Marching Forth!

The apostle Paul observed in 1 Corinthians 8:1 , " Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies ."  We live in a day when vast amounts of information is available to us online, and this fits with what the angel predicted in the latter part of  Daniel 12:4 :  " But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase ."  As knowledge increases potentially pride does as well.  Though in many situations we only know what we have heard, pride asserts it knows what has happened, will happen or what should be done. The way knowledge can be rightly tempered is by walking in the love of God.  Having received the love of God by grace through faith in Jesus, those who are born again are filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit to wield knowledge to glorify God and edify the church--not to attack others or for self-promotion.  People are running to and fro to gain more knowledge, to ...

Yesterday I read a meme which contained a quote I have seen attributed to the stoic Seneca:  " The wise man is neither raised up by prosperity nor cast down by adversity; for always he has striven to rely predominantly on himself, and to derive all joy from himself ."  What was intended to be a "mic-drop" quote fell flat with a whimper, for this reeks of the wisdom of man which is foolishness with God.  Words are not true or insightful because they were recorded from ancient times but because they agree with God who is our Wisdom and words God has spoken.  This empty philosophy is completely without footing, a humanist ideal which fails entirely because it depends upon the strength of mortal, flawed men. A careful read of this statement reveals it to be self-defeating and contradictory.  Because men are continually raised up by prosperity and cast down by adversity it could be truly said there is not a wise man among us.  " The fear of the LORD is the begin...

As king Solomon wrapped up his discourse, he wrote in  Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 :  " The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12  And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh ."  The words we speak make a difference in the lives of others for good when we are led by the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ who is wisdom for us.  Many people who will not consider listening to a sermon or reading a book by a Christian author (much less the Bible itself!) can be impacted by godly, wise speech.  At times it seems pastors or professors are not seen to be worth their salt unless they have written at least one acclaimed book, but Solomon pointed out how there is no end to making books.  The implication is books, however insightful and useful, have a limit of effect and impact which demands another.  There will nev...

" The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law ." Deuteronomy 29:29 This verse ministered to my heart this morning as I considered it.  The first thing to be observed is there are secret things only God knows.  I can often be troubled by what I do not know, and it is possible the thing I desire to know will remain secret and unknown to me because it is only God's to know.  Since the LORD knows all things, nothing is hidden or a secret to Him.  Because He is the almighty, supreme God and is good, I can rest comfortably though secrets are kept from me. The second point which struck me is my LORD and Creator has chosen to reveal Himself and His wisdom to me.  God delights to reveal Himself to the soul who seeks and trusts Him, and the revelations of God are to be passed on to our children.  God directed His people to teach their children o...