The Fear of the Lord vs. the Christmas tree

Proverbs 31:30 AMP

Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.

Matthew Henry concise commentary:
She fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever.

Miyagi’s commentary:

In society today, women are more concerned about how they look on the outside than how they are on the inside.  The world stresses heavily on outward appearance, cosmetics, weight loss programs, and fashions.  But seldom do we hear of women going out of their way to seek wisdom,  to build character, and to cultivate the fear of the Lord.  To find a woman who is fully submissive to her husband and obedient to the Lord in today’s society, one that makes serving Jesus a top priority,  is like looking for a needle in a haystack.  Most want to be seen and heard, to have some form of control in the home, and to be the ones who give orders to the husbands…….these are a dime a dozen.   Even in churches and in Christian homes, one will find women who bosses their husbands around, who belittles them and controls them.  Most do not fit the Proverbs 31 description of a wife… not even close.   And if she is single, you can see her bossing the men around.

Yes, God calls us to honor our wives as the weaker vessel.  That is one thing.  But to allow them to be the leader and have sole authority in the home, that is entirely another thing.  God did not intend to make men as puppies but in the image and likeness of God.  

So when I read about the godly women in the Bible such as Esther and Ruth, I would ask God, “where are these women in today’s society?”   And just as Matthew Henry said…”.the fear of God reigning in their hearts is the true beauty of the soul.  It will last forever.”  Outward superficial beauty is no proof of wisdom and goodness at all.  And it is only temporary.  

Summary conclusion:

So in choosing a wife, men, look for the beauty of the soul, not the amount of cosmetic on her face.  

Proverbs 11:22

As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion [her lack of character mocks her beauty].

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments

Miyagi’s commentary

Ever met a beautiful woman with the right amount of make-up, a pretty dress and fine jewelry, then she opens her mouth and all that beauty becomes negated by the words she say?  A woman without character nor discretion and is loud and defiant is very disturbing and unsettling to be around.  And all that outward beauty goes out the door and becomes meaningless because it becomes nullified and spoiled by the lack of character.  How tragic.  

Summary conclusion:
If a woman works on cultivating the beauty of her soul, her outward beauty will eventually radiate on the outside.  But if a woman only works on the outward beauty only,  which is what most women are doing today, she is just a pretty picture….and hollow inside.    

The Big Picture:

A woman who fears the Lord is called “a woman worthy of praise.”

A woman who is only concerned with cosmetics, jewelry and clothes is called “a Christmas tree.”

The Byword

The fear of the Lord in her heart is very attractive and good.

So don't be deceived by the Christmas trees in your neighborhood.

Miyagi

No Laughing Matter

No laughing matter

Proverbs 14:6, 9  AMP

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom],

But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].

9 Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools],

But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.

Matthew Henry Concise commentary

A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit.  Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that make light of sin, make light of Christ.

Miyagi’s commentary

Have you ever been around people who jokes about sin or laughs at sin? Or been around people who make a joke of everything around them?  Just as Matthew Henry mentioned so clearly that those who make light of sin is actually making light of Christ.  Sin is a serious matter and sin is what nailed Jesus on the cross.  We should be remorseful over sin, not joke or laugh about it.  It is no laughing matter.  Churches who have funny pastors that constantly make the people laugh fosters an atmosphere liken to an amusement park, not a place of repentance and change of heart.  WE have comedy clubs for that.  Church ought to be a place where people are lead to reflect on how they have lived their lives and what areas are in need of repentance.  

Summary conclusion:

If you are serious about Christ, then get serious about sin.  Sin is something to forsake at all cost, not to be played with or joke about.

Psalm 1:1 AMP

Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers).

Matthew Henry concise commentary

Verses 1-3 To meditate in God's word, is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought. We must have constant regard to the word of God, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day. For this purpose no time is amiss.

MIyagi’s commentary

When we joke about sin, are we not “sitting in the seat of the scoffers?”  When I hear people say things like “I love my sin or my favorite sin is…..,” it grieves my spirit so much.  It is almost as if they value their pet sin and they have fun with it.   I believe there is a time and place for laughter, but sin is not where it is at.   We are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).  Our attitude toward sin should be one of disgust and anger.  Sin nailed Jesus to the cross.  But instead people play with sin...like a toy.  I hear pastors on the pulpit all the time saying things like “don’t be so hard on yourselves.  God knows we are all human and born in sin.  So if you mess up, just ask for forgiveness.  It will be okay.  Don't beat yourself up over it.”   This is heresy, a lie from the pits of hell.  It is as if God has a big pot of greasy grace and when we sin, He would just slap some of that greasy grace on us and all is well.  Where is the remorse, the repentance, the deep introspection of our sin against God?

Summary conclusion:

If sin is ignored and undealt with, it will sent a person to hell.  Get serious about it and get rid of it.  It is no joking matter.

The big picture:

Your attitude towards sin is a reflection of your attitude about Jesus Christ.  If you can joke about sin, you probably can joke about Christ.   Some years ago, there was a preacher who decided he wanted to become a comedian instead.  He went on stage and started to joke and make fun of Jesus.  He kept doing it and would not repent.  One day, he got into a freak car accident and he died.   Sin is not a joking matter.  It is a matter of life and death.  

The byword

If you don’t get rid of sin, sin will eventually get rid of you.

Miyagi

Heavenly treasures vs. earthly treasures..... what's in your heart?

Date: March 22, 2017

To:  The Body of Christ

From:  Mr. Miyagi

Subject:  Our daily devotion

Re:   Heavenly treasures vs.  earthly treasures

Good morning brethren, today’s Scripture from our Daily Bread is found in Heb 11:26 AMP- He considered the reproach of the Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God].

Commentary:

As believers, we know that we are only pilgrims on this earth. Our final destination is Heaven, where we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.  Heaven is our reward for living for Christ on this earth.  It involves obedience to God, staying in His will, and applying His word in our lives daily.  But this is not always easy.   We live in a world that does not follow God.  It is a world that glorifies the flesh and is given over to its carnal appetites, a world that shuns the good in God and embraces evil.   So when a believer walks according to God’s decree, it is as if he is speaking a foreign language that the world does not understand. The world will not cheer him on for living the straight and narrow.  It will not support his choice to live righteously.  In fact, he will be laughed at, or be insulted or disgraced for his love for God and at other times, he may even be persecuted for his faith in Christ.  But nevertheless, if a believer remains faithful to Jesus Christ no matter what, in the end, he will be rewarded with eternal life in Christ.

What are some of the riches of Heaven on earth as we pray “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?”

Peace of God is one of the heavenly riches on earth.  How does this peace relate to God’s heavenly riches?  For example, man has attempted to buy peace through seeing counselors and psychiatrists in hope to find rest as he tries to safeguard his riches.  But the peace of God which surpasses all understanding cannot be bought with money.  It is given to those who have fully placed their trust in Jesus Christ.  

Phil 4:6-7  AMP-

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

Commentary

Man will tend to go to “Egypt” meaning a therapist to get peace.  They are constantly in turmoil because they worry about their wealth.  But those who are in Christ are different.  They go to God in prayer and apply the Word in their lives through prayer.  This is how they achieve the peace of God.  They look to the heavenly reward.  But those without Christ will seek man for solutions such as seeing a counselor to help them alleviate the stress of protecting their wealth.  As a result, they often find that they are still without peace.  So when a person in Christ focuses on the heavenly riches such as peace, he is esteeming the greater riches of Christ rather than the treasures of the world.  

Paul says in Phil 4:8 AMP-  “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”  

Paul is saying that these things that you have learned from him, do them and the God of peace will be with you.  You will be able to receive and experience the riches of Christ that can only come from heaven.  And what are these riches?  It is the Word of God.  And this heavenly treasure surpasses the riches on earth.  Paul discovered this greater riches from heaven.  How do you obtain these riches from heaven?  The answer is found in Phil 4:6-7.

Those without Christ will try to get peace from medication and seeing a therapist.  They will go to external substitutes to get the peace such as drugs, alcohol, food and so forth.  But they will find that these substitutes are futile and cannot supply the peace that they need.  The God-shaped vacuums in their hearts can only be satisfied with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.  No substitute can provide that satisfaction.  A believer who struggles with this will eventually realized that even for them, they need to repent and rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ to obtain forgiveness for falling away.  These external substitutes are idols which must be removed from their hearts.  Their hearts must be filled with the Lord Jesus Christ.  So this is for the believers as well.

As per Phil 4, Paul is saying he knows how to be abase because he has the understanding ( v.12).  He can do all things through Christ because Christ is his riches (v. 13).  He has the understanding that God shall supply all his needs (v. 19).  And he gives God all the glory (v. 20).   

The  heavenly riches of Christ cannot be bought with money.   It can only be achieved by faith in Christ.  For those who are carnal and struggling in the world, Paul says “follow me.”  There are people in churches today who are still carnal and still struggling with the kingdom realm and the earthly realm.  The key power is the Holy Spirit.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, you will have understanding what is the riches in Christ in heaven that is beyond any riches and treasures of this earth.  If not, a person will see his therapist every week, but will still lack the peace that he so desires.  When man achieves human understanding rather than revelations from God, it is only temporary.

Proverbs 22:1 AMP-

A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;  And favor is better than silver and gold.

Commentary:

AS mentioned in Hebrews 11, Moses was willing to suffer the rebuke of his faithfulness to God rather than enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.  He left a life of plenty to associated with God’s people, the Israelites.  His life exemplified moral courage, godly wisdom, and faithful obedience unto God.  He had a life of luxury and was set up to live like a king, but gave it all up when he answered God’s call to free the Israelites.  He chose God rather than riches and gold.  For him, the heavenly treasures were more desirable than earthly treasures.   Moses’ name is therefore remembered because of his faithful obedience to God.  

Psalm 62:10

Do not trust in oppression,

And do not vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Commentary:

So we are being reminded not to place our trust in earthly riches, our money.  It is not a sin to have great wealth on earth, but if a person places his trust in his earthly riches as opposed to trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then his money becomes his idol and he has sinned.  A person is tested when he comes into possession of a large sum of money.  The money in itself is neutral.  It is what a person does with the money that determines the true condition of his heart.  

Here is a poem we wrote to illustrate this point:

If money is your god and is always on your mind

And you find yourself struggle with worrying all the time

And you are constantly without peace, seeking for a way

To protect all your money from flying away one day

Then know that it is futile to go to man for help

For the only one who can give you peace is Jesus Christ Himself

Because only He can give you the true peace of mind you need

So go to God in prayer and His Word you must heed

Be anxious for nothing, my friend.  It’ll make you sick, you know.

Instead, put your faith in Jesus because it is vital for your soul

Not only can He protect your money, but your life and health as well

So please hear what the Lord is saying…...for it is loud and clear as a bell.

In conclusion, a person’s money cannot buy him peace.  Only Jesus can provide this peace.  So a person does well to put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  

Shalom and blessings,

Mr. Miyagi