12/7/12

Dear Santa...


Michael has one very bad attitude; he will get what he wants, regardless of the cost to others.  This is the message of our society; that the ends justify the means!!!  It is unequivocally, undeniably, absolutely wrong!!! Good and evil are easily identifiable.  There are standards of conduct and they are found in the Bible for all to read and learn.  One of the greatest kings of ancient Israel, David, puts it like this...

Psalm 37
  3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good.
Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

  4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

  5 Commit your way to Yahweh.
Trust also in him, and he will do this:

  6 he will make your righteousness go forth as the light,
and your justice as the noon day sun.

  7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him.
Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

  8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.

  9 For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

  10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.
Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.

  11 But the humble shall inherit the land,
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Wanting "things" is not wrong, but wanting "things" enough to hurt someone else is sinful!!!  How do I know what is right?  Trust in the God of the heavens to help you understand right from wrong; rely upon HIM and not your own worldly ideas.  If you allow God to direct your life, God will give you your hearts desire, because your heart and the will of God will be as one. You may or may not get a new bike, but you WILL BE HAPPY!!!

Bible Reading, Dec. 7


Dec. 7
Ezekiel 41-44

Eze 41:1 He brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tent.
Eze 41:2 The breadth of the entrance was ten cubits; and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on the one side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured its length, forty cubits, and the breadth, twenty cubits.
Eze 41:3 Then went he inward, and measured each post of the entrance, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits; and the breadth of the entrance, seven cubits.
Eze 41:4 He measured its length, twenty cubits, and the breadth, twenty cubits, before the temple: and he said to me, This is the most holy place.
Eze 41:5 Then he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four cubits, all around the house on every side.
Eze 41:6 The side chambers were in three stories, one over another, and thirty in order; and they entered into the wall which belonged to the house for the side chambers all around, that they might have hold therein, and not have hold in the wall of the house.
Eze 41:7 The side chambers were broader as they encompassed the house higher and higher; for the encompassing of the house went higher and higher around the house: therefore the breadth of the house continued upward; and so one went up from the lowest chamber to the highest by the middle chamber.
Eze 41:8 I saw also that the house had a raised base all around: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.
Eze 41:9 The thickness of the wall, which was for the side chambers, on the outside, was five cubits: and that which was left was the place of the side chambers that belonged to the house.
Eze 41:10 Between the chambers was a breadth of twenty cubits around the house on every side.
Eze 41:11 The doors of the side chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south: and the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits all around.
Eze 41:12 The building that was before the separate place at the side toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick all around, and its length ninety cubits.
Eze 41:13 So he measured the house, one hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with its walls, one hundred cubits long;
Eze 41:14 also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, one hundred cubits.
Eze 41:15 He measured the length of the building before the separate place which was at its back, and its galleries on the one side and on the other side, one hundred cubits; and the inner temple, and the porches of the court;
Eze 41:16 the thresholds, and the closed windows, and the galleries around on their three stories, over against the threshold, with wood ceilings all around, and from the ground up to the windows, (now the windows were covered),
Eze 41:17 to the space above the door, even to the inner house, and outside, and by all the wall all around inside and outside, by measure.
Eze 41:18 It was made with cherubim and palm trees; and a palm tree was between cherub and cherub, and every cherub had two faces;
Eze 41:19 so that there was the face of a man toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. thus was it made through all the house all around:
Eze 41:20 from the ground to above the door were cherubim and palm trees made: thus was the wall of the temple.
Eze 41:21 As for the temple, the door posts were squared; and as for the face of the sanctuary, the appearance of it was as the appearance of the temple.
Eze 41:22 The altar was of wood, three cubits high, and its length two cubits; and its corners, and its length, and its walls, were of wood: and he said to me, This is the table that is before Yahweh.
Eze 41:23 The temple and the sanctuary had two doors.
Eze 41:24 The doors had two leaves apiece, two turning leaves: two leaves for the one door, and two leaves for the other.
Eze 41:25 There were made on them, on the doors of the temple, cherubim and palm trees, like as were made on the walls; and there was a threshold of wood on the face of the porch outside.
Eze 41:26 There were closed windows and palm trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides of the porch: thus were the side chambers of the house, and the thresholds.
 

Eze 42:1 Then he brought me forth into the outer court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was over against the building toward the north.
Eze 42:2 Before the length of one hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.
Eze 42:3 Over against the twenty cubits which belonged to the inner court, and over against the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in the third story.
Eze 42:4 Before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits' breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their doors were toward the north.
Eze 42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter; for the galleries took away from these, more than from the lower and the middle, in the building.
Eze 42:6 For they were in three stories, and they didn't have pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the uppermost was straitened more than the lowest and the middle from the ground.
Eze 42:7 The wall that was outside by the side of the chambers, toward the outer court before the chambers, its length was fifty cubits.
Eze 42:8 For the length of the chambers that were in the outer court was fifty cubits: and behold, before the temple were one hundred cubits.
Eze 42:9 From under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goes into them from the outer court.
Eze 42:10 In the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, before the separate place, and before the building, there were chambers.
Eze 42:11 The way before them was like the appearance of the way of the chambers which were toward the north; according to their length so was their breadth: and all their exits were both according to their fashions, and according to their doors.
Eze 42:12 According to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door at the head of the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one enters into them.
Eze 42:13 Then said he to me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they are the holy chambers, where the priests who are near to Yahweh shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meal offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place is holy.
Eze 42:14 When the priests enter in, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the outer court, but there they shall lay their garments in which they minister; for they are holy: and they shall put on other garments, and shall approach to that which pertains to the people.
Eze 42:15 Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it all around.
Eze 42:16 He measured on the east side with the measuring reed five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed all around.
Eze 42:17 He measured on the north side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed all around.
Eze 42:18 He measured on the south side five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
Eze 42:19 He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
Eze 42:20 He measured it on the four sides: it had a wall around it, the length five hundred, and the breadth five hundred, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common.
 

Eze 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east.
Eze 43:2 Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shined with his glory.
Eze 43:3 It was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city; and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face.
Eze 43:4 The glory of Yahweh came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.
Eze 43:5 The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house.
Eze 43:6 I heard one speaking to me out of the house; and a man stood by me.
Eze 43:7 He said to me, Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their prostitution, and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;
Eze 43:8 in their setting of their threshold by my threshold, and their doorpost beside my doorpost, and there was but the wall between me and them; and they have defiled my holy name by their abominations which they have committed: therefore I have consumed them in my anger.
Eze 43:9 Now let them put away their prostitution, and the dead bodies of their kings, far from me; and I will dwell in the midst of them forever.
Eze 43:10 You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.
Eze 43:11 If they be ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the form of the house, and its fashion, and its exits, and its entrances, and all its forms, and all its ordinances, and all its forms, and all its laws; and write it in their sight; that they may keep the whole form of it, and all its ordinances, and do them.
Eze 43:12 This is the law of the house: on the top of the mountain the whole limit around it shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
Eze 43:13 These are the measures of the altar by cubits (the cubit is a cubit and a handbreadth): the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and its border around its edge a span; and this shall be the base of the altar.
Eze 43:14 From the bottom on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser ledge to the greater ledge shall be four cubits, and the breadth a cubit.
Eze 43:15 The upper altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar hearth and upward there shall be four horns.
Eze 43:16 The altar hearth shall be twelve cubits long by twelve broad, square in the four sides of it.
Eze 43:17 The ledge shall be fourteen cubits long by fourteen broad in the four sides of it; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and its bottom shall be a cubit around; and its steps shall look toward the east.
Eze 43:18 He said to me, Son of man, thus says the Lord Yahweh: These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
Eze 43:19 You shall give to the priests the Levites who are of the seed of Zadok, who are near to me, to minister to me, says the Lord Yahweh, a young bull for a sin offering.
Eze 43:20 You shall take of its blood, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the ledge, and on the border all around: thus you shall cleanse it and make atonement for it.
Eze 43:21 You shall also take the bull of the sin offering, and it shall be burnt in the appointed place of the house, outside of the sanctuary.
Eze 43:22 On the second day you shall offer a male goat without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bull.
Eze 43:23 When you have made an end of cleansing it, you shall offer a young bull without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
Eze 43:24 You shall bring them near before Yahweh, and the priests shall cast salt on them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering to Yahweh.
Eze 43:25 Seven days you shall prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bull, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
Eze 43:26 Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.
Eze 43:27 When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day, and forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the Lord Yahweh.
 

Eze 44:1 Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looks toward the east; and it was shut.
Eze 44:2 Yahweh said to me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, neither shall any man enter in by it; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut.
Eze 44:3 As for the prince, he shall sit therein as prince to eat bread before Yahweh; he shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.
Eze 44:4 Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh: and I fell on my face.
Eze 44:5 Yahweh said to me, Son of man, mark well, and see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I tell you concerning all the ordinances of the house of Yahweh, and all its laws; and mark well the entrance of the house, with every exit of the sanctuary.
Eze 44:6 You shall tell the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: you house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
Eze 44:7 in that you have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to profane it, even my house, when you offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant, to add to all your abominations.
Eze 44:8 You have not performed the duty of my holy things; but you have set performers of my duty in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Eze 44:9 Thus says the Lord Yahweh, No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any foreigners who are among the children of Israel.
Eze 44:10 But the Levites who went far from me, when Israel went astray, who went astray from me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.
Eze 44:11 Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the house, and ministering in the house: they shall kill the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them.
Eze 44:12 Because they ministered to them before their idols, and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, says the Lord Yahweh, and they shall bear their iniquity.
Eze 44:13 They shall not come near to me, to execute the office of priest to me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, to the things that are most holy; but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed.
Eze 44:14 Yet will I make them performers of the duty of the house, for all its service, and for all that shall be done therein.
Eze 44:15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who performed the duty of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister to me; and they shall stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood, says the Lord Yahweh:
Eze 44:16 they shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my instruction.
Eze 44:17 It shall be that, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come on them, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Eze 44:18 They shall have linen tires on their heads, and shall have linen breeches on their waists; they shall not gird themselves with anything that causes sweat.
Eze 44:19 When they go forth into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister, and lay them in the holy chambers; and they shall put on other garments, that they not sanctify the people with their garments.
Eze 44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor allow their locks to grow long; they shall only cut off the hair of their heads.
Eze 44:21 Neither shall any of the priests drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.
Eze 44:22 Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest.
Eze 44:23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Eze 44:24 In a controversy they shall stand to judge; according to my ordinances shall they judge it: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts; and they shall make my Sabbaths holy.
Eze 44:25 They shall go in to no dead person to defile themselves; but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister who has had no husband, they may defile themselves.
Eze 44:26 After he is cleansed, they shall reckon to him seven days.
Eze 44:27 In the day that he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, says the Lord Yahweh.
Eze 44:28 They shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.
Eze 44:29 They shall eat the meal offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs.
Eze 44:30 The first of all the first fruits of every thing, and every offering of everything, of all your offerings, shall be for the priest: you shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house.
Eze 44:31 The priests shall not eat of anything that dies of itself, or is torn, whether it be bird or animal.



Dec. 7
1 Peter 5

1Pe 5:1 I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.
1Pe 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
1Pe 5:3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away.
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
1Pe 5:7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1Pe 5:9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
1Pe 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1Pe 5:11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
1Pe 5:12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
1Pe 5:13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son.
1Pe 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs, Fatherly counsel for Godly living 3:1-35, Mark Copeland

                         "THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"

               Fatherly Counsel For Godly Living (3:1-35)

INTRODUCTION

1. Proverbs chapter two presents Solomon as a father encouraging his
   son...
   a. To diligently seek after wisdom - Pr 2:1-4
   b. To appreciate the benefits of diligently seeking wisdom - Pr 2:
      5-22

2. In chapter three, we find Solomon imparting wisdom to his son...
   a. With six keys for a good life - Pr 3:1-12
   b. With praise and illustrations of the value of wisdom - Pr 3:13-24
   c. With six negatives for a wise life - Pr 3:25-35

[I like to think of this chapter as containing "Fatherly Counsel For
Godly Living," and imagine sitting at the feet of Solomon as he imparts
wisdom by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   We first hear him speak
of...]

I. SIX KEYS FOR A GOOD LIFE

   A. THE KEY TO A LONG AND PEACEFUL LIFE...
      1. Heed the guidance of your father (parents) - Pr 3:1-2
      2. The same thought as expressed by Paul - Ep 6:1-3
      3. Place more stock in this secret to longevity, than those given
         by the world
         a. Diet, exercise, etc., are important
         b. But here is a commandment of God with promise!
      -- Do we honor our parents by giving them careful heed?

   B. THE KEY TO POPULARITY...
      1. Some think the way to popularity is good looks, intelligence,
         or athletic ability
      2. The qualities of truth and mercy are key to lasting popularity
         - Pr 3:3-4
      3. Truth and mercy are more enduring, because they are more
         endearing!
         a. They find great favor in the sight of God - cf. Mt 5:7,37
         b. Likewise in the eyes of men
            1) No one likes a liar
            2) Mercy (compassion, forgiveness) is admired by many
      -- Are we developing the qualities of truth and mercy in our
         lives?

   C. THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL VENTURES...
      1. Have the Lord "direct" your paths - Pr 3:5-6
         a. The word "direct" means to make smooth or straight
         b. The Lord can help our journey in life go smoother with His
            blessing
      2. To ensure that the Lord directs your paths...
         a. Trust in Him with all your heart - cf. Ps 37:3-6,23-24,
            34-36
         b. Acknowledge Him in all your ways - cf. Jm 4:13-16
         c. Don't lean on your own understanding - cf. Pr 28:26
      -- Do we involve the Lord in our decision making?

   D. THE KEY TO GOOD HEALTH...
      1. Do not be arrogant, fear the Lord, and depart from evil - Pro
         3:7-8
      2. Do not underestimate the harmful effects of anxiety and stress
         a. Some authorities suggest that 50% of all illnesses may be
            psychosomatic
         b. Our body's immune system is certainly weakened by anxiety
            and stress
         c. Guilt is a major cause of anxiety, and can weigh heavily on
            our body - Ps 32:1-4
      3. There is also the physical cost of sin
         a. E.g., the effects of drunkenness (cirrhosis of the liver)
         b. E.g., the effects of fornication (STDs)
      4. Yet if we truly fear the Lord...
         a. We will depart from evil - Pr 16:6
         b. We will be freed from much anxiety, stress, and many
            diseases
         c. And that will be good for our bodies! - cf. Pr 14:27
      -- Is developing the fear of the Lord part of our "wellness
         program"?

   E. THE KEY TO PROSPERITY...
      1. Give of your best to the Lord - Pr 3:9-10
      2. In the OT, that involved paying tithes and putting God first
         a. When tithes were not given, it resulted in hardship - Mal 3:
            8-12
         b. When God was not first, likewise - cf. Hag 1:6-11
      3. In the NT, it is not that much different
         a. Put God and His kingdom first, and we enjoy His providential
            care - Mt 6:31-33
         b. Give cheerfully and liberally, and God will empower us to
            give more - 2Co 9:6-9
      -- Do we give to the Lord the "first fruits" of our time, energy,
         and money?

   F. THE KEY TO ACCEPTING THE LORD'S DISCIPLINE...
      1. Value divine chastening as the actions of a loving father - Pro
         3:11-12
         a. Even the righteous may be allow to suffer - cf. Job 1:8-22
         b. And God may deem fit to compensate for it even in this life
            - cf. Job 42:10-13
      2. Whatever persecution or hardship God allows, it is for our good
         a. We should expect discipline, if we are His children  - He
            12:7-9
         b. But it will produce the fruit of holiness and righteousness,
            if we let it - He 12:10-11
      -- Do we appreciate the positive role of discipline in our lives?

[How blessed many lives would be if people implemented these "Six Keys
For A Good Life."  Perhaps to encourage us to heed such wisdom, Solomon
proceeds to describe...]

II. THE VALUE OF WISDOM

   A. SEEN IN SOLOMON'S PRAISE OF WISDOM...
      1. Provides true happiness for those with wisdom and understanding
         - Pr 3:13
      2. Profits one more than silver and fine gold - Pr 3:14
      3. More precious than rubies, nothing we desire can compare with
         her - Pr 3:15
      4. Offers length of days, riches, and honor - Pr 3:16
      5. Her paths are ways of pleasantness and peace - Pr 3:17
      6. A tree of life to those who take hold of her, happiness for
         those who retain her - Pr 3:18
      -- Do we share Solomon's high estimation of the value of wisdom?

   B. SEEN IN GOD'S USE OF WISDOM...
      1. God used wisdom in His acts of creation - Pr 3:19-20
         a. To create the earth and heavens - Gen 1:1
         b. To break up the depths of sea, and create the clouds above
            - Gen 1:6-9
         c. Its beauty and harmony were made possible by the use of
            wisdom - Pr 8:22-31
      2. Consider the implication for us
         a. The same wisdom is being offered to us! - cf. Jm 1:5-8
         b. To provide our lives with harmony and peace - cf. Jm 3:17-18
      -- Don't we want to have the same divine wisdom guiding our lives?

   C. SEEN IN WHAT WISDOM CAN DO FOR US...
      1. To make our lives "a thing of beauty and joy forever" - Pr 3:
         21-22
         a. By offering wisdom and discretion
         b. Which give "life to your soul and grace (adornment, beauty)
            to your neck"
         c. Just as Jesus desired to give to His disciples - Jn 10:10;
            15:11
      2. To make our lives safe and secure - Pr 3:23-24
         a. To help us walk safely
            1) Our steps will be directed by wisdom
            2) We thus avoid many of the pitfalls experienced by others
               - cf. Pr 2:8; 4:12
         b. To help us sleep securely
            1) For we will not be anxious about what may come
            2) For the Lord will guard His saints - cf. Ps 3:5; 4:8
      -- Don't we want to have lives filled with grace and security?

[With such praise of the value of wisdom, perhaps we will be more open
to what Solomon has to offer.  Sometimes wisdom comes in the form of
various "thou shalt not" directives.  Thus we now have...]

III. SIX NEGATIVES FOR A WISE LIFE

   A. DO NOT BE AFRAID...
      1. Of sudden terror or trouble from the wicked - Pr 3:25
      2. For the Lord will be your confidence and keep you from harm
         - Pr 3:26; cf. 14:26
      3. Besides, fear is indicative of weak faith - cf. Mt 8:26
      -- Let faith replace fear in your life

   B. DO NOT DENY GOOD...
      1. Especially when we owe it and have it - Pr 3:27
      2. As Christians we owe everyone love - cf. Ro 13:8
      3. We should not deny those we can help - cf. 1Jn 3:17
      4. Remember, to know to do good and not do it is sin - Jm 4:17
      -- Do good unto all men as you have opportunity (Ga 6:10)

   C. DO NOT DELAY GOOD...
      1. When it is in your power to do it today - Pr 3:28
      2. Too often, delay is a cover for selfishness, a secret hope the
         matter will be forgotten
      3. We may not have another opportunity - cf. Pr 27:1
      -- Procrastination in doing good is a great evil

   D. DO NOT DEVISE EVIL...
      1. Especially against your neighbor, who lives nearby for safety's
         sake - Pr 3:29
      2. A neighbor expects you to be neighborly, and rightly so
      3. A heart that devises evil is an abomination to the Lord - cf.
         Pr 6:16-18
      -- Think well of your neighbor, that he and God might think well
         of you

   E. DO NOT STRIVE WITOUT CAUSE...
      1. Especially if he has done no harm - Pr 3:30
      2. Left unchecked, strife can easily escalate - cf. Pr 17:14;
         18:6
      3. Strife can easily ruin one's reputation - cf. Pr 25:8-10
      -- Leave vengeance to God, and seek to overcome evil with good (Ro
         12:18-21)

   F. DO NOT ENVY OPPRESSORS...
      1. Do not envy an oppressor (lit., a man of violence) , nor choose
         his ways - Pr 3:31
         a. As seen earlier, the oppressor is eventually caught in his
            own snare - cf. Pr 1:15-18
         b. The Lord is the avenger of those who oppress the poor - cf.
            Pr 22:22-23
      2. The Lord will bless the upright and just, the humble and wise
         - Pr 3:32-35
         a. But He will curse wicked and perverse - cf. Pr 21:12
         b. He will scorn the scornful, and shame will be the legacy of
            fools
      -- Don't be jealous of the prosperity of the wicked, they will
         never be as rich as the righteous!

CONCLUSION

1. So we find that "Father Counsel For Godly Living" includes...
   a. Six keys for a good life
   b. A high estimation of the value of wisdom
   b. Six negatives for a wise life

2. This chapter does not begin to exhaust the wisdom God offers...
   a. More will be shared in the discourses to come in chapters 4-9
   b. Much is to be found in the proverbs of chapters 10-31

Of course, Christ is the ultimate repository of wisdom and knowledge
(Col 2:3), and many commentators suggest passages like Pr 3:13-20 to be
veiled references to Jesus.

Are we willing to let the wisdom of God in all its manifestations guide
us in this life...?