Man and His GOD

Posted on June 21, 2020 by glenn

Proverbs 20:24            A man’s steps are of the LORD

In our quest to use Proverbs 20 to define the characteristics of a faithful man, we come to verse 24.  Indeed, without this one undergirding all the others, he has no chance of being a faithful man.

A faithful man’s steps are of the LORD.  The NASB says ordained by the LORD.  This is his greatest asset!  He understands his dependence on GOD.

He understands from Jeremiah 10:23, that it is not within man to direct his own steps.

Psalm 119:133   Direct my steps by Your word.  He understands that direction is found in the pages of Scripture.

The faithful man is a follower of GOD. This is his most important characteristic.

Psa 127:1  Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

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Man and His Lineage

Posted on June 20, 2020 by glenn

Proverbs 20:7  His children are blessed after him.

A faithful man leaves a good name.

Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches

Ecclesiastes 7:1 – A good name is better than precious ointment

A father of teenage boys told me that as his sons would leave home for an activity, he would frequently remind them to “remember who you are.”  He wanted them to be proud of their name and not do something that would tarnish it.  But more importantly we should remember “whose we are”.  If we are Christians, we belong to Him.  We wear the name Christian and should protect that good name.

Having a good name leads us to expand the point.

A faithful man has a good reputation.

Verse 11          Even a child is known by his deeds.

The legendary coach John Wooten is credited as saying, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

Dwight Moody expressed it as, “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.”

BUT our reputation is so very important.  A reading of Luke 2:52 notes that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with GOD and man.

A faithful man is concerned with his reputation.  He has a good name and he passes that legacy on to his children.

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Man and Humility

Posted on June 19, 2020 by glenn

Proverbs 20:6             Most men will proclaim each his own goodness.

Interesting the text says “most”.  Yes we live in a society of men who subscribe to the adage “He who tooteth not his own horn finds that it is not tooted.”

Many of the proverbs draw synonymous parallels.  Proverbs 22:1 is a good example.  Other proverbs are written as antithetical parallels, that is, they make statements that are opposite.  Such is the case with verse 6.

It is very apparent this attitude of proclaiming one’s own goodness stands in stark contrast to the rest of the verse.  But who can find a faithful man?

Consider how frequently the Scriptures address humility.

Proverbs 27:2 – Let another man praise you and not your own mouth

Proverbs 15:33 – Before honor is humility

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall

Proverbs 21:4 – A haughty look, a proud heart…are sin

Proverbs 31 – her works praise her, her children rise up and bless her, her husband praises her

1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of GOD that He may exalt you in due time.

Who can find a faithful man?  Begin by looking for one with humility.

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Man and Wisdom

Posted on June 18, 2020 by glenn

One of the characteristics of a faithful man is wisdom.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water.   But a man of understanding will draw it out.   Prov 20:5

The NLT translation renders the passage, “Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.”

The passage extols the man of understanding or insight.

Verse 16 of Proverbs 20, gives us an example of such wisdom.  Herein it is said it is foolish to lend money to a stranger without securing a pledge (collateral).  The Israelites could not require a pledge from other Israelites (Exodus 22:25—27).  Thus, the stranger here is a non-Israelite. 

See also verse 29 of the chapter.  A faithful man acquires wisdom with age. Some people grow older and wiser; some just grow older. I want to be the former.

As I grow older, the truth found in verse 29 is very apparent.  As we grow older we lose our physical strength.  The word for this process is sarcopenia.  It is a known medical fact that after about age 30, one begins to lose muscle mass.  The rate of loss differs depending on many factors but this is a process that is unavoidable and is a factor in the occurrence of falls and fractures in older adults. 

The glory of young men is their strength.  And the splendor of old men is their gray head.

The glory of young men is their strength but age will change that.  However as we are losing this strength, our wisdom, our inner strength, should be increasing.

Paul addressed it in 1 Cor 4:16 – “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”

Proverbs 19:20 – Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. 

The faithful man is a man of wisdom.

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A Man and His Work

Posted on June 17, 2020 by glenn

Contained within chapter 20 of the book of Proverbs are several characteristics of a faithful man.  One of these characteristics is that a man will work.

The lazy man will not plow.   Prov 20:4

The Scriptures are filled with similar passages encouraging man to work.

Let him who stole steal no longer but rather let him labor, working with his hands… Ephesians 4:28

If anyone will not work neither shall he eat.  2 Thessalonians 3:10

We know very little about Jesus’ growing up years.  But being the Son of a carpenter, I suspect He knew what physical labor was.

Proverbs 20:13 is one of my favorite verses.   Work.   There are few things that I respect more and conversely will cause me to lose respect for someone, than their work ethic.  I want to see someone who will roll up their sleeves and put their hands to the plow!

Did you know the “ant” is found only 2 times in all of Scripture?  Both of the references to the ant have to do with work.

“Go to the ant you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise…provides her supplies in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.”  Proverbs 6:6-8

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer.”  Proverbs 30:25

Many people might consider work as a curse given to man after the fall in the Garden of Eden.  But a closer examination of the text reveals work predated the fall and was in GOD’S original plan of everything good.  Genesis 2:15 notes that Adam was placed in the Garden “to tend it and to keep it”.

The faithful man will work.

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A Man and His Emotions

Posted on June 16, 2020 by glenn

Prov 20:3         It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.

A faithful man can manage his emotions.  In the context we are talking specifically about anger, temper, etc.  I will admit that I have struggled with this one for years.  I know that each time that I have failed to control my emotions related to anger, it has always led to problems.  It might be road rage or giving someone a piece of my mind, but it never leads to good.

We are told in Proverbs 22:24 to make no friendship with an angry man.  And the next verse tells us why, lest you learn his ways.  It is implied that the problem is not necessarily the emotion, but the action that follows.  His ways, or his actions, are the issue.

The New Testament passage in Ephesians 4:26 reminds us to be angry and sin not.  Thus the sin must be in our actions associated with our anger. 

We know the sin is not in the emotion alone because Mark 3:5 tells us Jesus was angry.  Anger is a natural emotion.  It is the uncontrolled actions and words that can become sin.

The passage in Ephesians 4:26 actually comes from Psalm 4:4. Reading the rest of Psalm 4:4 adds an interesting thought. 

Be angry and do not sin.  Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. 

The word for angry in this passage means to tremble.  Have you ever been so angry you are trembling?  Yet the Bible says when this happens you are to lie on your bed and meditate or literally have a conversation with self.

Maybe there was something to the children’s admonition to count to 10 when angry.

There are other emotions for which the faithful man must control but anger is certainly one that often leads to trouble.

To control one’s emotions is a mark of maturity and one of the characteristics of the faithful man.

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Act Like Men

Posted on June 15, 2020 by glenn

I suppose our society is struggling with the idea of manhood now more than ever.  What is your definition of manliness?  What is your description of a real man?  Is it the idea of the Marlboro man of the cigarette commercials many years ago?  Or is it the husband/father of today’s sitcoms in which men are portrayed to be so inept?  In truth, we are in trouble if we rely on our world to define manhood for us.

I am passionate about this discussion.  In part because I believe if our country is to be saved, the men must step forward and lead us back to GOD.  The foundation of the home, grounded with a faith in GOD, is the cornerstone of this country.  And for several generations the men have abdicated their position in the home.

Recently I have examined passages like Job 38:2 and Job 40:7 wherein GOD said to the patriarch Job, “Prepare yourself like a man.”  Paul said to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV) “…act like men…”  This caused me to wonder.  What does GOD expect a man in today’s world to look like? What does it mean to the Father to act like men or to prepare oneself like a man?  It is past time for us to examine what our Creator expects of us as men.

The corollary to our discussion, the worthy woman, has been studied many times.  Indeed, Proverbs 31 is a wonderful study answering the question, “who can find a virtuos wife?”

There is an equally compelling discussion in the book of Proverbs directed at the man.  I am surprised that more attention is not given to the question found in Proverbs 20.  Here by Inspiration, the question is asked, “Who can find a faithful man?”  In the surrounding verses of Proverbs 20 we find at least 10 traits of the faithful man.

It is noteworthy that the English word “man” is found more times in the book of Proverbs than any other book.  In the NKJ version it is found 146 times.  Looking at Proverbs 20 and all the verses containing the word “man” makes for a great study.  Let us observe some characteristics of the faithful man.

As I consider what it means to be a man, I realize the Scriptures have much to say about the subject.  I wish to be like the Apostle Paul when he said “when I became a man, I put away childish things.”  Let us strive to be the men GOD wants us to be. Yea, men who will lead our families and communities to a closer relationship with Him.

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Racial Prejudice

Posted on June 12, 2020 by glenn

No one can deny the turmoil and division that exists in our country today.  While I admit this, I don’t necessarily think it is what we see on the news coverage.  It seems we are led to believe that every American citizen is caught up in that division and must declare sides.  I have long since removed myself from the news coverage because I don’t feel like I am getting the unfiltered factual news anymore.  And this comes from both sides of the political divide.

Now if I haven’t lost you yet, let me address this racial division.  What does the Bible have to say about this?  Well, first let’s note this is not something new.  This racial prejudice has always existed and in the New Testament times was perhaps even deeper than today. 

The first Century Jew regarded all people to be in one of 2 groups.  One was either a Jew or a Gentile/Greek.  The 7th chapter of Mark notes the Jewish prejudice was so strong they too practiced hand washing.  But their hand washing had nothing to do with hygiene.  It was all about a social contamination.  Their mentality was that if a Gentile touched anything and they later touched it as well, it made them spiritually unclean.  Jesus clearly condemned this and taught that their problem was an issue of the heart.

The Greeks were also guilty of categorizing people into 2 groups.  According to Romans 1:14, these 2 groups were the Greeks and the barbarians.  The Greeks were those in New Testament times that spoke the Greek language and held to the Grecian customs.  This largely came about during the Grecian Empire established under Alexander the Great.   The barbarians were referred to as anyone not subscribing to the culture and the ways of the Greeks.

Thus we have all mankind divided into Jew and Gentile or Greek and barbarian.  The context of Romans 1 gives us the simple approach to racial division.  The gospel is for all.  Paul explained in verse 16,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of GOD to salvation for everyone who believes for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Therein lies an interesting and timely lesson for us regarding the Jew and the Greek. We know who the Jews were.  Under the Old Law, they were the chosen of GOD, the descendants of Judah.  What about the Greeks?  As stated earlier, they were those who spoke the Greek language.  In the context of Romans 1, the Greek represented anyone not of the Jewish persuasion.  So, in reality, the whole of mankind is addressed.

Reading the book of Acts we can see how the Jews struggled with this prejudice.  The early Jewish Christians were reluctant to admit the Gentiles into the church.  Acts 10 relates the story of Cornelius and his household and how they were used to combat this prejudice.

Later in Acts 17:26, Paul says, “And HE has made from one blood every nation of men…”

When I look at man, I must see beyond skin tone.  I must see someone made in the image of GOD.  It is only then will the racial divide be truly conquered.

While I don’t think the racial division is what I am being fed by the media and politicians, there is no doubt these tensions exist.  They existed in the first Century and they exist today. 

It is only when we see things from GOD’S perspective that these prejudices will be gone.  Our prejudice will disappear when we see that the grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11).

Oh, I should note that GOD also divides men into 2 groups. But it has nothing to do with ethnicity.  In our context of Romans 1, we note the righteousness of GOD in verse 17 and the unrighteousness of men in verse 18.  Two groups are named, the righteous and the unrighteous. Jesus used the analogy of roads or gates in Matthew 7.  Two groups, two roads, two classifications of men: the saved and the lost.  That is how GOD separates and distinguishes. 

Saved and lost.  In which group will you be????

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In times like these…love

Posted on March 21, 2020 by glenn

Do you think I am safe in saying that we have never seen times quite like these?  Could you have imagined 6 weeks ago that we would essentially be quarantined in our homes, all nonessential work be suspended, church services be moved into our local homes, and the stock market teetering on collapse?

How are you responding to such times?  Some have given up all hope.  Have you?

Please know that while we may not know what the future holds, we know Who holds the future.  It is in times like these that our faith is tried. 

Jesus was asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?”  His answer is found in Mark 12:29-30.

 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Do I love GOD?  Well, of course I do!  But do I really love GOD?  Regardless of what I say, I wonder how He would answer that question.  The 21st chapter of John has a conversation between Jesus and Peter in which the LORD kept asking him the question, “Do you love Me?”  Peter would say, “I do”, but the LORD asked him three times.

The Bible has something to say about this idea of loving GOD.  In fact, it is quite simple.  Our love for GOD is not like the emotional feeling we might have for a spouse or child.  The word love, as used in the Scriptures, is an action verb.  Read the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians.  All of those verbs are action verbs.  Our love for GOD is demonstrated in our actions and that is particularly true in times like these. Consider the following Scriptures.

James 1:12 – Blessed is he who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Those who love Him!  Here we have our love of GOD measured by the standard of how we endure temptation.

It is easy to talk a good game.  But the measure of our love comes down to how we respond in a trial.  That is what the verses leading up to verse 12 are all about.  That is why James could say to count it all joy when we are faced with trials.  These trials give us an opportunity to show our faith and also an opportunity to prove our love of GOD.  In these trials, do we trust GOD to be faithful to fulfill His promises toward us?  Or do we at these times, wring our hands and worry about what tomorrow may bring?

Do I love GOD?  Maybe I need to read John 14:15 before I answer the question.

If you love Me keep My commandments.

Jesus makes a very simple statement.  While many in the world today may scoff at the necessity of obedience, Jesus clearly ties our love for Him to obedience.  And I would raise this question, how can we be obedient to His commands if we don’t know His commands?

Another passage I’d like to visit is 2 Corinthians 8:8, 24.  Paul said he was testing the sincerity of the love of the Corinthians and in verse 24 even said it was proof of their love.  What was the proof or the testing to which he referred?  In verses 1-7, he is encouraging the Corinthians to give.  So another test of our love is giving.  It has been said that one can give and not love but you can’t love and not give.

Do I love GOD?  Well, do I give as He has given to me?    During this time of trials, it is an excellent time to demonstrate our love of GOD by giving to others.  We normally associate giving with money but we can give in so many ways.  We can demonstrate our love by checking on others and doing what we can to help others.

The last passage I’d like to note is Romans 8:28.

And we know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD…

So do I love GOD?  Do I meet the basic tests of the passages above?  Do I trust Him in times of trial?  Am I obedient?  Am I generous with my resources?

If I am one of those who love GOD, do I really believe Romans 8:28?  If so, then know that all of this chaos will come to pass and I will be fine.

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Heritage

Posted on March 18, 2020 by glenn

I remember when my boys were growing up I wanted to instill in them a sense of pride in family.  I’m not talking about a sinful pride rather a sense of belonging to something bigger than self.  But even more than family, I wanted them to remember the larger family for which they were a part.  When they would leave home I would remind them, “Remember who you are and Whose you are!”

I have written many times about the importance of a family heritage.  Let us consider some additional thoughts.

Think of the heritage of some of our Bible heroes.  Paul’s first missionary journey begins in the 13th chapter of the book of Acts.  We are introduced to Paul and Barnabas’ traveling companion, John, in verse 5.  We learn later that John departed from them in Pamphylia (Acts 15:36) but he was a companion of Barnabas going forward.  He is called John Mark and we learn something of his heritage earlier in Acts 12.

Acts 12:12 – So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

John Mark’s mother Mary was a faithful follower evidenced by her hosting other believers in her home.  John Mark’s heritage exposed him to the LORD and the truth.  He probably witnessed the miraculous release of Peter from prison discussed in the Acts 12 account.  He no doubt had a spiritual heritage.

Another one of our Bible heroes is the young evangelist, Timothy.  Paul first meets Timothy in Acts 16. From verse one we see Timothy’s mother was a believer. The text’s silence about his father suggests he was not a believer.

Paul gives us a further glimpse of Timothy’s heritage in the second epistle to the young preacher.

2 Timothy 1:5 – when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

As with John Mark, Timothy also had a spiritual heritage, having at least two generations of believers to thank for his faith.

In both of these passages, don’t miss the influence of those godly women.  John Mark had a godly mother.  Timothy had a GOD fearing mother and grandmother.  Women have a powerful spiritual influence in the family.  I urge you young mothers to take advantage of those young formative years in your children.

An even longer lineage of faith is found in the book of Genesis and the story of Joseph.  Taking what is found in Genesis 50:23 and 48:13-16, we find 7 generations listed in the Bible.  These generations are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Manasseh, Machir, and Machir’s children.

If you have an ancestral tree of Godly servants, count yourself very lucky.  Joseph was such a man.

Godly ancestors are a blessing, but you have no control over those who came before you in your family tree.  However, you have much influence over those who follow in your lineage.

Yes, the perfect scenario would be for one to be like Joseph in the family lineage.  That is to say, have generations before and generations after, that serve the LORD.  But we have no control over those who came before us.  It is those who follow for which we can impact.

My greatest desire, my prayer, is to leave a heritage of love of the truth and service for my GOD to those who follow me.

If I am lucky I may be able to see 2 or 3 generations of my descendants.  Maybe even like Joseph, to have my great-grandchildren sit on my knees.  But in the afterlife, the greatest blessing will be to have those multiple generations join me in the heavenly abode and have at least a small part of it be because of my influence.  Yes, that is my prayer.

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