Category: God’s wisdom

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #7

Sunday, June 25, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

Though captive to Satan and men, the slave girl was not without hope. While the Devil and his angels are powerful, they were no match for the Lord God Who ultimately delivered her. Although her human masters fumed how their “prophetess” was now profitless; though they caused Paul and Silas to be publicly beaten, imprisoned, and tortured (all contrary to the laws of Rome); they inadvertently provided God’s preachers an opportunity to minister to yet more unfortunate souls in Philippi!

Read verses 25-40 (those which follow today’s Scripture). For example, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (verse 25). Though suffering immense mental, physical, and emotional pain, Paul and Silas talked to the Lord and sang hymns! Their cellmates also heard the Gospel of Grace. Once a major earthquake rocks the area, the jailer—under such extreme conviction—approaches Paul and Silas, asking in verse 30, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Their answer was short and direct, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (verse 31). Released from prison, they proceed to minister to the jailer’s household and convert them too!

Saints, the lessons we can draw from this are simple. Though the world, the flesh, and the Devil interfere; by the might of the Holy Spirit, we can exercise God’s wisdom in successfully navigating those challenges (distractions, offers of compromise, persecution including physical violence, and so on); which will allow our testimony to have a far greater impact it otherwise would have never had.

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 29, 2023

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 14, 2023

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 35 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

Christ Liveth in Me

Sunday, April 9, 2023

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

“He is risen” is not a simple blasé cliché!

When Jesus’ disciples came to His tomb on that glorious Sunday morning nearly 2,000 years ago, they were startled to find it empty! Angels inform them that He has resurrected, but they are still in shock (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8). Jesus Christ Himself must later explain the Scriptures to them regarding what happened those last few days (Luke 24:44-46).

However, until Paul’s ministry, Christ’s finished crosswork is not preached as good news for salvation. Peter and Israel’s other apostles simply preach that Jesus Christ is now resurrected to “sit on [David’s] throne” (Acts 2:30)—that is bad news for much of Israel, for they still reject Him, weeks and months after His resurrection and ascension. Throughout early Acts, Israel’s apostles warn her that Jesus Christ is coming back to judge them.

When we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry, we learn that we Gentiles can benefit from Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Israel’s rejected Messiah is now our way to heaven! Yes, Israel hated Him, and demanded that He experience the most awful method of execution devised, but God allowed it in order to accomplish His will. Satan attempted to hinder God’s will by having Christ killed, but all that did was provide the method whereby God could save us pagan Gentiles. Calvary’s finished crosswork frees us from Satan’s evil system and gives us a chance to be God’s people (Acts 26:17,18)!

As people who have trusted Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins, that crucifixion is our death to self and sin, and that resurrection is our raising to walk in newness of life—His life (today’s Scripture; cf. Romans 6:1-11)!

Indeed, Jesus Christ is alive, and He lives in and through those who walk by faith in God’s Word to them, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon! 🙂

HAPPY EASTER!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study by the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

The Key to Be Happy! #8

Saturday, April 1, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

To be happy, we must identify God’s knowledge, wisdom, and understanding applicable for this the Dispensation the Grace. This is “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest [via Paul’s ministry and message, Romans through Philemon]…” (Romans 16:25,26). “In whom [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). “That no flesh should glory in [God’s] presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without [the unsaved people around us], redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;…” (Ephesians 5:15-20).

When we walk by faith in God’s words to us, Romans through Philemon, we are in His will, and, as the Psalmist penned long ago, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” (Psalm 146:5)! 🙂

The Key to Be Happy! #7

Friday, March 31, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

Have you ever wondered who or what is the “strange woman” of Proverbs? You can locate her in 2:16, 5:3, 5:20, 6:24, 7:5, 20:16, 23:27, and 27:13. She is strange, not in the sense of bizarre or ridiculous, but “strange” as in “stranger” (for example, see “strangers” of Ephesians 2:12—Gentiles outside of Israel’s covenants, apart from Israel’s God, et cetera). She is a foreigner, and once a man connects with her, he is eternally doomed! “Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell” (Proverbs 5:5). “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:27). She has no personal relationship with the God of creation, the God of the Bible, so she is a foreigner to the truth.

This “strange woman” is exactly like the “outlandish [foreign, pagan, heathen] women” who fooled Solomon (see Nehemiah 13:26,27; cf. “strange women” of 1 Kings 11:1!). In fact, such illicit sexual relations in the physical realm are related to satanic sexual relations in the spiritual realm (see Numbers 25:1-3; 2 Peter 2:14; Revelation 2:14,20-22; Revelation 14:4). Notice how the “simple man” (lacking wisdom—leaving Proverbs to follow Ecclesiastes) is the victim of the seductive strange woman (Proverbs 9:13-18). Here is the supporter of the Antichrist, a participant of the Whore of Babylon religious system (Revelation chapter 17), proselytizing precious souls and leading them to eternal damnation (Revelation 14:9-12). Of course, like any prostitute, she promises her “clients” “a good time”—and, only when it is too late, will they realize the spiritual disease she has transmitted to them!

Proverbs is much more than a handy “daily philosophy book.” It is literally a matter of spiritual life or spiritual death in the ages to come. The Jewish people have possessed the Book of Proverbs for 3,000 years—not to mention Ecclesiastes. However, in spite of all those warnings in more than 1,100 verses, they will still accept the Antichrist! While none of this relates to us the Church the Body of Christ, there is always a valuable lesson we can learn here….

The Key to Be Happy! #6

Thursday, March 30, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

One of the Antichrist’s characteristics will be his “understanding of dark sentences” (Daniel 8:23). A brilliant man, someone endowed with satanic wisdom, he can deceive the masses by employing eloquent, elegant, seductive, lofty arguments. In fact, like King Solomon, he will follow the pattern of sin laid out in Ecclesiastes, enticing his supporters to chart their own paths (isolated from the one true God). While sounding unbelievable, this has happened on a small-scale countless times in human history.

World religious leaders, philosophers, founders of cults, et cetera, have drawn billions upon billions away from the God of the Bible by promising their groups “enlightenment,” “satisfaction,” “fulfillment,” “peace,” “prosperity.” The Antichrist will be a supreme master in these realms (see Daniel 11:21,23,24,27,32; cf. Psalm 55:20,21). Only Israel’s believing remnant, having accepted God’s wisdom, will be able to overcome these lies (see Matthew 24:4,5,11,23-26; Mark 13:5,6,21-23; Luke 21:8).

By the way, Job’s three friends—with all their useless, worldly, natural-man advice (see the Book of Job)—represent the lost religious leaders deceiving Israel throughout Christ’s earthly ministry (Sadducees, Pharisees, and Herodians). There is no wisdom of God in any of it, so the Jewish people as a whole were unable to recognize God’s wisdom that Jesus Christ declared to them. In the future (Daniel’s 70th Week), this ignorance will again be a snare, except Israel will now be vulnerable to accepting the Antichrist! As before, they did not learn the lessons of the Book of Proverbs, so they are bound to repeat Ecclesiastes (like apostate Solomon)!

There are 90 references to “fools,” “foolishness,” and “folly” in the Book of Proverbs—the Antichrist’s disciples. In Proverbs, there are well over 100 references to “wisdom” or “wise” people—the Lord Jesus Christ’s followers (the “happy” people of today’s Scripture). However, the fools have tried in vain to satisfy the void that only the Lord Jesus Christ can fulfill, so they have nothing but misery and hopelessness when He comes back to destroy the Antichrist, his adherents, and the evil world system he represents….

The Key to Be Happy! #5

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

Chapter 1 of Proverbs begins: “[1] The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; [2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; [3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; [4] To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. [5] A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: [6] To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The first chapter of Proverbs sets the Book’s tone: the wisdom contained therein will keep Israel in God’s will, especially concerning Christ’s earthly ministry (which is 1,000 years into the future). Unfortunately, very few realize this prophetic significance of Proverbs. For example, did you know, dear friend, that, had Israel been walking by faith in Proverbs, they would have received Jesus Christ? Instead, they rejected Him, plotted to destroy Him, and crucified Him. Read Proverbs 1:10-19, compared to Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19. Proverbs is quite clear that they should have never conspired to do away with the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, notice the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts chapter 2, Pentecost) in Proverbs 1:23, and the outpouring of God’s wrath (Daniel’s 70th Week) in Proverbs 1:24-33 (cf. Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:16-21).

Ecclesiastes 12:13, the second to last verse of the Book, is Solomon’s deduction: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” This “fear of God” and these “commandments” are laid out in the Book of Proverbs. Had Solomon applied by faith what he knew in Proverbs (what the Holy Spirit had already used him to write), he would have never fallen into the spiritual trap of Ecclesiastes (what he wrote later). Israel, in the ages to come, is to learn these lessons so as to guard against the Antichrist’s lie program….

The Key to Be Happy! #4

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

Re-read 1 Kings 4:29-34 and 1 Kings 11:1-8. The transformation is downright striking! How were 1,000 pagan, devil-worshipping female lovers able to mislead wise King Solomon?! Did he not know any better? Here is a simple illustration of how having Divine knowledge imparted to us is not enough. We must apply it to life via wisdom—and that we have to do without fail. Solomon had spiritual light, but he did not walk in it all his days, and he (and the entire nation Israel) paid an extremely heavy price as a result (read 1 Kings 11:9-43).

Toward the latter half of his reign, King Solomon forsook the LORD. This is laid out in great detail in the Book of Ecclesiastes. A mighty king of Israel searches in vain to find happiness and fulfillment by amassing material riches, pursing entertainment, acquiring luxuries, obtaining secular education, and other carnal pleasures. He observes the world and speculates about everything he sees and hears but has no lasting peace or meaningful answers, leading him to dissatisfaction and anguish. Here is man’s lot without his Creator, the absolute best he can do apart from the living God. The final chapter of Ecclesiastes depicts an aged, dying fellow who realizes his quest has concluded with nothing but waste, bitterness, regret, and despair. Life is over, and he cannot re-do it!

What we have just described is the heart of the evil world system, which has deceived many through the millennia and will reach its ultimate form during Daniel’s 70th Week under the Antichrist’s system. Read Revelation chapters 17 and 18, noting the splendor, wealth, and corruption. This is what Israel’s believing remnant will be up against—what poor Solomon faced (and lost to) in a primitive manner. The Book of Proverbs is God’s wisdom designed to spare them from the humanism (human-oriented, God-rejecting philosophy) of Ecclesiastes. Proverbs says a great deal about wisdom versus foolishness, and the reason is that, in the ages to come, there will be a bitter struggle in the spiritual realm over the souls of people like this world has never seen….

The Key to Be Happy! #3

Monday, March 27, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

On one hand, Solomon’s wisdom: “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:29-34).

On the other hand, Solomon’s folly: “But king Solomon loved many strange [foreign] women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 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. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods” (1 Kings 11:1-8).

Let us see how happy Solomon truly was….