Lips of Wisdom

“Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Proverbs 8:6-11 (‘Wisdom’ speaking)

“"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

   Reading this week, brought me to this passage of scripture.  These words form a worthy goal, especially for those who attempt to unfold the truths of scriptures to others as preachers, teachers, and pastors. We open our mouths each week with prayers that those who hear will understand and receive the truths. 

Beyond that these verses are great goals and challenges for all us.  Can we imagine a world where only truths come from our mouths?  Could it be a church that only speaks that which edifies those among us?  Could there be a business that you can completely trust all the promises made?  Have we completely abandoned a society seeking wisdom, and rather would receive a quick buck at another’s expense, or a hand out? 

While we are all seeking to be the best Christians we can, there are always areas where we fall short.  We can then turn to the Bible to find instruction on how to improve.  While we are told that the tongue is an evil that man can never tame (James 3:8), we are also warned many times that we should keep our tongue from evil.  Ephesians 4: 29 tells us to refrain any evil or corrupt communication from coming out of our mouths, and another consequence is that it grieves the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. 

What comes out of our mouths actually comes from our heart and mind.  Jesus said in Matthew 15 that out of the heart come murders, adulteries, thefts, and so forth, which then flows out of our mouth.  So to protect our words, we should also protect, or monitor our heart.  As the works of the flesh rise in our heart, we should turn to the fruits of the Spirit to push them out.  As we fill our heart with kindness, love, patience, and the like, we have less room for sin.  Scripture memorization is another way to fill our minds with spiritual things, so we do not focus on the flesh. 

Service in God's Body

“And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."” Mark 9:34

“No much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” 1 Corinthians 12:22-25

   In conversation this week it was said, “Looking back, it was just like God was filling in all the pieces (people) needed for our church to see the growth He ordained.”  It is no secret, that no one at Rowletts Baptist is the same as any member.  Even the twins among us have their own strengths and weaknesses, gifts and struggles.  What we forget sometimes is the differences among us are actually ordained by God, and is a large part of His beautiful body. 

   When we are justified through faith in Jesus Christ, God gives us each certain rewards. Most notable among these is salvation from the penalties of our sins.  Each believer is also indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and in that measure we are given a gift for use in service to Him.  The use of this gift is essential for many things.  It aids the individual in worship to Christ, by working for Him.  It also embeds the person into the church (an organization for glorifying Jesus Christ through service.)  Each individual serving in their capacity makes other’s service easier.  When all believers work to meet the needs of the church, each individual’s needs are met through co-dependence.  Every piece of the puzzle is essential, just as we need each part of our body to function at our most efficient. 

   With the opportunity to exercise our individual gifts so essential, there must be ample avenues to work for everyone.  There are still many chances to help with upcoming events, and with our regular programs.  If you are called to assist in them, see the committee chairpersons to see how.  There are also thousands of people in Hart County that are not attending services anywhere; we need people with a burden to reach them, to step up with a ministry and commit to it.  While your idea may be too large for yourself, we have many people who will surely step in, if you will step out. 

   Our prayers are continued to reach the lost.  We must find new ways to tell them about the Jesus of the Bible.  Then Jesus will once again be glorified for ministering to the needy, through a mixture of individual people and talents, and most of all, for dying to save another lost soul.

Sinner I choose not to be

“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:11-18

“14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; or to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Romans 7:14-20

This life is a constant battle between powers and principalities.  Satan is seeking to tear down all that he can, while God seeks to redeem as many as will hear his voice and obey.  We are born as sinners from the womb, and must be reborn as Christians through the spirit.   The first half of the book of Romans is an exposition of the sinfulness of all men.  You could use this as justification of the old preacher’s statement, “You must preach them lost (sinners), before you can preach them saved.”  It was not a well-respected message among the Jews, and especially the Pharisees, who saw themselves as great or perfect.    Often we find ourselves the same way.

It is extremely difficult for people to find sin in their own life.  When we find the slightest wrong of our own, our nature is to look at all those around us to justify why we are not as sinful as they.  Soon we believe we are great people; and we either do not look for sin in ourselves any longer, or simply overlook it.  This is where scripture enters, and presents the law to us.  If a surface view of the Ten Commandments isn’t enough to convince you of the sin present in your life; it also presents 600+ other laws for you to follow.  But even this was not enough for the Pharisees who felt they had followed them all, but then Jesus expounds the commandments to show that it isn’t just physical obedience, but our minds also. 

It is very likely you have already realized the sinfulness in your life since you read this, but the scripture also shows us that the ‘law’ of grace is even greater at freeing man than the law was to condemn him.  If after being saved from your sinfulness by God, you still have sin running rampant, the law and scriptures then will help you cut the sin out (Hebrews 4:12).  You would not hesitate with cancer, sin is far worse.

Among the Thorns and Briers

“cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;” Genesis 3:17(b)-18

“Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young-- Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You.” Psalms 84:3-4

“And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned , nor digged ; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.” Isaiah 5:6

“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” Luke 24:12

This week my lesson was taught in the middle of a brier bush.  In the Bible thorns and briers are usually signs of sin and separation from God (such as Isaiah 5:6).  Sometimes these were caused by Israel departing from God and not trusting in His provisions.  Yet also this world has been cursed with sin and its consequences since the fall.  I was cutting a large bush (taller than I am) down, when I saw a nest in the midst of the briers.  It impressed upon me how we must live among the thorns of this life, just as this bird had.  God provided this bird a home (safe place of rest) among the thorns.

We all know sometimes this life can get complicated; when all our decisions become like these briers.  Our thorns may be results of our sins, or just a consequence of a fallen world.  Any way we turn we get stuck, and even some lashes leave behind deep scars. It is enough to make anyone just stop and do nothing more.

Friends I am glad to say that God will not leave us there alone. He may not always take away the briers, but He will come and give you rest if you turn to him. When Israel would turn back to God, He would begin to restore them.  He did not always take away the consequences of their sins, but they were able to see the hand of God again.  He says, "This world, with all its thorns and hurts, does not need to define you. Come and build your nest (temporary home), I will be with you. Trust me, and I can give you rest among the thorns, along with guidance to navigate your way."

 

Will you allow God to help you see through the briers, and guide you away from the thorns?  Jesus wore a crown of thorns on His head while on the cross, to pay for your sins.  If you will put your faith in Him, He will assure you that you will not suffer the consequences of your sins in eternity.  Please see and talk to someone today to show you the gospel.