2019 Feb 03 Proverbs 3, Psalms, Revelation 3
2019 Feb 03 Proverbs 3, Psalms, Revelation 3
Hello with a warm welcome! Let's continue in Proverbs 3, verses 27-30:
"27 Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it If it is within your power to help. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away; come back later! I will give it to you tomorrow, ”If you can give it now. 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor When he lives in a sense of security with you. 30 Do not quarrel with a man for no reason If he has done nothing bad to you."
Prove 3:27,28 Goodness is part of the "fruitage of the spirit" mentioned in Galatians 5:22,23 which we can ask God for in prayer, in accord with Luke 11:13, Jesus saying if one knows "how to give good gifts to [his] children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking Him!" Therefore, practicing "goodness" would involved what's described in this verse 27. If we see someone in need that we discern or judge we should assist, then by all means render aid! God's word itself helps us to be "fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (2Timo 3:17). And Galatians 6:10 encourages us, "as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith." Thus we do place a priority on our spiritual family, which hopefully includes our family of flesh! Husbands and fathers are mandated in Scripture to provide for the needs of their families, and by all means this would include caring for their spiritual needs, loving them, offering them loving guidance as needed to grow in true wisdom and their relationships with God and others. (1Timo 5:8). At the same time, we should also appreciate the worldwide Christian brotherhood that God and Christ are making, as Jesus described at Luke 8:21, saying "My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." Therefore, may we help our family spiritually to find the path of life, not hold back in assisting our remaining spiritual family worldwide, and then "work what is good toward all."
Prove 3:29 True faith is going to be the foundation of God's new world--eventually all people will be true friends with each other, being able to truly trust one another! Imagine travelling the world, finding genuine friends everywhere you go! Some would have us keep the world as it is, full of suspicion, greed, selfishness and the like. How obscene to ignore God's wonderful purpose for mankind, God having the power to fix all of these problems! This verse contains an example of one really trusting another, living "in a sense of security with you." How could we violate that trust by plotting harm against him? We should be careful not to take advantage of one another's trust, always seeking the genuine benefit of each other, rather than looking to gain selfishly from each other. Those seeking to advance business interests can do so with proper motive, without coming across as merely seeking selfish gain, refusing to let competition drive them. Look to benefit others by what is available, while not putting undue pressure upon them.
Prove 3:30 Along the same lines, we should be careful to maintain a loving, appreciative spirit toward others, especially if they have done no wrong to us! The Scriptures warn us, at Ecclesiastes 7:9, "Do not be quick to take offense, for the taking of offense lodges in the bosom of fools." If we have a tendency to be easily offended by what others say, we may be quick to quarrel with them. Let's be careful: Proverbs 1:7 says "Only fools despise wisdom and discipline." Perhaps discipline has not always been administered in the loving, compassionate way that Jesus demonstrated toward his own "disciples", the word "discipline" coming from the same root word, involving teaching and training out of love. Yet we should still try to appreciate the lessons needing to be learned from any discipline we may receive, and seek to grow in true wisdom. Try to appreciate correction offered by others to the extent possible, without much arguing with them. Sometimes, we really need it!
Psalm 92 (Book 4, 3rd psalm) verses 1-5 highlight how good it is to be thankful to God for His great deeds, works, wisdom, and gifts! We should appreciate God's loyal love exercised toward us, as well as his faithfulness--His steady adherence to what is good and right, and His watchcare over his servants, to faithfully support us through trials or difficulties, as we may turn to Him for help. And why not occasionally play, listen to or sing a song that acknowledges His goodness shown toward us, or promotes good among humans in harmony with God's loving will and purpose for us? This psalm 92 is called "a song for the Sabbath day." We may acknowledge a personal Sabbath day, a day of the week that's good for us to refrain from working and be able to spend time perhaps relaxing and considering spiritual matters. What a good time to be refreshed by such good music and/or the reading or listening of encouraging spiritual instruction! We might also plan ahead regarding our meals for the day, to avoid losing hours in the kitchen. Be mindful of activities that can be enjoyable and refreshing on such a day, for ourselves or our families. The Sabbath law was one of the Ten Commandments, carved by "God's finger" on stone tablets, unlike the "handwritten document" of the Mosaic Law that was done away with at Jesus' impalement. (Exodus 31:18; Colos 2:14).However, unlike the religious leaders of Jesus' day, let's be reasonable about the matter of working--of course it is not wrong to get someone help if they need it! We needn't have ten thousand rules and regulations determining what constitutes "work", just keep in mind the point of the Sabbath, to give priority to spiritual matters, which includes loving one another!
Revelation 3 Looking back, 2018 November's blog contained a fairly complete synopsis of the three messages of Jesus in this chapter, so why not search "Nov 03" and consider it. Still, let's consider a point that was not included:
Sardis was also told further by Jesus, "“‘Nevertheless, you do have a few individuals in Sarʹdis who did not defile their garments, and they will walk with me in white ones, because they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will thus be dressed in white garments, and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life, but I will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels." Garments both identify and offer protection to a person. True Christians should be clothed with such qualities as "humility toward one another." (1Peter 5:5). Also after ensuring one understands the love of God for him or her and becomes reasonably chaste and holy in God's eyes, he or she may clothe themselves with "the tender affections of compassion, kindness, humility, mildness, and patience." These are largely aspects of true love. Jesus said "By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” So may we come to be identified as true Christians primarily by living in harmony with Christian standards and the practice of lovely virtues in harmony with the will of God. Our garments may also be clean and white by being "washed in the blood of the lamb," by exercising faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus. (Revel 7:14). Our faith and love will move us to "fine works" in harmony with Jesus' teachings and example.


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