Month: June 2018

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. – Proverbs 26:21

Peace is precious. Fighting is terrible. Gossip destroys reputations and friendships. Life can be enjoyable – peaceful and quiet. But some persons never let you rest and enjoy it; they must be stirring the pot and spreading rumors or secrets to cause pain and fighting.

Trouble follows some people. They have conflicts, debates, fights, grudges, and strife with others, whom they blame. But this proverb says it is their fault. Quarrels and disagreements would either not occur or would end quickly, but these contentious troublemakers stir up fights and keep fighting with most anyone (Pr 15:18; 29:22; 30:33).

The man or woman that often has difficulties with others wants to blame them. But it is impossible for strife to consistently follow good people, while the rest of the world lives in relative peace with one another. They must be at fault, because no one can get along with them for long. Once you identify such persons, they are usually the ones at fault.

Some are divorced or have bad marriages, because they cannot relate to a spouse. Their children dislike them – they are harsh parents. They have a poor work history – they fight on the job. They bounce from church to church – they wear out their welcome. They have few devoted friends, because they fight too much. No one wants to be around them.

At the same time, there are others who get along with most everyone, most of the time. They are good spouses, parents, employees, church members, and friends. What makes the difference? It is the chasm between a gracious peacemaker and contentious scorner. The one is approved by God and men; the other is resented by both God and men.

There are two similes in the proverb, as shown by the use of “as.” Coals added to burning coals cause a fire to increase. Wood added to a fire makes it hotter and larger. In the same way, men with proud and fighting spirits cause strife and increase fighting wherever they go (Pr 13:10). They start arguments, conflicts, debates, and quarrels with most everyone.

Examine yourself. Are you esteemed and loved as a gracious peacemaker? Or are you generally avoided as a critical person that causes problems most places you go? Are you expert at praising others, cooperating, forgiving offences, overlooking faults, and being submissive? Or is your reputation one of dogmatic arguing, a resentful attitude, vengeful conflicts, and generally lacking in mercy? Examine yourself. Others already know!

God has called His children to be peacemakers. You are to use all your spiritual power to live peaceably with all men (Matt 5:9; Rom 12:18; Eph 4:3; I Thess 5:13; Jas 3:17-18). The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, and peace (Gal 5:22). Godly and wise men will hate a contentious spirit in themselves or anyone else. They will recognize this terrible evil for what it is and avoid such men with all their might. They will promote peace at all times.

Thankfully, the Prince of Peace is coming soon, and He will rid the universe of those that like to argue, backbite, criticize, debate, fight, tattle, whisper, or slander (Ps 10:12-18; 12:1-4; 17:8-15; Is 29:20-21; Gal 5:19-21).

Are you prepared to meet Him? Live today in light of Judgment Day by being a peacemaker and ending all conflicts you can. God and good men will bless you for it, and you will also immediately see other benefits yourself.

Peace, Perfect Peace, In This Dark World of Sin – MHB 501

1 Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?

The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

2 Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?

To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

3 Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?

On Jesus’ bosom nought but calm is found

4 Peace, perfect peace with loved ones far away?

In Jesus’ keeping we are safe and they.

5 Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?

Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

6 Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?

Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

7 It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,

And Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.

Edward Henry Bickersteth, 1825-1906

Stay blessed!

Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and Uniiq 95.7 Fm – Saturdays 7:30 pm; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymns and their Stories & every Thursdays for Bible Studies at the Salt & Light office, Abelemkpe.

The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established forever.  – Proverbs 29:14 

INTRODUCTION

We see here a king who is not led astray by riches, but is fair to all of his subjects, rich and poor alike. We see a king with such good reputation with all of his subjects that his throne will pass on to the descendants. His people will be pleased with their government and will not want to overthrow it.

How governments treat the poor greatly affects nations. Solomon gave similar warnings elsewhere (Pr. 20:28; 28:16; 29:4). King Lemuel’s mother stressed it as well (Pr 31:8-9).

Your life also depends on how you treat the poor (Pr. 14:21; 19:17; 21:13; 28:8,27; 29:7). Here is a simple way for God’s blessings. Are you a defender and benefactor of the poor?

God established civil rulers as one of the five spheres of authority for the benefit of those who cannot defend themselves. Individual families cannot protect themselves in a time of war, so governments raise armies to protect the whole nation. The poor do not have the means to resist or defeat rich oppressors, so governments must intervene for them.

David wrote, “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in His holy habitation” (Ps. 68:5). Rulers that fear God and know His holy laws will defend widows and their children. Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar he could preserve his tranquility by showing mercy to the poor (Dan 4:27). This is a rule of godly and wise political science.

The poor – widows, their children, or others – need protectors from those that might take advantage of them due to their vulnerability and weakness. Therefore, God ordained civil government and established laws for their protection (Pr 22:22-23; 23:10-11; Ex 22:22-24; Deut 27:19; Ps 12:5). This rule of wisdom is important to God and should be to you.

Nations rise and fall by their care of the poor, where the poor are those with an act of God in their lives. God has no respect for socialist theories in welfare states. Only a person rendered nearly helpless by an act of God is to receive charity, and their only needs He accepts are food, clothing, shelter, and emergency medical care. Variations become sin.

America boasts on her Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Yet, she suctions unborn children limb from limb at the rate of 3000 per day, 1.2 million per year, though they yearn to breathe free! Unborn children are truly poor, should be protected, and will surely be avenged (Ex 21:22-25).

National crimes are known by public policies, and the fall of those nations under God’s judgment will also be known. What does God think of nations shedding innocent blood? “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure” (Ps 2:4-5). 

What about you? True religion is more than a church service or religious activities – it includes serving the poor and needy and living a holy life (Jas 1:27). Giving to the poor in faith to God shows eternal life (Matt 25:31-46; I Tim 6:17-19). God looks for those that do such things to bless them both now and later (Deut 15:7-10; Ps 41:1; Is 58:5-12).

Do you understand God’s priority of proper charity? The Bible plainly teaches God’s will for your care for the poor. He defines the poor; He sets the order of your care; He defines true needs. You must help the truly poor in your family first, then those in your church, then those of the true faith, and then those He puts before you in your ordinary business.

Agreeing with this proverb, Jesus Christ’s throne is established forever (Ps 45:6-7; Heb 1:8-9). He healed the poor of all diseases, blessed the poor in spirit, preached the gospel to them, converted extortioners and oppressors, taught the rich to entertain them, and had a bag of donations for desperate needs. If you have taken His name, are you like Him?

Conclusion

1 Hark, my soul, it is the Lord;

’tis thy Saviour, hear his word;

Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,

‘Say, poor sinner, lov’st thou me?

2 ‘I delivered thee when bound,

And, when wounded, healed thy wound;

Sought thee wandering, set thee right,

Turned thy darkness into light.

3 ‘Can a woman’s tender care

Cease towards the child she bare?

Yes, she may forgetful be,

yet will I remember thee.

4 ‘Mine is an unchanging love,

Higher than the heights above,

Deeper than the depths beneath,

Free and faithful, strong as death.

5 ‘Thou shalt see my glory soon,

When the work of grace is done;

Partner of my throne shalt be:

Say, poor sinner, lov’st thou me?’

6 Lord, it is my chief complaint

That my love is weak and faint;

Yet I love thee, and adore;

O for grace to love thee more!

The words of ‘Hark, my soul! It is the Lord’ (MHB 432) are instructive. Our Heavenly Father is compassionate and has a heart for the poor and needy and so is the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stay blessed!

Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and Uniiq 95.7 Fm – Saturdays 7:30 pm; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymns and their Stories & every Thursdays for Bible Studies at the Salt & Light office, Abelemkpe.