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What does God love? How about the opposite of the things he hates?

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

So, God loves the downcast eyes of the humble, a tongue that speaks truth, hands that protect the innocent, a heart that devises righteous plans, feet that are swift to do good, a true witness who tells the “truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”, and one who promotes unity and brotherhood!

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A woman who had the rightly earned reputation as a sinner knelt at the feet of Jesus, anointing them with fragrant oil, and wiping them with the hair on her head.

In this action she exhibited faith in Jesus. Jesus told the master of the house, “her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much” (Luke 7:47). He then told her, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (vs. 50).

Jesus told her to “Go in peace” because her sins were forgiven. There is no peace without the forgiveness of sins. When a man’s sins remain he is separated from God. No peace can be found without His presence in your life.

If your life is not blessed with the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), you need to have your sins forgiven. If you want help, contact us, we would love to study with you online or in person..

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Wisdom begins with a “fear of the Lord.” That means that if one does not fear God, he can not be wise. Perhaps that is why Paul wrote so dismissively of the wisdom of men, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1:21). If you truly desire to be wise, fearing and knowing God is the place to begin.

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Some are critical of preachers spending too much time preaching doctrine, and not enough time on more practical matters.

Paul told Titus in Titus 2:1, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine…” But, the “doctrine” of which of Paul speaks consisted of practical matters regarding the behavior of younger women, older women, younger men, older men and bondservants.

The fact is, all Biblical teaching is doctrine. And, who is to say which aspect of that doctrine is most important? Rather than looking for someone who will tell you what you want to hear, find a preacher who has determined to “declare to you the whole counsel of God”! (cf. Acts 20:27)

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In 2 Thessalonians 1:3, the apostle Paul expressed thanks to God for the Christians there, “because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.”

Faith and love are two of the identifying characteristics of the child of God. The love of God abounds toward man, as is evident from His scheme for our redemption. The faithful Christian’s love should be the same, especially toward their brethren.

The faith of the diligent Christian is a faith that grows daily. As the Hebrew writer noted, (Hebrews 5:12 – 6:6), if you are not progressing in your faith, you will regress, potentially to the point of apostasy.

Do you have a growing faith and abundant love?

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“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins”(2 Peter 1:9).

Peter wrote these words after exhorting his readers to spiritual maturity. It is important to add to your faith by incorporating characteristics such as: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (cf. vs.5-7).

Lacking these things brings about spiritual myopia. Short or near sightedness. The inability to see far away (spiritually speaking).

The Christian has the hope of heaven. The best way to keep that hope in view is through spiritual growth. If we grow spiritually, we will receive and abundant and everlasting reward! (cf. vs. 11).

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This evening the President is set to deliver his final state of the union address to the combined houses of Congress, and the American people.

It is appropriate from time to time to take stock of where we are as a nation, to set goals, to correct mistakes, and to resolve to do better in the future.

It seems equally appropriate that we do the same with our individual lives. Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

So, how about it? What is the state of your life? What spiritual goals do you have? What mistakes do you need to correct? What are your specific resolutions as you seek to live “soberly, righteously and godly in the present age”? (cf. Titus 2:12).

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“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:13-16).

People today have peculiar ideas about the grace we receive from God through Jesus. Never in scripture does the concept of grace bring with it the idea we are not obligated to obey God. Paul condemns the idea (cf. Romans 6:1). Paul also told Titus that grace teaches us to live soberly and righteously (cf. Titus 2:11-12).

Peter, in the text above says the same. Trusting in God’s grace is here illustrated as sober and holy living. As seen in the phrase, “gird up the loins of your mind” it takes diligent and concerted effort on our part. Because of grace, we must obey!

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In 2 Thessalonians, Paul wrote, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2:15). The word “traditions” here refer to practices established by inspiration. They come from God.

In Matthew 15:9, Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah, saying, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Here Jesus refers to practices established by men rather than God.

Some are not interested in keeping traditions with regard to religious service. In fact, some go so far as to criticize the “traditional”, while establishing their own, man-made practices instead.

We freely admit to cherishing and holding fast to our traditions. Our traditions are 2,000 years old. They originate in the mind of God, not men. They are worth embracing!

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“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

The church of the living God is a house. The word house does not refer to a structure, but a family. God is the Father (Ephesians 3:14). Jesus is the Son over that house (Hebrews 3:6). Christians too are children, by adoption (Romans 8:15-17), and as such heirs of eternal life.

As a family, we have many blessings. These blessings are based upon our relationship with God. Among these blessings are the relationships we have with one another as fellow heirs. There is a primary obligation we have to one another, which is spelled out by John:

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).

Do you love your brethren? You should. We are part of a wonderful family!

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It is comforting to read the many assurances found in God’s word concerning His power, and beneficence toward those who belong to Him. One example of this is found in Isaiah 35:2-3:

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, you God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.'”

In the midst of uncertain and disturbing times, we cast our confidence in the Almighty God. Jesus has come as a Savior, and will come again to judge the ungodly, and “to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7).

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Acts 12 records a despotic King, Herod, determining to “harass some from the church.” He executed James, the brother of John, and we are told his actions “pleased the Jews.” Their approval spurred him on, and he siezed Peter as well, and put him in prison. (vv. 1-3).

Two lessons can be learned from this:

1) Though we are fortunate not to be the subjects of governmental persecution, that can change. Christians will always be the subject to the ungodly impulses of evil men. It is for this reason we are called to be virtuous in standing when our faith is tested.

2) Ultimately, God wins! So, it is in our best interest to serve Him. Not all who are evil will get their punishment in this life (though Herod did, as God struck him worms, and he died, vs. 23). But, rest assured that the ungodly will be punished, and those who believe will receive the reward of heaven.

As Paul wrote, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

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Have you ever wondered why a flight attendant, when talking about the oxygen masks, says to put on your own mask first before helping your child to put his or her mask on? Simple! You have to be able to breathe in order to help someone else!

There is a similar instruction that Paul gave to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

You can’t expect to be effective in saving the souls of others if you are not spiritually strong yourself. It is a matter of priority. You need to be able to breathe (spiritually), before you can expect to effectively help someone else!

So, if you want to be effective in preaching the gospel message, understand that the best teachers are those who let their “light so shine before men, that they may see [their] good works and glorify [their] father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

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Weeds are the bane of anyone who desires a pretty lawn. They are an unsightly blight upon what would otherwise be a unmarred expanse of pretty green. Too, when they proliferate, they choke out the grass.

In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, he notes that some seed fell among thorns (weeds). He states the thorns “choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19).

Fortunately, Jesus specifies what these things are, three in number (cf. Mark 4:19):

1. The cares of this world. Our focus is not to be on food and clothing, but upon the kingdom of God! (cf. Matthew 6:33).
2. The deceitfulness of riches. Life is not about money and possessions. Whoever thinks so is like the foolish rich man of Luke 12). “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (vs. 20).
3. The desires for other things. No matter our desire, the lack of contentment is an enemy to those who seek to live for God. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Pull up the weeds (thorns) in your life, and become fruitful in your service to the Lord!

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The book of Proverbs has many wonderful nuggets of wisdom. A favorite of mine:

(Proverbs 4:23), “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

The concept is very simple. If we are not careful, our heart will be corrupted by the ungodly culture in which we live. In every generation the majority choose to rebel against God (cf. Matthew 7:13). It is the classic case of light versus darkness, righteousness verses lawlessness, Christ versus Belial (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Since the majority reject God, it should not surprise us that the influences that rule are predominately evil. In the face of this we must be diligent (vigilant, ESV). The term involves the idea of a guard who is at his post.

Considering the importance of the task, Albert Barnes wrote, “The heart is such a fountain, out of it flow the ‘issues’ of life. Shall men let those streams be tainted at the fountain-head?”

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