Saturday, May 31, 2008

How to be a Success!

What does it mean to be successful? In our culture, it usually means "Making Money". However, in a Christian's life, success is not measured by how much money a person makes. A successful Christian is one who serves God to the best of their ability, and God is meeting all of their needs, and maybe even some of their wants. They will still have trouble in this life, but they also have the Lord Jesus to help them through that trouble. In most public schools, Christian values and righteous living are rarely taught. In some Christian schools, they don't teach things much better than in the public schools; however, in some, they do teach the importance of living a Christian lifestyle and when we do live close to the Lord, success will come! Let's look at the Holy Scriptures and see.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

This is the only place in the Bible where the word "success" is used. The key to success: Meditate on God's laws (as found in the Bible) and do all that is written therein.

As young people, just getting started in life, if there were only one Scripture to live by, this would be one of the best. However, there are many more than just one, so we will go on to the only true authority that will bring success to you and all who will take heed and obey it.

Remember Jesus

Step one to being a successful Christian: Remember the Lord. That does not mean to have a passing thought of Him on occasion (i.e., "Oh Yeah, God. I remember Him!") It means to do the things He wants you to do, on a daily basis.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (i.e., when we grow old.) Ecclesiastes 12:1. Why? Because, if we don't remember God, this will be the outcome:

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

Do Good

Another key to success is doing good. When you are faced with the choice of doing what would be the most fun or enjoyable vs. doing something less fun, but right, make the choice to do good. Then give it all you've got, not doing it halfheartedly, and do it for Jesus. The Lord will reward you for this.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:17, 23-24.

When you are on your job, give your employer 100%, not to please the boss, but to please Jesus. Eventually, it will probably be noticed by your boss, and the Lord will give you favor in his or her eyes, too. Isaac Newton said this: "For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction."

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10.

Sowing to the flesh means doing those things that the body enjoys, but that are not pleasing to the Lord. Things like drinking, using drugs, having sex outside of marriage, smoking, etc. These things make a person feel good at the moment, but afterwards that person must reap. What grows out of those actions? Corruption. Things that will rot your body, and ruin your life. Addictions, STD's, cancers, other health and mental problems, broken marriages, loss of jobs, loss of life. Does that sound like a recipe for success? I think not.

The Golden Rule:

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.

Treat others the way you want to be treated, and more often than not, you will get the best possible result.

Last but not Least: Work! Work! Work!

And work with all your might! Hard work, and lots of it, is necessary to be successful in anything you undertake.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. Proverbs 27:18.

While you are young is the best time to work as much as you can, because when you are old you will not be able to do nearly as much. Hopefully, by that time you will have put back enough to sustain you when you get old.

Never labor to be rich; let God make you rich, if he so desires.

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. I Samuel 2:7.

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Proverbs 23:4.

Why?

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I Timothy 6:9-12.

Conclusion

In a true Christian's life, the steps to success are

  • Serving God
  • Learning His Word
  • Being a doer of God's Word (i.e., obedient to His will)
  • Old-fashioned Hard Work

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless you in every good work and in every good word.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Wisdom is Profitable to Direct

All through the wisdom book of Proverbs in our Holy Bible, we see countless gold nuggets of information. May God open your understanding to receive wisdom of His ways and direction, as its worth is far above rubies.

"If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct." Ecclesiastes 10:10

We must use wisdom daily, in order to go to the right places, do the right things, make the right decisions, and to direct our way.

First of all, as Christians, we must ask for wisdom and then seek for it.

"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." Proverbs 18:1

James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (Upbraideth means criticizes, reproaches, or scolds severely.) With everything we ask of God, we must ask believing, i.e., having faith. "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." James 1:6-7.

The Bible tells us to get wisdom and to get understanding about things, i.e., to understand why.

"Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." Proverbs 4:5-27

Wisdom will lead us, it will keep us, it will preserve us; that is, the wisdom that God gives us.

"He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live." Proverbs 4:4. Wisdom will make us happy. "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her." Proverbs 3:13-18.

"He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good." Proverbs 19:8. Praise God! Wisdom is one of the most important parts of our lives, besides salvation, and it helps us to keep our salvation.

We should be observant of virtually everything that goes on about us. The Bible tells us that we can get wisdom not only from the Bible, but also from the world around us. "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1:20-22.

"Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man." Proverbs 8:1-4. Also, please read verses 5 – 21 for further study. We get wisdom primarily from the Bible, but also from all of our surroundings. We must ask, and then seek, and we will find; we must knock and it shall be opened unto us. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:7-12.

We learn wisdom from listening to others who have wisdom. Children can learn wisdom from their father and mother, and from their teachers at school. As adults, we can still gain wisdom from our parents. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20.

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22.

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." Proverbs 1:8-9.

"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law." Proverbs 4:1-2.

"A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke." Proverbs 13:1.

If we don't listen to a wise father, we are considered a fool. "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent." Proverbs 15:5.

May God guide and direct you into all wisdom. If you ask for it and seek it God's way, He will add it to you and to your family.

May God bless you.

Monday, May 5, 2008

The Fear of God

There are many in our Christian culture who say that the word fear in our Holy Bible doesn’t mean fear. It is unfortunate for these folks, because the Bible teaches us that the Fear of God brings blessings, assurance, and hope, and helps to keep us to the day of the coming of the Lord. Those skeptics, agnostics, and foolish folks believe fear just means reverence, not being afraid. Some say it means respect or reverential trust. That is why they are also some of the first to say that we cannot live above sin.

We believe all of God’s Word and we hope that the Almighty will always illuminate His direction for us, and for all of you as well, in the truth of His Holy Word.

We Are Commanded to Fear God

The Bible tells us over and over again to fear God. It is listed first as the fear of God in Gen. 20:11, “And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.”

It continues throughout the Scriptures as a commandment to “Fear God”.

Deut. 10:12, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

Deut. 10:20, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.”

Deut. 13:4, “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”

Lev. 19:14, “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.”

Lev. 25:17, “Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God.”

What Does Fear Mean?

The Bible means just what It says, Fear.

The definition of fear is: To be afraid of; have fear of; have reverent awe; to be apprehensive. As a noun it means: a strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger, anxious concern because of retribution or punishment for sin.

Why We Should be Afraid of (or Fear) God

I think that if we were to use just one scripture that should apply to our Christian walk in regard to the fear of God, it is Prov. 16:6: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

Job said, in Job 23:15, “Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.” Job feared God.

The Psalmist and King, David, was afraid of God. “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.” Psalm 119:120

II Sam. 6:9, “And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?”

Psalm 2:11, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.’

These were two great and holy men of God; how much more should we fear God, or be afraid of Him, i.e., his judgments.

The Greatest of All Feared God the Father

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Heb. 5:7-9. Jesus also, the greatest Man that ever lived, feared God His Father, and ours, and commanded us to also fear God. Why? Because He has power to kill our body and soul in hell. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28. I think we’d better be afraid of God, don’t you?

The main purpose of the fear of God is written in Ex. 20:18-20, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” That ye sin not!

Reward for Fear of the Lord

We know we should fear, so if we fear God, what will happen to us? Many good things will happen, because of obedience. The first, and probably one of the most important, as we discussed earlier, is that we will depart from evil. (See again, Prov. 16:6.)

Prov. 19:23, “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” God will keep us from evil when we fear Him.

Prov. 14:26, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

Prov. 14:27, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

If we fear God, He will teach us the way we should go and we will dwell at ease, i.e., compared to others.

Psalm 25:12-14, “What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”

The Lord will watch over us if we fear Him.

Psalm 33:18-19, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”

God’s angel will be with us: Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

In Conclusion

There are many more benefits of walking in the fear of God. It is something that must reign in our lives, just like prayer, obedience to God’s Word, and continuously acquiring more knowledge of God.

Prov. 23:17-18, “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”