by Terry Laughlin | Jun 17, 2018 | Christian Living Truth's
King David Matured in The Chastisements of God
A Psalm of David says, “O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.” (Psalm 3:1-8)
It should be noted, David was a man who was subject to the weakness of his passions, of which he, his family and the people he was given leadership over had to live with the constant consequences of his choices. The Word of God is a recorded history of God’s dealing with people. In 1 Corinthians 10 under the preoccupy “Warnings From Israel’s History” we read “Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us….” (1 Corinthians 10:11) From the New Testament we also read, “Now these things happened as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” (1 Corinthians 10:6) This teaching gives an understanding on how God used scorn and His chastisements to keep David’s character in check.
David is not asking how many but is stating there are many who rise up against him. There are explanation marks at the end of the two first sentences, not question marks. The truths in Psalm three are proclamations of God’s proven faithfulness to watch over David, hear David, sustain David, and fight for David while keeping his character in check. Understanding and living out these truths will enable us to hear from God has He spoke of King David, “a man after my heart.” (Acts 13:22) This Psalm holds truths which can be divided into three divisions. 1.) The Scorn: David tasting the chastisements of God 2.) The Supplication: Which expresses David’s confidence in the Lord and 3.) The Rest: David enjoyed peace knowing the Lord will sustain and strengthen him. Psalm three was written when David fled from his son Absalom.
Psalm 3:1-2 is known as The Scorn, Absalom’s Conspiracy: The first truth to understand in the scorn of God dealing with King David is to learn to trust God while living with the consequences of sin. Even though the prophet Nathan told King David, The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.” (2 Samuel 12:13) There would still be consequences, because his sin with Bathsheba was committed, “in utter contempt for the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:14) There were three consequences David was not going to miss: 1.) A sword would never depart from his family. 2.) Someone who is close to him with would attack him with the sword and have sexual relations with his women and 3.) The child born from an unholy union would die.
- The sword would never depart from his family. The Bible says, “Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing evil in His eyes. You struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife for your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised Me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.” (2 Samuel 12:9-10) Four of David’s son would experience premature death. There was an unnamed son, (2 Samuel 12:18) Amnon, (2 Samuel 13:29) Absalom, (2 Samuel 18:14-15) and Adonijah, (1 Kings 2:25) (Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 372). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
- Someone who is close to him would overtake David with the sword and have sexual relations with his women. The Biblical account of that is in Absalom’s rebellion to King David, clearly recorded in 2 Samuel 15-18. In 2 Samuel 15:13 we read, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.” 2 Samuel 15:12 tells us, Absalom’s following kept strengthening and increasing.” When David learned of the rebellion, he said, “Come! We must flee from [Jerusalem] or none of us will escape… we must leave immediately… he will move quickly to overtake us…” (2 Samuel 15:14) Taking time to read the whole account we see that as many as twelve thousand men could be raised up to pursue David and those with him. (2 Samuel 17:1)
- It is interesting the scorn for David involved him having to leave the palace, the birth place of his sin with Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11:1 says “it was… the time when kings go off to war…” (2 Samuel 11:1) David failed his place in war and stays at the palace. The Bible says, “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful.” (2 Samuel 11:2)
- The Bible tells us even after learning Bathsheba was a married woman, he has her brought to the palace. The king has relations with her of which Bathsheba becomes pregnant which eventually leads to the murder of Uriah the Hittite. (2 Samuel 11:1-27) The only one who had Biblical character in this horrific tell of unfaithfulness was Uriah and he was murdered.
King David being forced to flee from Jerusalem and his palace was not the only scorn God had for David to keep him in line. We read of David being cursed verbally in 2 Samuel 16:5-12. The Bible says, “A man from the clan of Saul’s family came out…” (2 Samuel 16:5) Shimei said, “The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you have shed… You have come to ruin because you are a murder!” (2 Samuel 16:8) One of David’s guards wanted to cut off the head of Shimei. David feels the Divine presence is in all this. King David’s words are, “…If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?” (2 Samuel 16:10) The Bible goes on to say, “David then said to Abishai and all his officials, ‘My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me His covenant blessing instead of His curse today.’” (2 Samuel 16:11-12)
- C. Wesley wrote this poem, “Pure from the blood of Saul in vain, He dares not to the charge reply; Uriah’s [death] the charge maintain, Uriah’s [death] against him cry. Let Shimei curse: the rod he bears. For sins which mercy had forgiven; And in the wrongs of men reverses. The awful righteousness of heaven.” (Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Psalms (Vol. 1, p. 17). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.)
King David is awakened to Biblical scorn which involves the awful righteousness of heaven for the murder of Uriah, restitution was to be paid. King David’s rebellious son in day light, before all of Israel to see, will have sexual relations with David’s wives. We read of David living out this reality in 2 Samuel 16:15-23 (Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). 2 Samuel (p. 288). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company; Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (2 Sa 12:11). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.: Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 629). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.; Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 455). Peabody: Hendrickson.)
Bathsheba’s grandfather, Ahithophel, tells Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace.” (2 Samuel 16:21) The Bible says, “So they pitch a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.” (2 Samuel 16:22) David had unlawful sexual relations with Bathsheba at the royal palace. It was through the advice of Bathsheba’s grand-father, Ahitophel, God’s scorn for David was put into play. It should be noted, both David and Absalom considered Bathsheba’s grand-father’s words as being like inquiring of God. (2 Samuel 16:23) So Absalom did what he was told. What we do know is this scorn for David was proclaimed by the Prophet Nathan after David’s sin with Bathsheba was exposed. 2 Samuel 12: 11-12 says, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Out of your household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before you very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did this in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” (2 Samuel 12:11-12)
For clarification: Because David had unlawful sex with Bathsheba, a married woman – David’s harem, made up from his concubines would experience unlawful sexual relations. (Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 7, p. 411). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers) It is imperative that we understand the distinction of wife and concubine in the ancient world. In Old Testament times a slave or mistress was a woman who it was lawful for a man who had them could lawfully have sex with them. This is outside of God’s perfect will for man and a woman, yet in His permissive will men had several concubines and several wives. (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.; Treadway, L. M. (2016). Concubine. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.) A “concubine” (פִּילֶגֶשׁ piyleg̱eš) was a legitimate wife. However, she was of secondary rank. (1 Kings 11:3) To approach a king’s or man’s concubine was a serious offense from a Biblical perspective.
- Let us now look at the third scorn, the child dies: Biblically looking into how King David handled Gods third scorn will give us an understanding why the Lord looked so favorably upon David, the man whom God said, was “a man after my heart.” (Acts 13:22) Reading and examining the Biblical account in 2 Samuel 12:1-25 shows us the peace which is available to us as we mature under the consequences of sin.
- The foundational verse is 2 Samuel 12:13. The prophet Nathan had just prophesied about David’s wives being violated. The Bibles says, “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’” Nathan informs David, “the Lord has taken away your sin.” (2 Samuel 12:13) Yet, there is still the consequence for his sin with Bathsheba “showed utter contempt for the Lord…” The scorn, “the son born to you will die.” (2 Samuel 12:14)
- The Bible says, “The Lord struck the child… he becomes ill.” (2 Samuel 12:15) It is here we read of David’s trust in a merciful God. David no doubt remembers Nathan’s proclamation of death for the child. The Bible says, “David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent nights lying on the ground.” (2 Samuel 12:16) “…On the seventh day the child dies.” (2 Samuel 12:18) As soon as David learns about the death of the child he stops his supplications to God. (2 Samuel 12:20) The Bible says, “[David] went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.” (2 Samuel 12:20) David explains his heart to his attendants. “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be graces to me and let the child live.’ …now that the child is dead… I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23) The Bible says, “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him.” (2 Samuel 12:24) King David did not turn from God, in the midst of living with His chastisements. David matured and kept faith in God.
The highlight of David’s scorn is found in Psalm 3:2, “Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’” People had seen God’s hand upon David time and time again, now it seems the Lord had left him to his own demise since his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. Just as Job’s friends thought God was against him. Absalom and those with him were confident God would no longer deliver David from his enemies.
- It is of great benefit for those who oppose you to have you to believe, God will not deliver you from the trials and conflicts you may be in.
In closing: David faced many enemies. In the midst of God’s chastisements and tasting the scorn of God, David never lost faith in His God. He matured, sought God and fulfilled his responsibilities. The accusations made by those who opposed him, “God will not deliver him” never shook his faith in God. He knew the scorn and chastisements were for the purpose of maturing him as well as keeping his character in check. This enabled him to enjoy God hearing him, sustaining him and fighting for him.
by Terry Laughlin | Jun 16, 2018 | Christian Living Truth's
The Lord Has Final Authority
Second chapter of Psalms holds a truth which overrules all nations regardless of their present world-wide influence. The Bible says, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against His anointed… The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying ‘I have installed my King on Zion, My holy mountain. …Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate His rule… Kiss His Son, or He will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction for His wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 2:1-12) Here we have a proclamation of celebration of the Lord’s eternal authority over all kings and every nation in the midst of their boasting and planning to ignore His universal Kingship. First, we read of God’s response. Second, we read of His warnings and exhortations. Third, we read of a nation’s sure destruction if they continue in their rebellion. Fourthly, we read of the sure blessing for all who put their trust in Him.
Notice this passage of Scripture is not God warning the Jewish people who often walk in disobedience, but an exhortation to all nations. It must be noted, nations are not land or boundary lines. Nations are the people who are the inhabitants of the land they live in.
The word “conspire” (רָגַשׁ rāg̱aš) is an active verb meaning to rage against. This word only appears in Psalm 2:1 and it denotes the uproar and plotting of the wicked against righteousness. The image is a gathering lynch mob to act and do away with something the people hate. (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 1036). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) All a person needs to do these days is present the Biblical truth on marriage, sexuality, or the Lord’s moral conduct on how we are to live. It is not long the mob is there to hang you. This is especially seen in social media. Instead of debating or instructing respectfully with great patients, they attack, bully, using intimidation to try to stop those who have a different or opposing view point, especially if it lines up with the Word of the Lord.
In their conspiring the text says the Lord laughs and scoffs. God is not a bit concerned. Psalm 37:13 says “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.” While people are electing public officials, who will pass laws which allow them to indulge their fleshly desires, the Lord knows the day of paying the fiddler will come. The cost of not keeping a sober mind, living an undisciplined life and surrendering to influences of a world view will cost our society more than they wanted to pay.
Infidelity is on the rise, scoffers of the truth of God’s Word crow loudly and unrest is becoming to be the norm. The Bible teaches we are to appoint officials who live in a referent fear of the Lord. Today, for the most part, when it is time to vote, our choice is voting for the lesser of two evils. Judges are failing to hand out justice in proper season. More and more people in this nation are calling what God calls evil, good while calling what the Lord calls good, evil. When all is done which will be done, when all is said which will be said and all written that will be written, the Bible says, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11)
The best thing a people in a nation can do is “Kiss His Son.” This is a kiss of homage or rather worship. Psalm 148 makes it clear, “Kings of the earth and all nations, you princes, all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children,” praise the Lord! (Psalm 148:11-12) They are to praise the Lord for His Sovereignty, His provision and His available hand upon their lives. Deuteronomy 28 holds truths for a nation who truly loves the Lord. “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands… the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:1) Verses 1-14 teach about the blessing which will come upon a nation whose God is truly the Lord. That nation of people will experience blessings in their towns and in the country. They will have descendants to carry on their heritage, their crops will flourish, while their flocks and herds prosper. A nation which lives under God’s commands will have victory in war, will lend to nations, not needing to borrow from anyone. (Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Dt 28:1–14). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.) However, Deuteronomy 28:15-68 teaches of the cruses for disobedience.
It is imperative we understand this promise is a covenant agreement. There is a Greek word for “covenant” (diathēkē) meaning an agreement set up by God alone. The whole approach comes from God and man cannot bargain with God or argue about the terms. Mankind can only accept or reject the offer that God makes. It as Philo said, “It is fitting for God to give and for a wise man to receive.” This Greek Word always means the whole initiative is with God; the terms are His and man cannot alter them in the slightest. (Barclay, W. (Ed.). (1975). The letter to the Hebrews (p. 91). Philadelphia: The Westminster John Knox Press.)
God’s covenant agreement in Deuteronomy 28 is, “if you fully obey, carefully follow all His commands.” People in a nation cannot claim to believe in God and embrace laws and life styles which are clearly against the whole counsel of His word. Examples:
- Ask God for protection from evil while legalizing and enabling the shedding of innocent blood, which is what abortion accomplishes.
- Ask God to bless marriage because the wedding ceremony was done in a church while using the ceremony as a license to a drunk-fest. If a couple would spend as much time in the study of God’s Word on marriage as they do getting a high school or college degree, our divorce rate in America would decrease. Church denominations are moving to change the phrase, “union of husband and wife” with the “union of two people.” In marriage ceremonies.
- Time and time again lawyers are litigating the letter of the law, neglecting the heart of the law while having witnesses swear to tell the truth with hand on the Bible, or book of law or a book containing the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The justice we need will not be experienced in a nation with legalistic approach to law. Not being hungry for the heart of what is expected to be obeyed leads to gross misinterpretation in law and theology.
- Mankind cannot expect to enjoy God promise blessings with a Sunday morning appearance while having no desire to daily meditate upon His Word, His will or His presence in their lives.
God is not swayed with words of intimidation, threats or a view point which line up with a world perspective. The Biblical text says, “His wrath can flare up in a moment.” That wrath is at hand in America now. Romans 1: 18-31 under the heading God’s Wrath Against Mankind.
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God…
Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie… Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Christians who trust in the Lord have this exhortation, “But let all who take refuge in You be glad.” (Psalm 5:11a) Psalm 5:11 also as a covering prayer of King David, “Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in You.” (Psalm 5:11b) Christians who take refuge in the Lord have a cheerful confidence their sins are forgiven. Their needs will be provided for and their lives are secure in the hands of God. The sins which once overcame them now have no hold on them. They are able to live for the Lord, sense His pleasure and are confident in their callings.
In Our Daily Bread devotionals, dated February 27, 1995 we read of a discussion between John and Charles Wesley talking about when God assigns a difficult task He will give us what we need to carry it out. John Wesley wrote, “Among the many difficulties of our early ministry, my brother Charles said, ‘If the Lord would give me wings, I would fly.’ On which John responded, ‘If God bids me to fly, I will trust Him for the wings.’”
In keeping with the context of God dealing with nations, the trust God is looking for regarding the United States of America is, “…if my people. Who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) God through His written Word has given us a call. Christians need to repent, pray, and preach the Word, addressing the sins which have overcome our nation and addressing the issues of our day. God bids Christians to The Great Commission, they must trust Him to make the way.
by Terry Laughlin | Jun 16, 2018 | Christian Living Truth's
The Blessings of Psalm 1:1-6
Psalm 1:1-6 holds truths for the child of God which will brighten their day, guide their life and set a destiny for their future. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. …the LORD watches over the way of the righteous.”
“Blessed” (אַשְׁרֵי –ʾǎš·rê) meaning a joyfulness expressing confidences the Lord is watching over His children. The “righteous” (צַדִּיק ṣaddiyq) referring to people who are hungry to conform to God’s standard for living. (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament, Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publications) The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)
The child of God who does not seek counsel from those who do not know the ways of the Lord will be blessed. This passage of Scripture is not saying that we do not seek help from people who are not saved. We certainly can seek counsel from people in the medical field, instructions from people who are successful in the fields we may be interested in or get direction from those who have proved faithful to their dreams. Christians are not to seek counsel from a world view when it comes to morality. For example: Do not seek the world view on marriage, sexuality, on how to treat people who do us wrong, the way to do business, the manor of how to talk, live and approach your dreams.
The promise of blessings finds its foundation upon our attitude and hunger for the Word of the Lord. Meditating upon what is written in the whole counsel of God’s Word determines the decisions’ a person makes which in hand determines the consequence’s the person must live with. Constant meditation on the Word of God characterizes the life a Christian will live.
The child of God who can say, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long” (Psalm 119:97) enjoys the Lord’s oversight regarding his life. The child of God who lets the teachings of the Lord guide his entire life, will flourish in the trials and blessings of life. In the trials of life, trusting the truths of God’s Word will grow our faith, make us stronger and enable us to seek the Lord in all things. In the blessing of life, obedient Christians will use all the Lord gives them for His glory, for the well-being of the children of God and for the good of all mankind. Notice the text says, “He will prosper in whatever he does.” In failure those who will prosper ask, Lord, what are trying to teach me? They petition the Lord for His intercession and wait for His deliverance. In blessings they see all they have as coming from the Lord. They seek His guidance, trust in His protection and enjoy His enablement.
Psalm 1 gives instructions for the righteous and teaches of the sure blessings to come. It also warns of the out come of the wicked, they will perish, the lives they live will bring an eternal curse for generations. Which will you choose? What are you experiencing today and what path will you choose for tomorrow? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
Sir Ernest Shackleton, author of The Heart of The Antarctic tells about how he and three companions attempted to travel to the South Pole. They set off with four ponies to help carry the load. Weeks into the trip the ponies died, rations ran out and they turned back towards their base with their goal not accomplished. Their travel time was 127 days. The journey back was time spent on talking about food – elaborate feasts, special delights and lavishing menus. As they staggered along not knowing whether they would survive, every waking hour was occupied with thoughts of eating. (Galaxie Software. (2002) 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Bible Studies Press.)
In Deuteronomy chapter 8 we read of an exhortation “to follow the commands [God] was giving” through Moses. (Deuteronomy 8:3) Moses reminds the people of God how the Lord led them “in the wilderness [for] forty years, to humble [them] and test [them] [so they may] know what was in their heart, whether [they] would keep His commands or not. …[He] let them hunger and fed [them] manna which [they] nor did [their] fathers [know], that [they] might know that man does not live on bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:2-30) Mankind without the proper feeding upon the word of God will surrender to the sinful flesh of his heart which will lead to his eternal destruction. Christians hungry for all the blessing of the Lord, spend every waking moment meditating upon the elaborate feast of God’s Word. Is your life guided by the truths spoken by Christ? He said, “It is written!” Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
by Terry Laughlin | Dec 31, 2017 | Christian Living Truth's
Jesus’ resolution is, “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” (John 15:8) The Bible gives clear instructions on how to live a life that is surrendered to the enabling of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:9-21)
Here are God’s instructions for Christians as they live in a sin cursed world, these are to be lived out by the enabling of the Holy Spirit of Christ while He indwells them through faith in Jesus. All the instructions above given through the writer of the Book of Romans, are to be sought and all lived out in spiritual fervor. The world should see a zeal in the lives of Christians as they endeavor to minister to the Lord, to their families and their friends. They are to be joyful, patient, prayerful, rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn, humble, able to overcome evil with goodness, letting God deal with their enemies and strive, as long as it is up to them, live in harmony.
The heart of the Psalmist is the guide for seeking God’s ways, praying, “Teach me knowledge and good judgment…” Saying, “I will keep your precepts, with all my heart… I delight in your [word].” “Blessed are those who keep His statutes..” Acknowledging, “You have laid down precepts which are to fully obeyed, [so] I will not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.” (Psalm 119: 66;69;2;6)
The Lord’s Resolutions are to be taken seriously, applied in contrast from those who live in this world, forsaking their New Year Resolutions before years end. Live out the instructions given by the Lord, as you live in a sin cursed world! There is no better guide to live by, than God’s instructions.
by Terry Laughlin | Dec 31, 2017 | Christian Living Truth's
The Prophet Jeremiah had a full understanding of the condition of the human heart. As we approach the New Year, God’s message to us through his prophet, “The heart is deceitful above all things, …who can understand it? I the Lord searches the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17: 9-10) God knows the inner most thoughts and motives that an individual might have. He knows what is being done in secret, what is being flirted with and what is secretly being entertained and planned. God is also able to find what is good in our heart, mold it, mature it and make it right for Him. He can make our heart tender to Him and to those whom He loves. He can make our hearts steadfast, pure and loyal. He is the one Who hands out correction, punishments, and eternal judgment. He is the one who opens the doors of opportunity and determines the results of our labors. He knows whether or not to appoint us to a task, what task to appoint us to and give us the proper authority in His name to accomplish His will. (Jeremiah 1:5) You see, it is the matter of the heart!
Our spiritual heart condition determines our ability to respond to God’s promptings. It is possible to start a work with the Lord with our motives being wrong – (Number 22: 21-41) We see this truth in the Biblical account of the Prophet Balaam, a prophet who had such a reputation, the king of Moab said, “For I know that whoever you bless is bless and whoever you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22: 6)
This notoriety opened the door of invitation from King Balak to the Prophet Balaam, offering to pay him to put a curse on God’s people. (Number 22:11) Catch this truth, God gives Balaam permission to go to King Balak, however, Balaam could only speak what God told him to proclaim. However something in Balaam’s heart awakened God’s Anger. The Bible says, “God was very angry as [Balaam] was on his way. (Number 22: 22) The Bible says, “The angle of the Lord told [Balaam] the path he was on was reckless.” (Numbers 22:32) God told Balaam, if it were not for the donkey he was riding, the Lord would have killed him.
What was in Balaam’s heart that angered God? In Numbers 22: 1-20, we read that Balaam was able to get revelation from the Lord, be aware of the Lord’s presence and determine what God had for him. However, as we read on, not only did God intended to kill Balaam, his spiritual eyes were blinded to God’s presence and purpose. (Numbers 22:31) The Apostle Peter gives insight to what was in Balaam’s heart, he writes, [He] left the straight way and wandered off to the wages of wickedness.” (2 Peter 2:15) As we read on in the book of Numbers, we see God gave Balaam a Heart Understanding about himself.
Like Balaam, Christians need a heart understanding. During a season of life they are walking in God’s will, hearing and seeing Him in their lives. As soon as they feel they can beat the flesh, a world view, and Satan on their own. They no longer have the ability to discern when the wickedness of their own heart has deceived them. Like Balaam, they can find themselves being labeled as God’s enemy.
Christian’s who truly want to live the new year for Jesus, will say like the Psalmist who wrote, “Search my heart, O God… lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23-24)
by Terry Laughlin | Nov 19, 2017 | Christian Living Truth's
Dictionary dot com has this definition for Litmus Test, “a crucial and revealing test in which there is one factor.” Meghan McCain wrote, “The Democrats seem to have mastered inclusiveness – whereas Republicans, like a country club, seem to require a litmus test.” Inclusiveness means “including everything concerned.” God’s Word requires Christians to do a litmus test. The Bible says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).
One key truth to examining yourself is checking your love for God’s correction, direction and protection. Jesus, the person Christians proclaim to serve said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) The Bible says Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. (John 1:14) “Word” (λόγος logos) meaning divine revelation and declaration. (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament) If you love Jesus Christ and are surrendered to His Holy Spirit’s leading, there will be a hunger and thirst for the written Word so you may know God’s will for you. Christians who are hungry for God’s Word have more noble character than those who are not wanting or willing to do the hard work of study of God’s Word. (Acts 17:11) The Apostle Paul told Timothy “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteous [living].” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Kohl’s Kicking Camps have determined, the kicking specialist who goes the farthest in the place kicking field, are kickers who do the hard work of reading about and studying the place kicking game in football. Kohl’s Training Camps are seen by ESPN as being the best in finding place kicking specialist for college and the NFL. The individual who makes the time to search out and learn what he needs to know so he can do what is right – has noble character.
According to the Bible, Christians are called to be specialist in handling, teaching and living out the whole counsel of God’s Word. (2 Timothy 2:15) The Bible says the person who lives out the written Word of God will be blessed. (James 1:25) The fact is, a person’s love for the Lord grows as he or she reads the Bible. Christians, allow the Holy Spirit of Christ to bring illumination of the Bible and seek His enablement to live out what is revealed to them through the written Word.
To many churches today have become club houses, they gather together miss-appropriating the verse, “meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25) Their church gatherings have become social meetings, talking about themselves, their community events or political views. There is little desire to examine themselves to God’s Word, which says Christians are to “guard their [heart when they go the house of God]. [They] are to draw near to listen” (Ecclesiastes 5:1) to men or woman who possess the Christ appointed gifts for the unifying the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12) True Christians leaders possessing one of the five gifts from Jesus Christ speak spiritual “words” (ta rhemata ) for your spiritual health. The heart of true spiritual leaders reflect the prayer of the Apostle Paul which, “is your perfection [in God’s sight].” (2 Corinthians 13:9)
What is your litmus test to determining if your are a true Christian? Does it line up with the whole counsel of God’s Word?
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