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“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34), (Luke 9:23) (Matthew 16:24). 1. Self-denial
2. Take up his cross daily.
3. Follow me.
This is the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20–to go into all the world and make disciples. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Teach them self-denial, to take up their cross, and follow me.
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Our Lord never insists on obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces us to do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit with Him. That is why whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an “If,” meaning, “You do not need to do this unless you desire to do so.” “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” (Luke 9:23). In other words, “To be My disciple, let him give up his right to himself to Me.” Our Lord is not talking about our eternal position but about our being of value to Him in this life here and now. That is why He sounds so stern (see Luke 14:26). Never try to make sense of these words by separating them from the One who spoke them.
The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience, thousands were blessed. When God’s redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.
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admin Bible Study, Wisdom Keys 9 Comments Wisdom -The principal Thing.
What Is Wisdom?
“Behold, The Fear of the Lord, That Is Wisdom….” (Job 28:28.
But What does it mean to fear the lord? This “Fear” refers to reverence and respect–honoring God much more than we do our parents, grandparents, the boss at work, or the country’s president.
In Basic Training, soldiers learn seven core values, and from then on, they live them every day in everything they do — whether on the job or off. These Seven Core Army Values are what being a Soldier is all about: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.
” But, of all the army values, Honor is the one that embodies all the others.”
General Douglas MacArthur said, “… the very obsession of your public service must be Duty, Honor, and country.“
As Sovereign Lord and Creator, God deserves our highest Honor-–Obedience to His Word.
Since God Is not a man, He cannot lie; therefore, whenever He speaks, obedience is the only expected response.
The Prophet Samuel declared, “Hath the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as in obeying the Voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better…” (1 Samuel 15:22)
Furthermore, Jesus said, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Then, as Jesus ended His first public sermon (The Sermon on the Mount), He warned–
“Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man….”
“And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man….” (Matthew 7:24-26).
Therefore, BE WISE–hearers of the word must also be doers of the word. (James 1:22).
She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.
The Lord, by wisdom, founded the earth; by understanding, He established the heavens; by His knowledge, the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let them not depart from your eyes– Keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Wisdom Is The Principal Thing–Therefore, Get Wisdom. ..
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee honor when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. (Proverbs 4:7-9).
Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?
Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;
For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way–the perverse mouth I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.
By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.
Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.
I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
Only fools despise wisdom and Instruction s. Proverbs 1:7. 9:9 ,
But, give Instructions to a wise man and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning . (Proverbs 9:9)
“If any man lack wisdom , let him ask of God…” (James 1:5).
For this is your Wisdom– Hear the word of God and keep it. (Deuteronomy 4:6).
“The Queen of the south…came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42).
…He (Jesus) taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished and said, “Whence hath this man this Wisdom , and these mighty works?”(Matthew 13:54).
“Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a Wise man , which built his house upon a rock.” (Matthew 7:24).
“…What does the Lord require of thee, but to Do Justly, and to Love Mercy, and to Walk Humbly with thy God? (Hosea 6:8).
O the depth of the riches, both of the Wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).
Finally my brethren, “…my prayer and earnest desire for you, is that you be filled with the knowledge of his will in all Wisdom and Spiritual understanding.”(Colossians 1:9).
“But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? …” (Job 28:13-28).
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally…( James 1:5 ), also (Job 28:20-28).
“The Lord giveth wisdom…” (Proverbs 2:6)
The queen of Sheba came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; “and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42).
Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man who builds his house on a rock. (Matthew 7:24).
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
This wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13-18).
Be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord Is. (Ephesians 5:17).
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than that of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left-hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. (Proverbs 3:13-18).
Hear Instructions and be wise, and refuse it not. (Proverbs 8:33).
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)
“Exalt her, and she shall promote thee–She shall bring thee to honor when thou doest embrace her.”
“She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace–A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.” (Proverbs 4:8-9)
“Only Fools Despise Wisdom…” (Proverbs 1:7)
Some seeds fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them.
But, others fell into good ground: These are they that Hear the Word, and understands it, which also bringeth forth much fruit. (Matthew 13:1-23).
How many sermons have you heard? How much of what you’ve heard, have you understood and applied to your life ? Is the word bringing forth fruit in you. ? Is it changing you to become more like Him> Is your ming being renewed.?
So many questions and more. We attend Church so often, hear the word and yet still the same.
Same attitudes, habits, lust, worldliness, filthy conversations, pride ,envy ,Jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, and the list goes on. But we’ve been in church for years hearing the word–in one ear and out he other.
As much word as some of us have already heard we should be far better than we are but, the word falls by the wayside, on stony groung and among thorns. So little falls on good ground.
We’ve forgotten that it’s our responsibility to receive the word and apply it. Hear the word and do it. The word must be believed and acted upon. Be not hearers only but doers also. (James 1:22).
Learning Obedience is therefore the primary focus at “The Wisdom Centre”
Since we are in fact naughty by nature, Obedience must be learned. We send our dogs to obedience school so they will not pee in the house, yet as children of God we give so little attention to obeying the word of God. In rebellion we are determined to do things our way, yet we want God’s blessings.
All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God… (Deuteronomy 28:1)
God Is Not A Man –He cannot lie. Whatsoever he say’s to you–Do It.
Just do it…
My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.
When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you…
Matilda told such Dreadful Lies
It made one Gasp and Stretch one’s Eyes
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth
Attempted to Believe Matilda:
The effort very nearly killed her
And would have done so, had not She
Discovered this Infirmity.
For once, towards the Close of Day
Matilda, growing tired of play
And finding she was left alone
Went tiptoe to the Telephone
And summoned the Immediate Aid
Of London’s Noble Fire-Brigade.
Within an hour the Gallant Band
Were pouring in on every hand
From Putney, Hackney, Downs, and Bow
With Courage high and Hearts a-glow
They galloped, roaring through the Town
‘Matilda’s House is Burning Down!
They ran their ladders through a score
Of windows on the Ball Room Floor
And took Peculiar Pains to Souse
The Pictures up and down the House
Until Matilda’s Aunt succeeded
In showing them they were not needed
And even then, she had to pay
To get the Men to go away
It happened that a few Weeks later
Her Aunt was off to the Theatre
To see that Interesting Play
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray
She had refused to take her Niece
To hear this Entertaining Piece:
A Deprivation Just and Wise
To Punish her for Telling Lies
That Night a Fire did break out-
You should have heard Matilda Shout!
You should have heard her Scream and Bawl
And throw the window up and call
To People passing in the Street-
For every time she shouted ‘Fire! ‘
They only answered ‘Little Liar! ‘
And therefore, when her Aunt returned,
Matilda, and the House, were Burned.
“ Obedience Is The Only Proof of Our Faith In God. “
Dr. Mike Murdock.
