The Father’s Doctrine
Proverbs 4:1-2: 1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
The Lord has given the Christian the responsibility of studying and understanding His Word. To know His doctrine, we must study His doctrine. In the above passage we are first told to “hear”. Before God’s Word can be studied it must first be opened and read. Find a time in every day to open that most precious book that God has given us.
Listen to the instruction! “Instruction” in verse 1 comes from a word meaning “a corrective warning”. God’s people must understand that it is by His Word alone we establish our doctrine. He has given us good doctrine, we shouldn’t go looking for something else. All that we say we believe about God and His service should be based upon what we’ve studied in His Word.
The Father has given us our guidelines. He has shown us His doctrine (doctrine: “received instruction”). Always remember to follow the doctrines of God and not the false doctrines of man. Build your Christian walk around the teachings and principles of God’s Word; not what man says. Man can say anything. He can change his ways and thinking on a whim. But God’s Word has been forever settled in Heaven. Endeavor daily to build your life and, more importantly, your beliefs upon what God has revealed in His Word. It is a foundation that standeth sure!
When we have a result opposite to the expected result we call it “Backfired.” When I was a young teenager, I used to drive combines cutting grain. When we stopped for the day, we used to play, running around trying to throw water on each other. While filling my water cup I heard someone coming up behind me I threw the water over my shoulder, hitting the old farmer right in the face. “Backfired”, Donnie.
In the Book of Esther we read of Haman, chief minister of King Ahasuerus (Akh-asbvay-rosh’) who hated a Jew named Mordecai. His wife and friends told him to build gallows and have Mordecai hung (Esther 5:14) In Esther 7:9, 10 we read where the king said “Hang him thereon. So they hung Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai”. “Backfired”, Haman.
Satan thought he had finally won the battle when they nailed Jesus to the cross. But, Jesus conquered death and made death His footstool. “Backfired”, Satan.
Colossians 2:14, Paul speaks of how God wiped out the charges that were brought against us and nailed them to the cross. “Backfired” on Satan again.
Take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus.
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16
Jesus asked his disciples who do men say I am. Their answer was, many had different ideas of who Jesus was. Today the world has many ideas of who Jesus is. Some may say He is a profit, some may say He was a good man, some may say He was a wise man, and some may even say He never existed. The world has many views about who Jesus is. But it seems to me that Jesus was more concerned of who His disciples believed who He is. As He asked His followers “But Whom say ye that I am” It seems this was the real question, if we as followers are unsure of who Jesus is then… Just something to think about today, WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?
In 2 Samuel 14:29-33 we read of Joab, “David’s captain of the host”, refusing twice to come and talk with Absalom, David’s son, who wanted to go and see his father David. He got to the home of Absalom asking, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?” Absalom said, “I sent for you to come that I may ask you to get permission for me to see the king face to face.? After Joab reported to the king, David called for Absalom and kissed him. The world is filled with those who profess to be a child of God, but will never attend and worship.
Will God have to burn a few “barley fields” to say, “Now I got your attention.?”
(15)Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16)For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17)And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (18)And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18 KJV
Preeminence means to be first (in rank or influence). In verse 18d …that in all things he (JESUS) might have the ranking of number one in our very lives, also he (JESUS) should be the greatest influence in our lives. Everything in our lives is dependent upon Christ. He deserves to have the PREEMINENCE, He deserves to be the PREEMINENCE in our lives. Could I ask you a question today does Jesus Christ have the Preeminence in your life. If not, why? Just a thought…
Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
God’s people have a responsibility to keep themselves pure in heart. We must not allow sin and sinful thoughts to take root in our hearts and lives. The word “regard” in verse 18 indicates something that we have knowingly and willingly allowed into our heart.
There is a difference between slipping and sinning in the moment and willingly transgressing against God. Regarding iniquity in your heart will not only cause you to turn your focus further away from the Lord. It will also hinder your prayer life. Sometimes Christians treat the Lord as if He has no choice but to answer our prayers. God the Father ALWAYS has a choice. And He will do as He wills in each case.
Notice the statement in verse 18: It does not say that God “cannot hear”; but that He “will not hear”. Not because he has lost any ability to hear. He knows the thoughts and desires of your heart before they ever enter into your conscious thoughts. He knows what we say in all of our prayers. He knows all things. Understand that there is nothing that God does not know. And there is no prayer that He does not hear with His ears.
However there are prayers that He can refuse to act upon. God is not in any way obligated to give us what we request of Him. He is the sovereign Lord of all creation. He is not required to do anything that doesn’t fall within His perfect will. A Christian must remember to keep their lives and hearts pure from sinfulness. God may very well refuse to listen actively to your petition if it is done in a wrong state of heart and mind.
Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God”. If a Christian desires to see God working in his or her life; they must have a pure heart that is not full of sinfulness. Especially habitual sinfulness that becomes a lifestyle. A child of God must not regard iniquity in their heart if they wish to have a strong prayer life. Sinfulness in the heart will erode the Christian’s prayer life.
A poor man applied for a job saying he was ready to do anything that would
give him an honest living. His employer said, “Ok, you take that pile of
stones that you see in the end of the lot and carry them to the other side
and pile them up just as they are now.” The man did his job and received
his wages. The next morning he returned and worked faithfully every day
for a week, carrying stones from one place to another without a murmur or
question.
Many men would have objected to doing the work over and over. Years ago, I
asked for a job just as this man. I was given a pick and a shovel and told
to dig a ditch about 50 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. Off to
the side was parked a backhoe. I asked my boss, “Why can’t this be dug by
the backhoe?” He said, “I could take you back home and use my backhoe.” I
kept digging.
The LORD wants servants such as the poor man, serve without objection.
1st Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
It is good from time to time to be reminded of who our enemy is. Christians often are reminded of love, patience, longsuffering, helping and encouraging others and so forth. There is nothing at all wrong or incorrect about living a life that is focussed on those things. In fact, it is to be expected of all Christians to live a lifestyle that includes daily, the things listed above.
Preaching and teaching of Christ Jesus is to be our focus; and His service at the forefront of our thoughts. Heaven should be regularly on the minds of Christians. Joy in Christ should be ever present in our lives. However, we must remind ourselves (with a fair degree of regularity and seriousness) that just as we have a risen, living Saviour; we also have a very real, living adversary.
The devil is NOT the “embodiment” of evil. He is not the “idea” of evil, etc. He is a real, single being (though he has many fallen angels -called devils in the Bible, we often call them “demons”- who serve him in every corner of the earth). He is alive and active on this earth! (The words “walketh about” mean to “tread all around”. See Job 1:7)
Satan is our enemy. He is seeking to damage and destroy the lives and testimonies of Christians. Satan cannot damage our salvation, but he can damage our testimonies. He can tempt us to damage ourselves! The devil has a desire to destroy lives, both spiritually and physically. But primarily, he desires to spiritually erode Christians testimonies to make them appear incredible.
The devil hates Christians and wants us destroyed. The name “Devil” means “slanderer” (“[false] accuser”); “Satan” means “adversary”. Therefore: Our adversary, the slanderous false accuser, seeks to devour and destroy us. We must be sober! (Keep watch to know when he is attacking.) And we MUST be vigilant (alert).
Prepare to Resist!
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
When the devil comes to attack and damage you or your testimony; get close to the Lord in the name of Christ. Submit yourself unto God and resist the devil.
Isaiah 12:2 KJV[2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
It is only by and through the Blood of Christ we have salvation. It has always been the blood. Because of Jesus, we will not fear… Jesus Christ said he would never leave nor forsake me. Today let’s give God thanks for being our God.
”Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 KJV
Life is full of trials. If you are not going through a trial don’t worry about it, you will. Job said “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble”(Job 14:1KJV). Years ago a lady in our church, who had not long lost her husband, was helping her one of her sisters to get through the same experience, told me “You know I don’t know how I could have gotten through this with out God and My Church Family.” I often think about that day. It felt good to be part of that Church family myself. But Greater than that, as much as I do care for the Family of Benville Baptist Church, I have an High Priest that can be touched with the feelings of my infirmities. Jesus knows where I hurt, knows when I’m stressed, knows when I want to give up. You know now that I think about it… He knows me better than I know me. This little verse let’s me know two things…
No matter where you are remember this simple little verse that will speak volumes when trials come your way. My the God of Peace keep you.
