Part 3 – “Overflowing Barns”

“Honor the Lord with your wealth.” (The Result? – “your barns will overflow”) It is God’s law of the harvest! I am going to spend a little more time on this one. I know what you are thinking – “Here he goes talking about tithing!” Well, the law of the harvest is much more than that. It is a fact, another truth, that applies whether you believe it or not.

Galatians 6:7-10 - “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruct-tion; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

    One thing I want you to notice about this law is that although I may give many examples, I really have no specific subject. In other words, you can apply this principle to a physical garden, to finances, to relationships, to attitudes, and so on. The subject is up to you; but the law does not change…it is the law of sowing and reaping.

    There are a lot of things to talk about like; #1 - “You only reap what is sown”. If you sow an apple seed, you will not reap an oak tree. #2 - “We usually don’t have an immediate harvest.” In other words, you sow in one season and reap in another. #3 - “We reap proportionately more than we sow”. You can sow one potato with three eyes, and reap a bushel; We can sow a little love, and reap many friendships. #4 - “A full harvest requires a lot of work and maintenance and perseverance.” The laws of the harvest are absolute – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

    Man cannot just ignore God’s eternal, absolute laws. The word “whatever” makes this law all inclusive; it applies to everything we sow, that’s why the subject is up to you. Peas = Peas…Watermelon = watermelon… Love = love… You cannot sow discord and produce unity. You cannot sow lies and produce truth. You cannot sow sin and produce holiness! Only what is sown.

    These laws of the harvest are also both positive and negative in their consequences. We think mostly in terms of paying the consequences of wrong actions, but there are also positive consequences for right actions! Life is filled with choices; and those choices affect us as well as others, and the consequences good or bad may or may not be immediate.

    All of life comes from antecedent life. In other words from the labor and sowing of others. We are reaping today what others had sown either naturally or purposely; either by God or by man. The harvest, once again, may be positive or negative. Here is an example from Deuteronomy 6:10; “When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you – a land with large flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, vineyards and olive groves you did not plant, then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord…”

    On the positive side, we have what is called the “blessings of common grace.” This means that God is gracious toward all men whether they realize it or not; whether they acknowledge God or not. Matthew 5:45 says “God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the evil and the good, on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 17:24 tells us that God made the world and everything in it (for our use or misuse)…that’s freedom of choice…that’s common grace.

    We also reap the blessings of what others have sown like; the freedoms we enjoy; the Bibles we carry; the technology we have today; are just some of the harvest we are reaping because of what others have sown…some with their very lives. (More on this subject next week.)

The right path.

Part 2 - Principles of wisdom

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” – “In all your ways acknowledge Him” - (Result? – “he will make your paths straight”.) I have written about this before… What paths?  What does it mean to “trust with all your heart?” What does it mean “in all things acknowledge Him?” Let me quote from my own words concerning Straight Paths – “Life has been rightly called a “labyrinth”. Webster defines a labyrinth as “an intricate combination of paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way or reach the exit.” Life is certainly full of many different paths, false steps, dead-ends, wrong turns, and we can easily make unwise decisions. The question is; “How do we make good, right choices that will lead us through the maze of life and avoid the pitfalls and consequences of unwise decisions?” (“By His Hand” pg 58)

    The Book of Proverbs, says it is written “for attaining wisdom, discipline, and understanding”. It not only shows us the right way to get through the labyrinth of life, but also describes for us in no uncertain terms, that we “reap what we sow”.          

    These words encompass several things. First, there is the insinuation of guidance; “He will make” means that God will guide us when faced with choices and decisions. Second, is the issue of “straight” paths verses “crooked” paths. Crooked paths symbolize the junkyards and swamps, the ditches and scars and bitterness that are the consequences of wrong and unwise decisions. The wisdom of “straight paths” means freedom from the baggage many of us are dragging through life; and not being encumbered with painful memories and indiscretions of the past. The good news is that it is never too late to get off of the road of hurt and painful decisions, and get on the straight paths of God’s Word.     

    There is a goal in mind, and an end in sight. There is an exit to find and a hope for true freedom. God created us for a purpose. He has a goal in mind, and he desires to help us find it while achieving our purpose along the way. However, all this is preceded by something required of us – “Trust in the Lord with all our heart”; “Leaning not on our own understanding”; and, “in all your ways acknowledge Him.” This promise comes with some “ifs”… If we do our part, God will do His part.”

    “Do not be wise in your own eyes” – “fear the Lord and shun evil” – Result? – “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” What does it mean to “fear the Lord?” - In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot, or thinking you know a lot. Being “wise in your own eyes” is thinking you are  wise enough to conduct all affairs in life by your own discretion; or in matters of religion wiser than your teachers, and even wiser than the Scriptures. It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life. The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord—to honor and respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his Word. Faith in God should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes, and your actions. Trust in God—he will make you truly wise. Our lives are to be ones that constantly seek the Lord and His wisdom and instruction. There is only One who knows it all and it is not the person that you see when you look in the mirror.

  This is on the cover of my newest book. I don’t know if it is a “forget-me-knot” or a “Do knot”…

Once again, I must start with a lot of scripture; but with good reason.

Let’s go to chapter 3 of Proverbs, verses1-35 a writing filled with things we should do and many “do not’s”; (All emphasis is mine)

“My son, (do not) forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ (Do)Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

⁵  (Do)Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

⁷ (Do not) be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ (Do)Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, (do not) despise the Lord’s discipline, and (do not) resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.^[b]

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son, (do not) let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

²⁷  (Do not) withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
²⁸ (Do not) say to your neighbor “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.
²⁹ (Do not) plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
³⁰ (Do not) accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.

³¹ (Do not) envy the violent or choose any of their ways.

³² For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
³³ The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
³⁵ The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.”

    Solomon starts off with a very matter of fact statement – “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Those are a couple of good blessings right? Who doesn’t want long life and prosperity?

    Then he gives some very specific details of some principles that we should live by in order to have long life, prosperity, and peace:

Principle #1. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (What is the Result? – favour; a good name in the sight of God and man.) 

    Once again, in order to truly understand what we are reading, we have to define some words like; Love and Faithfulness. As a pastor and a Christian I have to tell you that there is only one true definition of love. It is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. I am sure you have heard this scripture many times, especially at weddings. However, this defines not only the love between a husband and wife, but also the kind of love we ought to have and show toward one another. And, may I say, even toward God himself.  Look at it, and put your name before all the things that are listed about love – For instance, Pastor Fred is patient; Pastor Fred is kind; and so on. How do you measure up? How do you measure up with your spouse? How about with your fellow man? How about with God? Forget about love being that warm, fuzzy, feeling…these are what true love is all about! This scripture not only defines what love is but also what love is not - or does not do;

“Love is patient”;

“Love is Kind”;

“Love does not envy”;

“Love does not boast”;

“Love is not proud”;

“Love does not dishonor others”;

“Love is not self-seeking”;

“Love is not easily angered”;

“Love keeps no record of wrongs”;

“Love does not delight in evil”;

“Love rejoices with the truth”;

“Love always protects”;

“Love always trusts”;

“Love always hopes”;

“Love always perseveres”;

“Love never fails”.  (1^st. Corinthians 13:4-8)

    Did you put your name in place of the word love? How did you measure up? If you are like me, we are not as wise as we thought, and we need more learning!

    What about Faithfulness? Well, it is defined as “allegiance; loyalty; a strong sense of responsibility; reliable.” Once again, we can apply these things to a marriage; to our relationship with God; as well as to one another. What kind of person are you? Are you loving? Are you faithful? Do you find favor with God and man…or is your life a constant case of chaos and unhappiness and trying to be someone you are not? I’m just sayin…

Next week – Principle #2 See you then!

Today I am going to begin posting from my newest book “Principles from Proverbs”

    The Book of Proverbs is unlike the rest of the Bible. It’s not a story like Exodus or Job or most of the Old Testament; it is not a letter like Romans or Ephesians or any of the Epistle letters; it’s not prophecy like Isaiah or Revelation; and, it’s not poetry like Psalms. In other words, Proverbs stands alone unlike any other Book of the Bible. It is called a collection of wise sayings. We usually read it in small doses, like a daily devotional. It seems like a collection of unrelated, unconnected sayings that sort of jump all over the place, but when we look closer we will find that within the Book of Proverbs there are definite themes that emerge. The main theme is “wisdom” which is connected with the “fear of the Lord”. Within the main theme of Wisdom there are several principles, all of which are connected to wisdom because they are wise things that will guide our life in a positive, prosperous, and blessed direction; bringing about, what I believe to be, the “abundant life” with positive results. This is not an exhaustive study of the Book of Proverbs, but rather a look at scriptures of my own choosing. It is my goal simply to bring a better understanding of life through God’s Word. It would behoove us all to pray for wisdom.

    Before I can say or teach anything, I have to let the Word of God speak through the purpose and theme of the Book of Proverbs, written by Israel’s wisest man, King Solomon:

¹ “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
    the sayings and riddles of the wise.

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

    There are three things that I like to consider when I study God’s Word; first, is to look at specific words – especially repetitive words used in the text; second, is to look at the admonition or instruction to us as Christians; and third, is to ask the question: “What is the result (positive or negative) of my action or non action?”

    So, here are the words of purpose in this scripture: “For gaining, or attaining;
Wisdom, Instruction, Understanding, Prudence, Knowledge, Discretion, and Guidance.” I don’t know of anyone in this world whose life would not be better, and whose character would not benefit from any of these things! These words all go together like fingers on a hand. They all together could fall under the banner of “Wisdom”.

    The admonition to us as Christians is found in verse 5: “let the wise listen and add to their learning.” This seems rather strange to me that it says “let the wise listen”. I think it might be better interpreted; “Let those who think they are wise, or who think they know it all, listen and add to their learning.” None of us is ever too old to learn from God’s Word.

    The positive result of doing so is found in verse 23: “Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.” The negative results of not doing so are found in verses 26-31: “I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways.” Wow!

As I said, this is not an exhaustive study, but I am up to 12 principles which we will look at in the coming weeks. Wisdom will bring you understanding, and wisdom will protect you, and in fact, wisdom will save you from some bad consequences in your life.” Who can argue with truth?

See you next week, and thanks for following.

This is rather lengthy, but I wanted to finish my thoughts on the "race".

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

    Perhaps this is a minor point, but I think it is an important one to mention: each of us has to run the race which God has set before us. In one sense, we are all running the same race: that of faithfulness to our calling to follow Christ. But in another sense we each have a particular race which God has set before US. We can’t run ANYONE ELSE’S RACE; we can’t run the race we WISH was ours; We can only run the race which is SET BEFORE US. We each have a different race. Mine is not yours; yours is not mine; ours is different from others’. We each have our own race, the one which God has set before us. You might wish that circumstances could be changed, and that you could run a different race, but you can’t. THE ONLY RACE YOU CAN RUN IS THE ONE WHICH IS SET BEFORE YOU! So determine to run the race that is set before you, whatever it is, with all that God gives you. You are not going to be judged because you didn’t run someone else’s race. You are going to be judged by how you ran the one that God chose to set in front of YOU! O.K. I think you get the point.

    I want to take a look at some directions in life with the Apostle Paul as he writes to the Philippian church; Philippians 3:12-21 – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

    All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

    Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

    In this portion of Paul’s letter, I find some key words that speak of direction in life; First - Paul says, take a look backward - with the words “forgetting what is behind;” Then he takes a look forward with the words “straining toward what is ahead;” Next, he takes a look upward in the words “toward the goal for which God has called me heavenward;” And, finally, he takes a look inward with the words “not that I have obtained all this, or been made perfect;” So, Paul looks at life backward, forward, upward, and inward, and so will we.

    I’m sure that you all have heard the saying; “You can’t be in two places at one time”…well, I’m not so sure that that is true. We, as Christians, have a unique role to play. We really are people who live in two places at one time. We are called to be human; born of the flesh, earth people; and, at the same time we are called by our new spiritual birth, to be heavenly people. That calling is to tell other “earth” people who live in this physical realm, of what the other “heavenly realm” is like and why they need to be a part of it!

    Look at the last part of verse 18 again; “many live as enemies of the Cross of Christ…their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, their mind is on earthly things.” “But” says Paul, “our citizenship is in heaven.” Even though we now live in a different land, a different place, a different country, a different planet called Earth, our true citizenship is in heaven. What is the problem with that? Some are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good - And, some are so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good! It’s the problem of becoming so involved in the world’s philosophy, that instead of bringing heaven to earth, we let the earthly things rob us of our heavenly joy!

    It’s the danger of materialism or “having their minds on earthly things” as Paul puts it. It is the danger of sensual obsession - “Their god is their stomach” says Paul, and we know that that can mean several things. It may literally mean food; it may mean lust; it may mean covetousness; it is a physical desire that is an obsession of any kind that comes before God and goes against His desire for our lives. When this happens, there is the danger as well of the world “infecting” the church more than the church is “affecting” the world! The Apostle Paul says when that happens it’s time to take a look around…and I am going to change the order just a bit;

    A look backward at sin; - It’s gone! It’s forgiven! It’s thrown “into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered again!” We can’t play the “coulda, shoulda, woulda” game with the past. “Forget all that”, says Paul. Not that we should forget “from whence we came” but, don’t dwell on the past, nor live in the past. We can’t look back on the “good ole’ days” and depend on them today. We live in a different world, a different time, a different generation. We also can’t look back on our salvation and say, “That’s good enough” - God’s Word tells us that we need to “work out” our salvation. It’s O.K. to reminisce about the past, but the reality is, we live in the present, and we ought to be concerned about the future.

    Next, Paul takes an upward look. In this, Paul borrows on the analogy of an athlete. Paul is ready to fix his heart, mind, and soul, on the prize, on the goal. We must bear the pain of sacrifice and suffering, and the discipline of training and preparing, if we are to be winners for eternity. Walk the beach along the Ocean; pick up a single grain of sand; it represents an earthly, momentary, pleasure compared to eternity. We have a heaven-ward call that is worth far more than a single pleasure here on earth.

    Then Paul takes an inward look. By the way, there is a danger as well in looking back and looking up; and that is to become dissatisfied with where we are! This is why the mature experience teaches us to look inward to find balance. Paul says “I’m not there yet!” “I’m far from perfect!” “I have a lot to learn and do!” The Christian life is one of constant learning and growing. To stop growing is not a sign of maturity; it is a sign of arrested development.

    Finally, Paul looks forward. Back in verse 12 he says “I press on” and in verse 13 he says “I strain toward what is ahead.” The words in the Greek meant to “pursue relentlessly!” This isn’t a Sunday stroll in the park, this is a race, it’s a race against time; it’s a race against a more than able opponent, and, it needs to be run with diligence and determination until we cross the finish line. I have looked in the Bible, and although it says you can retire at age fifty, it is speaking of working, not learning; or growing; or running the race…the race is lifelong.

    Perhaps we could add one more; We need to take a look around, and see the number of people who don’t even know there is a race going on!

    1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

    In 1st. Timothy 4:7 it is explained very clearly. “Discipline yourselves for the purpose of godliness. For physical training is of some value, but godliness” - or Christ-likeness,“has value for both this life and the life to come.” I am talking about the disciplines in life that promote spiritual growth. They are what I would call the “habits” of devotion that have been practiced by people of God for over 2000 years. Have you developed any “habits” of discipline for the purpose of “godliness?”

    Whether it’s playing the guitar, playing football, becoming an expert carpenter, a successful business man, or a master mom… we can decide that it’s just too much work and not worth the effort… or we can forget what we are, think about what we shall become, and discipline ourselves to do what it takes to get there!

    You see, discipline without direction is drudgery. If your vision of a disciplined Christian life is a grim, tight-lipped, joyless, half-robot, mixture of lemon and prunes kind of person…you’ve missed the point! That kind of person is more like pepper in the world than salt!

    2 Peter 1:3-12 says - “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.Through these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” ( Now, notice the progression of growth here…) “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control perseverance; and to perseverance godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. For if you possess these things in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord”

    2 Timothy 2:5 – “Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”

    Practice makes perfect. It is only when you practice at your skill that you can perfect your execution of it. Training requires self-discipline and commitment. You have to respect the game if you want to excel in it and be recognized as a worthy professional. You cannot cut corners. You cannot circumvent the rules. You have to be willing to compete with others on a level playing field and not seek a false advantage through illegal equipment or drug enhance-ment.

    There are rules of life. Jesus made them quite clear. “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)

    We need to pass on to the next generation the rules of life that we must follow if we are to win the victor’s crown. They need to know about faithfulness, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, generosity, compassion, self-control, kindness, patience and truthfulness. If we don’t pass them on our marriages, families, businesses, social and political life will deteriorate into chaos. We will all be losers for it. To be winners we need to follow the rules whether we like them or not. We are not here to make up the rules to suit ourselves. Winning requires the humility to recognize our limitations and to respect the One who has set the rules for us to follow.

    In 2 Timothy 4:6-7 the Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, wrote these words to his beloved Timothy; “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Go for the gold!