Preaching of the Cross

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 Paul is an example of the correct way of witnessing. Not talking of water baptism but of the cross. The gospel message. Not by mans wisdom but by the word of God's truth spoken by the Spirit of God. Oh how the enemies of Christ oppose the word of God. Next they oppose and discredit the witness. Don't be fooled by satan's tactics, continue to speak God's word to those who will hear. Keep the focus on Christ crucified. (I Cor 1:23)

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The blood shed by Jesus on the cross of Calvary paid for our sins. We must believe this and receive Jesus as our Lord and savior. There is no other way that our sins can be forgiven.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The worldly wise think they know more than God; by doing this they become fools because they do not fear God nor respect his commands.

Psa 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Many fools are becoming antichrists, removing crosses and Bibles from public places. They need a touch from God and grace to receive grace, their eyes opened to the truth.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

We are saved by the power of God through faith in Jesus' name. We are not to trust in our works, for we can offer nothing that is not from God. He has provided our sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is my Savior and the offering for sins; My Lord redeemer, the Son of God.

Cayuga

Randy the goose has relatives visiting. He is asleep on the far right. One stays alert to any danger.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 

I wanted to see the black duck in daylight. It was mid day and most of the birds were napping.

After quite a search the black duck is probably a domestic breed called a Cayuga. They were bred from Mallards, but are larger in size. 

Cayuga tucks his beak under a wing for a nap. The gentle breeze ruffles his wing feathers showing their pretty green color. Things look better in the light.

Dan 2:19  Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 

Dan 2:20  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 

Dan 2:21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 

Dan 2:22  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 

Dan 2:23  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. 

The Tree

A tree is a lovely thing to enjoy and to benefit a people. I see a tree also as a symbol of a nation's highest leader. A good tree is a blessing to a nation and a bad tree brings 

trouble to the people.

Ecc 9:16  Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Ecc 9:17  The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 

A people may flourish under the branches of a good tree.

A green tree is prosperous and a protection. It is

a native tree giving life to those around it. A nation planted

by God and who fear God, is a blessed nation.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Another tall skinny tree is at the end of the street. I often do not notice it for it is out of place where it is planted and I do not know who planted it. Some say it belongs

 but it definitely is not a native tree.

Ecc 9:18  Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

Jdg 9:8  The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them...

Something strange began to happen, the other trees began

to bow to this foreign tree.

Jdg 2:12  And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. 

A sinister spirit was in the land and trees began

to lose their bark.

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Rom 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

Rom 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

Once mighty oaks, like cities, began to die.

John 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

Healthy trees that once thrived, were falling.

John 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 

Is this the path we wish to go? Sometimes I see things

that trouble me. The Bible explains  what is wrong

and seeing illustrations from nature help us to see.

By seeing we can do something with God's help.

Ecc 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

Buy Truth

In these last days people will be looking for meaning in life. With all the entertainment, they will still be unhappy and life will become more confusing with no escape but through drugs. Deeper and deeper into illusions until there is no way out. Stop now and listen. 

Pro 23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 

Isa 55:1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isa 55:2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

 

Amos 8:11  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Amos 8:12  And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

Everything about God and truth is being removed from our land through, laws and judges and principalities and powers in high places. The end result will be a new world order where you cannot buy or sell unless you take the mark of the beast. This is a wicked thing, a giving your soul to the antichrist.

 

Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

 

Hear now the LORD calling you to come to Him. In the Lord Jesus Christ is truth, mercy, wisdom and knowledge.

 

Isa 55:3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

Do not sell out the truth of God for a lie.

Proverbs - the wicked

I would apply these proverbs to the direction our nations is going.

Pro 11:2  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

 

Pro 11:9  An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Pro 11:29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Pro 12:7  The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

 

Pro 12:13  The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pro 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

 

Pro 12:22  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

We are to repent and ask for forgiveness for ourselves, our nation and our leaders. Pray for peace and the LORD's direction.

Fear of God

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

 

Those who purposely break God's laws are in danger of hell. Those under the old covenant of the law, could not keep the laws completely and for fear appealed to the mercy of the LORD. God the Father sent His Son Jesus, to be our substitute . He kept all the laws, and our sins were heaped upon him as he took them to the cross and shed his blood and died in our place. The good news, the gospel news is that Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day and is eternal God the Son who invites us to come to him, for he has paid the penalty for law breaking.

 

The people in Noah's time did not fear God and they were destroyed.

 

Gen 6:13  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Israel seeing God's miracle deliverance feared him and the law was given to them.

 

Exo 24:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

God sent Jesus because he loved us, we reverence and love God through Jesus.

 

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

Psa 96:9  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

 

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1Th 4:7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

 

The people in Noah's day were destroyed because of rebellion. God called Moses to come to him and he was given the ten commandments to learn the holy laws of God. In the New Covenant Jesus is calling us to himself, to rest in him and to learn of him. Learning of Jesus is our holiness with him as we live out our lives before him. A lawless people will receive what the people in Noah's time received. They will be destroyed for lack of the fear of God. Come unto Jesus and receive forgiveness and grace to be a son of God, a holy people loving God and others with his love that we receive. Fear God and live in His holiness for this is the grace of God through Christ Jesus.

Foolish Wisdom

This lesson was first shared in 2002. 
 
1 Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

In visiting the Christian Chats last night, my spirit was grieved with all the rooms being filled with Pagans and other ungodly people trying to destroy the Christian faith. They selected certain scriptures, then applied human (and demon) logic to mock the word of God. No matter how many other verses were used to explain their question, it fell on blind eyes. They were there to destroy the Christian rooms. Every room was filled with them. Where will the true seeker find the truth today?

Prov 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Prov 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Many do not fear the LORD, but mock him and those who speak his words. Some of this is from the use of drugs and alcohol that invite demonic possession.

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Their thoughts are empty glorying in their own shame. The Psalmist spoke of vanity:

Psa 62:9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

As I observe the chats today in 2013, there is little change, only fewer Christian chat rooms and fewer people that come to the rooms. Our nation is in worse shape and even in less unity than it was just months after 2001 and the twin towers. We who are Christians are to find common ground to agree on, and not to publicly be in disagreement. Truth is, not all who say they are Christians are Holy Spirit filled believers, some just need to grow. We are not to exchange harsh words.  All humans are to be respected because God originally made them in his image. We are to show love , for by love the heart is softened. We are to speak the truth in love.

1Pet 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

Cleave to God

It seems to me that people are busy with their own things, entertainment or problems of life and often do not reach out with love. Sunday comes and they wear a smile, but inside they may be struggling. God bless those with a pastors heart of love for others. We are commanded to love, even in the midst of a perverted nation. There will always be distractions and problems, but love is greater and good will; triumph over evil. This study was made in 2001 to many new believers who had been victims of lust and satanic abuse. A new believer must grow in faith and that by hearing the word of God, not my opinions, but the powerful word of God.

 

Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

dissimilation - unfeigned, not pretended, no hypocrisy

2Cor 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,...
2Cor 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

...abhor that which is evil - to dislike, abhor, have a horror of.

So important! Why, because evil will seek to destroy you. Giving in to evil, whether a desire, thought or an action opens up a place for satan to torment you. In chat I spoke with an older woman who was a satanist. Every word spoken was to destroy me in some way. All efforts to show love and hope were countered with evil comments. We are to remove ourselves from such influences, casting down every offense that does not build us up in the things of our Lord.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

cleave to that which is good - cleave - to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together to join or fasten firmly together to join one's self to,

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We are to love with a true love and run from evil. We are to run to what is good and attach ourselves to this. The list of good things in Philippians 4:8 is a good place to look. For sure we cleave to Jesus, inseparable through his Holy Spirit and our will to obey him. We hold tight to Gods Holy word, the Bible, we eat its contents into our innermost being, we are then a part of a local body of Christ. All for one and one for all, like the three musketeers. United to that which is holy and pure; to those who build one another up in the things of God. These are character building words; the mind and character of our Lord.

Wisdom

 

 

1 Kings 4:29 God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge too vast to be measured.

30 In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.

31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman, Calcol, and Darda -- the sons of Mahol. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.

32 He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.

33 He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

34 And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. (NLT)

 

The first mention of wisdom speaks of a spirit of wisdom.

 

Exo 28:2  And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Exo 28:3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

 

Wisdom comes from God.

James 1:5  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.

 

A proverb of Solomon

 

Prov 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Prov 3:14  For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Prov 3:15  She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Prov 3:16  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Prov 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Prov 3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Prov 3:19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Prov 3:20  By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Prov 3:21  My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Prov 3:22  So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

The clever twisted wisdom of the devil is evil and for evil purposes. There are many laws now that are ungodly.

 

What are we to do with the wiles of the devil?

 

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

The Spirit of God your Father is wisdom, the mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit. God speaks through you who are his own.

The wisest man

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 

Deu 17:14 When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
Deu 17:15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
Deu 17:16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Deu 17:17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
Deu 17:18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
Deu 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
Deu 17:20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Solomon was the wisest man and yet he broke every one of these commands.

1Ki_4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

1Ki_11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

1Ki_10:14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,

1Ki_10:23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

1Ki_11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Wisdom requires obedience to God's commands. Jesus was the wisest man, without sin. His father is God Almighty and he is God the Son. He made all things, but came as a humble sacrifice for our sins. Now he is at the right hand of God, interceding for us.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Do not confuse abundance of things and positions of power as wisdom and success. If you are not seeking God and obeying him, it will all be taken away.