SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR
3/28/2013 9:32 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Illusion
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Studies in
Proverbs
Message of the
verses: We will continue to study
the popular sins that are found in the book of Proverbs in today’s SD. I have set some short term goals as far as
finishing up our study in the book of Proverbs and then what lies ahead after
that. I hope to finish our study in
Proverbs by April 4th and then we will look at the second chapter of
the book of Daniel after that, and once we study that we will then begin the
book of Ecclesiastes which should take us way into the summer months. Ecclesiastes is the second to last book of
the books of poetry with only the Song of Solomon to follow before beginning in
the books of the prophets.
Illusion
I suppose that illusion is used by magicians, but it
is also used by people who are trying to impress someone else, perhaps so
others think that they are rich, but are not, so others think that they are
poor but our not. I believe that true
believers are the richest people in the entire world, and as believers we are
to tell others about the riches that God has given to us through Jesus Christ
our Lord. I have mentioned in earlier
Spiritual Diaries that the book of Ephesians shows many of the riches that
believers have. Dr. Wiersbe has entitled
his “Be” book for Ephesians “Be Rich,” as he comments on the riches that all
believers have because they are “in” Christ Jesus.
“One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another
pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth (Pr. 13:7).” There is a problem with being rich in money
and things: “Worth is measured by
wealth, not by character and conduct; as long as people have money and fame,
they’re considered important. To be
‘rich and famous’ is the ambition of millions of people; until they reach that
goal they enjoy riches and fame vicariously as they follow the career of their
favorite celebrity.” (Warren Wiersbe)
Let us look at Proverbs 14:8 which shows us that wise
people believe God’s truth and because of that they live for reality and not
for illusion: “The wisdom of the prudent
is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”
Dr. Wiersbe lists some of the deceptive illusions that
people live for today: “There are no
consequences, so do as you please. If it
feels good, it is good. The important
thing in life is to have fun. There are
no absolutes. (What about this
statement?) The older generation can’t
teach you anything. Commitment is
enslavement. Stay free.”
When a person builds their life on lies they are sure to
be disappointed. Jesus says “24 "Therefore everyone who hears these
words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his
house on the rock. 25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds
blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been
founded on the rock. 26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not
act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 “The
rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that
house; and it fell-and great was its fall." 28 When Jesus had finished
these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching
them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (Matthew 7:24-29).” “When Jesus finished these words” speaks of
what He said in the “Sermon on the Mount.”
There have been many commentaries written on Matthew 5-7 which contain
what Jesus said in the sermon and so we can learn many things from His teaching
in this part of Scripture. We surely can
learn that if we build our life on the truth that is found in the Word of God
we will not fall to lies and illusions that will do nothing but bring harm to
us.
Dr. Wiersbe finishes his commentary on illusion by
stating “To trust Jesus Christ is to know reality, because He is the truth
(John 14:6). To know and obey God’s Word
is to know the truth (John 17:17), and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit is to
experience truth (1 John 5:6). God is a
God of truth, and those who know Him by faith have no desire to frolic in the
senseless illusions of the world system.”
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 KJV)
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: There are times
when the Word of God steps on your toes, and that has been my experience in
looking at the book of Proverbs. I am
thankful for the truth that is found in the Word of God, and I desire to follow
and live by that truth.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Do not be fooled by those who present
illusions to me.
Memory verses for the
week: Psalm 32:1-8
1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is
the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
no deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my
sin my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon
me; my vitality was drained away like the fever heat of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledged my sin to You and my
iniquity I did not hide; I said “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You
may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the
way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
Question: “The name of the Lord.” (Romans 10:13)
Bible Question for
Today: “Thy throne, O God, is forever
and ever” is recorded in what book?
Answer in tomorrow’s SD.
3/28/2013 10:46 AM
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