(All Scripture Quotations are from the King James Bible)A Daily Look at God's Word with some thoughts to Help you in your Christian Walk.
July 4, 2008
Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people."
Today is the day that we as a nation celebrate our independence and liberty. More than 200 years ago, our fathers fought for the freedom from tyranny, and the right to worship God freely according to the dictates of our hearts.
Much has taken place since that monumental day. We have fought wars with other nations, fought with our own neighbors on our own continent. We have enjoyed prosperity and endured tragedy. We have seen the rise and fall of many evil men, and we have watched our nation grown into an international leader in the world community.
What made us great in the beginning was our belief and faith in God. All of our documents, and all of those who wrote them, expressed their belief in a Divine Creator who was actively involved in the affairs of mankind. We have watch much of what our forefathers believed and fought for, began to vanish in the midst of humanism and liberalism.
But the most important change that we have seen take place is the exaltation of unrighteousness in our society. We have experiened the downfall of our moral foundation and we are living to see our faith become victim to the attacks of our political leaders.
Whenever a nation forgets her roots, and begins to forget and forsake God, that nation is in serious danger. We have taken away the value of right, so therefore unrighteousness reigns. We have taken away our faith in God, so therefore unbelief reigns. We have taken away the fear of God, so therefore terror reigns. Whenever a people take God out of their lives, then Satan will replace God with sin, violence, ungodliness, immorality, lying, stealing, murder, rape, and all kinds of unrighteousness.
What is our hope on this Independence Day? Repent and return to the God of our Fathers. He is our only hope. Pray for our nation today. Pray for our leaders. Beg God to revive us again so we as a nation can once again be truly "One Nation Under God."
Written By: Dr. David Harrison
July 3, 2008
Proverbs 1:23 "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."
Here Solomon makes it clear to his son, the advantage and benefit of listening to his instructions. A wise son hears his father. But here, this son even turns, or "repents" when he is reproved. How do you respond when you are reproved and corrected? Do you get an attitude? Do you get angry? A wise son will just take the instruction and reproof, and turn around less he ends up down the wrong road with no way to get back.
Solomon told his son that if he would correctly respond to his reproof, that he would pour out his spirit upon him. Solomon was one of the wisest men who ever lived. He wanted to pass on that knowledge and wisdom to his son. The best way he could do this, would be to teach his son at points in his life, when certain truths could be applied through correction mixed with instruction.
There is no better time to learn than when you have made a mistake, and you have been corrected. You can examine what you were told in the beginning, what you were told when you were reproved, and what your response was. Looking at the whole picture allows you to see what your teacher and instructor saw long before you. It helps you to learn from this situation and use it to prevent the same thing from happening again.
God works this way in our lives. He gives us the truth and the direction he wants us to walk. When we mess up, he corrects us and reproves us. When we take it and correct our steps, we can learn what it is he is trying to teach us. Our obedient and submissive attitude allows us to be able to recieve the spirit of wisdom from God. The more we yield to him, and obey him, the more he makes known unto us. If any man lack wisdom, James says, let him ask of God. God give us wisdom to do right, and courage to say no, and a desire to learn from everything we face.
Written By: Dr. David Harrison
July 2, 2008
Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
Peer Pressure is something that we have all experienced. From our youth, we have dealt with someone who wanted us to get involved in things that we probably should stay away from. It could have been a kid offering you your first "smoke" or some of your peers at school, pressuring you to take your first "drink."
Even as we become adults, we find ourselves in situations where others try to influence us to do things that we do not feel comfortable with. Solomon instructs his son to refrain from those who would 'entice' him to sin.
Let's look at several things. First of all, he mentions "sinners." These are people that we identify as those who have bad intentions. It may be family, friends, or someone we work with or go to school with. Nevertheless, we know that by their actions and lifestyles, they are "sinners." Secondly, he mentions the word "entice." This word implies that what the sinner offers may be appealing to the flesh. James says that we are "drawn away of our lusts." There is something within us that is called our "old nature" that can be tempted to sin. We must be careful not to let "sinners" pressure us to sin. Watch out for the enticements of Satan.
Last of all, he mentions the word "consent" not. We have the final decision in sin. We may be tempted, but we do not have to yield to that sin. Sinners may try to pressure us to do that which we know to be wrong, but it is up to us to refuse to yield to that temptations.
Be careful who your friends are. Even be careful with family members who may be "sinners." Sometimes we are pressured from our own family to do wrong. But be strong. Let the Spirit help you to resist sin. Yielding to peer pressure from friends and family is dangerous. Sin when it is finished, brings death. Don't consent to sinner's enticement. Keep your heart clean.
Like our first lady, Mrs. Reagan said years ago in reference to the drug problem, she told young people to learn to "just say no." We too need to apply that principle to sin. Just learn to say no to sinners and their offer of sin. Just say no!
Written By: Dr. David Harrison
July 1, 2008
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Solomon was considered to be one of the wisest men who ever lived. He was only a young man, probably 17 or 18 when he took over the kingdom. Also, his father David, gave his the large task of building the Temple, which was a massive undertaking. A teenager with the nation under his control, and the largest building program in history, his responsibility, is enough to overwhelm anyone.
When he took his position, God asked him what he desired most of all. For most young men, given the opportunity to tell God what he wanted, our imaginations would run wild with hundreds of typical answers. Yet, young Solomon understood the weight of his responsibility and asked God for the greatest gift of all, and that is wisdom.
Wisdom is a precious commodity. Knowledge is something that we cannot buy, but comes with great effort. The ability to reason, make good decisions, and figure out the difficulties of life, is the most valuable of all abilities.
Only a fool rejects the instruction of those who have walked before him. A father instructs his son in the ways he has already traveled. He guides him in areas of life that will be valuable to him later. Only a fool denies the importance of that instruction. A wise son listens and learns. He takes advice and stores it up to be used when his teacher is not around.
Take advantage today of any instruction that you may encounter. It may seem unimportant now, but store it up. Someday, you will draw from the well of knowledge and wisdom, and you will thank God a million times over, that you dug that well deep and made sure that you kept it clean. A young man thinks he knows more than he does. A wise man thinks, listens, and learns. The difference between a wise man and a fool, is how he responds to instruction. Don't let wisdom pass you by.
Written By: Dr. David Harrison