Baptist City Blog

- Tuesday, 1/31/17  Proverbs 27:22, Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. Do you keep getting punished or going through the same consequences over and over for your behavior? There’s a term for that...   
                                Psalm 51:1-2, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Mercy, forgiveness, the blotting out of transgressions are all instantaneous occurrences that come to us simply for asking. (See 1 John 1:9.) However, being “washed” and “cleansed” from the sin is often a long process. Those things involve changing the character and thinking and attitudes. We very well may have to pray and pray and pray for washing and cleansing. (In other words, don’t think your battle is over and the victory is won simply because you acknowledged your errors to the Lord. Your battle has just began at that point.)

 

- Wednesday, 2/1/17  Proverbs 28:3, A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. We’ve all been hurt or sick or sin-full or a little backslidden or selfish or proud or lonely, but when we are “broken,” we should be more empathetic toward those “like us.” Are you?                             It’s an old truth, but just to remind all of us: our true adversaries do not walk on 2 legs and breathe air. The problem is not that our spouse or parents or kids or boss or neighbors are jerks and unreasonable and have no character. The problem is that our human “enemy” is made of flesh, and is very possibly being influenced to some degree by demonic powers. Ephesians 6:12, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. So, cut your human adversary some slack, and pray for them.

 

- Thursday, 2/2/17  Luke 14:11, For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. The words “abased” and “humbleth” are the same. The question is, do you want to have it done TO you or would you prefer to do it to yourself?                                 Ephesians 6:13a, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God... Putting on armor carries the connotation that you will be HIT. It’s not a force field that keeps you from a jarring impact, just from a debilitating injury. You’re gonna be hit; you will be hurt, but not be damaged. You may “get your bell rung” but not suffer decapitation.

 

- Friday, 2/3/17  Proverbs 28:13, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Do you tend to be more of a “cover-er” or a “confess-er”? An “apologize-er” or a “justify-er”?                           Ephesians 6:13, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. To “withstand” means to actively oppose the enemy. Many Christians fail to put their armor on, while others, having put it on, expect the enemy to run in fear. No, “it’s a battlefield brother, not a recreation room; it’s a fight, not a game.”

 

- Saturday, 2/4/17  Proverbs 29:3, A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Would you prefer to be “held high” or “forced low”? It’s a choice we all have to make but it comes with the labels of “proud” or “humble,” (i.e. “humiliated.”)                                    Ephesians 6:13, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Be sure that when all is said and done, that you’re still standing. The implication is that if we wear the armor of God, He won’t allow us to fall. (“There hath no temptation...above that ye are able...” “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee...”)

 

- Sunday, 2/5/17  Proverbs 30:5, Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Shields protect us from damage, not from getting hit. Don’t be surprised if you feel the impact of a blow: the shield keeps you from damage, not confrontation.                            Ephesians 6:13-14, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness... Notice the “therefore.” Actually, v14 tells of the preparation, while v13 speaks of the battle. So, v14 is first. How can we “withstand” and “stand” in v13? By properly standing in v14-18 and in the proper attire. This is a formula for successful Christian living.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Matt 5:32, But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery. It’s very important that we take our marriage vows very seriously and teach our children. Divorce should not be an option for a child of God.

 

- Pro 1:5, A wise man will hear, and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel. The true character of a man will be revealed in his willingness to listen, to be constantly learning, and in his choice of advisors and counsellors.

 

- Matt 6:7, But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. The prayer life, or lack thereof, is usually revealed by the length and content of one’s public prayers.

 

- Ps 107:9, He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. These appetites must be developed on purpose, and won’t come naturally.