A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
Comments
#And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, the LORD is God of the hills, be He is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 1 Kings 20:28 Jesus Christ is Lord
#Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Love never fails
The Greek word for charity is Agape, meaning Love, i.e., affection or benevolence. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never fails, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Love never fails. Paul is telling us about the greatest kind of love, agapē, which is affection or benevolence. This is the love that never fails. The problem is that not all love is agape; some is friendship love, or eros for intimate love, and this kind of love does fail. So it is why so many marriages fail because it is not based on agape love. We need this type of love in marriage for it to be a marriage that will not fail. If there is good friendship and intimacy, that is good, but they will not pass the test of time. Jesus asked Peter, Lovest thou Me more than these, and Peter replied Yes, Lord, but it was a friendship love, and we know that Peter denied the Lord three times. Jesus wanted Peter to respond with agape love
#And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning , your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. 2 Corinthians 7:7 God comforts the mourning for repentance
The Greek word for consolation is Paraklesis, meaning an entreaty, an exhortation, a comfort, and solace. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. For when we were in Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless, God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorrowful to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
God comforts the mourning for repentance. Paul has written an epistle that led to the godly sorrow of the brother who took his father's stepwife, and this sorrow led the church to repentance. This is the godly sorrow God wants us to have so that we will repent of our sins of commission and omission. But worldly sorrow leads or worketh death. We are in the 36th day of the Government Shutdown, which has caused worldly sorrow. It is time for our Congress to repent and do the right thing for the federal workers and the American people who are suffering no snap benefits to feed their families. God comforts the mourning for repentance, and will have this Shutdown ended. Just as God comforted the Corinthians in Macedonia with the coming of Titus. I pray that the President will sit down with the Republicans and Democrats and seek a godly end to this Government Shutdown and open the Government so the Military and federal workers can be paid and the people receive their SNAP benefits. For God is not willing that any would perish, but that all would come to repentance unto salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus told the people their desire must be to repent and do the will of God by living a godly life. Thank God that Paul preached the message of repentance in his epistle, and many people were saved because of this. More ministers need to preach this gospel so others will repent too and join the church and be baptized. The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, for a change of mind. So change your mind about Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul.
#Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Philippians 3:13. Forget what is behind
The Greek word for apprehended is Katalambano, meaning to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc., to comprehend or perceive. That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded, and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Forget what is behind. Dementia is an awful illness that causes us to forget things; usually, the short-term memory goes first. Paul is saying to forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before. So to forget is sometimes a good thing. We must not only forget our mistakes, but also forget our successes. We have to seize and possess those things which God wants us to have. Perfection is what we desire, but none of us is perfect. So we have to endeavor to apprehend perfection. That is why Paul says I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This is what we are to be thus minded, and know that if in anything else ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Memories are great, but the most important thing we must desire is to be like Jesus. For one day, we shall see Him as He is, being fashioned like unto His glorious body. Therefore, let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, even though He was equal unto God, He humbled Himself to death on the cross, and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven. We, too, must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and in due season He will exalt us. Being like Jesus in the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, and made conformable unto His death.
#Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 He will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Jesus.
The Greek word for peace is Eirene, for prosperity, and rest. He that loveth Me not keepeth not my sayings, and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent Me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it is come, ye might believe. Hereafter, I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.
He will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Jesus. God the Father sent Jesus to go to the cross to die for our sins, and when we keep our minds stayed on Jesus, He, the Holy Spirit, will keep us in perfect peace. This is the true prosperity and rest that we find when we place all our faith in the shed blood of Jesus on the cross for our sins. Now, thank God that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven interceding for you and me. Therefore, let us bear His reproach outside the camp until He comes in the clouds to take us home. Jesus said Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions, and if it were not so I would have told you. Behold, I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, ye may be also. So thank God the prince of this world, who is Satan, was defeated on the cross, and is awaiting his final judgment in the Lake of Fire. Therefore, let us be stedfast and unmoverable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.
#And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29 Look to Jesus and live.
The Greek word for "offend" is "skandalizo," meaning to entrap, i.e., trip up, to stumble, to entice to sin, apostasy, or displeasure. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery; But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh at a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery in his heart. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement; But I say unto you, That whosover shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery
Look to Jesus and live, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone, and it is a real place. So be careful not to offend or scandalize anyone. If you have been released from a wife, seek not a wife. For it is better to serve the Lord with your whole body than to be bound to a wife. The Lord has promised never to leave us or to forsake us. Let your yay be yay, and your nay be nay. For God does not take pleasure in us when we are inconsistent. Do not put away thy wife except she has committed fornication, or you will cause her to commit adultery. Look not to the left or the right, but look straight ahead, so that your feet will not stumble. It is my prayer that you will live by the Sermon on the Mount, look to Jesus, and live.
#Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Revelation 9:21 Jesus will purge sin from the earth
The Greek word for sorceries is Pharmakeia, for the use of drugs, potions, and enchantments. poisoning, the occult, witchcraft. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men who were not killed by their plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.
Jesus will purge sin from the earth when He comes the second time. The world just celebrated Halloween, and this pagan holiday has become almost as popular as Christmas. Jesus came as a Babe in a manger as the Son of God, and the Son of man. He told us that because sin will be unbound, the love of many will wax cold. Murders, drug manifestations, fornication, and thefts are rampant, and the police, who are supposed to investigate and solve these crimes, are caught up in the cover-up due to corruption. God will unleash some serpent-like creatures in the tribulation that will be used to punish men for their crimes. Despite these judgments being carried out, men will continue to do evil because the love of money is the root of all evil. As a minister of the gospel, it is my job to warn you to repent if you are caught up in these sins, for be sure your sins will find you out. If I fail to tell you of these judgments, God will hold me accountable for their blood. It is my prayer that you will turn to Jesus Christ before the great day of His wrath comes on the earth.
#There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:12 Judge not lest ye be judged
The Greek word for Lawgiver is Nomothetes meaning a legislator. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Judge not lest ye be judged. There is not a righteous man who does good, and sinneth not. Be ye reconciled to God and make no provisions for the flesh to fulfill it's lust. For the Lord will judge every one, and the books will be opened. All those whose names are not found in the Lamb's Book of life shall be cast into the Lake of Fire. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, for there is coming a day when He shall not be found. Search me O God, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and if there be, lead me in the way everlasting. Create in me a clean heart and renew a stedfast spirit in me. Call upon the Lord and let your weeping turn to sorrow, and consecrate yourselves unto the will of the Lord. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. May the Lord who is our light shine in our hearts, and deliver us from every path of evil, and bring us into His eternal kingdom.
#For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Let your light shine
The Greek word for light is Phos, meaning luminousness, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative. to make manifest. But if our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made in our body.
Let your light shine, that men may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Praise God, we are more victorious in Christ Jesus every day. Thank the Lord I can do all things in Christ Jesus, who gives me strength. Let us not be anxious about these light afflictions, which are more glorious in Christ Jesus our Lord. Be ready always to answer everyone who asks you. God is light, and there is no darkness in Him, so let your light shine and do good works. Pray for those who despitefully use you, bless and do not curse them, for so did they unto the prophets. We are workers in the Lord's vineyard, so let us be found faithful in what He has called us to do. Jesus has promised that what is right He will pay.
#Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalms 43:5 From hopelessness to Hope
The Hebrew word for disquieted is Hamah, meaning to make a loud sound, to mourn, to be troubled, or to make a tumult, to be in an uproar. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? Why am I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
From hopelessness to hope, King David plays his harp to come out of depression. Music is a great help in mental illnesses, as it helps me in times of sorrow. That is why Psalms are hymns in the Bible, and they are comforting to us because they teach us how to hope in God, the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. I hope that if you find yourself in an uproar, you will read this Psalm and use a musical instrument to praise God and lift your soul out of depression. If you are suffering from clinical depression, then see a health care professional or call 988
Many people are suffering in silence because of the stigma of mental illness. This has to stop from hopelessness to hope. God is an ever-present help in a time of trouble. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Ask yourself these questions, so you can get the help you need and do not remain in depression in silence. It is my prayer that the God of all comfort will console you, with music, and with a song in the night. Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 386 Next