All The Counsel of God

Text:  Prov 8:10

• Intro:
  • Biblical Instruction is of greater value to you than the accumulation of wealth [Prov 8:10].  
  • Today we are going to look at Biblical instruction to see where it comes from, what it does for you and what happens to you when you refuse it.
• Where instruction comes from.  
  • Instruction comes from
    • the scripture [2 Tim 3:16];
    • the Lord [Job 33:14-17];
    • your parents [Prov 1:8];
    • your teachers [Prov 5:12-13] (but be careful here because not all teachers will instruct you in the truth [Prov 19:27]);
    • reproofs [Prov 6:23];
    • and observation [Prov 24:32].
• What instruction does for you.
  • Instruction is your life [Prov 4:13].  
  • Instruction makes you wise [Prov 8:33].  
  • And instruction makes you prudent (capable of exercising sound judgment in practical matters, circumspect) [Prov 15:5]
• What happens when you refuse instruction.
  • When you refuse instruction you are a fool [Prov 1:7].  
  • You cast God’s words behind you [Ps 50:17].  
  • And you err [Prov 10:17].  
  • You get dishonor, cruelty, bankruptcy (Prov 13:18), disease, sin and great folly [Prov 5:9-11, 5:22-23].  
  • And you despise our own soul [Prov 15:32].
• Conclusion:
  • If you decide to live without instruction, then every bad thing that came upon fools in the Bible can come upon you.  
  • Israel refused the Lord’s instruction [Jer 17:23] and instead of kings continuing on the throne of David [Jer 17:25] their temple and palaces were destroyed and the people were scattered. 
  • Our country has refused the Lord’s instruction and, in time, the same thing will happen here. 
  • If you don’t want your life to be wiped out then start listening to instruction and daily follow what you are instructed to do, in spite of the fact that you don’t like anybody telling you what to do. 
  • You will reap the benefits of instruction and you will be pleased with the results.

Text: Lk 23:33

• We all go through trials and temptations in the valleys of life. 
  • But there are certainly some wonderful mountain top experiences, as well. 
  • Today we are going to look at some of these mountain top experiences in hopes that you will find yourself more often on the mountain with the Lord than down in the dumps.  
  • Notice where we can have mountain top experiences with Jesus.
• On Mt. Calvary –
  • Lk 23:33 where our Lord was crucified.  
  • Calvary is where we are reminded of his sacrifice and the depth of his love. 
  • Calvary is where we have our death in Christ [Rom 6:3-5]. 
  • Calvary is where we die daily [1 Cor 15:31]. 
  • You see, when we are crucified with Christ [Gal 2:20] then Christ lives his life in us. 
  • We really get to know him on Calvary [Phil 3:10].
  • And while we experience fellowship with his sufferings, we also see the power of his resurrection. 
  • Have a mountain top experience with Jesus every day on Mt. Calvary.
• On Mt. Sinai –
  • Ex 3:1-5, 12, Ex 24:13, Deut 5:4 also called Horeb or the mount of God where the Lord talked face to face out of the midst of the fire.  
  • Sinai is where we are reminded of God’s holiness. 
  • In Heb 12:18-21, Moses said I exceedingly fear and quake. 
  • Sinai is where we fear God and serve God [Phil 2:12-13]. 
  • We are here for his pleasure [Rev 4:11]; he’s not here for ours.
• On Mt. Zion –
  • Ps 48:2, Heb 12:22 where the Lord reigns in the heavenly Jerusalem. 
  • And Is 24:23 where the Lord shall reign in Mount Zion on earth when he returns.  
  • Mt. Zion is where we are reminded of the Lord’s authority. 
  • He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and he will rule forever. 
  • The centurion said, “I am a man under authority.” 
  • That’s exactly where we need to be. 
  • Have regular mountain top experiences with the Lord on Mt. Zion to remind yourself who’s in charge!!
• On Mt. Olivet –
  • Matt 26:30-38 where the Lord prayed in Gethsemane and Lk 19:37 where the disciples rejoiced and praised God during Jesus’ triumphal entry.  
  • Mt. Olivet is where we are reminded of his fellowship. 
  • That’s where the disciples fellowshipped with Jesus, where they prayed with him, where they learned from him [Matt 24], and where they praised him. 
  • We need daily mountain top experiences in fellowship with the Lord on Mt. Olivet in prayer and praise.
• On Mt. Paran –
  • Deut 33:2 where Moses prophesied the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  
  • On Mt. Paran we are reminded of his return, when he comes with ten thousands of his saints [that’s us, Rev 19:11-15]. 
  • We are to be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ,” [Titus 2:13]. 
  • Too many Christians are consumed with thoughts and fears about things down here.  Quit looking down and start looking up. 
  • Get on the mountain top with the Lord!!
• Conclusion:
  • Keep these mountains in mind always and rejoice that you can commune with the Lord on these mountains at all times. 
• Having regular mountain top experiences with the Lord on these mountains will help you when you find yourself in the valleys.

Text:   Ezek. 14:14

• Intro:
  • In Ezek 14:14 and in Jer 15:1 you read about five of the greatest men in the Bible. 
  • They are Noah, Daniel, Job, Moses and Samuel. 
  • They were great because of their righteousness and because of their intercession. 
  • These were men who stood in the gap for someone else and God was entreated for them in a way unparalleled by other men.
• These three were righteous and by their righteousness each delivered someone.
• Noah delivered his family – Gen 6:8-9, 18 –
  • Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord because of his righteousness among other things –
  • Not only did he deliver his own family but he attempted to deliver others even though they disregarded his preaching, 2 Pet 2:5; Heb 11:7 –
  • By his preaching he condemned the world and by his righteous obedience, he delivered his family –
  • Lot wasn’t so fortunate to save his family.
• Job delivered his friends – Job 42:7-9 –
  • After a long and arduous battle with the devil, Job came out on top by humbling himself before the Lord –
  • When he exalted his righteousness he couldn’t win, but when he did the right thing and humbled himself, he came out victorious –
  • He spoke of the Lord the thing that is right [v.7] –
  • His friends didn’t –
  • And even though they tormented him about his righteousness most of the way through his battle, Job prayed for them and God turned away from dealing with them after their folly.
• Daniel delivered his fellow citizens – Dan 6:4, 25-28; Ezra 1:1-4 –
  • After the king’s decree which criminalized Daniel’s prayer life, Daniel continued to pray toward Jerusalem [1 Ki 8:44-50] –
  • When his accusers forced the king to throw Daniel in the lion’s den –
  • The result was that the king realized the glory and power of Daniel’s God – undoubtedly in his high position Daniel was instrumental in gaining favor for his people with Cyrus –
  • He did the right thing in praying and the captives eventually went home.
• These two were great intercessors and turned away God’s wrath from Israel when Israel rejected the Lord.
• Moses interceded for Israel when they chose an idol – Ex 32:9-14, 31-32 –
  • Moses stood in the gap between God and Israel and spared them from God’s wrath.
• Samuel interceded for Israel when they chose a king – 1 Sam 12:23-24 (see context) –
  • Samuel stood in the gap between God and Israel and spared them from God’s wrath in choosing a king.
  • Eventually, Israel is going to turn to the king antichrist and worship his idol Rev 13, 2 Thes 2] and when they do, God will not be able to find a man to stand in their gap [as in Ezek 22:25-31] –
  • Thank God that Jesus will come and be that man for Israel like he was that man for us [1 Tim 2:3-6].
• Conclusion:
  • Be sure to be that man for your family, friends, fellow citizens and your country [1 Tim 2:1-3] –
  • May it never be said of our church that God sought for a man to make up the hedge and to stand in the gap but that he found none –
  • Follow the example of these great men and intercede!!

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

Each time when I hear casual conversation with someone saved or lost, the word “God” followed by the word “damn”, or “Jesus Christ”, or “for Christ’s sake”, it really grieves my indwelling Holy Spirit. I have at times and wish it was all the time that I stopped the person that I was speaking with and pointed out that they were using the Lord’s name in vain. The response from the other person has been mixed. I get something like, “I am sorry”, or “What are you religious or something”. You see most people are not even aware they are using the Lord’s name in vain. It has become a part of their regular vocabulary along with a string of cuss words.

Hollywood and the movie industry have incorporated along with all their vile and wickedness, the use of the Lord’s name in vain as well in the dialogue on the big screen.

Some of you reading this may say, “Well, what the bid deal.” The big deal is when the Lord’s name is used in vain, one of the ten commandments is broken. Ask yourself why don’t people us the name of the pope, Mohammed, Budha, Judge Russell (founder of the JWs), Mary Baker Eddy (founder of the Christian Scientist), or Ellen White (founder of the Seven Day Adventist) in vain. The answer is that Jesus Christ, is the one true God. The only God. He and God the Father are one in the same.

We are told by the words of God regarding the name of Jesus Christ – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12), “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31), “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10: 9-10), “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

My dear friend Jesus Christ is the only name whereby an individual can be saved from going to the Lake of Fire for time and eternity. However, most of mankind has consciously rejected God and His Words even though He has revealed Himself to every human upon the earth.

My dear friend if you call yourself a Christian, does it grieve you to hear the Lord’s name taken in vain. Do say anything to the person using the Lord’s name vain or are you frozen at the mouth as the Arctic River? Do you spend time in front of TV, DVD player, or movies where the Lord’s name is used in vain over and over again?

We as Christians must honor and uphold the precious name of Jesus to world because He is the one true God that can save a person from going to the Lake of Fire!

TEXT: Romans 1:17-32

It is not hard to notice but the world has become very violent and wicked. I remember growing up in the late 1950s and 1960s that worst thing that happen in high school was someone was caught smoking in the boys room.

Today, it is dangerous going to school with all the mass shootings going on. In fact, it is dangerous going most places today. Each day there seems to occur a massing shooting at restaurants, places of worship, and places of entertainment and recreation.

You get in your car and there is a good possibility you could be a victim of road rage or car jacking.

We have the exploiting of children who are being kidnapped, molested and sold into sex trafficking. Many of the illegal aliens coming into our country both children and adults are being sold as sex slaves.

Our infants are being murdered on daily basis. A baby can be murdered up to and including the last month or pregnancy. Abortions are considered proper health care.

Even though the Word of God tells us there are only two genders, male and female our society claims and promotes there are multiple genders. Today, it is hard to tell looking at a person what gender they are.

Our society has legalized same sex marriage and trying ram down our throat’s transgenders in women sports. Our society is paying the medical expenses for people who want to change genders. The people who want to have their genitals removed and breasts and female organs removed are being covered under their medical insurance.

I could go on and on how man has degenerated into a vile and wicked creature.

Why has all this happened? The answer as all answers are found in the written Words of God.

If you will take the time to read the Words of God in  Romans 1:17-32, the answer will jump off the page! The answer, all this happens when men reject God after He has clearly revealed His Self to man. What you have stated in Romans 1:17-32, is the steady decline of man into vileness and wickedness when he rejects God.

My dear reader if you have rejected God this is what you are headed for! I beseech you to repent of your sins and trust only in blood atonement of Jesus Christ and His resurrection to pay for all your sins and give you a home in heaven.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1Corinthians 15:1-4)

Text:  Prov. 2:1-6

• Intro:
  • Many people get saved and then they stagnate. 
  • The reason is that they don’t find the knowledge of God. 
  • In other words, they know Jesus as their Saviour but that’s all they know. 
  • We say, “Read your Bible and come to church.” 
  • They start but they soon give up because they don’t “get it.”
• Today we’re going to see what finding the knowledge of God takes so that you can grow beyond the principles of the doctrine of Christ [Heb 6:1] and go on unto perfection.
• The process of finding the knowledge of God – Prov 2:1-3 –
  • “Receive my words” – through reading, preaching and teaching –
    • This is absorbing the words and believing them.
  • “Hide my commandments” – Ps 119:11 –
    • Not just memorizing them but getting to know them so well that you can obey them without having to look them up –
    • These “commands” will guide you.
  • “Incline thine ear unto wisdom” –
    • That is to pay close attention to and listen willingly to wisdom by cutting out all of the commotion and distractions that compete.
  • “Apply thine heart to understanding”-
    • That is to employ yourself diligently to –
    • Often you don’t understand something in the Bible because you haven’t “worked at it” hard enough to understand –
    • Other times your lack of understanding may be due to disobedience [Job 28:28].
  • “Criest after knowledge” – this is prayer, which leads to the next point.
• The prayer for finding the knowledge of God – Prov 2:3 –
  • See Prov 2:6; Jas 1:5; Lk 24:32, 45 –
    • You aren’t going to understand this Book unless the Lord gives you the understanding [Prov 2:6] –
    • So pray to him for knowledge.
  • While we’re on this point notice the triad of wisdom, understanding and knowledge –
    • Prov 2:2-3; 2:6; 2:10-11; 1:2-4; 3:19-20; 24:3-4 –
    • These three show up together in many different places –
    • They are briefly described as follows:
  • Knowledge – FACTS – the “what” of what you know
  • Understanding – FAITH – the “how” of what you know
  • Wisdom – FEAR – the “who” of what you know [Prov 1:7]
• The pursuit of finding the knowledge of God – Prov 2:4 – “seekest her… searchest for her” –
  • We are to seek for the knowledge of God as we would seek for silver or search for a hidden treasure –
    • These two admonitions show you the significance of what you are after –
    • They show you the:
      • Value of the knowledge of God
      • Work involved in finding the knowledge of God
      • Time involved – years
      • Persistence it takes – stay with it
      • Difficulty involved – it’s hidden
      • Goal of finding the knowledge of God – you will find it
• The prerequisite of finding the knowledge of God – Prov 2:5 – “the fear of the Lord” –
  • Prov 9:10; Job 28:28 –
  • You say, “I don’t understand” –
  • You won’t until you do the first three things and then when you do those you will understand the fear of the Lord –
  • It is something no one else can quite explain to you – you must know it for yourself.
• The promise of finding the knowledge of God – Prov 2:5 – “and find the knowledge of God” –
  • You will find it –
  • Seeking to find the knowledge of God is not a vain pursuit –
  • We try every way we can to help you with Sunday school lessons, Sunday morning and evening preaching, Wednesday Bible study, radio broadcasts, internet posts, and men’s and women’s Bible studies
  • BUT we cannot do your work for you!
• Conclusion:
  • You must go through the process, you must pray, you must pursue, you must meet the prerequisite and God will fulfill his promise!!

“Ye also helping together by prayer for us … “ (2 Corinthians 1:11)

The prayer to which the apostle here refers was concerning a collection which had been taken, doubtless for the apostle’s support. It is called “… the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons …” and for that Paul desired that ” … thanks may be given by many on our behalf (2 Corinthians 1: 11 ).

There are some of us who count the great prayer fraternity, who hold us constantly before God’s throne, as our fortune. We believe that intercessory prayer is a power; and while we do not attempt to explain it, we bear witness to this fact of experience, namely, that when our burdens have been heaviest, our danger most imminent, when the adversary seemed most determined against us, we have discovered that somehow the Spirit of God, anticipating all of that, had stirred many people to pray; and more than once we have been compelled to assign victory to intercessory prayers.

Some years ago, I was passing through a great trial, and I believed at that time that it was the greatest of my life. In the very midst of it, when I was utterly unfitted for any duty, I had to keep an engagement of long standing in Chicago.

On reaching that city, I found an old-time friend eager for me to come out to Morgan Park and dine at his home. In answer to his urgent invitation, I went.

His wife and mother were marvelously godly women – women who walked in the Spirit. At the dinner table, imagine my amazement to have the wife say to me, “Dr. Riley, two nights ago Mother and I were led to spend the whole night in prayer for you. We did not know why, but we found it impossible to do else.”

The speech astonished me immeasurably, but it also lent me hope in an hour that was otherwise dark, for I knew prayers so prompted by the Spirit would prevail.

It was like a sunburst from behind the blackest cloud; but better yet is another thought, namely, that the Brother of all brothers, even our Elder Brother Christ, does not forget us.

You remember how that night when He was about to leave the upper room and go to the garden for His agony and betrayal, Jesus first prayed for His disciples, committing them to the keeping power of God, and pleading that they might be sanctified in the truth, made one in the faith, effective in service, and received at last into glory. To be sure, in their weakness they slept when He needed them; but even that failure did not keep them from the Father’s blessing, for Christ had prayed for them.

We sometimes forget that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Christ of Peter is your Christ and my Christ; and that even as He said to Peter, “… Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not …” (Luke 22:31-32), so He speaks to us and pleads on our behalf, that we, when we recover, might strengthen our brethren. Yea, that we in response might, like Peter, be ready to say, “… Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death” (Luke 22:33).

Ps. 103:15 

• Intro:
  • The Bible says, As for man, his days are as grass. 
  • When you think about the way grass grows and how we must maintain grass to keep it alive and well groomed, we find some interesting parallels between men and grass. 
  • By studying a few obvious things about grass perhaps we will “see” spiritual connections to things in our own lives. 
  • Sometimes it is easier to see a spiritual truth in a type or in a parable than it is to see it spiritually.
  • Now, for this comparison, I am thinking about St. Augustine grass or what we used to call “carpet” grass.  
  • Notice these things that are true about carpet grass that are also true about men.
• Grass needs to be watered –
  • Grass must maintain an adequate amount of moisture for the time of year and the weather conditions [i.e., it needs more water in the hot summer] –
  • Can you see some applications here –
  • The Holy Spirit is likened to water in the Bible [Jn 7:37-39] –
  • Therefore, when you are filled with the Spirit you are adequately watered –
  • When you are not, you are dry –
  • And no one knows better than the Spirit himself just how much you need – furthermore, grass responds much better to rain water than it does to treated “city” water –
  • The word of God is likened to water in the Bible [Eph 5:26] –
  • Men’s use of “treated” water [modern Bibles] will not sustain you nearly like the “rain” of the true words of God [King James Bible, Is 55:10-11].
• Grass needs to be fed –
  • Generally there are two good time to fertilize carpet grass –
  • There is the spring feeding and there is the winter feeding –
  • These are different fertilizer combinations to feed the root system during the dormant winter months and to feed the blade during the spring and summer growing seasons –
  • Can you see an application here –
  • This seasonal fertilizing is like having a special revival meeting –
  • When you get a big dose of spiritual food to carry you through a season.
• Grass goes through seasons of growth –
  • During the winter, grass is generally dormant and in the spring it starts to grow and grows well until the late fall, at which time it becomes dormant again –
  • Can you see the application here –
  • You are going to go through seasons of spiritual growth at certain times and at other times you are going to be dormant –
  • These times of dormancy are important for your spiritual health –
  • They make you stronger for your next season of growth –
  • So don’t get upset when you “plateau” from time to time.
• Grass grows by spreading out –
  • Carpet grass sends runners out and spreads by covering soil and by covering itself to make a thicker lawn –
  • Can you see an application here –
  • We grow by spreading out to our neighbors and friends and by growing thicker in our families and relatives.
• Grass needs to be mowed –
  • In order to keep the grass healthy and well groomed it needs to be mowed regularly –
  • Can you see an application here –
  • Mowing is like coming to church each week –
  • You get mowed and groomed!!
• Grass needs to be weeded out –
  • There are weeds that show up in the late winter and early spring and then there are some weeds that you have to deal with all year long –
  • Interestingly those winter weeds show up at a time when the grass is really getting ready to grow –
  • Can you see an application here –
  • Weeds are like sins in your life –
  • And so we understand that during seasons of growth in our lives we also generally have to deal with more sin in our lives –
  • You wouldn’t think that would be so –
  • But after a few growing seasons you’ll see the trend in your life and you’ll have to be on guard against those sins –
  • To get rid of these weeds you have to pull them up by the roots and, like sin, you have to deal with them consistently –
  • If not they will overtake sections of your lawn like sin will overtake parts of your life.
• Grass needs to be treated –
  • That is when grass gets attacked by bugs or by fungi you have to treat it to kill off what’s attacking it –
  • Can you see an application here –
  • The devil attacks us just like bugs and fungi attack grass and so you need to fight him with your spiritual armor –
  • You can tell when grass needs to be treated because it starts showing signs of unusual stress –
  • Likewise you will show signs of spiritual stress –
  • You may need to take a sample of your grass to the local nursery to determine the cause of the stress and you may need some help from a spiritual counselor to determine the cause of your spiritual stress –
  • Oftentimes, the stress can’t be found until you get down to the “roots” where the problem starts.
• Grass needs good soil –
  • The better the soil the better the grass grows –
  • Can you see the application –
  • A good heart is likened to good soil [Lk 8:15] –
  • The better your heart the better your spiritual growth.
• Conclusion:
  • If you don’t want to hassle with all of this then you can just have artificial turf – and that is the case with many so-called Christians –
  • They have an artificial Christian life!

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1)

We see in our verse Satan questioning the words of God in the Garden of Eden. Nothing has changed. Satan continues to this very day to question and cast doubt upon the words of God. Like Eve many today are falling into Satan’s trap. Sad to say even those who claim to be Christians are also following for Satan’s trap.

When one questions and casts doubt on the Words of God, then it no longer is your finally authority. Whatever you want becomes your final authority for the way you live your life and interact with other people. Just take your pick and ask yourself what your final authority is.

Here is an example how Satan today is still questioning the words of God and many are falling into is trap.

The words of God say, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:6-9)

Many in our society today believing Satan’s lie that God did not really say that. As a result, we no longer have just two genders, male and female but as I found on a google search 72 genders. Talk about confusion. The words of God tell us God is not the author of confusion. If God is not the author of confusion, then the devil must be.

In addition, to people believing Satan’s lie and questioning what it says in Mark 10:6-9, we have same sex marriages legalized in the United States of America. I have heard that some perverts want to marry animals. The month of June has officially become pride month.

As our civilization continues to destroy itself by believing Satan when he says, Yea, hath God said, the only thing that brings the true disciples of Christ hope and comfort is the soon return of Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Text:  Prov. 20:29 

• Intro:
  Strength comes pretty naturally to young men [Prov 20:29 the glory of young men is their strength] –Sometimes you see this youthful strength even in an old man [Caleb – Jos 14:10-11] –But the strength we need in our lives is far more than physical strength –Physical strength can do very little for us in the work of the Lord –Here are some verses that show us how we obtain strength –
  • We obtain strength from:
• The Lord – God, Ps 18:1-2 “strengthen me” –
  • You do not need a greater defense than he –
  • He is right there to step in at any time –
  • Jesus, Phil 4:13 –
  • Anything he wants you to do you can do through his strength –
  • We are in his body –
  • So we can be abased or abound and still be content –
  • A missionary on a hard field, under-supported, can be strengthened to continue –
  •  Holy Spirit, Eph 3:16 –
  • Strengthened with might in the inner man –
  • Mainly in our fight with the flesh and in the supernatural calling of God [spiritual gifts].
• The way of the Lord – Prov 10:29 –
  • We are reinforced by walking in the way of the Lord –
  • When you step out of the way of the Lord is when you are weak –
  • You end up walking through thorns and hedges, the way of transgressors hard, and evil pursueth sinners.
• Wisdom – Prov 24:5; Ecc 7:19 –
  • Greatest source of wisdom is the Bible –
  • Ps 119:28 –
  • 1 Pet 2:2 –
  • So apply yourself diligently to the study of the word –
  • Live by the word [be doers].
• Preachers – Lk 22:32; Acts 18:23 –
  • Preachers impart godly, spiritual, biblical truth through preaching –
  • And just at the right time.
• Grace – 2 Cor 12:9 –
  • Grace is an element of supernatural provision that more than compensates for our physical insufficiency.
• Joy – Neh 8:10 –
  • Joy is one manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit –
  • Rejoice evermore –
  • Paul wanted to finish his course with joy [Acts 20:24] –
  • Jesus, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross [Heb 12:2].
• Courage – Jos 1:9 –
  • Moral courage strengthens a man to stand and fight when every instinct in him tells him to run [Prov 28:1] –
  • Joshua knew that he was in the right to be strong against the enemies that he would face in Canaan.
• Conclusion:
  • These seven things are better than a workout at the gym [though a good workout at the gym is not a bad thing] –
  • Concentrate your time and effort on these and you will grow stronger in the Lord through your entire life.