Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Shalom,

Proverbs 29:1:


1 HE WHO, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed -- and that without remedy.


"Hardens" is the Hebrew word, "qashah", which means:  to be hard, to be harsh, to make stiff, to make stubborn. Used of obstinacy! Notice that "hardens" is a progressive word! That means that it doesn't just happen in  day! It takes time after time after time of refusing to listen to or obey the Word of God! Then when they aren't expecting it, destruction comes and there is no remedy, or way out for them! NOT GOOD! Don't harden your heart to the correction and discipline of God's Word! Everything God does for us, especially discipline, is out of Hid great love for us, to get us in position to receive His richest and best blessings! Thank You, Jesus! 


Philippians 1:23-24 reveal a conflict that Paul was faced with:


23  But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; 24 But to remain in my body is moire needful and essential for your sake.


Paul had such a great desire to be in heaven with Jesus! He had endured so much in his life and was so looking forward to the time when he would be face to face with the Lord Jesus for eternity! Remember 2 Corinthians 5:8 that says "to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord". That is what WE have to look forward to, too! But FIRST THINGS FIRST! Let's complete our "mission" here before we move on! It is much more needful for THEM! AMEN!


There are three "proofs" that the people meant what they had prayed and confessed in yesterday's reading in Nehemiah. They are:

  1. Their submission to the Word of God: Nehemiah 10:1-27 & 29.
  2. Their commitment to separate from the world: Nehemiah 10:28 & 30-31.
  3. Their support for the "House of God": Nehemiah 10:32-39.
We can gauge OUR commitment to the Lord with these same three choices! How do YOU measure up? If you need a little "fine tuning", make it your determined purpose to do so! 

Shalom in Him!