What were the three sins of Solomon?

What were the three sins of Solomon? 

When I look at what was the major sins in Solomon life that the Lord High God gave to the kings of Israel, Solomon was involved with the three most important ones.  The Lord God and Creator, Jesus the Messiah said in a command the kings of Israel and Judah certain requirements.   

In verse 16 of Deut 17, the king is not to multiply horses for himself.  Interesting, this is the first one, toys for the king.   

The second was not to multiply wives for himself.  This is an easy one to justified to one owns self because of state and personal.   

The last one was not to multiply silver and gold for himself.  Solomon ask for wisdom and was given these other things.  These were to himself.  If he has shared with his people, would it have been different.  Who knows.

 

Blessings 

Steve 

Deu 17:16-17 NKJV  But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, 'You shall not return that way again.'  (17)  Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.

 

 

 

How are we like the God/gods we worship?

How are we like the God/gods we worship?

It is talked about in the Scriptures how we become like what we worship.  We have idols, they can be manmade or thought provided, but they are still idols in our lives.  What we put first in our lives is what we are worshipping as Psa 115 tells us about silver and gold, which are crafted by human hands, we will become like them as all who trust in them.

Jeremiah wrote that Israel pursued worthless things, and so they became worthless.

Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are commanded to offer our bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, why, this is the reasonable way for you to worship. 

We are not to be conformed to this world, but turned away from any idols we may be serving and serve the living and true God.  We are to become like our Lord King Creator, Jesus the Messiah and obey His commands, teachings, instructions and example.  The only way we can show we love Jesus is by obeying what He says. 

Blessings 

Steve 

Psa 115:4-8 ISV  Their idols are silver and gold, crafted by human hands.  (5)  They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see.  (6)  They have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;  (7)  They have hands, but cannot touch; feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even groan with their throats.  (8)  Those who craft them will become like them, as will all those who trust in them. 

Jer 2:5 ISV  This is what the LORD says: "What did your ancestors find wrong with me that they left me, and pursued worthless things, and so they became worthless? 

Rom 12:1 ISV  I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. 

Rom 12:2 ISV  Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. 

1Th 1:9-10 ISV  For people keep telling us what kind of welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve a living and true God  (10)  and to wait for his Son whom he raised from the dead to come back from heaven. This Jesus is the one who rescues us from the coming wrath. 

Joh 14:15 NKJV  "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 

Joh 14:21 NKJV  He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." 

Joh 15:10 NKJV  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 

1Co 11:1 NKJV  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 

Eph 2:10 NKJV  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What does the bible say about stress

What does the bible say about stress

Scripture does cover anxiety, worry and trouble (which is stress) and shows us how to deal with these things.

How we get stressed

 Matt 6:25 NKJV  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 

Matt 6:27 NKJV  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 

To deal with stress, believe in Jesus Christ

John 14:1 NKJV  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 

Life with Jesus, our Lord makes coping with stress an possible.

Paul explains what we are to do about being anxious (stress)  

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  (7)  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Psalms 55:22 NKJV  Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. 

John 14:27 NKJV  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

The only way we can deal with stress is with Jesus Christ,  

1. Believing in Him,        2. Trust Him,         3. Obey Him 

How to reduce stress 

Philippians 4:8 NKJV  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

 

James 1:19-20, June 28, 2014

June 28, 2014   James  1:19-20           

James 1:19-22 NKJV  

(19)  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;  (20)  for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  (21)  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  (22)  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  

We are in the book of James.   

The focus of the chapter now turns from trials to temptation.

Last time we came to the conclusion of the introduction of James (vv. 2-18).

This next section , since this is the case, the believer in the midst of a trial needs to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

It really is not a popular book or even one of my favorite books to read because of the reason on what it does to me.  It does show me where I am failing.  We do not like that.  It corrects me. 

We see where James does not pull any punches.  And where he does not want to see what our thoughts are, but to see some action in our lives, fruits we covered.  How James calls me to give an account in my way of life and how it impacts me personally.  

James 1:19 NKJV  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 

Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath or anger; This can be viewed as a measure of maturity.  I ask myself, how mature am I compared to this verse.  Have I mastered this.  No. 

Vs. 19 by many works said this verse can be considered the theme verse or subject-matter for this letter. 

Being swift to hear: We should always be open and listening to others, for example for children, work, home, friends, etc.  We should be gathering information and learning in whatever situation we are in.  We need to be listeners. 

I have taken many classes through the City of Dallas, the one class, Communication, always started with listening to what is said, not what you think they said.  This is the same with the Scriptures, we need to understand what it says, not what we were told or think, what it says.  We all want to make what it says to fit what we want it to say.  Don’t believe what I say, prove it yourself, from the Scriptures.  

We are to be receivers.   (As we know, Receivers don’t work well when the transmitter is on.) If my transmitter is on, that means I probably am not listening.  How many times have we been talking to someone and you can tell they are already thinking ahead of how they will respond.  

We can think off personal examples of individuals who are always being a receiver, asking questions of others, showing they are sincerely interested, what we say.  Individuals, who are good listeners, will have individuals coming to them to ask questions and for help and are considered friendly. 

Pro 18:24 NKJV  A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Slow to speak. Oh, if we learn to engage our minds before we let out the clutch. A pause for reflection could spare us so much embarrassment and damage. We need to control our mouths.  A constant talker will not hear what is really being said, between the lines. 

Pro 17:28 ISV  Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut. 

Ecc 5:2 NKJV  Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 

The reason for this is we need be careful to properly represent the One to whom we owe so much.  By our conduct and by the one part that stands out, our tongue.  James talks a lot about our tongue. 

We are often grieved for saying too much, seldom for saying too little.  We will condemn ourselves by talking to much.  How many times have we ask a question, the answer we received is far more than what we wanted to hear.  This is Something I will do, give too much information on something. 

Exo 20:7 NKJV  "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 

To me, this is more than just swearing, but how I live my life according to the Scriptures. 

In fact, we are ambassadors, we represents Jesus to others and many time we do not do what as we should do. 

Eph 6:20 ISV  for whose sake I am an ambassador in chains, desiring to declare the gospel as boldly as I should. 

2Cor 5:20 NKJV  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 

An ambassador is one who represents someone else. 

Slow to wrath or anger,  

This wrath or anger is not directed toward God, but directed toward other individuals and especially religious arguments or debate (we can also add politics to this). 

We are to govern and restrain our temper; we are not to give in to excited and angry passions. 

Pro 16:32 NKJV  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 

We should lay aside all anger and wrath, and should come to the investigation of truth with a calm mind.  An investigation of truth demands a calm spirit to see the value of truth, or to weigh the evidence for it. 

Three things, James tells us, swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 

Wrath or anger of Man, James covers this in the next verse. 

James 1:19 NKJV  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 

James 1:20 NKJV  for the wrath (anger) of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

This is so hard:  If we as a believer gets angry in difficult circumstances, the practical righteousness of God will not be evident in our life. When someone wrongs us, our natural reaction is to retaliate, at least verbally. But this response does not glorify God. Holding one's tongue, trying to understand the other person's position, show godly love to the individual. 

Do not get me wrong, we have to handle the situation, but in a Godly way.

Can you imagine the impact of this verse if were actually applied? 

We tend to get angry, self-righteously angry. 

Eph 4:26 NKJV  "BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 

What does the Scriptures tell us:  Vengeance is mine says the Lord: 

Deu 32:41 NKJV  If I whet (sharpen) My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me. 

Rom 12:19 NKJV  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 

Heb 10:30-31 NKJV  For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."  (31)  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

It is not for us to right the wrong individually, but is the Lord’s issue.  He will take care of it. 

Even if we were wrong, justified or not justified, as we been told before, the temptation toward revenge will yield more damage to us (physical and or mental) than whatever was done to us.   

Especially, in our society today and what we see happening. 

James will spend a good part of his letter—in Chapters 3 & 4—on the connection between sinful speech and selfish anger. 

We see James is always referring to the Sermon on the Mount.  James is never distant from those who “hunger and thirst after righteous ness,” “the pure in heart,” “the peacemakers,” and “those who are persecuted because of righteousness” (Mt 5:6-10).  

Jesus applied God’s commandment against murder as a commandment also against hating, cursing or insulting—specifically being angry. 

Mat 5:21-22 NKJV  "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'  (22)  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' (means worthless) shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' (morally blockhead) shall be in danger of hell fire. 

The righteous life is the contrasting alternative. When the Lord appeared to Abram in Gen 17:1  

Gen 17:1 NKJV  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 

Blameless does not mean you will not have sin, just don’t indulge in sin.

 

I know this all sounds good in our mind, but do we understand what it says,  

What do you do when things are going wrong, people are hurting you, etc.?

What do we really do when these things happen to us? 

A good answer, not the only answer, but Have our quiet time. Find a corner somewhere and talk it over in prayer and meditation, with our Father in Heaven. 

Again the goal - the righteousness of God requires MATURITY!

 

 

 

 

James 1:13-8, June 21, 2014

June 21, 2014                James  1:13-8

 

Reminder, what we are doing is group study. We are here to help each other learn. We all have different experiences and backgrounds.  We can share with each other to build Godly character.  I think Proverbs covers this. 

Pro 27:17 ISV  Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens a friend's character.      (learn more from group study than someone preaching at me - Personal feeling, not right or wrong) 

James 1:13-18 NKJV  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  (14)  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  (15)  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.  (16)  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  (17)  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  (18)  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.  

We are in the book of Jacob or as we know it, James.  James was very Jewish.  He was an unbeliever until after the resurrection, as we found out, he was the half-brother of Jesus, as was Jude.  He was a leader in Jerusalem.  We found out James was martyrs after 62 AD.  James emphasis Faith as the starting point of the Christian, but it should reflect itself in Deeds, a life of whole hearted obedience to the law as we have faith in Jesus.  And that leads to maturity, goal of perfection and wholeness of Christian Character. 

We covered 5 specific crowns last time and these are some of the rewards Christian will receive.  

Jesus said in:  

Rev 22:12 NKJV  "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 

Can we lose our crowns?  Christ said this to the Church of Philadelphia. 

Rev 3:11 NKJV  Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 

We should not just carry away a list of do’s and don’ts from the book of James. The most precious thing from this Book of James is to guide us in the attitude towards or the way of regarding these lessons of life and the principles to live by. A whole new point of view, a different paradigm.   Let’s be sensitive to the real lessons here. 

Something I have observed is how James is an encourager. We all should be encourager.  He gives encouragement throughout this Epistle. James gives us instruction how to live, and then gives encouragement.  Watch for this as we go through these Scriptures. 

Example,  Jas vs 5  lacks wisdom, ask, will be given to you.

Jas vs. 12 endures temptation, receive crown of life. 

The focus of the chapter now turns from trials to temptation.        

James 1:13 NKJV  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 

The word, tempted, refers to temptations that test one’s moral strength to resist sin. 

God will never deliberately lead a person to commit sin because that would not only go against His nature, but it would be opposed to His purpose of molding His creation into His holy image. Yet God does sometimes place His people in adverse circumstances for the purpose of building godly character. 

Isa 64:8 NKJV  But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

1Co 10:13 NKJV  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

When I am feeling fear or sorrow or pain, and a friend asks, “What danger or threat is there in your life, that I may pray for you?” I would probably answer, “Pray for my illness, or my financial needs to be met, or that people might stop doing the things they are doing to me,” etc.

I would think of the injuries being inflicted by the trial, and my foremost thought is for the trial to be stopped. 

But here James is insisting on a radical change in our attitude or thinking. Where are the real dangers in our life? The most serious danger is not what is being done to me, but the wrong that may be done “by” me.  Pray for me that I do not fail in this trial. 

Jesus said:

Mat 7:12 NKJV  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 

Temptation is here in the sense of testing or trial. It is never correct to attribute temptation to the Father or to Jesus, who has called us to holiness of life. Jesus would rather for us to flee from temptation and take the path of His instruction, the Way of Life.  

Notice how James asserts the facts of God’s nature and God’s will, and answers the questions these facts raise about the temptation. 

Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation.”  

Mat 6:13 NKJV  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 

That is, don’t leave us to go our own dangerous way which would expose us to pressures from the enemy of our souls, which is Satan way of death. 

We know God cannot be the author of evil behavior in us, since Jesus does not desire evil behavior.  

Here James  answers the question about temptation. 

James 1:14 NKJV  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 

James tells us we are tempted by our own desires and enticed. 

We find the concept of testing or temptation is expressed in both the OT and NT, also by the words rendered: provoke, entice, snare, etc.  

We are tempted, not by God, but by the strength of our own lustful desires, which comes from within ourselves. We are deceived by our craving for self-gratification and allows our strong desire to take control.  

“Drawn away”: a hunting term, as dragged away by an enemy. There is real danger in a temptation. The real effect of the temptation is a sin leading to death. 

Paul tells us:  

Romans 6:11-12 NKJV  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (12)  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  

What is the Bible definition of sin 

1John 3:4 KJV  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 

Lust dwelt upon brings forth sin; 

Pro 23:7 NKJV  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 

Having a thought isn’t the problem, it’s what you do with it. 

James 1:15 NKJV  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 

James speaks of sin in general, whether in the heart or in the life. Sin may be developed in the heart as well as in the conduct. 

The idea here is that sin has reached its maturity and has possessed the very character of the individual. Death here refers to physical death

Pro 11:19 NKJV  As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. 

How much do we hate sin.  

Sin indulged upon leads to death, we see this in 

Ezekiel 18:4 NKJV  "Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. 

The principle being established here is the minding of the flesh (“carnally minded”) is death. 

Rom 8:6 NKJV  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Rom 6:23 NKJV  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

It is never safe to fool around with sin.  We need to pray for protection from sin and keep me pure.  We do not think that way. 

James 1:16 NKJV  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 

Be not deceived in this matter, in supposing that temptation to evil comes from God. 

A warning given to Christians.  Who is trying to deceive us. 

1Peter 5:8-9 NKJV  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (9)  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 

John 8:44 NKJV  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 

2Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,  (25)  in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,  (26)  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 

2Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 

Don’t be deceived about temptation; but don’t be deceived about good gifts either. 

Good and Perfect Gifts 

James 1:17 NKJV  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 

Notice the word “every”—not just some, or most. But every perfect gift to fit each of us.  The grateful heart receives all as from God.  God sends only good and perfect gifts to those who He has called. 

Father of lights — Creator of the lights in heaven 

As “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” 

1John 1:5-7 NKJV  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  (6)  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  (7)  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

He cannot in any way be the Author of sin, which is darkness 

John 3:19 NKJV  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

No variation or shadow of turning. 

James uses this as a metaphor: for the sun by his many and various kinds of turning, makes hours, days, months, years, light and darkness.  Shadow of turning means the dark “shadow-mark” cast from one of the heavenly bodies, arising from its “turning” or revolution, for example, when the moon is eclipsed by the shadow of the earth, and the sun by the body of the moon.  These things change, God does not. 

God is constant, dependable and not double minded as we discussed before.  God is unchangeable.  We do not talk about it much, but we should.  God does not change. 

Mal 3:6 NKJV  "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 

The God of the Old Testament makes and keeps His promises and is faithful, otherwise we would be most miserable individuals. 

Deut 7:9 NKJV  "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 

1Cor 1:9 NKJV  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

1Th 5:24 NKJV  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

2Ti 2:13 NKJV  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 

God regards faithfulness as one of His characteristics throughout the Scriptures.  

Jas 1:18 NKJV  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

(Encouragement)  

Here Jesus is talking about the Father. about the Word is truth. 

John 17:17 NKJV  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Our new birth itself was the expression of His grace and goodwill. He brought the Word of truth to bear upon our consciences, leading to confess our sins and trust the Savior He provided.  

Remember:   

Eph 2:8-9 NKJV  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  (9)  not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

The faith that saves us is a gift, so not anyone should boast. 

So we become an offering of First Fruits, the pledge of the great harvest to be reaped in due time.  Jesus was our Firstfruits, the First of the Firstfruits and we are to be his Firstfruits.  We just celebrated this during Passover and Pentecost. 

His creatures, a new creation: 

Rom 8:21 NKJV  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

This is the conclusion of the introduction of James (vv. 2-18) is that enduring trials leads to a crown of life (v. 12) and yielding to temptation can lead to physical death (v. 15). The next section , since this is the case, the believer in the midst of a trial needs to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.