from 5557; distortion, i.e. (fig.) viciousness:— perverseness.

5557. סָלַף çâlaph, saw-laf’; a prim. root; prop. to wrench, i.e. (fig.) to subvert:— overthrow, pervert.

Transgression will bring destruction in your life.

“Transgressors” =

898. בָּגַד bâgad, baw-gad’; a prim. root; to cover (with a garment); fig. to act covertly; by impl. to pillage:— deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress (-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful (-ly, man), × very.

“Destroy” =

7703. שָׁדַד shâdad, shaw-dad’; a prim. root; prop. to be burly, i.e. (fig.) powerful (pass. impregnable); by impl. to ravage:— dead, destroy (-er), oppress, robber, spoil (-er), × utterly, (lay) waste.

And that is the hard truth whether we like it or not!

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Please keep me in your prayers and know that if God should speak anything into your heart as you pray for me regarding my life, please feel free to share that with me. God speaks through His people.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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A New Year’s Thought – Living the Righteous/Godly Life

In Advice, Attitude, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Guidance, Lifestyle, New Year’s Resolutions, Renewal, Repentance, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Wisdom on January 1, 2022 at 4:16 pm

Before you take action to make all those resolutions about what you are going to do or not do, who you are going to be or not be, take a moment and reflect on God’s method of change.

Read the thoughts of a young woman desiring honest change in her life, and my response to her.

Quote = “When I pray and read the Word and worship as I have been recently, i am experiencing more of a closeness and a love… like i am coming back to my first love. I do not think I am explaining it well but I want to live a righteous life and spend time with my Father becuase I love Him and want to, not because there is this list of "do’s and don’ts" to follow.” = End Quote.

You need not worry sister…you are not going to live a “righteous life” without it being a manifestation of God’s grace in your life. Any desire you have for God is a manifestation of God’s grace in your life.

Some thoughts…

A ship is not going to move along steady by being propped from the outside. In order for a ship to be balanced, it must have ballast within the ship in order for the ship to move along steadily. The same is true for us as God’s children. Nothing on the outside of us is ever going to make our lives steady and balanced. It is only through and by the grace of God that our lives ever become consistent, steady, and balance. All three of which God wants for us and all three of which He is more than willing to shed out His grace in service to perform.

Therefore, God’s grace becomes our ballast. Ballast being:

bal·last

1. stabilizing heavy weights: heavy material carried in the hold of a ship, especially one that has no cargo, in the keel of a sailing boat, or in the gondola of a balloon, to give the craft increased stability

2. something that gives bulk or stability: anything that serves no particular purpose except to give bulk or weight to something or that provides additional stability

3. foundation material: stones or gravel when used as a foundation for a road or railroad track

4. industry gravel used in making concrete: gravel used in making concrete and in earthworks

5. electrical engineering circuit limiting current flow: a circuit that limits the current flow in a fluorescent lamp

Encarta ® World English Dictionary

A play on the definitions and a connection to God’s grace.

1 – God is the weight that holds us steady when life blows and blows; only He and His grace provide us stability.

2 – Grace is simply there to bring stability to our souls, our spirits, and our lives.

3 – Grace is the foundation of our relationship with our Savior Jesus.

4 – The endless grace of God turns our liquid hearts and jelly backbones into faith stronger than concrete.

5 – God’s grace is always poured out in just the right dose at just the right time so that we might not become overwhelmed spiritually.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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GOD Growth in COVID-19 / Couples Growth

In Adultery, Agape Love, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Contentment, Coronavirus, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Couples, COVID-19, Disunity, Divorce, Godliness, Learning, Lifestyle, Love, Marriage, Renewal, Repentance, Revival, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Uncategorized, Unity, Wisdom on April 2, 2021 at 8:33 am

Over the last few posts we have taken a look at the GOD growth in individuals and families during the pandemic. Today we take on the matter of growth in the couple relationship. I use the term GOD growth because God wants to bring about change in people that draws them closer to Him and that causes them to implement His Principles regardless of whether or not they have come to trust in Him for their salvation as of yet or not. God is about seeing His Will and His Principles come about in our society, in our homes, and in us personally before and after we enter that personal relationship with Him.

Questions to ponder. Why do people find it easier to bad mouth their significant other or spouse rather than express openly to other people what they like about the person? Why are their negative traits a more interesting topic of discussion than their positive traits? Society presents the idea that to complain about your spouse is funny and entertaining, but is it really? Why does society want to perpetuate the idea that loving relationships are rare and so hard to come by?

Locked down, locked up, with your spouse during COVID-19; now this will make or break a marriage. When there is only the two of you, no children, no other distractions, you find out really quick whether or not you are just two ships passing in the night or two hovercrafts rotating around each other but never really coming in contact, not true contact. I believe if you went through this last year together primarily in lockdown and you still actually want to be together you might actually have a pretty solid relationship.

When we are alone with someone day in and day out, with them and with no one else, we see everything about them that we perhaps did not notice or that at other times are they were better able to hide. Especially during a crisis like the pandemic, we see their fears emerge, we see their insecurities at large, we see their compassion or lack thereof on display, we see their generosity and love or their selfishness and hatefulness. We talk to them more; we find out more about what makes them tick. We explore with them their hopes and dreams because when you are in a situation like we are in during this pandemic, locked down at home primarily, you cannot endlessly ignore the only other person in your spear, in your world for that matter for the most part, and you cannot talk about nothing nonsense forever. So eventually you dig down to what really matters, and that is when you begin to draw close to one another.

In this time of couple reflection many were able to find out how loved and cared for they made their spouse feel and the ways in which they did that. Also, they might have found out the ways in which they do not make their spouse feel loved and cared for and what they could do about it to change the negative impact on the relationship. For many it was a time of realigning the relationship and finding once again common goals and dreams.

A marriage is a covenant relationship. When someone badmouths their spouse for fun and the entertainment of people, they are betraying that covenant. What you speak about your spouse affect how you feel about your spouse. Your spoken words have a powerful effect on you and other people. People should rarely if ever hear from you what you believe to be “wrong” with your spouse or so my parents who believed in absolute loyalty taught me, just as the Bible teaching not to speak negative or harsh words (curses) against people. I have never found it entertaining to hear people teardown their spouse, and from what I have heard from other people they too think it terrible to listen to someone else do so, thinking badly of the person who is badmouthing their spouse, even if they themselves have been guilty of likewise at times.

I believe the select few in society who are not willing to do the work needed for a loving caring relationship like to perpetuate the idea that loving caring relationships are so terribly difficult to come by, in order to make themselves feel better about their own lack. Let them live in their isolation and loneliness, do not get sucked in, value the relationship you have and act like you do.

I want to close each of this series of postings with a quote from the original post, “COVID-19 – God and Man at Work.”

“Blessings from God are not just material or financial, more often the greater ones (blessings) are intangible such as growth and change.”