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Ephesians 6:18, “praying always with all prayer and supplications in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints "

You have put on your spiritual armor.  Now comes another aspect of taking your stand against the “wiles of the enemy” (Ephesians 6:10).  You pray!  Remember in Ephesians 6:12 you “do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  This is spiritual warfare.  When you gave your life to Jesus Christ, you became a target for the devil; he hates you because you have Jesus Christ in your life.  Spiritual battle requires spiritual armor.

Spiritual warfare also requires prayer – intense prayer.  This type of prayer is different than a prayer before a meal or bless this or bless that.  Here prayer is not just another weapon; it is part of the battle where the victory is won by working with God Himself.  To fail to pray diligently is to surrender to the enemy.  Romans 12:12 call it steadfast prayer.  Luke 18:1 states, “men ought to always pray and not lose heart”.   Philippians 4:6 encourages one to not be anxious but to pray in everything asking and with thanksgiving make our requests known to God. And, Colossians 4:2 says to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”. 

In the Old Testament, wars were won or lost by the armies of Israel based on whose strength they fought in.  In their own strength, they always lost.  But when they sought God’s mercy, victory was the result.  That’s what supplication in Ephesians 6:18 means – to ask God for whatever one needs.  The indication is one must persevere in asking and believing that what is asked for will be received.  Asking is what Jesus told His disciples to do (check out Matthew 7:7-11).  James wrote that “You do not have because you do not ask (James 4:2).

So, in the spiritual battle you and I face each day, the armor needs to be put on and we must take time to ask the Lord to be with us as we do battle, giving Him thanks for doing so.  The battle will be there.  Neither of us is strong enough to defeat the enemy on our own.  What will you choose to do today?

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Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand the wiles of the devil.”

As I was trying to decide what to write today, I decided to read through devotions I receive each day.  Two of the devotions were about lies and delusions that the devil pushes at us each day and how to defend ourselves against them.  If you listen to any news program on television or listen to talk radio, it does not take long to wonder who is telling the truth, a half-truth, or an outright lie.  It becomes our task to discern between all that is said.  The question becomes how can we do that when we do not know all the facts regarding what is being said. With all the numbers being thrown at us, so many different opinions being given, knowing the truth becomes a daunting task.

However, the Word of God tells us to put on the whole armor of God.  Understand this is spiritual armor – the best way to “withstand in the evil day, and having done so (put on the armor), to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).   Each piece of armor has a specific purpose to protect us from the devil’s blows.  The belt of truth protects us from the lies the devil tries to confuse us with; remember he is the father of lies.  When you know the truth of God’s Word, lies can be detected more easily.  We put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect our heart and to keep it pure.  On our feet we put on the shoes of peace because the road can become difficult, rocky from the deceptions of the devil.  The shoes of peace help keep us steady in the Lord.  The shield of faith protects us for everything the devil tempts us with every day.  It is our faith that keeps us holy.  The helmet of salvation protects our mind so we remain strong when we feel weak.  We use the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit as an offensive weapon when the devil comes at us.  Never retreat from what comes at us; stand, ready for what comes! 

The battle we face every day is spiritual; it is very real.  All you have to do is listen to the lies being thrown at you to deceive you.  As a Believer, you are not alone.  Don’t be lazy in your walk with the Lord.  No, you must be Learning Daily and use what you learn to discern the times with the truth. 

Have you put on the armor of God today?

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Proverbs 8:17, “I love those who love me. And those who seek me diligently will find me.”

Ok, I really enjoy the Proverbs!  They are encouraging and full of wisdom, which I certainly need daily.  I have written several times on the need to be diligent regarding seeking God in the Bible.  The Bible is His written word to us much like receiving a special letter (or in this day – an e-mail) from someone that is very special to us. 

In this verse God is telling us He loves us, those who love Him.  I love my daughters, sons-in-law, and my grandchildren.  It has been my greatest joy to watch them grow and being able to be with them as much as I have.  I have been blessed to have been able to keep my grandchildren during the summers of their early years; what fond memories I have.  God’s love is so much greater than our love; He sent His Son to die that whosoever would believe in Him would have eternal life with Him.  He loves unconditionally.

I really enjoy doing things with my daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.  The grandchildren have gotten too old to spend their summer with me – that’s part of life.  As they grow older our relationship is still strong, just different.  They know mom and dad, grandma and grandpa are still here ready to enjoy their company.

I picture the God of heaven desiring His children to spend time with Him, quality time.  “Those who seek me diligently will find me.” I believe He is just waiting for you to do so.  I believe He wants not just time but quality time with you.  Take the time daily and see what results will come your way! 

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Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Romans 16:23, “…. and Quartus, a brother.”

Over the years I have come to understand and value the few real men I have called friend.  Paul, in Romans, simply said, “and Quartus, a brother.”  There have been several men I have known that I was close enough to call my friend, my brother.  Each taught me so much about life, integrity, about living life right.  I have not seen several of these men for many years, even lost contact with them.  But their friendship has been so important to my maturity and spiritual growth.  Several others have “sharpened” me in many areas.  I am so thankful to these men I call my brothers.

I used to watch my dad sharpen butcher knives.  He would run that knife blade up and down a steel rod and it would become extremely sharp.  When he cut the meat, the cut would be easy and smooth. That is exactly what the type of friendship the verses above are talking about.  A friend will not be afraid of tell you when what you are doing is not right – even when you might not want to hear it.  A friend will keep confident what is brought to him in confidence.  A friend will be with you through the good and the bad times, not judging, just there.  It is important to have friends that are as close as brothers; it is important to be a friend.

Proverbs 18:24 states, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  In Matthew 11:19, Jesus said that He was a friend of tax collectors and sinners.  Jesus is a Friend that is better than a brother because He will never let us down.  When we feel alone or discouraged, he will always be there to give strength to the weak, wisdom to those who need it, comfort for those who need that.  But Jesus, my Savior and my Lord has never given up on me; He has loved me unconditionally.  For that I will thank Him and praise Him through eternity!

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Deuteronomy 1:6, “The Lord God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.’”

God had brought His people to Mount Horeb to humble them, give them the law, and to prepare them for the Promised Land.  They had dwelt there for about a year and now it was time to leave.  God still allows His people a time of difficulty.  It is a time of preparation for what they are to be doing.  However, He does not leave them there; he moves them from the place of difficulty (My friend, Ira Paine calls this the wilderness.) to the place they are prepared for.

It seems to me that we can be in the same job or same relationship long enough to become uninteresting and just something we do.  Perhaps, that is why some jobs have so much turnover and so many broken marriages; there is very little growth, nothing new occurring. Those jobs that are busy and active seem to retain people for a long time because of the rewards and pace.  Marriages that are kept fresh and new seem to be long lasting as well.  The point is to look for ways to keep your job and marriage fresh and new each day.

I think every Christian goes through times of difficulty in their walk with the Lord.  Their Bible is not read; there is no prayer time; their relationship with the Lord is stagnant.  They have become satisfied with their relationship with the Lord.  Satisfaction with your job, with your relationships, with the Lord causes laziness, boredom, and eventual destruction.  God’s command is to move!  Read Deuteronomy 1:8. “See I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land the Lord swore to your fathers – to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – to give to them and their descendants after them.” 

What is the point to this this morning?  I’m glad you asked.  Our Promised Land is eternal life with the Lord in heaven.  When God commands us to go forward, He is encouraging us to remember where we are going to.  But, until we enter our eternal reward, we walk with Him as best we can.  To do that we are studying God’s Word (Learning Daily!), in prayer , around God’s people, living the way He desires us to live.  We are not complacent in our relationship to the Lord but growing.  The Bible is “living and powerful” according to Hebrews 4:12. It is new everyday teaching and encouraging, and convicting us of wrong living. That keeps us from becoming complacent.

Keep your relationship new.  Open your bible this morning with a renewed freshness to see what it has for you today.  What an adventure is in store for you as you do!

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Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast heart within me.”

Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

“Do it with all your heart!”  “I give my heart to you!”  “It is a heart matter.”  “He has a big heart!”  “You broke my heart!”  “I love (heart) you!”  I know there are many more expressions that use the heart and you can add to the list.  Reread the verses above.  They give both encouragement and advice about the importance keeping a pure heart.

There was an old saying, garbage in, garbage out, that refers to what we put into our heart eventually comes out.  If it is bad stuff, bad stuff comes out; if it is good stuff, good stuff comes out.  Looking back over the years, I have found this to be accurate.  Putting God’s Word into my heart for over 40 years has changed my language, the jokes I try to tell, and my actions and thought life continues to be better.  Yes, He continues to clean me up.     

Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding have been our emphasis the past few days.  Solomon writes that these are characteristics of the heart are where the fear of the Lord begins.  This begins when one accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior.  It continues as Jesus Christ becomes his Lord.  My sins, past, present, and future were forgiven the moment I asked Jesus Christ to be my Savior.  The heart must be pure; “out of it spring the issues of life”.   It becomes pure when the Lord Jesus Christ enters it and resides there.  Our responsibility is to keep our heart from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit that defile a man.  Such things include worldly lusts, impure thoughts and desires.  We diligently do our best; when we fail, we must confess our sinfulness.   Being human, I continue to sin, do things that do not please the Lord.  No matter how hard I try to “keep my heart” I fail and must ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).  And, God forgives!

The battle seems to be daily.  Diligently keeping the heart is just that.  I have known some who believe they can do anything they want because they can ask for forgiveness afterward.  No!  God’s forgiveness is not a license to sin.  It is His cleansing when we fail Him.

What a loving Father we serve because of What His Son did for us at Calvary.  “Create in me a clean heart, O God!”

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1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear
                     involves torment.  But he who fears has not been perfect in love.

I bet you have heard someone say, “This ain’t my first rodeo!”  Charlotte and I have been volunteering at the San Antonio Horse Show at the rodeo this year.  I can honestly say “This was my first rodeo – to volunteer for!”  Yes, Charlotte had to drag me there because I’m no cowboy and I did not want to do what I had no idea about.  Funny thing how fear will paralyze a person from trying new things.  Or maybe that’s pride.  Both are ways the enemy of our soul tries to keep us from the very best the Father has for us.

We began several weeks before everything started putting the arena together.  Stands had to be moved into the building, bolted together, panels put up in front of the bleachers, buildings needed to be moved, horse stalls put up, and lots of little stuff needed to be done.  So, I got drug out there trying to be the encouraging husband to his wife who really wanted to do this.  Well, guess what – I really enjoyed helping.  It did not matter that I had no clue; I just needed to provide the ability to help.  It was quite fascinating to see an empty building turn into an arena for individuals to show the talents God had given them.  The last few weeks we have been making sure poles and barrels were in the right position for horse and rider to show their skills.  This morning we helped push calves through walkways in order to be lassoed and get their legs tied together.  I even learned how much control I could have over a calf by putting my hand on its butt and tail.  Too much information?

So, the takeaway is to not let the enemy steal anything the Lord has for you because of fear.  It can be paralyzing to fear failure or the inability to do something new.  I know I will probably have to eat some words, but I am glad Charlotte gets me to try new things.  I “have to” put up a “do I have to” attitude; I also must admit I usually enjoy what she gets me to do.  Well, since that is out in the open, I’m in trouble. 

I know the verse above is more about the love Christ has for us and that it casts out the fear the devil throws at us.  There is also the love between husband and wife that casts out fear as well.

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Proverbs 2: 10-12, “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is
                               pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; 
                               understanding will keep you,

Understanding is the ability to understand something; comprehension, having insight or good judgment according to the dictionary.  In the New King James Bible, understanding is mentioned 155 times in 151 verses.  The Proverbs tells us to seek understanding as one seeks silver and hidden treasures.  God wants us to understand His Word in order to know Him and to understand the times because then we will realize and appreciate the fear of the Lord (Proverb 2:4,5).

There are so many different directions for us to take in life today, so many paths that seem to be good but instead lead to destruction.  Even worthwhile things and projects keep us so occupied that time searching for wisdom and understanding is neglected.  I know that there are days I get caught up doing this or that and by late afternoon I realize my time with the Lord has been ignored; it has become an afterthought.  

Listen to a father’s (God’s) heart from Proverb 4:4-7, “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands and live.  Get wisdom! Get understanding!  Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not forsake her and she will preserve you; love her and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.  And in your getting, get understanding.”  It is essential to be in God’s Word daily and to pray daily.  As you put his words into your heart, you find the fear (reverence) of the Lord.  You will find it “pleasant to your soul” (Prov. 2:10), “it will preserve you and keep you” (Prov. 2:11), and “deliver you from the path of evil” (Prov. 12). 

The Bible tells us “lean not on your own understanding” (Prov, 3:5) and to “not be wise in our own eyes” (Prov. 3:7).  True understanding and wisdom come from searching for it daily in God’s Word.  I have been amazed at how it transforms every individual who does.  Never be too busy that this time is pushed aside or it is an afterthought.  It will be time well spent!  Enjoy!

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Proverbs 2: 10-12, “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge 
                              is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you;
                             understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the 
                            way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things.”

 “The key word in Proverbs is wisdom, “ability to live life skillfully.”  A godly life in an ungodly world, however is no simple assessment.”  That quote is from the introduction to the book of Proverbs in the New King James Version Bible.  In Proverbs, Solomon tells us God’s perspective on facing issues in our life. 

Wisdom is mentioned 227 times in 221 verses of the Bible.  Wisdom defined is: the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.  Knowledge is important to have.  But knowing how to apply that knowledge is better.  Too many seek the knowledge without seeking how to apply it.  Read what Jesus said in John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life.”  The religious leaders were searching Scriptures for knowledge but did not apply them to Jesus as the Messiah.  The used them for their own benefit.  There are those today who do the same thing. 

Believers are to study God’s Word, Learning Daily.  By doing so knowledge is gained.  But, at the same time application to your own life should be done by meditating on the Word and by prayer.  When doing so we have the right view of the issues we face; we can have clear, righteous thoughts about these issues.  The Bible helps us form the thoughts that guide us to speak and act wisely and help others do the same.

Godly wisdom helps Believers to know the difference between what is true and what is false.   To know the difference between real (true) and counterfeit bills government agents study what is true in order to know the counterfeit when they see it.  So, it is with studying the Bible.  Wisdom tells students of God’s Word when they encounter that which is false. Gaining God’s wisdom is so important today to help Believers keep from being deceived by what is false.

How do you gain wisdom?  Be in God’s Word! Be in it daily! Learn daily! I also suggest you do what James 1:5-7 say to do.  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.” 

Study, seeking knowledge and the wisdom to use that knowledge.   Seek wisdom, asking the Lord to give you it to you in order to use it for His honor, to further His kingdom.  Ask without doubting; He wants you to have wisdom.  I believe wisdom is so necessary in the days we live in and the days ahead. It will keep you from evil and those people who speak perverse things.

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Proverbs 18:15, The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the 
                          wise seeks knowledge.

Ah, knowledge.  There are all kinds of knowledge – for example, there is book knowledge, street knowledge, trivia knowledge (for those who like Jeopardy), and common-sense knowledge.  One can have all kinds of book knowledge but have no common sense knowledge or have all kinds of common-sense knowledge but fail in book knowledge.  Knowledge may be gained through formal education or through experience; most likely education is gained through a combination of both.  Over the years I have seen that individuals learn differently.  Some learn by hearing and others learn through hands on, for example.

Throughout the New King James Version of the Bible knowledge is mentioned 164 times in 161 verses.  I looked it up.   Proverbs 1:7 tells us “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  Proverbs 2:10 states that “knowledge is pleasant to your soul.”  Proverbs 11:9, “Through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.”            And, when we seek to understand the fear of the Lord, we (I added we) find the knowledge of God.”

Real knowledge is knowing God.  John 17:3, And this is eternal life, that they might know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”  I have been overwhelmed to see how fast the knowledge of the things of this world is increasing; our knowledge is growing exponentially before our eyes.  Just think of the knowledge available 50, 25, 10, 5 years ago.  But, the most important knowledge anyone can gain is the knowledge of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Then, we begin to understand the fear (reverence) of the Lord and have knowledge of God which is eternal life.

Tomorrow I will look at what the Bible says about wisdom.



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Psalm 119:73, Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me 
                        understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

I have always enjoyed learning.  I enjoyed school, college, and taking graduate classes.  Even the things I have been “forced” to go to I have enjoyed seeing how the finished project looked, enjoyed learning how it was done. There have been those courses of study that have taken longer to understand.  Others I am still trying to figure out. So, yes, I enjoy studying and learning.  I have even found I can still learn something new each day – imagine that!

The Psalmist in Psalm 119 speaks much about being taught God’s statutes, about meditating on His statutes in order to understand and observe them.  The Psalmist speaks of his love of God’s law and how he meditates on it night and day. 

I enjoy the study of God’s Word.  There is no other way to know how to live the life the Lord desires me to without reading the Bible.  I believe 2 Timothy 3:16,17 is the center of everything I believe.  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Learning God’s Word daily, meditating on it is important.  In doing so, I try to look at what is happening in the world in light of what the Bible says.  I must admit that doing that has gotten me in trouble at times because I have tried to make world events fit Scripture.  This is happening so these events must be what the Bible is speaking of.  Be careful!  People have done some pretty silly things by doing that.  What they thought was going to happen did not.  

Studying the Word of God works, learning daily, applying what it says to your life is profitable for one’s training in righteousness.  Meditate on it daily to be equipped for good works and then be obedient to what God has for you.  I love God’s Word; it is fresh and new each day.

Go ahead and pick it up and see the adventure He has for you as you Learn Daily.

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Proverbs 4:20-21, My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my 
                             sayings.   Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them 
                             in the midst of your heart.

There was a saying when I was a kid, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”.   The older I got, the more in tune I became to the opinion of others, the more I discovered that saying was false.  Over a lifetime, I have seen the power words hold; they either add life to another or take away life from another.  Very simple statements can encourage or discourage another and even impact decisions far into the future.  That is powerful and has made me wonder about the statements I have made.

Solomon is telling us, admonishing us to continue to read and study the Bible.  Throughout Proverbs, we are being told that the sayings of wisdom (God’s Word) must be the principles that guide our life.  You and I are told to “incline our ear” or receive them willingly and to be diligent about hearing wisdom.  One must never forget that the Bible is God’s words spoken to us through men through the Holy Spirit.

Not only must we read and study the principles of wisdom, we must “not let them depart from our eyes, must keep them in our heart”.  They are to be retained and become the guiding principles by which we live.  They are to be fixed in our hearts.

Why is this important?  Read verse 22, “For they are life to those who find them. And health to all their flesh.”  The “issues of life” speak of the foundation of life which is Jesus, His crucifixion. and resurrection.  Our spiritual life begins with our acceptance of this and is nourished daily by “inclining our ear” to the words of the Bible.  Not only is the Bible nourishment but it is also health to our spiritual life.  Our walk with the Lord is not without problems.  In the words of the Bible, encouragement is found.  Correction is found for wrong thinking and living.  Direction is found when direction is lost.  In the Word of God, remedies for all spiritual problems are found.

One last thing.  Several days ago, I addressed Proverb 4:23.  We pay close attention to God’s Word and put it in our heart.  Why?  Because out of our heart we speak.  As we put the Word of God into our heart, encouragement comes out to those who need it.  Correction comes out in a helpful way.  Healing happens in broken relationships.  Words do not have to hurt, they do not need to be used as a curse word; they need to be used for the glory of God! 

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Psalm 37:18, The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever.

The Dash Poem (By Linda Ellis)

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning...to the end

He noted that first came the date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash
Might only last a little while

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent YOUR dash?



The Psalmist wrote that God knows the days of the upright.  It makes sense that He knows the days of the those who are not upright.  What would He say about your dash? 



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1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said the Samuel, “Do not look at his physical appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.  For the Lord does not see as a man sees: for man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The Bible has a lot to say about the heart.  I have been trying to decide if it says more good things than bad.  What I know is God bases His decisions more on one’s inward character and the quality of the heart than anything else. In the verse above, God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king for Israel.  King Saul had been the people’s choice due to his appearance; he did not work out so well.  God’s choice would reflect a heart for Him.  Saul was tall and more handsome than anyone in Israel.  David was less impressive by human standards but he possessed the heart of a king, a heart for the Lord.

The Bible’s ultimate statement of the heart is Genesis 6:5, Then the Lord saw the wickedness of man was so great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”  In the Hebrew Bible heart represents a person’s thinking as well as their emotions and will. The people of Noah’s day were exceedingly evil, meaning every aspect of their life all the time.  Not much has changed today!  Romans 5:12-21 explains that sin entered the world through Adam, but freedom from sin came through Jesus Christ’s blood and resurrection.  All mankind was made sinners through Adam; through the obedience of Jesus Christ, whoever believe are made righteous or clean.

Proverbs 4:23 gives an important command, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.”  What is in one’s heart usually springs forth from the mouth.  Therefore, we are to guard our heart.  The heart is what constitutes one’s intellect, emotions, and will.  The only way it can be controlled is to have the Lord Jesus Christ reside there.  By His presence one can be better at controlling what comes out of their mouth. 

It is good to examine our hearts.  Be careful because Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”  Examine your heart by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you its condition.   Everything that is found unpleasing to the Lord must be confessed to Him and be forgiven by Him.  “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).  Why don’t you take the time to do that right now?  It is something between just you and the Lord.

When God looks at your heart, what does He see?

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Matthew 25:1-2, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who 
                            took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five 
                            of them were wise and five were foolish.”

Yesterday I was asked a really great question.  Who are the foolish virgins?  Today, I will attempt to answer that question.

Jesus told another parable recorded in Matthew 7:24-27.  It was about a wise man who heard the sayings of Jesus and did them; He compared this man to a wise man that built his house on a rock.  When the rains came, flooding occurred, and the winds blew, the house stood because its foundation was on the rock.  Another man built his house on sand, which fell apart when the rain, floods, and wind came.  In this parable wise and foolish is determined by who built their lives on the foundation of their lives on the Rock – Jesus Christ.  Those who do “hear His words (or in our case read His words) and does them” are wise.  Then, our foundation is strong and we are able to stand the storms of life that come.

A second thought about the foolish virgins is that they took lamps but no oil with them.  Oil in the Bible is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  The foolish virgins had just enough oil to make their lamps burn for the present; it was to make others believe they were someone who in reality they were not.  They did not have enough oil for their lamp in case the bridegroom was late. They could be called hypocrites because they have a lamp for the procession in their hand but their heart was empty of the spiritual necessities to do so.  In other words, they have said and done right things with those around them but have not prepared themselves before the bridegroom; they have not prepared for eternity. 

Jesus said that “He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).  He also said, “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9).  When one asks Jesus Christ to save him, He does through His blood at the cross and through His resurrection.  At that time the Holy Spirit comes to live within him and help him to live for the Lord.  The Holy Spirit is the oil that keeps the lamp lit within the believer to shine before men and do good works.  Those good works come as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ.

So, who were the foolish virgins?  They represent those who have not truly been saved.

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Matthew 25:1-2, "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who 
                            took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of
                           them were wise and five were foolish."

Be sure to read the entire parable, Matthew 25:1-13 to gain the full insight to what Jesus was teaching His disciples.  The tradition of ancient Jewish weddings was quite different from what we think weddings to be today.  When the marriage was to be completed the bridegroom would go to the home of the bride to bring her to his home.   The bride would not know exactly when the bridegroom would arrive at her house; the expectation was for the bride to be ready to leave at any moment.  It was not unusual for the bridegroom to arrive in the middle of the night.  In the parable, the bridegroom was delayed and the ten virgins fell asleep.  When the shout came that the bridegroom was coming and they were to go out to meet him, only five could do so because they had oil in their lamps.  The other five had no oil and were forced to go find oil for their lamps.  That’s the background to the parable.  What does it mean for us today?

Nothing surprises the Lord; He was prophesying that the Church would be asleep when He comes for His bride.  All believers are responsible for being spiritually ready, to persevere in faith so when the day and hour of His coming occurs they will not be excluded from His presence and kingdom.  It is interesting that all the virgins (both faithful and unfaithful) were taken by surprise at the bridegroom’s coming.  It was an unexpected time – there were no unmistakable or specific signs that could be observed.  The Lord is indicating that a large part of the Church will not be ready.  In the Church today there is strong and weak, spiritual and carnal (see 1 Corinthians 3), and mature and immature.  Here, Jesus calls them “wise” and “unwise”.

The parable of the ten virgins stresses the importance of being ready, of perseverance in faith.  The “wise virgins” took extra oil in jars for their lamp.  The “unwise virgins” did not.  The oil represents true faith, righteousness, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.  The emphasis is on watching and being ready, both accomplished by faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah.  Only “wise ones” enter the marriage feast.

Tomorrow we will begin a new direction with Learning Daily.



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