“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable…” (Proverbs 15:2)

         The above proverb reminds me of Paul’s statement about knowledge and love.  In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul will tell the Christians of Corinth that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”

         Wisdom is saying the right things in the right ways at the right time.  Knowledge is necessary, but it’s not enough in dealing with people.  Wisdom and love make knowledge acceptable.

         If you want others to listen to you, you are going to need to cultivate the ability to convey knowledge in a way that makes it easy to understand and accept.  You may think you have the right answer, but if you are brash, rude, or condescending, your words will fall on deaf ears.

         Wisdom steers the words and opens the ears.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD…” (Psalm 15:4)

         Reprobate isn’t a word you often hear, but it is something you see everyday.  A reprobate is an unprincipled person – someone who has no regard for ethical or moral character.  A reprobate is someone of dubious character.  They flatter the boss while stealing company supplies.  They gossip about others with you, and then move on to gossip about you with others.

         Psalm 15 says that part of fearing the Lord is despising the reprobate.  Far too often we accept behavior from others that we know Jesus would (and did!) call out.  We must love like Jesus, but we must also learn to despise what He despises, too.

         Honor ethics and reject the worldly, unprincipled behavior of the world.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“But he did not give any [oxen or carts] to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder.” (Numbers 7:9)

         This is likely one of the verses that David had searched to find out how to properly carry the ark “according to the rule” (see 1 Chr. 15:13) after the death of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6.

         When Uzzah died after touching the ark, David had to rethink his plans to move the ark from Baalah to Jerusalem.  All David wanted to do was reunite the ark with the tabernacle.  Why was such a honorable plan thwarted by God?  Could God not see David’s good intentions?

         The answer is: good motives do not necessarily lead to faithful outcomes.  We cannot simply be sincere – we must follow God’s will, not our own.  Numbers 7 gave clear instructions of how to carry the ark.  The Kohathites were to do it “upon the shoulder”.  What we believe is acceptable isn’t of any consequence – what Scripture says is acceptable is all that matters.  When the Lord speaks, all must listen.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Now on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it with all its furnishings…” (Numbers 7:1)

         When we view New Testament practices through the lens of Old Testament eyes, certain things stand out richer and holier – worship is one of those things.  When Moses set up the tabernacle for worship, the words ‘consecrate’, ‘anoint’, and ‘dedication’ are littered throughout the text.

         The picture that the early Jews had was that approaching the tabernacle was to be done reverently with a sense of holiness and the sacred.  Though the temple has changed from the shadow of the Old Testament to the pure and elevated temple of the living church, we ought to carry with us the same sacred care as we approach God in worship.  Worship is a consecrated, dedicated thing.  Our hearts tread on holy ground when we approach our Father.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.” (Numbers 6:26)

         The priesthood was to pray for the whole nation.  They stood as advocates, interceding on behalf of their countrymen.  God tells them that they must invoke His name in order to receive the blessing they were seeking.

         When we invoke something, we are appealing to its power and authority.  God desires to bless us, but we must ask Him.  He desires to shine His face upon us, but He will not turn His face toward us without request.  The blessing is contingent upon the humility and the affection to ask.

         May the Lord bless you and keep you – and may you have the meekness to ask Him.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 4-10; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23)

Making plans is fine, but not merely making plans.  At some point, we have to put our hand on the shovel and start digging.  Stop talking about evangelism and start evangelizing.  Stop talking about doing good to others and start doing it.  A little good beats big talk every time.

The brave DO.

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Leviticus 25-27; Numbers 1-3; Psalm 14; Proverbs 14

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

If you have ever wondered why Christians get so upset over things like abortion laws, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the indoctrination of transgenderism in the school systems – this verse is why.

It isn’t because we hate homosexuals or we don’t care about women.  It is because we know what sin does to your life.  It will bring you sorrow and shame and pain and suffering in so many unintended ways.  Nobody is more acquainted with the awfulness of sin than Christians.  We chose Jesus because we realized how broken we were.

When the nation we love chooses the road that destroys us, we grieve.

Not because we hate… but because we love.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Leviticus 25-27; Numbers 1-3; Psalm 14; Proverbs 14

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

This explains how we have so many religious movements which contradict the Scriptures.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions.  It isn’t always bad people who start bad religion.

The only way you can have confidence that you are going to heaven is to learn how to get there from someone who has already been.  The Bible is the only roadmap because Jesus is the only risen Savior.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Leviticus 25-27; Numbers 1-3; Psalm 14; Proverbs 14 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.” (Proverbs 14:4)

Life is messy, but it is worth it. 

Marriage is messy.  Children are messy. Christians are messy.  Taking up your cross and following Jesus is messy.

You can have an easy, clean life, OR you can live a meaningful, Christ-filled life.  Pick one.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Leviticus 25-27; Numbers 1-3; Psalm 14; Proverbs 14 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“But you will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword.” (Leviticus 26:7-8)

We are impressed with the faith of David – a faith that caused a normal-sized man to defeat a large-sized man.  Without undervaluing David’s character, David’s victory was mustard seed in size compared to what Leviticus 26 says God can do.

Be bold.  The Goliath-sized problems in your life are tiny compared to what God has promised.

Doubts are from the devil.  If you knew you couldn’t fail – what righteous act would you do today?

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Leviticus 25-27; Numbers 1-3; Psalm 14; Proverbs 14 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision