September 14, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 9): Affliction

The Psalm of the Word

You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.

Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.

You are good and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.

The arrogant have forged a lie against me;
With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

Their heart is covered with fat,
But I delight in Your law.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.

The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

(Psalm 119:65-72)

It may sound strange when we read it, but the psalmist said that it was good that he was afflicted. How could affliction be considered a good thing? And what kind of affliction was he talking about? Let us consider these questions.
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August 12, 2015

Those Who Have No Right to Speak God’s Word

Microphone

We sometimes hear celebrities, politicians, and other godless people quoting (or misquoting) the Bible. They often do so in an attempt to defend an unscriptural position (e.g. support for same-sex “marriage,” opposition to the death penalty, etc.). When we hear them, we might think, “What business do they have in speaking about the Bible?” God asked the same type of question in the following text.

“But to the wicked God says, ‘What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes” (Psalm 50:16-21).

There are certain ones who have no right to speak God’s word. Let us notice who was identified in the text.
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June 9, 2015

Who Is Affected By Sin?

Pollution

Many people choose to ignore sin. Sadly, even some Christians do this. They ignore the sins of others because they see the sins as being between them and God and so they are of no concern. They often ignore their own sin believing that God’s grace will cover them. Yet sin cannot be ignored.

“The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant” (Isaiah 24:5).

In the verse above, sin is described as pollution. This analogy is used because sin affects more than just the one who committed the sin. So in this article, I want us to consider this question: Who is affected by sin?
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March 11, 2014

Bringing Up Children in the Lord (Part 4): Training Children

Bringing Up Children in the Lord

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

The training of children is done in two ways – by instruction (teaching them what is right) and by discipline (punishing them for doing what is wrong). Parents must take their responsibility to train their children seriously. Failing to train children in the right way will bring shame upon the parents. The wise man said, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15). So let us consider how parents ought to train their children.
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February 18, 2014

Bringing Up Children in the Lord (Part 2): The Home in Which Children are Raised

Bringing Up Children in the Lord

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…” (Genesis 1:27-28).

God’s plan from the beginning was for a man and a woman to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). By God’s design, the bringing forth of children would be carried out in marriage (Genesis 2:24). Unfortunately, this does not always work out – either through sin or tragedy – then single parents or other caretakers are left to do the best they can for the children. But the Scriptures emphasize marriage and the home. We must as well.
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May 8, 2013

What Do the Numbers Tell Us?

Chart

There is often a great deal of emphasis placed upon numbers in a congregation – membership, attendance, converts, etc. This is somewhat natural. We tend to want some way to gauge success or progress in our efforts. Yet numbers rarely tell the whole story and, in many ways, can even be deceiving. Rather than being quick to jump to conclusions based upon numbers, we should look to God’s word to gauge our success in carrying out His will.
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February 25, 2013

To Acquire Wisdom, We Must Be Disciplined

Notes on Proverbs

A willingness to listen, desire to learn, and spirit of humility are essential for one to be able to acquire wisdom. But there is one more component that is necessary – discipline. The instruction which we listen to, learn, and receive in humility will get us on the path of wisdom. Discipline keeps us on the right path once we are on it. If we ever stray from the path, discipline is what gets us back on track. So the wise man says, “Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge” (23:12).
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