Monday, June 4, 2018
For my life is spent with grief,
and my years with sighing:
my strength faileth because of mine iniquity,
and my bones are consumed.
The Lord Our Dwelling Place
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place
through all generations.
2Before the mountains were born,
or You brought forth the earth and world,
from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God.
3You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O sons of mortals.”
4For in Your sight a thousand years
are but a day that passes,
or a watch of the night.
5You whisk them away in their sleep;
they are like the new grass of the morning—
6in the morning it springs up new;
by evening it fades and withers.
7For we are consumed by Your anger
and terrified by Your wrath.
8You have set our iniquities before You,
our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9For all our days decline in Your fury;
we finish our years with a sigh.
10The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty if we are strong—
yet their pride is but labor and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11Who knows the power of Your anger?
Your wrath matches the fear You are due.
12So teach us to number our days,
that we may present a heart of wisdom.
13Return, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on Your servants.
14Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen evil.
16May Your work be shown to Your servants,
and Your splendor to their children.
17May the favora of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish for us the work of our hands—
establish the work of our hands!
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
12As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14For He knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
16when the wind has passed over, it vanishes,
and its place remembers it no more.
17But from everlasting to everlasting
the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to their children’s children—
18to those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
19The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
Our Eternal Dwelling
(Romans 8:18-27)
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
and my years with sighing:
my strength faileth because of mine iniquity,
and my bones are consumed.
The Lord Our Dwelling Place
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place
through all generations.
2Before the mountains were born,
or You brought forth the earth and world,
from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God.
3You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O sons of mortals.”
4For in Your sight a thousand years
are but a day that passes,
or a watch of the night.
5You whisk them away in their sleep;
they are like the new grass of the morning—
6in the morning it springs up new;
by evening it fades and withers.
7For we are consumed by Your anger
and terrified by Your wrath.
8You have set our iniquities before You,
our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9For all our days decline in Your fury;
we finish our years with a sigh.
10The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty if we are strong—
yet their pride is but labor and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11Who knows the power of Your anger?
Your wrath matches the fear You are due.
12So teach us to number our days,
that we may present a heart of wisdom.
13Return, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on Your servants.
14Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen evil.
16May Your work be shown to Your servants,
and Your splendor to their children.
17May the favora of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish for us the work of our hands—
establish the work of our hands!
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
12As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14For He knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
16when the wind has passed over, it vanishes,
and its place remembers it no more.
17But from everlasting to everlasting
the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to their children’s children—
18to those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
19The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
Our Eternal Dwelling
(Romans 8:18-27)
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.
6Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
The God of the Bible is sovereign. This means that He has an absolute right to govern His creation as He pleases. God has perfect knowledge and perfect power with which He controls everything.
Scripture emphasizes the sovereignty of God.
All Things Are In His Control
The Bible makes it clear that all things are under God's control. The psalmist wrote.
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land (Psalm 95:1-5).
Although the world is in a seemingly chaotic state today, God is still in control of events.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to Him, "What are you doing?" (Daniel 4:35).
Jesus illustrated this truth in a parable.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? (Matthew 20:15).
Paul wrote to the Romans.
Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's purpose of election might continue (Romans 9:21).
God possesses this absolute right by virtue of His character. He has complete ownership over everything and all things depend upon Him for their existence and their continuance. Therefore it makes no sense to criticize His ways.
Jesus Taught The Sovereignty Of God
Jesus taught that God the Father was absolutely sovereign in all things. He prayed the following.
Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in your sight (Matthew 11:26)
The Death Of Jesus Was In The Sovereign Plan Of God
The death of Jesus, for example was in the eternal plan of God.
This man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law (Acts 2:23).
There Is No Fate Or Blind Chance With God
The biblical teaching on the sovereignty of God refutes any idea of blind chance, or fate controlling events. God works all things according to His will. In the Scripture there are numerous examples of God's overruling power in both heaven and on earth.
In him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).
Isaiah wrote.
The LORD of hosts has sworn: As I have designed, so shall it be; and as I have planned, so shall it come to pass (Isaiah 14:24)
God's Work Has Its Basis In His Sovereignty
God's work is based upon His sovereignty. Scripture says.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake (1 Peter 1:18-20).
The purposes of God were determined before time began.
The Sovereignty Of God Is A Reasonable Truth
Not only is the absolute sovereignty of God a Scriptural truth, it is also a necessary deduction of any proper concept of God. If things are not regulated by God, but merely occur by blind chance, then chance is superior to God. Any limitation of God's sovereign control causes more problems than it solves.
It Is A Difficult Truth
Although the sovereignty of God is a biblical and reasonable truth, it is also a difficult truth. Part of the difficulty lies in how God can be in absolute control and, at the same time, humanity can make genuine choices. Each of these truths is clearly taught. Scripture never tries to reconcile them. They are taught side by side. Consequently there is some mystery in the doctrine of God's sovereignty.
God's Sovereignty Is A Comforting Thought
The doctrine of the sovereignty of God is a comforting truth to believers. Realizing that God is in charge of everything brings comfort in light of problems that occurs. Believers understand that God is still in control of the situation though we may think the situation is out of control.
Summary
The idea of God's absolute sovereignty or control is one of the central truths of Scripture. The Bible is clear that God is in control of all things. Scripture never teaches that things occur by fate or blind chance.
The study of the sovereignty of God is a difficult truth to understand. It is hard to grasp how can be in absolute control and, at the same time, how humans can make legitimate choices. Yet this is the clear teaching of the Bible. This is one area that Scripture never tries to reconcile. Believers, therefore, should accept the fact that God's sovereignty and human responsibility are both true even though it cannot be understood how they work together.
The doctrine of God's sovereignty is comforting to the believer. Since all things are under his control each believer is secure in his protection. Nothing will happen to any of God's children without the knowledge and consent of God.
- Don Stewart :: In What Sense Is God in Control of Things? (Sovereign)
Scripture emphasizes the sovereignty of God.
All Things Are In His Control
The Bible makes it clear that all things are under God's control. The psalmist wrote.
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land (Psalm 95:1-5).
Although the world is in a seemingly chaotic state today, God is still in control of events.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to Him, "What are you doing?" (Daniel 4:35).
Jesus illustrated this truth in a parable.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? (Matthew 20:15).
Paul wrote to the Romans.
Even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God's purpose of election might continue (Romans 9:21).
God possesses this absolute right by virtue of His character. He has complete ownership over everything and all things depend upon Him for their existence and their continuance. Therefore it makes no sense to criticize His ways.
Jesus Taught The Sovereignty Of God
Jesus taught that God the Father was absolutely sovereign in all things. He prayed the following.
Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in your sight (Matthew 11:26)
The Death Of Jesus Was In The Sovereign Plan Of God
The death of Jesus, for example was in the eternal plan of God.
This man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law (Acts 2:23).
There Is No Fate Or Blind Chance With God
The biblical teaching on the sovereignty of God refutes any idea of blind chance, or fate controlling events. God works all things according to His will. In the Scripture there are numerous examples of God's overruling power in both heaven and on earth.
In him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).
Isaiah wrote.
The LORD of hosts has sworn: As I have designed, so shall it be; and as I have planned, so shall it come to pass (Isaiah 14:24)
God's Work Has Its Basis In His Sovereignty
God's work is based upon His sovereignty. Scripture says.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake (1 Peter 1:18-20).
The purposes of God were determined before time began.
The Sovereignty Of God Is A Reasonable Truth
Not only is the absolute sovereignty of God a Scriptural truth, it is also a necessary deduction of any proper concept of God. If things are not regulated by God, but merely occur by blind chance, then chance is superior to God. Any limitation of God's sovereign control causes more problems than it solves.
It Is A Difficult Truth
Although the sovereignty of God is a biblical and reasonable truth, it is also a difficult truth. Part of the difficulty lies in how God can be in absolute control and, at the same time, humanity can make genuine choices. Each of these truths is clearly taught. Scripture never tries to reconcile them. They are taught side by side. Consequently there is some mystery in the doctrine of God's sovereignty.
God's Sovereignty Is A Comforting Thought
The doctrine of the sovereignty of God is a comforting truth to believers. Realizing that God is in charge of everything brings comfort in light of problems that occurs. Believers understand that God is still in control of the situation though we may think the situation is out of control.
Summary
The idea of God's absolute sovereignty or control is one of the central truths of Scripture. The Bible is clear that God is in control of all things. Scripture never teaches that things occur by fate or blind chance.
The study of the sovereignty of God is a difficult truth to understand. It is hard to grasp how can be in absolute control and, at the same time, how humans can make legitimate choices. Yet this is the clear teaching of the Bible. This is one area that Scripture never tries to reconcile. Believers, therefore, should accept the fact that God's sovereignty and human responsibility are both true even though it cannot be understood how they work together.
The doctrine of God's sovereignty is comforting to the believer. Since all things are under his control each believer is secure in his protection. Nothing will happen to any of God's children without the knowledge and consent of God.
- Don Stewart :: In What Sense Is God in Control of Things? (Sovereign)
To Everything There is a Season
1To everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven:
2a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to break down and a time to build,
4a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6a time to search and a time to count as lost,
a time to keep and a time to discard,
7a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
God's Works Remain Forever
9What does the worker gain from his toil? 10I have seen the burden that God has laid on men to occupy them. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work God has done from beginning to end.
12I know that there is nothing better for men than to rejoice and do good while they live, 13and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will remain forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God works that men should revere Him. 15What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
1To everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven:
2a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to break down and a time to build,
4a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6a time to search and a time to count as lost,
a time to keep and a time to discard,
7a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
God's Works Remain Forever
9What does the worker gain from his toil? 10I have seen the burden that God has laid on men to occupy them. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work God has done from beginning to end.
12I know that there is nothing better for men than to rejoice and do good while they live, 13and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will remain forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God works that men should revere Him. 15What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Proverbs 21:20
Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
Proverbs 21:17
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living. Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
Proverbs 24:27
There is one that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is one that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
Proverbs 13:7
Proverbs 30 :24-28
Four things are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
The ants are not a strong people,
But they prepare their food in the summer;
The shephanim are not mighty people,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in ranks;
The lizard you may grasp with the hands,
Yet it is in kings’ palaces.
Warnings and Instructions
1Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
4Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?
5Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
7A sated man loathes honey,
But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
8Like a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man who wanders from his home.
9Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
10Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches me.
12A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.
13Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge.
14He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be reckoned a curse to him.
15A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike;
16He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
17Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.
18He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.
19As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of man reflects man.
20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
21The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him.
22Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
23Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
24For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
27And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your maidens.
James 4:13-15 New International Version (NIV)
Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.
Proverbs 21:20
Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
Proverbs 21:17
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
Don't build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living. Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
Proverbs 24:27
There is one that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is one that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
Proverbs 13:7
Proverbs 30 :24-28
Four things are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
The ants are not a strong people,
But they prepare their food in the summer;
The shephanim are not mighty people,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in ranks;
The lizard you may grasp with the hands,
Yet it is in kings’ palaces.
Warnings and Instructions
1Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
4Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?
5Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
7A sated man loathes honey,
But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
8Like a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man who wanders from his home.
9Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
10Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches me.
12A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.
13Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge.
14He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be reckoned a curse to him.
15A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious woman are alike;
16He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
17Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.
18He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who cares for his master will be honored.
19As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of man reflects man.
20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
21The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him.
22Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
23Know well the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
24For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
27And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your maidens.
James 4:13-15 New International Version (NIV)
Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
God who made our hearts and mind
God is the one who made your heart and mind, He understands it completely.
The LORD gave us each a mind, and nothing we do can be hidden from him.
He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.
Psalm 33:15
Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.
Psalm 139:4
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalm 139:17-18
We may make a lot of plans, but the LORD will do what he has decided.
Proverbs 19:2
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
Proverbs 16:9
The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:1
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Ezekiel 36:26,27
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
God instructs the nations and gives knowledge to us all. Won't he also correct us?
Psalm 94:9-10
Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12"Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."
Exodus 4:10-12
The Deceitful Heart
1The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus;
With a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart
And on the horns of their altars,
2As they remember their children,
So they remember their altars and their Asherim
By green trees on the high hills.
3O mountain of Mine in the countryside,
I will give over your wealth and all your treasures for booty,
Your high places for sin throughout your borders.
4And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance
That I gave you;
And I will make you serve your enemies
In the land which you do not know;
For you have kindled a fire in My anger
Which will burn forever.
5Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6“For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8“For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.
9“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10“I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
11“As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid,
So is he who makes a fortune, but unjustly;
In the midst of his days it will forsake him,
And in the end he will be a fool.”
Jeremiah 17:1-11
The LORD gave us each a mind, and nothing we do can be hidden from him.
He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.
Psalm 33:15
Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.
Psalm 139:4
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalm 139:17-18
We may make a lot of plans, but the LORD will do what he has decided.
Proverbs 19:2
We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
Proverbs 16:9
The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:1
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Ezekiel 36:26,27
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
God instructs the nations and gives knowledge to us all. Won't he also correct us?
Psalm 94:9-10
Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12"Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."
Exodus 4:10-12
The Deceitful Heart
1The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus;
With a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart
And on the horns of their altars,
2As they remember their children,
So they remember their altars and their Asherim
By green trees on the high hills.
3O mountain of Mine in the countryside,
I will give over your wealth and all your treasures for booty,
Your high places for sin throughout your borders.
4And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance
That I gave you;
And I will make you serve your enemies
In the land which you do not know;
For you have kindled a fire in My anger
Which will burn forever.
5Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6“For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8“For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.
9“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10“I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
11“As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid,
So is he who makes a fortune, but unjustly;
In the midst of his days it will forsake him,
And in the end he will be a fool.”
Jeremiah 17:1-11
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.
Proverbs 19:3
When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
Proverbs 3
New American Standard Bible
The Rewards of Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,
12For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.
19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.
20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.
21My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
23Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26For the LORD will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.
32For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But He is intimate with the upright.
33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
35The wise will inherit honor,
But fools display dishonor.
Proverbs 19:3
When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
Proverbs 3
New American Standard Bible
The Rewards of Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,
12For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.
19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.
20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.
21My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
23Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26For the LORD will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.
32For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But He is intimate with the upright.
33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
35The wise will inherit honor,
But fools display dishonor.
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