Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

- Tuesday, 12/18/18  Proverbs 10:9, He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. This doesn’t mean one sins and another doesn’t. It means that one owns up to and confesses his failures, and the other pretends it didn’t happen, or there was a justification for it.                                  (#3 of 7) Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ...an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.  This sin is unjust judgments rendered; and unjust convictions handed down. Do you believe gossip? Do you spread it? Never consider ways in which the accused could be right or the accuser wrong? Or if the accuser might have an ulterior motive in accusing, or be trying to shine the light away from himself? Abominable.                                    Are there any relationships in your life that are estranged? What are you doing to fix the relationship? Do you have something to confess and apologize for? Here’s what God says: Matthew 5:23-24, Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  “No, they offended me.” OK, what does God say? Matthew 18:15, Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. At all times, we are to humbly go to our brother and love them.  God’s will is that His children get along. Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! So, in this Christmas season, are you doing ALL you can do to fix the relationships in your life? Or, is your heart hardened? “I just don’t want that person in my life anymore...” If it’s a relative, they’re there. And remember, God always says that you and I have a beam in our eyes and our adversaries only have splinters, so “THEIR sin” is not what is paramount in HIS eyes.
 
- Wednesday, 12/19/18  Proverbs 10:13b, ...a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. God won’t force compliance to His laws, but there are consequences for not doing it His way. Each of us must honestly and frequently self-critique our level of diligence to submit to His plans.                                    (#4 of 7) Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ...an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.  This is a heart that doesn’t match the exterior of the body; a heart that is dreaming/wishing about “forbidden fruit”; one that is quick to say, “what’s wrong with that” instead of “what’s right with the alternative.” Abominable.
 
- Thursday, 12/20/18  “Why do you have these standards or beliefs or practices? I don’t see it that way...” John 7:17, If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. Perhaps it’s not your brain that doesn’t get it, it’s your heart.                                   (#5 of 7) Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ...feet that be swift in running to mischief.  This is a person with no self-restraint concerning sin; the inability to say “No” to a temptation; one with an eagerness to do wrongly; one living a double standard. Abominable.
 
- Friday, 12/21/18  Psalm 96:10, Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved. We don’t have to be pompous, but we are commanded to remind the heathen Who is in charge of this world.                           (#6 of 7) Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ...a false witness that speaketh lies.  This would be lying in serious times, to hurt a person deeply. (A “witness” would refer to legal situations. The “casual lies” were covered earlier in the passage.) Are there any possible situations where a lie is acceptable in your mind because the person “deserves” their punishment? “Any and all means to get the conviction” are acceptable?  Abominable.
 
- Saturday, 12/22/18  Encourage yourself: read the first several verses of Psalm 104 out loud and think on the content. Here’s the first verse (aloud): Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.                               (#7 of 7) Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ...he that soweth discord among brethren.  This would entail being a non-peacemaker; spreading lies or even bad truth about other believers; innuendos; gossip; not giving the benefit of a few dozen doubts; not cutting off someone who is spreading garbage. Would you ever say, “Well, they DESERVE it...”? And what do you deserve? Front row recognition in Heaven? A standing O from all the angels? Get real. Abominable.
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