Just what is wisdom really?
by Rob Gerard

Just what is wisdom? Really. What is the art of living a life that follows the
pattern of
Proverbs where God expects wisdom in His people? The scripture that I find that
gives us
the most simplistic example of what wisdom is found in Exodus 28:3-5 as well as
other
text in the writings of Moses. Some of the best examples in the history of man
are found
in men such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michael Angelo. Not that these men were
wise in
the decisions they made or that they were believers. They were artisans, men who
I
believe God gifted in the skills (key word) that were exceptional.

The text reads this way,
"And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with
the spirit
of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may
minister
unto me in the priest's office.  And these are the garments which they shall
make; a
breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a
girdle: and they
shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may
minister unto
me in the priest's office.  And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and
scarlet, and
fine linen." (Exodus 28:3-5).

Moses is charged with making the Tabernacle in the pattern shown him in the
mount (see \
Exodus 25:40). Very precise work needed to be done, work that every day people
for a
great part really could not do in the normal skill that our bodies allow. God
granted a
certain number of people in the wilderness the wisdom or skill to make these
things. The
Hebrew word for wisdom in this text means just that, a skill, better yet an
artistic skill in
working out pleasure of God in right living and in the case of the tabernacle
artisans the
right decisions and understanding on how to move the tools in a precise manner
that is
done in the heavenly pattern shown to Moses. The work was in metals, woods and
weaving of materials that would form the best earthly example of the heavenly
pattern of
the very dwelling place of God.

Take a look at the harge given to the wisdom of two men in Exodus:
Exodus 31:1-11 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by
name
Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have
filled him with
the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all
manner
of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in
brass,
And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all
manner of
workmanship.

"And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the
tribe of Dan:
and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may
make all
that I have commanded thee; The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of
the
testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the
tabernacle,
And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his
furniture, and the
altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and
the laver and
his foot, And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest,
and the
garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, And the anointing oil,
and sweet
incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall
they do."
Another time in history God showed us a pattern of heavenly things. Not God's
dwelling
place, but rather very God Himself. The word used for this great encounter that
John the
Apostle speaks of is also the word for tabernacle. The word dwell in John 1:14
means to
tabernacle or live among. Jesus put up His tent and lived among us. He became
one of
us in His tent of flesh and lived the most skilled life ever seen. "And the Word
was made
flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of
the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

"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! For who hath known the mind of
the
Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it
shall be
recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all
things:
to whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36).

The wisdom of God granted to us is beyond our comprehension. We cannot expect to
ever scale the fulness of this skilled godly living. But we are called to the
one who
embodies this wisdom. To wisdom Himself, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
Redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

If Christ is our wisdom then as Paul says again, "That your faith should not
stand in the
wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that
are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world,
that come
to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of
this
world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory" (1
Corinthians 2:5-8).

We carry the wisdom of God into the world as we live for Kingdom of God. Paul
said to
the Philippians, "For me to live is Christ." That is skilled living. Wisdom
living is living
out Christ in our daily lives. May we study the word of God in order to get the
revelation
that teaches us wisdom. May we apply our hearts to the ministries which God's
word
teaches us to do. The skilled living tools are found in the breath of God, Paul
says, "All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2Timothy 3:16, 17). The equipment and
provision is found for wise living in the source of life, in the word of the all
wise and true
God, who is all in all.

We are to pray for wisdom as James tells us who are lacking in wisdom (all of
us!). One
such short prayer is found in Ephesians 1:17, "That the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge
of him." We must pursue wisdom and get knowledge, understanding, and discretion.
All
that Proverbs 1 tells is the very pursuit of our lives. We must cry out to all
generations
this very thing. That is why we must understand the nature of God lived out!

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Practical Matters of Godly Living - Solomon Seeks Wisdom Above All
A study of God's nuggets of wisdom from Proverbs and other comparable passages
of  Scripture

By Rob Gerard

Wisdom Nugget #1
Solomon Seeks Wisdom Above All
1 Kings 3:5-14; 4:29-34

We are told to think and seek big and bold things for Success. Climb the ladder
at all cost.  Even if the ladder destroys other lives and leads to the
oppression of defenseless widows and orphans.  Wisdom teaches us other wise. 
Solomon learned wisdom from the teaching of David and Bathsheba, his mother and
father.  In this lesson we learn that Solomon had a more direct resource for
wisdom.  The heavenly Father and wisdom lived out in a personified manner in
Scripture.

Solomon goes above all expectations, he is aiming heavenward. Solomon has just
received the throne of nation of Israel from his father David.  This is a
formidable task for any young man to undertake.  But Solomon took Kingly Wisdom
101 through graduate level wisdom from his father, King David and is in need f
more wisdom from YHWH above.  This Wisdom course is spoken of throughout the
books of Proverbs, where it is recorded by Solomon and later edited and added to
by some of Hezekiah's scribes.

In 1 Kings 3:5-14 the following is recorded,  "In Gibeon the LORD appeared to
Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And
Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy,
according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in
uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness,
that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.  And
now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father:
and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.  And thy
servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people,
that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I
may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a
people?  And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked
for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the
life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern
judgment; behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a
wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee,
neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.  And I have also given thee
that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not
be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.  And if thou wilt walk in my
ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk,
then I will lengthen thy days."
The desire of Solomon to get understanding is a statement of wisdom.  If we have
spiritual understanding we are thinking with godly wisdom, there is no
difference.  Solomon desired to walk in a way as to live in understanding of the
thoughts and practices of God in his nature.  The fact that Solomon asked for
understanding and therefore wisdom can be found in the next chapter of First
Kings.  The text says, "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding
much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.  And
Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country,
and all the wisdom of Egypt.  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the
Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was
in all nations round about.  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs
were a thousand and five.  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in
Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of
beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.  And there came of
all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had
heard of his wisdom" (1 Kings 4:29-34).

This we will focus on for a few paragraphs.  We see in this text that the wisdom
was a gift from God.  Let's break down the text we referenced (1 Kings 4:29-34).

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of
heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore" (Vs. 29).  No doubt that the
wisdom given Solomon has its source in God , it was God that worked through the
instruction that David and Bathsheba taught him.  Wisdom was also given as a
special dispensation to Solomon from God.  This learned in the decision between
the two prostitutes when one was willing to allow the child to be split.  The
true mother screamed for the life of the child and the lying women was willing
for what she perceived as equity.  There is no justice apart from equity found
in wisdom.  It is not equity found in a sultry of bitterness and hatred.  The
wisdom that Solomon gave was not this kind of wisdom.   We will find this in the
wisdom book of wisdom books as we walk with instructions of lady wisdom and
avoid Dame folly and her deadly ways.


"And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east
country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan
the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame
was in all nations round about.  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his
songs were a thousand and five" (Vs. 31, 32).   All the wise men of Solomon's
time and leading up to him in history did not compare to Solomon and the wisdom
God has granted him.  We can read all the Greek Philosophers.  We can also study
in the "great" universities and sit under the sages of all history and men who
have billions of followers.  These all lead to death.  That is hell, no
exceptions, that is the death of Proverbs as dame folly leads to.  Wisdom in
found in the face of Jesus, in the words of the Father, and in the work of the
Holy Spirit that causes us to beg for His mercy and grace to walk in this wisdom
daily.



"And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the
hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and
of creeping things, and of fishes.  And there came of all people to hear the
wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom"
(Vs. 33, 34).  Solomon spoke of these things in the wisdom God had granted to
him.  As we see the work of God in all things His wisdom teaches.  All the
creation of God around us is for His glory.  (If nature is for His glory, how
much more every breath that we do is for His glory.  Do you meditate on His
glory and walk in His wisdom.  The wisdom of Solomon fuels passion to know God. 
To know His work, a passion that we as Christians ought to be boiling over.  We
need to realize the horrid sin in our lives and the need to worship God in
Spirit and in truth.

Wisdom is found in perfection as we know god and think and make decisions the
way He does.  To think and act like the Father is the greatest manifestation of
wisdom a man can make.  God does not need our receiving His wisdom, but He has
made the wisdom 101 course available.  Follow Christ, get wisdom and
understanding, get yourself under the tutelage of God.  Take up your cross and
follow him.  Die every day as you submit to God`s word in Proverbs and beyond.

The Issues of the Heart Volume # 1 - The Writings of Moses



Chapter 18

Israel's Memory of God's Wilderness Work Should Humble Their Hearts

by Theodore Logia



Deuteronomy 8:1-6

1  All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do,
that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD
sware unto your fathers.

2  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these
forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what
was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,
which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee
know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

4  Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty
years.

5  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son,
so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

6  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in
his ways, and to fear him. (Deuteronomy 8:1-6)



Nebuchadnezzar felt exceedingly powerful as he reviewed the extent of his
kingdom and the beauty of his capitol city.  The next day he was in the field
near his palace grazing in grass.  What happened?  God happened to choose to
remind Nebuchadnezzar who was really responsible for the success of his reign as
king and He was the one to whom has granted Nebuchadnezzar his power.  God
showed him he was also able to easily remove his power and to abase him.  The
result was Nebuchadnezzar was humbled in time and the kingdom was restored to
Nebuchadnezzar.



In Deuteronomy 8 Israel was taught the value of the work of God in their
history.  In that they were to "remember all the way which the LORD thy God led
thee these forty years in the wilderness" (Deuteronomy 8:2).  The work of the
Lord was to be remembered, just as he declared Deuteronomy 15:15, "And you shall
remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah your God
redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today."  The focus needs to be
put where the true labor came from.  We learn as we study Scripture that man can
openly labor for that which leads to corrupt results.



The work of God in the wilderness was not to be just a history lesson.  Far from
it!  The lesson according to verse two was the remembrance of the work of God
had a purpose.  It was to, "to know what was in thine heart, whether thou
wouldest keep his commandments, or no."  We are promised that our faith would be
tested and that we are to count it all joy as it occurs (see James 1:2).



Further practical lessons were taught to our wilderness travelers that Moses
tells us abot in verse three.  Moses says, "And he humbled thee, and suffered
thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy
fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live." 
There trust was to be in YHWH and not their own provisions, but they were see
the Lord provided the bread in the wilderness.  In John eight the Jews of our
Lord's day overstated this manna bread  as the heavenly bread.  The truth was
our Lord Himself was such a bread and it was with him that they were to be
satisfied.



The final lesson in our text was that the children was Israel were to "consider
in thine

heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 
Therefore

thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and
to

fear him." (Deuteronomy 8:5, 6).  We are to consider in our hearts the lessons
the Lord

has for us and not to neglect our meditation.  As David says, "Let the words of

my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my

strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).  May our meditations be acceptable, as
we

explore the mind of the Lord in our secret places.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wisdom Nuggets

WN 0001

1 Kings 4:29-34

by Theodore Logia



1- God gave Solomon exceedingly great wisdom and understanding to Solomon
(Vs. 29)

29  And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and
largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.



God had Solomon to ask for what he would wish in his new position as the
heir of David his father in the throne of Israel.  Solomon's request was not
as the worldly kings would asked for in riches, great power and expanded
national borders.  This pleased God, and God greatly blessed Solomon with
these things as well as riches and power and the largest boundaries in
Israel's history.



Upon considerable thought would ask where Solomon got the idea to ask for
wisdom and understanding.  The answer to our question would be a simple one
if we consider where the wisdom language is most commonly used in Scripture.
The book is the one to which Solomon authored large portions of and of which
we can David the King's teaching to Solomon as a young lad.  We learn from
this text that Solomon did get the heart of it put it into practice in his
prayer to Go, of which our text gives the application thereof.



An earlier answer is found chapter 3, where God originally gives His answer
to Solomon.  The LORD says to Solomon, "Behold, I have done according to thy
words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that
there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise
like unto thee.  (1 Kings 3:12)



This is not lost in the New Testament age as we Paul in letter to the
Ephesian Church.  Paul recognizes the abundant kindness of the Father to the
Church.  In His

benediction Paul says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him

be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without
end. Amen"  (Eph. 3:21).



The Lord continues with His answer to Solomon's prayer request in 1 King's
3, he says in Vs. 13, "And I have also given thee that which thou hast not
asked, both

riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto
thee all thy days" (1 Kings 3:13).  We can have the same confidence
ourselves in the

21st century as the Apostle John reminds us that "this is the confidence
that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he
heareth us: and if we

know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions
that we desired of him" (1 John 5: 14, 15).



We trust the Lord that we will receive the answer to our prayer as based on
His desiers and His designs for His glory.  the will of the Lord will be
done and this is

the highest ends of our prayers.  We must truly have the mind of Christ and
desire to do th will of the Father and that of Christ as the Sirit of God
works.  The

design of God is always what is unfolded in history as accomplishes id
primary directive decree in all His ways.



2- Solomon exceeded all the other sages in Wisdom (Vs. 30, 31)

30  And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east
country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

31  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and
Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round
about.



We learn in (H)istory that the wise men (Sages) of the east Egypt were in
actuality, brilliant in the extent that man's wisdom can cover.  It is a
good thing to see the

wisdom of these men.  Solomon in the writing of Proverbs used these men's
writings and applied these writings to the wisdom of God.  Make no mistake
however

that the wisdom of these men cannot compare to Solomon, and yet Solomon's
wisdom does not compare to the wisdom of Christ.  In fact we learn from Paul
that

as "we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the
Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and

Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1
:23, 24).  Christ Himself is ouir wisdom and the greatest means of

wisdom for men.



3- 3,000 Proverbs + 1005 Songs + botanical + zoological lectures (Vs. 32,
33)

32  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and
five.

33  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto
the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of
fowl, and of

creeping things, and of fishes.



The volume of wisdom writings that Solomon wrote are astounding and far
exceed what is written in Scriptures.  Solomon was both as sage and a
scientist, as we

can only assume that he was right in what he spoke to his students.  A vast
majority is lost to us, but that may well be very fortunate to us now as we
learn that his

wisdom and learning later in his life became a great stumbling block to him
as he grew older.



4- Pilgrimages of kings and prominent men of other nations (Vs. 34)

34  And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all
kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.



The number of people that came to Solomon we cannot guess of in the right
number.  Suffice it to say it was apparently a very vast number.  One such
person was the queen of Sheba.  The writer of 1 King's (probably Ezra the
scribe), says, "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon
concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare
spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to
Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.  And Solomon
told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which
he told her not. (1 Kings 10:1-3).



5- The end of the matter in wisdom and the sciences (Ecc. 12:9-14)

9  And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people
knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many
proverbs.

10  The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was
written was upright, even words of truth.

11  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters
of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there
is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.



This is the great end of wisdom, to fear God and to obey His commandments.
We can say to know God intimently and enjoy his presence in our lives.  The
pleasure of knowing exceeds all expectations that this world could give us.
The duty of man is found in he wisdom of God and is our first and greatest
genuine pleasure.  To be His is the very best joy of all eternity is the not
the joy of knowing Him, but rather that we are known by Him.  All else will
fall into place in His eternal kingdom.



Unto God be the glory.

The Issues of the Heart
Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia



Chapter 17

Israel is not to Fear Their Enemies

Deuteronomy 7:17  If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more
than I; how can I dispossess them?

18  Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD
thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

19  The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the
wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD
thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people
of whom thou art afraid.



A few generations removed from te beginning of the German liberal movement
in the 1890's.  In what is now being called the post-modern era, we can
grasp as believers the same battle that Israel was warned about in chapter 7
of Deuteronomy.  How can we have victory over the post-modern views of this
age where it is believed that we need to go back to ground level and explain
the very foundational truths that were accepted just a few decades earlier
as common knowledge?   If this is fact we must stand ready to retrain the
world in the basic fundamental truths and re-establish the Biblical mindset
in this next generation.



Israel's problem was first a fearful heart.  Moses says in verse 17, "If
thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I
dispossess them."  They feared they level of the strength of the nations in
Canaan which was overwhelming in their eyes.  Was this true?  Or was it just
a figment of their faithlessness?  On a purely logical viewpoint there were
absolutely right, the Canaanites were a more powerful people.  But this is
not really the point whatsoever.  Israel was not to live by sight; they were
to believe God in His promises.



Israel's focus was not to follow their hearts.  We have seen how the heart
is desperately wicked and followed only after evil continually.  This heart
thought forsook all that God had demonstrated to them over the past 40 years
and had proven before to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob their common father's.  Do
not obey your heart Israel, obey your God and see the proof in his words and
in what He did in His the exodus out of Egypt in teir very generation.



Moses chose this as their lesson for them to learn.  Follow God in their
hearts and He will guide them in victory.  He said, "Thou shalt not be
afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto
Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; the great temptations which thine eyes saw, and
the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm,
whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto
all the people of whom thou art afraid" (Deuteronomy 7:18, 19).



Our hearts may fail us as we are deceived by our own thinking and lust.  God
will not fail us nor forsake us.  Israel did have many victories under their
general, Joshua.  Joshua took his orders from the Captain of the host of
Israel.  It is said by military tacticians that Joshua was brilliant
tactician himself.  Under the leading of faith, our Captain will lead us to
victory after victory as we look to him only and as we guard our hearts
under His Lordship.



Israel had their victories, but they became complacent as they were
satisfied with only the lowlands and let the mountains and the hills to the
Canaanites.  This led to generations of misery and centuries of oppression
for Israel.  Let us take not only the fertile lowlands, but let us press on
to mountains movable only by faith.

The Dream of Mine, the Glory of His

by Theodore Logia



On July 4th, 2008 I had a dream that was sort "Indiana "Jones like."
Through some old Bible Commentaries in a university that I had bought, I was
looking for some wild hidden truth that opened a life gate into the very
presence of God and his glory.  As I thought of it when I awoke, I was kind
of wrestling and remembering more of the dream.  As I thought of this dream
that is there is truth to it.  The keys are not some wild magical winsome
keyed code.  The truth is the very person of God found in the Psalms
themselves, as well as in all Scripture.



Knowing the true God with a true heart, whether in Psalms or any of the rest
of Scripture is an incredible adventure.  We should jump into this adventure
all through our lives.



I searched out Exodus 33:14-19 just a short fews minutes after I woke from
this dream or

mini series of a dream tonight.  And please understand the dream is not the
focus here,

but this meditation that I surmised after this dream is the real blessing to
me.



Moses was in the same wonderment that I am speaking of here.  I am currently
teaching

on Psalms in a group that numbers five when we are all there.  The
interaction of Psalms

with David and the other authors draws us into a series of meditations and
spiritual

wrestling match these men underwent with God in their theological and
practical

meditations.



God began the exchange in our text when 'He said, "My presence shall go with
thee,

and I will give thee rest"' (Exodus 33:14).  God followed Israel in the
wilderness day and

night via a cloud and tower of fire.  His presence was right there among
them and was not

ever lifted from them in that forty years journey.  We have this same
promise found in

Hebews 13:5, where we are told "Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and

be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor

forsake thee."  Our hearts are to be satisfied or content in all the things
we have, physical

and spiritual, because He is "there" where we are.



Moses I believe, desiring to draw closer to God responded to His promise as
he said,

"And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up
hence.   For

wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy
sight?   Is it

not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people,
from all the

people that are upon the face of the earth" (Exodus 33: 15, 16).  Moses saw
the special

place God had designed for Israel and the intimacy that God intended.



It is the same intension God has designed and appropriated for the Christian
in His New

Covenant.  God tells us in Jeremiah 31:31-33, "Behold, the days come, saith
the LORD,

that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house
of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that
I took them by

the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they
brake, although

I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant
that I will

make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put
my law in

their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and
they shall be my

people." (Cp. Hebrews 8:8).



"And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast
spoken: for

thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name (Exodus 33:17).
Israel was

known by God, individually, I believe, just as was Moses.  The same blessing
Israel had

in the old we have in the new.  I hope also the same heart cry as well.  We
see this heart

cry that Moses had in verse 18  "And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy
glory."



As I woke, and thought of the dream I had, I realized that this should be my
heart cry,

awake or asleep.  "Show me Thy glory!"  Not, 'what could an Indiana Jones
adventure be

like.'  But rather, what should the intimate daily bathing in the Word of
God be like.



"Show me thy glory!"



To Moses God then said, "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass
before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will
be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will
shew mercy" (Exodus 33:19).  God's goodness in His Sovereign Grace, His
glorious name, grace and mercy is in your hands daily.  Pursue that glory
with your hearts, cry to God now, "Show me thy glory!"  And He has, go look.

The Issues of the Heart
Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia



Chapter 16

We are to Love God with all our heart



Deuteronomy 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy  6:6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in
thine heart:



The true servant will love his master at all times and at all cost.  The true
servant will always look to do what would bring the best to the reputation of
the one he serves.  Our Lord, to whom we serve with a love that ties us to Him
for all eternity speaks of our servant hood in very generous terms.  In John
15:15  He says, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not
what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have
heard of my Father I have made known unto you."



Our love to him should be total and comprehensive.  Our love to Him should be
without compromise.  In Deuteronomy 6:5, Moses meets our impulse to speak of our
love to Him in very definite terms of commitment.  He says, "And thou shalt love
the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
might."  There is no compromise that is sufficient to cover what the Lord Jesus
'meant to say.'  To be honest with the text we must say it and apply it in the
same way.  In Matthew we see, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew
22:37).



With all that we are we are commanded (not a suggestion) to love God with our
whole being.  Our heart must be devoted to God as Solomon's lover was devoted to
him in all her strength might, mind and heart.  Much the same way we love our
lover, the wife of our youth and do not drink at other fountains we are to love
God with all and not chase after the gods which define natural man's reasoning.



All the words that our Lover speaks ought to be the life blood that flows from
our hearts.  Moses says, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall
be in thine heart." (Deuteronomy 6:6).  We are not simply servants, we are not
simply friends, and yes we have been made much more than that in Christ.  As His
words do speak to our hearts, as we love to dwell on them we can hand onto to
that passionate love, 'our first love.'  We are to do so with our all, at least
as much as we can.



We must end with the common love, as we will all fail and take our eyes our most
beloved.  How we must regretfully bow our hearts before the Lamb who fully gave
us all and surrender to the fact that we for the most a one sided relationship
with our mot handsome Beloved.  After all is said and done though we can speak
does Solomon's lover, "Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me
into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy
love more than wine: the upright love thee" (Song of Solomon 1:4).


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The Issues of the Heart
Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia



Chapter 15

The Heart of Effect of Obedience to God by Isreal



Deuteronomy 4:39  Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that
the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none
else.

Deuteronomy 5:29  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear
me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and
with their children for ever!



God reigns above!!!  Though that is not exactly what Moses was saying, but it is
pretty close.  The chapter four thirty-nine reference is what Moses expects the
heart to think about YHWH, Elohim.  The eternal true and heavenly God, who alone
is God is our very true God we are always to consider in our hearts.  This is
what we are expected to think concerning God.  As our Lord spoke in His teaching
concerning how to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven."  In Matthew 5:16 our
Lord says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."



One of the many themes in Scripture is the heavenliness of our God.  The "Father
which is in heaven," the Son as the "Bread from Heaven," and the Holy Spirit who
descended from Heaven in the form of a dove are all recognitions of the
non-earthliness of God.  Many gods of this world are just simply made of wood
and stone are have not only no heavenly claim, but re not living and breathing
as common creatures with a soul.  Some of our gods have souls, such as Ito of
Japan and the Caesars of the Roman Empire.  The souls are earthly though and
have no power outside of the sword to which took down their self purported
deities.



Our true and living God with all the heavenly power and the very nature to go
with it also expects more from His people.  We now tie in our second reference,
Deuteronomy 5:29 in which Moses says, "O that there were such an heart in them,
that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be
well with them, and with their children for ever!"  With respect to the
heavenliness of God we can see that in our hearts we are expected to fear and
obey God.



The end result is that we would be well all of our lives.  The true effect of
genuine respect and obedience of God would work into the generation.  This oddly
enough exactly what David's Solomon spoke of in the book of Proverbs.  The
phrase "My son" is seen throughout the book as it is Solomon's drive to work out
foolishness in his son, apparently Rehoboam.  The success was apparently elusive
to Solomon as it Rehoboam that made the decision to follow the advise of the
young and inexperienced advisors of his own generation while ignoring the
advisors of his fathers generation.



If we are truly godly the knowledge that we have of the heavenly Father in our
hearts will be passed on to the next generation and from there to the next
generation.  The Issue of our hearts ought to be loyal to the very God to who
regenerated the heart in His sovereign wisdom.  The heart must be pleasurable to
the very God which created the muscle and renewed the spiritual heart as well.


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The Issues of the Heart
Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia



Chapter 14

Israel to store what they had seen in their hearts



Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the
things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the
days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons (Deuteronomy 4:9).



This text is like an introduction into what Solomon adjourns for his son in the
opening chapters of Proverbs.  The extreme importance of keeping one heart
focused on the glorious truths and wisdom of God.  The primary focus of a wise
son is the fear of the LORD.  There is nothing so valuable to the Christian than
to have a severe understanding of the nature of the person of God and to
practice his life in accordance wit that reality.



Moses wisely warns Israel to be given to taking heed to the practice of their
lives.  They are to take heed to themselves and to keep their souls.  Strong's
Concordance reads this way regarding meaning to the word here in English as
keep: "A primitive root; properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is,
guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc.: - beware, be circumspect, take
heed (to self), keep (-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve,
regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch (-man)."



With considerable diligence they are to watch themselves and regard what the
LORD has done before their very eyes.  They are not to forget the works of God
as they witnesses through the process of the Exodus.  The reality of the Exodus
is not to depart from their hearts all the days of their lives.  In fact they
are to rehearse before their children the Exodus experience in that they were
redeemed



The second Exodus, of which the first foreshadowed, teaches us the brilliance of
the redemptive redemption of God in Christ.  Exodus means departure by
deliverance.  The lamb without blemish which typifies the perfect anti-type of
Christ, the Lamb of God, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  Our hearts are
to be emboldened by the saturation of forgiveness by faith.  The very
forgiveness of Christ is the greatest refreshment of life which leads to eternal
abundant of joy.  Our Father who is teaching of as His children desires us to
continue this to our children begotten from our loins and those to whom God
grants to in the spiritual realms.  A heart for family in Christ.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Issues of the Heart
Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia

Chapter 13
The Tribes of Gad and Ruben not to Discourage the rest of Israel with Compromise

Moses had a great concern that the people of Gad, Ruben and the half tribe of
Manasseh  located on this side of the Jordan would be happy that they are taken
care and would not seek after the destruction of the Canaanites with their
brethren on the other side of the Jordan.  Moses sys, "And wherefore discourage
ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the
land which the LORD hath given them?" (Numbers 32:7).  The application for the
Western Church is very obvious in my view.  We are living on "this side" of the
Jordan and watching the battle as spectators.

Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land. For
when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged
the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which
the LORD had given them" (Numbers 32:8,9).  In Israel's short history as a
nation they had already seen a time were they panicked and did not follow up on
the necessity of being battle driven saints.  We are in the USA so driven by
entertainment that we forget the battle that rages round us.

Moses saw the bent of the heart toward evil and away from opening new grounds to
the grace of God in the hearts of Israel.  In Christian television the
programming is geared much in every way to preachers and talk shows that are
geared to making the listener to feel good about themselves.  A doctor would
dare to give a person with very treatable cancer an aspirin and send him home
happy.  Chasing after your hearts desire to have an easy battle free live will
lead to a life that is not victorious.  A life without
victory is not a peaceful life, but rather a life with little of no meaning for
eternal glory.

"Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The
people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to
heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there (Deuteronomy
1:28).  Fear not the sons of Anakim, but rather fear God.  The two and one half
tribes did not disappoint Moses.  It is summed up this way in the following
text, "we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we
have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the
fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

"We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited
every man his inheritance.  For we will not inherit with them on yonder side
Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan
eastward.   And
Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the
LORD to war, and will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he
hath driven out his enemies from before him, and the land be subdued before the
LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and
before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. (Numbers
32:18-22).

Get the heart of the two and one half tribes and follow through to the bitter
joyful end, the warriors heart.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia



Chapter 11
Moses' Law: No Hatred Permitted for Brethren

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke
thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him (Leviticus 19:17).

This is a negative of the new commandment we receive in the New Testament.  We
will
look at that in a moment, first we must consider what is said in our immediate
text.  This
is one of many commands given in the law of Moses.  We learn from ungodly Cain
the
hate of natural men for those who love God an desire to worship him in spirit
and in truth.
In 1 John 2:9,10 John tells us that, "He that saith he is in the light, and
hateth his brother,
is in darkness even until now.  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light,
and there is
none occasion of stumbling in him.

Brotherly hate was a very recognizable sin before God and not o be tolerated in
the people of God as He has ordained man to live and prosper in His creation. 
Sin changed the reality of love and hate in the world.  From Cain to Esau who
hated Jacob for the steeling of His birthright blessing to the continuous bloody
murder throughout the history of man.  The only constant in the history of man
is hate and bloodshed.  Paul says, "Their feet are swift to shed blood:
destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not
known: There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:15-18).

The heart destructiveness of man is contrasted though by the commands of the New
Covenant of Jesus Christ.  Jesus in the upper room says, "A new commandment I
give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love
one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another" (John 13:34, 35).

Moses says not to hate in our hearts, the greater commandment is for us to love
in our hearts.  In John's first epistle he speaks of Cain and the motivation of
hate more completely when he says, Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and
slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil,
and his brother's righteous.  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  Whosoever hateth his brother
is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (1
John 3:12-15).

Do not be Cain, do not hate as Moses says, and love as the Lord Jesus commands
us to do.  John  continues in his exposition of Biblical Christian love when he
says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John 4:7).  Do not be fooled, if you
are of God you will love as God loves, because simply put the nature of God is
love.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia


Chapter 12
Reminders to not seek in accordance with our own hearts

"And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember
all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your
own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring" (Numbers 15:39)
Jeremiah reminds us that, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).   This was not a new
phenomenon, but as old as the rebellion in the garden in Eden.  We are again
reminded of it in this text.   They were to make fringes around their garments
as a reminder of their commitment to the commandments of God found in the Mosaic
Law.  This was their covenant with God and as a nation through all generations
they were to keep His covenant and not stray away from it and not stray away
from God.  The heart of Israel was to be in the very hands of God.  They were
ever to be mindful of the presence of God in their worship and in their
tradition.

Not only was the covenant to be remembered, but it was to be carried out through
all generations.  The fringes that
reminded the first generation of Moses was to remind generations thousands of
years later.  In the times of the kings it
recorded concerning the Kings were .And there came a writing to him from Elijah
the prophet, saying, Thus
saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways
of Jehoshaphat thy father,
nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,  But hast walked in the way of the kings
of Israel, and hast made Judah
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the
house of Ahab, and also hast
slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself: 
Behold, with a great plague will the
LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: And
thou shalt have great sickness by disease
of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day (2
Chronicles 21:12-15).

The danger of the failures of Israel are the subject of the warning of Paul in 1
Corinthians as he spoke of their
failures.  "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.  Neither
be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to
eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one
day three and twenty thousand.  Neither let
us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 
Neither murmur ye, as some of them
also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.   Now all these things
happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1
Corinthians 10:6-11).

Our hearts are no different in this day as it was in Moses' day or in Paul's
day.  We are subject to the same
weaknesses as all men have been.  The transformed heart though as Paul says,
"But God be thanked, that ye were the
servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which
was delivered you" (Romans
6:17).  Our new hearts re-born to live unto Christ rather than unto ones self
and ones sin.  We need to beg God
that we can live under this grace in a more profound way.  We are to go to the
throne of grace on a momentary basis, in all
circumstances, not just good.  For our hearts should always throb for Christ's
love and passions.  This issue of the
heart should always drive us to the feet of Christ.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia



Chapter 10
Aaron's Heart Bears Israel's names in Judgment as High Priest

Borne on the heart of every reasonable parent is the names of their children. 
At this time I am the Grandfather of three children and my two grandsons and new
granddaughter are a great joy in my life.  I speak of them at every opportunity.
Aaron's breastplate is at a whole different level than earthly relationships and
is symbolic of an even greater High Priest, one who only had to offer a
sacrifice for sin once for all.

Before we speak of Him, let us first look at the type before the anti-type
(fulfillment of a an example) first.  Moses records this incident in Exodus
28:29, 30 when he says, "And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of
Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the
holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.  And thou shalt put in
the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon
Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the
judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually."

We build many memorials in our western cultures, just as the east builds many
shrines.  These memorials are to serve as reminders of heroes in the past that
have laid their necks out so we may be free.  Some have had their necks cut off
others came through only injured and still others with no harm, but victorious. 
Aaron's memorial though was that of the sacrifice and the act of forgiveness
that God had granted Israel upon faith in Him.

In this symbolic placing of the names of the children of Israel upon the breast
plate upon the chest of Aaron we see the direct care Aaron had in his heart of
the very people he was offering the sacrifice for.  It is interesting how the
aliens of Israel and the rest of the world's names were not included on the
breastplate.  The intension of God was very direct, the forgiveness of His
chosen people.  God's sacrifices are always perfect in its nature and perfect in
its application.  His judgment for His people were intentional and the results
were purposeful.  After all in Matthew 1:21 it is spoken of that Jesus, that she
(Mary) shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall
save His people from their sins."

"Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of
judgment upon his heart."  Aaron had the children upon His heart.  Just as the
Lord Jesus saved His people from their sins.  The Lord Jesus in fulfillment of
what was spoken about Aaron performed the work in a willing manner as He laid
His live down for His friends.  "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).   And yet again, "We love him,
because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).  God initiated this great work and God
had our names upon His heart in the person Christ at Calvary.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia


Chapter 9
The Willing Heart of Israel in Offerings for the Tabernacle

What is the New Testament standard for giving?  Paul lays this out plainly in 2
Corinthian 9:6-9, when he says, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall
reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 
Every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver.   And God is able to make all grace abound
toward you;
that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good
work: (As it
is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness
remaineth for ever."  What a sweet heart is a heart that is not compelled to act
but does
so willingly and without selfish motive.

So it was in Exodus as Moses was commanded by the LORD to gather from willing
and giving hearts the necessary provisions for the building of the Tabernacle. 
God told Moses, "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an
offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my
offering" (Exodus 25:2).  And again, "Take ye from among you an offering unto
the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the
LORD; gold, and silver, and brass" (Exodus 35:5).

The interesting point noted by Moses though was that these hearts did not do it
willingly without the moving or stirring up of the heart that God performed in
the hearts of many Israelis.  "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him
up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD'S
offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his
service, and for the holy garments.  And all the women whose heart stirred them
up in wisdom spun goats' hair"( Exodus 35:21, 26).

Those who gave material and those who performed duties to shape sew and mold all
the utensils did with a willing heart.  Service and giving as we saw Paul
mention is a matter of the heart, not a matter of 10, 20, 33 percent, but really
ought to be a matter of 100 percent of the heart and 100 percent of the giving
should belong to the LORD.  Everything we have and all things we do ought out of
heart that willingly gives even there is no reward and even when it cost our
very lives.  We learn that Israel performed what was expected of them by the
working and grace of God.  God never commands without providing the means to
give and do what he requires and what he has purposed to use us in the
performance of such a duty.  Moses speaks about this obedience as he says,  
"The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and
woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the
LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses" (Exodus 35:29).

In order to accomplish the gifts given by God for the material production by
craftsmen in giving them wisdom in their hearts to perform as he sees fit.  "And
he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of
Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work
all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the
embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the
weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work"
(Exodus 35:34, 35).  God not only gave them the wisdom and knowledge to do the
function He called them to, but He gave the motivated to perform these duties. 
"And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose
heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come
unto the work to do it" (Exodus 36:2).

How then do we carry ourselves but to perform the duties God has gifted us with.
We perform these duties as Peter and all the Pastor/Teaches are to do their God
given gifts.  Peter tells the elders, "Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind" (2 Peter 5:2).  Not only elders are to be this way,
but rather all those whom God has given opportunities to serve by giving with
the hearts willingly.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia



Chapter 7

God Predetermined to Harden Pharaoh's Heart

Imagine that you have a football field (American, Australian, or
International does not matter), where in the middle of this field there is a
brick wall.  Not just any brick wall, but, a brick wall that its height
reaches unto heaven.  No way to surmount this wall.  Not over the top and
not around or under.  Welcome to Egypt 1450 B.C.  Jacob's descendents have
now been there for about 400 years.  Things started well for Joseph and his
brothers and their children.  But as succeeding generations arose they
forgot the great work Joseph did for Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt.

Persecution of Israel grew strong and became unbearable for Jacob's
Children.  Their
cries rang out and God heard them.  God has not forgotten His promises and
never will forget the eternal promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  God
ordained the use of an Israelite who was trained in all the arts, technology
and philosophy of Egypt.  He was a man in line with great power and
influence in Egypt, having been raised by Pharaoh's daughter.  But hi birth
parents carried about a great influence in their faith in the life of Moses.

Moses went about to solve the problem, making the assumption Israel would
recognize his leadership and join with him.  Moses was ahead of God's
schedule and untrained for the ministry God had prepared for him.  Into the
wilderness he went where God trained him for what he desired for him to do
and in the way He desired it done.  Forty years later God calls Moses to His
holy ministry and assigns him an impossible task, made possible by His grace
and power.

"And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see
that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine
hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go"
(Exodus 4:21).  Moses went into the mouth of the lion with the prospect that
that lion was not going to bend to his will.  In fact God willed an
immediate failure.  God said, "I will harden his heart," not that Pharaoh
will reject him by hardening his heart, no God was going to do that to him.
The phrase runs throughout this text and the whole time God was leading
Moses to Israel's release.  It is through election that God opens and God
breaks hearts to accomplish His purposes.

The hearts of all men are blind and dead according to the Scriptures.  So
Pharaoh's heart not really all that different from all other hearts.

Paul tells us the impact of this very thing in Romans 9, when he says, "For
he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will
have
compassion on whom I will have compassion.  So then it is not of him that
willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.   For the
scripture saith
unto Pharaoh, "Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I
might shew my power
in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Therefore hath
he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth" (Vs.
15-19).

The following is a medley of verses to show how pervasive the hardening of
Pharaoh's was in the text dealing with Israel's freedom.  "I will harden
Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the
LORD had said.  And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened,
he refuseth to let the people go.  And the magicians of Egypt did so with
their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken
unto them; as the LORD had said.

"And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to
this also.  But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his
heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.  Then the
magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart
was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.  And
Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the
people go.  And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle
of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did
not let the people go.  "And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he
hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.  For I will at
this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and
upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the
earth.  And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders
were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his
servants.

"And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of
Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.  And the LORD said unto Moses,
Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his
servants, that I might shew these my signs before him.  But the LORD
hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel
go.  But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD
hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go
out of his land.

"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I
will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may
know that I am the LORD. And they did so.  And it was told the king of Egypt
that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was
turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we
have let Israel go from serving us?  And the LORD hardened the heart of
Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the
children of Israel went out with an high hand.  (See Exodus 7:3, 13, 14, 22,
23; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 14, 34, 35; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 5, 8).

The hard heart of Pharaoh was initiated by God and God moved to release
Israel and God moved Pharaoh to attack Israel in the Red Sea.  All designed
to show the world that God rules sovereignly and is divine and worthy of all
glory, honor and majesty to be ascribed to Him.  An evil heart will always
work to God's glory.  God will always reign supreme and rule with great
wisdom and love.  Pray yourselves for a soft heart and pray for a heart that
is pliable to His will.  God can work that way in your heart if your heart
is right with Him.

The Issues of the Heart
Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia

Chapter 6
The Evil Heart of Esau
The passion of hate is only overshadowed y the passion of godly love.  The
genuine love of God is the most ferociously dedicated love that effects the
hearts of men for eternal purposes.  The evil heart though is our subject once
again.  In chapter one we learned from Moses this truth experienced in the
pre-Noahic flood.  Moses says, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great
in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).  We learned that this trend continued after the
great universal flood and still is true here in the twenty-first century.

"And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him:
and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then
will I slay my brother Jacob" (Genesis 27:41).

Isaac told Esau that he rightly named his son Jacob, which means the supplanter
of trickster as could be said.  Jacob was can man in the first order and stole
the blessing which belonged to Esau, the more senior of the twin sons.  Isaac is
quoted by Meses to say, "And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath
supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he
hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for
me?" (Vs. 36).

If Esau had known God he would have understood the sovereign work of God in
using these events to His glory.  Neither of the brothers at this time had a
relationship with God.  So Jacob stole the blessing under the supervision of
Rebekah his mother and Esau reacted with the only heart he had to react with, an
evil heart of hate.

A similar case happened in Egypt upon the time of the death of Jacob.  Joseph
shows the right attitude and way to respond to hateful deception.  Moses talss
us the story in this way, "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was
dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us
all the evil which we did unto him.  And they sent a messenger unto Joseph,
saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, so shall ye say unto
Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin;
for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the
servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold,
we be thy servants.  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place
of God?" (Genesis 50:15-19).

So Jacob mimicked the response you would expect from one of the non-elect ones. 
Just as Ishmael and his five half brothers, Esau, a descendent of Abraham, but
not according to the faith.  In John 8:44, John speaking to the Pharisees tells
that "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there
is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a
liar, and the father of it."  These men were children of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, but the flesh profits nothing, a genuine heart of faith is required to be
the patriarch's children in the fullest sense.  John in his first letter tells
us that the hatred of Jacob was enough to be equivocated with muder.  He says, 
"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath
eternal life abiding in him" (1 John 3:15).

Is this a reflection of our hearts?  Or are we like Esau's nephew who in Egypt
after he learned to not only forgive but to be a care taker of his brothers.  Do
you pursue Christ and a heart of the deepest love for the divine purpose, or are
you terribly short sighted and only see what is best for you?

To God be the glory and vengeance as He so chooses.

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The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia


Chapter 8
Israel should understand the heart of a Sojourner

Israel is now delivered and on a journey to their home land in Canaan.  As
strangers in the land of Egypt they suffered much.  They suffered a genocide of
their newly been children who were not allowed to live.  The success of the
midwives in Moses' day was most likely not repeated throughout all the Israeli
communities in Goshen.  Israel was forced to work as slaves in the building of
the cities of Egypt.  This was difficult and tiresome work with long hours and
little reward or pay.
Moses commanded Israel concerning those who were strangers.  He said, "thou
shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye
were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 23:9).

Israel was approaching the land of Canaan.  Canaan, though it was a promise land
that God has promised since the days of Abraham was still not the home land of
the nation of Israel to it was not at this point there land. God said, "I have
also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the
land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers" (Exodus 6:4).  They were
now to take possession of this land they were not to take the role as the
Egyptians had and to oppress legitimate aliens in their land.  They were to
treat them with kindness and to convert them to the faith of Abraham Isaac and
Jacob in following the LORD with a true heart.  This was spoken in other texts
such Exodus 22:21, where the Lord says, "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor
oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Even in their own land, as they to regard Israel as a place of sojourn and the
faith of Jehovah as their place of sojourn.  Solomon spoke of this as he was
dedicating the temple built for worship.  He said, "But who am I, and what is my
people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all
things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.  For we are strangers
before thee, and strangers, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are
as a shadow, and there is none abiding.  O LORD our God, all this store that we
have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand,
and is all thine own" (1 Chronicles 29:14-16).

In the New Testament we see a continued respect by Israel for stranges as they
part o social problem for strangers with the money that Judas Iscariot provided
when he threw the blood money that he betrayed for.  Matthew 27: 7 says, "And
they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers
in.

For the Christian strangers are welcome into the flock as we are strangers here.
For when were  "at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no
hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12).  Just seven verses later
Paul continued by saying, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."

In the New Testament we learn that the stranger in the land of Israel included
men of faith.  He men in the list of faith and the stories they represent are an
example of those who Israel was not to offend.  We at times are prejudiced
against those who enter our nations illegally.  I do not believe nations should
allow the violations of their national sovereignties.  On the flip side I
believe the genuine Christian ought to understand the opportunity to reach these
different peoples with the gospel.  What an opportunity to further the kingdom
of God as the nations come to us.

We need to look to some of these people as possible strangers, unaware they may
well be believers and of the faith.  To quote the previously mentioned text
about those in the list of faith in Hebrews eleven, "These all died in faith,
not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13).  We are ourselves aliens in this world
and need to understand not to offend hearts so readily because of political or
national reasons, right or wrong.  Grace is where we ought always to prevail,
not anger, kindness and not self righteous nationalized reaction.  Minister to
these hearts and prove the glory and grace of God through yourselves.


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Practical James
A simple commentary
by John Byrd
James, chapter 5:14-20

14: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let
them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

             When we are sick, we must see the doctor; however, it is even more
important to go to the Great Physician. He is the one that has the power to give
or withhold healing.  Here we are told to call for the elders.  This could mean
the ministers of the gospel, or the older and wiser men of the church.  They are
to pray for the healing of the sick.  Prayer is both comforting and effectual
when it is the Lord's will.  Besides prayer, the apostles says that they are to
anoint the sick with oil.  This practice was in use among the Jewish people, and
especially the apostles, in those days.  (See Mark 6:13.) The outward anointing
was symbolic of the spiritual anointing and healing power which was given to the
apostles. As this power ended with them, so has the practice of anointing with
oil.

15: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him
up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

             Prayer made in faith shall save the sick.  Faith is the key, even as
it was faith and not the oil that healed in the days of the apostles. Believers
should pray with all confidence; otherwise, why should they pray? We should not
be discouraged, however, when our prayers are not answered according to our
wishes.  God's wisdom is infinite and perfect; ours is very flawed and limited. 
There are times when it is merciful for God to take one out of this world. 
Corrie ten Boom, the author of "The Hiding Place", prayed fervently that her
dear sister Betsie would be healed as she lay sick in a German concentration
camp.  The Lord's will was not to heal her, and she died. Only a few days later
Corrie was released from the prison by mistake. Had her sister not peacefully
died on the hospital bed, she would have stayed behind without her sister, only
to be killed in a gas chamber.  Ms. Ten Boom later reflected that God had
released each of them in a different way, and she praised and thanked the Lord
for His mercy.  When infants and children die, it is a terrible cause of grief
to those that love them. We must realize that the Lord has a purpose in calling
these children to be with Him.  It is a mercy to the little soul that is called
immediately to be with the Lord, never knowing sin or suffering. In the garden
Christ prayed before His crucifixion, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this
cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Matthew 26:39.

             "And if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." This
does not raise  a question as to whether one has sinned or not; "all have
sinned." Romans 5:12. Rather, if this person's sickness is due to a particular
sin it will be forgiven, in that he is healed. The Lord sometimes uses outward
affliction to turn our eyes and hearts back toward Him. (See Jonah.) Believers
that become sick should pray for a bodily healing as well as forgiveness of sin.
Forgiveness spoken of here is not eternal forgiveness. These promises are made
to Children of God who have already been justified and eternally forgiven
through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Non-believers have no part in this promise,
neither is it possible for them to pray with faith.  The forgiveness here is a
restoring of fellowship with God which is evidenced outwardly by the healing of
the body.  After the Lord has dealt with His child in this way they will say,
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes."
Psalm 119:71. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." Hebrews 12:6

16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

             This verse is connected with what went before and should not be
taken out of context.  As the elders gather around the sick to join in prayer,
he should confess any sin to them that they may more effectually pray for him. 
Otherwise, it is only our duty to confess our sins to those who we have wronged
in an effort to restore peace, and always to confess to the Lord.  It is a false
belief that we are to confess to a priest, or any other man in order to receive
eternal forgiveness.

             A truly sincere and faithful prayer offered by a righteous man does
much good.  We must go to the Lord in prayer with faith and a good conscience.
We must hate our outward sin before asking anything from the Lord. The
Righteousness of Jesus Christ is given to God's children by His grace.  Those
that receive this righteousness are the ones who are able to pray with faith.

17: Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly
that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three
years and six months.

18: And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth
her fruit.

             Here is an example of the effectual prayer of a righteous man.
Elias, or Elijah, was subject to the same passions as we are; he was a prophet,
yet he was still a man.  He was a man, as were the other saints, and so not to
be worshiped or idolized as some erroneously do.  God is to be the only object
of our worship and praise.

             This story is found in 1 Kings 17 and is given to us here to
encourage us to pray confidently. If Elijah, a man just like us, prayed for such
a miraculous event, and God heard Him, then we should expect God to hear our
prayers.  We should not believe that this is an example for us to pray for
judgment to fall on others. God had revealed to Elijah that it was his will to
punish the wicked kingdom, and so the drought was according to God's will.

19: Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

20: Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way
shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

             As James addresses the brethren, he is speaking of one that has
already come into the church and has fallen into error.  This error may be an
error in belief or doctrine, or may be a falling into sin. To believe wrongly
about Christ is a dangerous error.  It is through our belief and faith in Him
that we have eternal salvation.  To avoid error, we must study and rightly
divide the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) Most errors result from a neglect of
studying God's word.  We are told to "be not slothful," (Hebrews 6:12) which a
neglect of study stems from. Also, taking verses out of context and twisting
their meanings causes much error.  (See II Peter 3:16)

             James is more directly dealing with the one that falls into sin as
can be seen from verse 20. To convert here means to point out the sin, thereby
leading the sinner to repentance and Christ.  John Calvin says it well: "Not
that we can bestow salvation on them; but that God by our ministry delivers and
saves those who seem otherwise to be nigh destruction."

             These verses should not cause us to question the eternal security of
the saints.  Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He
which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ." (See also John 6:39 and 10:28.) This therefore refers to those that
have entered into the church on a false profession of faith.  By having their
sins pointed out, they are led to repentance by God's grace.  They then receive
the true faith.

             Our sins are only hidden, or covered, by the blood of Jesus Christ.
He is the alpha and omega, the author and finisher of our faith and works.  He
said "It is finished." To Him be all the praise!

             To conclude looking at this precious little book, I pray that I have
not misrepresented any of the proceeding verses.  What I have written is what I
believe to be true.  May the Lord bless us to grow in understanding and
judgment.

             As this is such a practical book, it is fitting to close with the
words of that practical and wise King Solomon. "Let us hear the conclusion of
the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole
duty of man."

Amen.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses
by Theodore Logia

Chapter 5
The Heart of Abraham's Servant in Fulfilling his master's desire
by Theodore Logia

The servant of Abraham was sent on a mission.  His mission was to go among the
people of his master and retrieve a wife for the master's son.  He was not to
make a short cut and retrieve what he deemed best.  The best for the master's
son was a woman who was willing and submissive to the master's design.

His master's command was very plane, "And I will make thee swear by the LORD,
the
God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my
son of
the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my
country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac" (Genesis 24:3,
4).  No
Canaanites!!!  No exceptions.  No excuses whatsoever.  The servant wondered what
if his
mission were not successful.  Abraham then stated that the promise of God
brought
him to where he was and nothing short of the fulfillment of God's promise was
suitable.  The
only alternative to failure was cancellation of the mission.  There was to be no
compromise
whatsoever.  The same is true in the 21st Century when it comes to marriage for
the Christian, we
marry in the promise or we do not marry.  NO COMPROMISE!!!!

In an age where marriage is not held in the respect it ought to be, the Church
of Jesus
Christ has fallen into the same trap.  It is said that the world and the
church's rate of
divorce are identical.  This would of course include churches that are not
interest in the
respect of the glory and grace of God.  One would hope the rate of divorce is
much lower
in churches that respect God's word as the final authority in godliness and a
manner of
life that is becoming a genuine servant of Christ.
Verse eight of Genesis twenty-four tells us that the servant is free of his
obligation if the
woman chose not to come to come with him.  The servant traveled to the childhood
of
Home of Abraham and as he approached the old family home the servant bowed his
head, prayed.  "O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good
speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham" (Vs. 12).  The servant
sought the good of his master and wished success for the sake of other not his
own self.  Just as
he finished his prayer Rebekah fulfilled the stipulation he set before the LORD
was fulfilled and he
presented his desire to the family of Rebekah.  The family decided that they
would defer to
Rebekah, she chose to follow after God's design for her life.

This brings us to our text, we have seen the heart of this servant in his desire
to do the bidding of his master for the benefit of the master.  His respect for
God in the issue of his heart's prayer is explained in his story to Rebekah's
family as he relived how God opened the door for the bride of his master's son. 
He said, "And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came
forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and
drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee" (Genesis 24:45). 
This heart prayer was answered as it fit God's will.  In John 14:13 our Lord
tells us that ":.whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son."  The name of Christ is a reflection of His
character and a reflection of His will.  What God wills and determines to happen
will come to pass.   The servant of Abraham learned this truth as he prayed the
will of God as God determined to continue the seed of the Messiah and his plan
of redemption.  One would expect the heart of Abraham was learned by this
servant, the heart of the friend of God.

The Christian's heart should be in harmony with the will of God and be found to
desirous that the will of God would be fulfilled in every case.  The servant's
heart needs always to be in prayer and the prayer should be done in his heart.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Practical James
A simple commentary
by John Byrd


James, chapter 5:7-13
7: Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long
patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

             The margin in the King James Version translates this as "suffer
with long patience." These are words of encouragement to the oppressed
spoken of in the previous verses. A farmer is given as an example of
patience. Knowing that he relies on the Lord for his crops to grow, he waits
patiently for the rain.  Though there may be a drought, the farmer trusts
that the Lord will bring the rain in His own good time.

8: Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord
draweth nigh.

             Be patient and strengthen your hearts, set them on the Lord.
"Behold," he says, "I come quickly." This should be a great encouragement to
the child of God, and a warning to the wicked.

9: Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold,
the judge standeth before the door.

             James is saying not to murmur against our brethren. To do so
will bring condemnation on ourselves. Again we are told how near the Lord
is, and how soon he will return, for he "standeth before the door."

10: Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the
Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

             Some of God's greatest servants suffered the hardest
tribulations. They had no worldly goods, they were mocked and hated by their
countrymen, chastened by God (as Jonah), and even killed. "O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
to thee," Matthew 23:37.  In all of these trials they willingly obeyed the
Lord in patience.  Jesus Christ was the greatest example of suffering with
patience as was already mentioned.

             There is the wrong idea today that God's will for His people is
that they should only have peace, prosperity, and comfort while on the
earth. Any breach of this (they say) shows a "lack of faith" on the part of
the afflicted.  In order for us to accept this we would have to say that the
prophets were not faithful.  After Christ died, his apostles were hungry,
beaten, jailed, stoned, exiled, and killed for their faith, not because of a
lack of it.  Christians in all ages have been persecuted.  It is arrogant
today to assume that the Lord should bless us with peace and prosperity
because we have earned it with our faith. Christ died that we may have
eternal salvation, be washed of our sins, and have fellowship with the
Father.  He makes no promises that we will have any worldly blessings in
this life.  We are told to "love not the world," and , "if the world hate
you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." John 15:18.  By God's
mercy, Christians in this country today enjoy more peace and prosperity than
has ever been known in the past.  However, we must be able to accept
persecution and be prepared for it; it is what we are promised. Those that
do experience it in this life will be more prepared and thankful for the
next.  They should take comfort in Romans 8:28: "All things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His
purpose."

11: Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience
of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful,
and of tender mercy.

             James 1:3 tells us that trials work patience. When we endure
these through faith, we will be blessed. If the Lord sees fit He may show
His "tender mercy" in an outward way. Such was the case with Job. We are
told that "the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning."
Job 42:12. Other times, the blessing may be an inward, spiritual blessing.
What was the end of those faithful Christians that we read about in "Foxe's
Book of Christian Martyrs"? For not denying their faith many were burned at
the stake, yet were blessed to sing Psalms and speak praises to God while in
flames.  They had the "peace of God which passeth all understanding."
Philippians 4:7. Job is given as an example of patience.  It is popular
today for "Bible teachers" to criticize many of the prophets and apostles
for their weaknesses, Job included.  Though they were men as we are, it is
arrogant to think we would have done better than God's greatest servants.
Who today can be sure that they will have the grace to say, "The Lord gave,
and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord," (Job 1:21)
after loosing everything including their children? After the recent
hurricane in New Orleans we saw many in total despair.  Most were angry and
placing blame; however, one young man who had lost everything quoted Job's
very words on national television.  What a tremendous display of faith and
patience!  This is to be our example.

12: But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither
by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your
nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

             In Matthew 5:34-37 we find these same words in more detail. We
are told not to swear by heaven, because it is God's throne; nor by the
earth, because it is His footstool.  We are told not even to swear by our
own heads. Our communication is to be simple and honest.  Our yes should
mean yes, and our no should mean no.

13: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing
psalms.

             Children of God will not always be joyful in this world.  Some
today believe that we should always be smiling and singing praise songs.
Though there were times when David danced and lept for joy, there were other
times that he was very cast down and afflicted.  Our Father has provided His
word and prayer to comfort and strengthen us when needed. When we are truly
joyful, then we can sing psalms. Lately it has been stressed that Christians
should not always have long faces and be cast down.  This is true to an
extent.  We should not attempt to always look cast down and grieving so that
others will think we are pious.  At the same time, there are those who are
truly suffering through afflictions that we may know nothing about.  We
should not expect them to act joyful.  By His grace, the Lord will deliver
them in His time.

Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

Issues of the Heart
The Writing's of Moses
by Theodore Logia

Chapter 4
The Integrity of the father-king's Heart

The book of Proverbs tells us that "the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (Proverbs 21:1). 
The integrity of the position of a ruler of the people ought to be driving
king's, presidents, prime ministers and other national leaders straight to the
throne of God desiring mercy and a righteous lifestyle.

In Israel in the time of Abraham there was a great famine and Abraham decided it
was time to go to a land that was not famine struck.  The land of Gerar that
year had not suffered drought as the land of Canaan had.  Abraham decided to
preserve himself and his family by venturing into this land.  The Patriarchal
society kingdom received Abraham into their midst and shared their land with
Abraham with no strings attached as far as we can tell.  Abraham though decided
to give himself a little life insurance.  He feared, rightly or not that he may
killed by Abimelech, (father king).  He told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister
and made no mention of her status as his wife.

The little lie of "omission" came unraveled when the king, who obviously found
her attractive and sent for Sarah to join him in the status as a wife.  This
found out by God in that "God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to
him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for
she is a man's wife" (Genesis 20:3).  The integrity of the God granted position
of patriarchal king was violated.  Death was pronounced for this sin.  Abimelech
answered God who allowed him to speak in this dream in his own defense.  The
apparent reason God had allowed a defense was in the what seems to be God's
desire to maintain integrity in the granted office.  Scripture tells us tha
"Abimelech had not had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also
a righteous nation?" (Genesis 20:4).

Was Abimelech a truly righteous man before God?  It is unknown if he knew God in
righteousness or just in the appointment of his office.  One thing is certain,
Abimelech recognized God's lordship or his position as his master/king over the
king's of the earth, including that of his own office.  He, as a slave to the
God King in verse 5 replies, "Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she,
even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and
innocency of my hands have I done this."  Truly this man understood his office
more clearly than did many king's later in Israel's history.  Was this just fear
for the moment, or a pattern that portrayed his manner of living?

The phrase "the integrity of my heart" tells a lot.  His heart was in proper
practice of his kingly position before God.  The father king of Gerar really was
interested in the maintaining of the integrity of his office before God, it was
not a surface desire, but an apparent deep rooted integrity.  Of that the
western world of the twenty-first century has such integrity.
This was an acceptable defense before God as the death sentence was removed with
stipulation.  "God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in
the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me:
therefore suffered I thee not to touch her (Genesis 20:6)"  The acquittal was
accompanied with the understanding that God had already stepped in to prevent
this grievous violation of the father king office.  Such is grace from God that
he "withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to
touch her."

As we walk in the integrity of our hearts may God grant unto us this same
protection of heart, that we would not even look upon a
woman to lust.  As our Lord Jesus said, "Ye have heard that it was said by them
of old time, Thou shalt not commit
adultery:  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after
her hath committed adultery
with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27, 28).  The extremism is seen
metaphorically  in verse 29 of
Matthew 5 as our Lord says, "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and
cast it from thee: for it is profitable for
thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should
be cast into hell."

The king restored to Abraham his wife with a rebuke, blessing and with the
offering made for the father king.  Restoration was
made complete and the heart integrity of this king was made complete before God.
As a final admonition may we hear the
Apostle and practice his admonition, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving
of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Practical James
A simple commentary
by John Byrd


James, chapter 5:1-6
         1: Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall
come upon you.

             This and the following five verses do not seem to be addressed to
those in the church, which makes this epistle different from others. As was
pointed out in the introduction, James addressed the "twelve tribes" rather than
churches or brethren. These verses are also not addressed to all rich men, but
those that have obtained their riches through oppression, or used them as an
instrument of evil rather than good.  They are told to "weep and howl" for the
miseries that will be brought upon them in judgment.

2: Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

             Riches that have been gathered in an evil way are corrupted.  Also,
this is a reminder of the fact that worldly treasures are only temporary and
decay.  "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through and steal." Matthew 6:19&20.

3: Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness
against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure
together for the last days.

             When gold and silver have been hoarded up and not put to good use
they gather rust and become cankered (corroded). Money is a means to provide
what we need. Any extra should be used for good, such as relieving the poor. 
Hoarded treasures become a witness against the one that is greedy and covetous
and does nothing to help others. Remembering that all good things are a gift
from God should make us more generous. "God loveth a cheerful giver." 2
Corinthians 9:7.  James says, "Ye have heaped treasure together for the last
days." How will riches profit anyone in the last days?  "For we brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain we can bring nothing out." 1Timothy 6:7.  If
our wealth has become a snare to us we should want to quickly part with it. 
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul?" Matthew 16:26.

4: Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is
of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are
entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

             Not only is the rusted gold a witness, but also the hire, or wages,
which have been kept back from the laborers becomes a witness. These wages are
said to cry, just as God told Cain that the blood of Abel "crieth unto me from
the ground." Genesis 4:10. Oppression of the poor is a terrible sin. He hears
the cries of the oppressed, for he is in "every place, beholding the evil and
the good." The word "sabaoth" means "armies" according to Strong's Concordance.
This is the same as saying "the Lord of Hosts", which means a great number of
people organized for war. "The Mighty Lord of armies" hears the cries of the
oppressed. These words should bring comfort to the oppressed and fear to the
oppressor. Malachi 3:5 gives a good parallel to this.  In these versed the Lord
says "I will come near to you in judgment; and I will be a swift witness against
those that oppress the hireling in his wages."

5: Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished
your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

             James is not condemning pleasure.  He is condemning those that spend
all of their time and money on their lusts and pleasures without ever doing any
good.  Those that say, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take
thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry," are acting as a fool. "Give me neither
poverty or riches; feed me with food that is convenient for me: Lest I be full,
and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord?" Proverbs 30:8&9. "Ye have nourished
your hearts, as in a day of slaughter." Hosea 13:6 says "According to their
pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted;
therefore have they forgotten me." As a grazing cow in a pasture, those spoken
of only live to fill their bellies. They are too busy looking down minding
things of the earth to look up and consider spiritual things. In John Bunyan's
book, "The Pilgrim's Progress", there was a man raking muck with his muck rake. 
There was an angel above him offering true blessings, but he was too busy to
ever look up and see her. The worldly things non-believers are so consumed with
are only muck compared to the spiritual blessings they forfeit. This type of
life ends like that of the cow, "in a day of slaughter."

6: Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

             Christ was just, and in humility He did not resist when taken by
evil men and killed.  If men would kill Him, we should not be surprised that
they oppress and kill the humble today. The fact that our Lord bore persecution
and death patiently should strengthen and encourage us when we meet with
oppression. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice,
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13.  The
remainder of the letter is addressed to believers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Please understand these are only the rough drafts, other commentators and
notes will be added later.

-- The Author



The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia



Chapter 3

The Questioning Heart Of Abraham

God has changed the position of Sarai, the princess, to Sarah, which means
the princess above all princesses.  God Himself has exalted Sarah to this
position.  All her conniving to get a son will not be allowed in this work
that God is doing.  God has given her a name exalted to the level of the
ministry He was working through her and her husband.  The grace of God
provides position, a position that is fitting His own glory and His own
intention.  No saint, no elect on should brag of the gift God gives.  There
was certainly no room in bragging in Sarah and certainly no room for
bragging by any creature of te Creator who is divinely purposed a part in
His design.



This grace exalted ministerial appointment is found in this manner.  "God
said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name
Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.  And I will bless her, and give thee a
son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of
nations; kings of people shall be of her" (Gen. 17:16).  Sarai did not wait
upon God for her answer of an heir as recorded in Genesis 16.  Sarah, called
of God now must wait upon God and trust Him for His purposes to be carries
out.  In our lesson here Abraham's heart is being set straight.  Sarah's
will be set straight at a later time (Genesis 18:9-15).



"Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall
a child be born unto him that is an hundred years

old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?"  (Gen. 17:17).
Abraham did not get what God was saying, he laughed in

disbelief.  Abraham did have a right a saving faith in God as is detailed in
Genesis 15:6.  Abraham as a man of faith was still

growing in His faith and God was still not yet done with him in His dealings
in Abraham.  Paul teaches us the necessity of

understanding the weaker brothers in the faith.  We are all in this category
as we grow and are strengthened.  Our hearts must

go through a growing process as we see Abraham go through.



"Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!" (Gen.
17:18).  Abraham very much loved his son Ishmael and very much wanted to
promote his well being.  God loved Isaac, something Abraham could not yet
experience.  His love for Isaac as the elect seed would be a matter of great
joy in the timing of God.  Our joys of the blessings of God also can not be
experienced until they are present reality or a matter of promise.  Abraham
knew he was going to be the father of a multitude, uncountable as the stars
in the sky and sand on the seashore.  But this was fully understood to
Abraham, and the present reality was enough for him with the information he
currently digested.  This was a bout to change.



"God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call
his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting
covenant, and with his seed after him" (Gen. 17:19).  Now this child has a
name and now this child's mother is the one to whom Abraham loves and yet
has in his trials dealt with in his reality unable to give him children.
Abraham laughed at what he thought was God's suggestion earlier.  We hear no
more laughter at God's promise now.  Abraham's heart was now silent and God's
grace was extended to Ishmael for Abraham's sake.  "As for Ishmael, I have
heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will
multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him
a great nation" (Gen. 17:20).  God is kind in his generosity to the saints
whose hearts are with him.  God reiterates to Abraham though where the
greater priority lies, "but my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which
Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year" (Gen 17:21).
The great redemption of God continues through Abraham.

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia



Chapter 2

The Lord's Heart on World wide Judgment

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour (Gen. 8:21).

"The quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell" Or
"to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life" (From
dictionary.reference.com).

God is well pleased by the results of the flood and the consequential
offering by Noah.  In verse 20 Moses tells us that "Noah builded an altar
unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and
offered burnt offerings on the altar."  The odor went into the nostrils of
God as He was soothed with this offering and pleased that Noah used God's
provision amongst the seven clean animals that were brought along the two by
two offerings into the ark for protection.



"The LORD said in his heart," (Gen. 8:21)

Was this statement was spoken to Noah out loud?  Or did He just speak in the
heart, and not in the hearing of Noah.  Moses did record this saying in the
ears of Noah in chapter nine verse eleven, where Moses records, "I will
establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more
by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy
the earth."  It was spoken by God in His and carries that weight, that is
the way of His heart.  All God's words are a comfort to us, because when God
speaks it is never without His heart speaking.  God speaks always sincerely
and never speaks flippantly or without serious concern for us and His glory.

"I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake." (Gen. 8:21)

The earth will not be cursed for man's sake.  This is speaking of the
judgment of God by

flood.  We are promised another universal judgment wrought by fire.  Peter
tells us this in

his reference to Noah and the flood.  "Whereby the world that then was,
being

overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are
now, by the

same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment
and perdition

of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:6, 7).  The current earth and heaven in the
timing of God will

destroyed and in the day of the Lord the New Heavens and the New Earth will
be created

with no corruption within creation or man,  this is the eternal plan a of
God and  a place

where He may abide with man and His angels with only a holy existence.

For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I
again smite any more every thing living, as I have done" (Gen. 8:21).

There is no change of the nature of man after the flood.  As the generations
of Noah and his three son's continued evil that was in man was as before.
As we saw in Chapter 1 of this study the ".every imagination of the thoughts
of his heart was only evil continually" (see Genesis 6:5).  This judgment
served to eliminate sinners not sin.  The offerings in the Tabernacle and
Temple of later years, did not remove sin, it only pointed to the event
where the Lamb of God was to offer Himself as the perfect redemption of sin
and the perfect vehicle to carry His people to glory, totally forgiven,
righteous and glorified.

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and
summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Gen 8:22).

There is one permanent aspect of the flood, the whole earth flood was a one
time method of judgment, not to be repeated again.  This is illustrated by
the regularity of days and seasons.  We can always count on this day being
over and another day following.  We can always count on winter spring ,
summer and fall.  This will true to the end of this present world, in the
News heavens and New Earth God will be the light and the sun will not be
needed .  John amply tells us ".there shall be no night there; and they need
no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and
they shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 22:5).

The Issues of the Heart

Volume # 1 - The writings of Moses

by Theodore Logia



Chapter 1

The Continuously Evil Heart



The heart of man was innocent in the days that God first created him.  But,
the act of disobedience that day, when Eve took the forbidden fruit and
shared it with her only companion, Adam caused the cessation of innocence.
Adam, in defiance of God's command brought death and separation from God,
not for Himself only, but for all seceding generations.  At this time began
the reality of our first heart issue, in that man's thoughts were only evil
continually.  The hearts of man were now dark and ungodly.

The unregenerate non-believer has not the ability to approach God or
genuinely understand the reality of a true spiritual heart.  "And GOD saw
that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis
6:5).  Mankind was  incapable of a thought that was holy or righteous.  Man
had slipped into a state that caused the judgment of God in a way never seen
before and never in like manner to be repeated.  There was another heart
that was involved in this tragedy.  God's heart was deeply affected by the
wholehearted evil in man's heart.  To say God was surprised would be a gross
misunderstanding of God's sovereign nature.

If you understand the nature of God's sovereignty as we just spoke of you
will understand this next verse, "And it repented the LORD that he had made
man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart" (Genesis 6:6).  To say
God had a change of heart in His own fickleness is not at all true.  God's
heart changed only as man's heart crept deeper into sin.  As Habakkuk says,
"Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:
wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy
tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?"
(Habakkuk 1:13).

Therefore God in His nature chose to demonstrate His holy disposition in the
elimination of man.  God's repentant heart made this announcement as a
response to sinful heart of man.  "And the LORD said, I will destroy man
whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the
creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have
made them" (Genesis 6:7).  Such a bleak statement seems to be the complete
demise of mankind.  This is a picture of the absolute evil of sin and at the
same time a picture that shows us the absolute holy nature of God.  Human
history has come to an end in its own self inflicted demise.  There no
exceptions to this judgment and no hope for salvation based on any
righteousness of men who are able to think evil consistently.

Yet God intervened in Noah's life as he intervenes in the life of His people
who he graces and causes them to come to Him by faith.  "But Noah found
grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8).  Out of the certain total
annihilation God steps in and shows His grace (i.e. favor) to this man.  He
soon extended to his wife and their three sons and finally to the three
wives of these three sons.  God ordered the building of the large box that
fit all air breathing animals and this man Noah's family.  Noah's ark was
the result of God's great grace even though the rest of the world, because
of evil hearts perished.  God's heart repented then favored us though the
man Noah.  Rejoice in this great work of God's.

Practical James
A simple commentary
by John Byrd


James, chapter 4:13-17
13: Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and
continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

             "Go to," pay attention you that are confident that you can plan your
own future. Jeremiah rightly said, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in
himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23.
Solomon voiced the same thoughts in this statement: "A man's heart deviseth his
way: but the Lord directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9. There is nothing wrong
with making plans, but we are to remember that everything is subject to the
Lord's will.  "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and
he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants
of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?"
Daniel 4:35. Christ spoke of a rich man that said he would build bigger barns to
store his goods, and then he would take his ease.  But the Lord said, "Thou
fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." Luke 12:20.

14: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It
is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

             We are prideful and wrong to think we know what the future holds,
and so boast about what we haven't even done yet.  It is good for us to be
reminded of how short and fragile our lives are.  This knowledge will keep us
from being too proud and too attached to this present world. Solomon said that,
"It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of
feasting: for that is the end of all men: and the living will lay it to his
heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2.

15: For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or
that.

             In adding, "Lord willing," to our plans we acknowledge to God and
men that the Lord is in control of all things, and that all is subject to His
will. It is good to also remind ourselves of this. People seldom use this phrase
today.  It is more common to hear something like, "I'll be there, Lord willing
and the creek don't rise."  To say this has the opposite of the desired effect. 
It is saying that the Lord could be willing, yet other things may overturn His
will, which is impossible.  It is turning the words of the apostle into a joke.

16: But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

               Many people will boast and be very proud of what they are "about
to do." Boasting of our accomplishments, especially those we have not even
completed, is prideful and evil.

17: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is
sin.

             Sin is not only doing what we know to be wrong, but also not doing
what we know we should.  This includes acknowledging that our plan's are subject
to the will of God.

             The Bible speaks very strongly and plainly against all forms of sin.
Today, our society is busy trying to justify everything that we do. We always
here statements such as, "What's wrong with.?" or "The Bible doesn't say
anything about., so it must be alright." Christians should not have this spirit.
We should closely examine ourselves and strive to avoid all appearance of sin,
whether it is a sin of commission or omission. David said, "Who can understand
his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults." Psalm 19:12.  This should be
our prayer too, acknowledging that we sin in many ways we don't even realize. To
point out sin today is very unpopular and may be called "legalistic."  We must
realize however that Jesus Christ spoke very strongly against sin.  If we become
angry when God's word or one of His ministers have pointed out our sins, we act
just as the Pharisees did toward Christ. True children of God are not content to
just get by, getting away with as much as they can. With Paul we must "press
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus". Philippians
4:23.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Husbands, Love Your Wives

	 Should a husband expect his wife to "submit" to him,
regardless of the kind of man he is? What does the Bible say about
the husband and wife relationship?  Before we husbands try to exert
our authority, we would do well to see what the Word says to us.
	 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it;" (Ephesians 5:25)
	 What does this mean?    It means we are to love our wife,
with Christ and his love for his church as our example.

	 We are to love our wife unconditionally.

	 There was a time when you realized that you loved the woman
that you are married to.  You did not want to live without her.  You
asked her to stay with you for the rest of your life, for better or
for worse.  With the belief that you would love her and provide for
her, she agreed.
	 The love you as a husband have for your wife is not to
be "wishy-washy", or based upon how you feel about her at the
present moment.  She has imperfections, but so do you. She may
irritate you at times, or not look the same as she did twenty YEARS
ago, yet you are to love her unconditionally, imperfections and all.
She is still, after all, the same lady who agreed to spend her life
with you, at your request.
	 Consider the love of Christ.  Was there anything lovable in
us when He first loved us?  Totally depraved, dead in sins, with a
wicked heart and an evil imagination is how the Bible describes
us. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he
loved us," (Eph 2:4) took us into His fold.  There was no loveliness
in us, yet He loved us.  And do we not still provoke Him daily?  We
are continually turning from Him and serving our idols.  The
children of Israel, when they turned from Him, were compared to
adulterers.  Yet He says, "I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye
sons of Jacob are not consumed."  God doesn't change, and neither
does His love.  If He were to base his love upon something in us,
our situation would be hopeless.  His covenant says that He will
continue to love US.  Do we not have a covenant with our wife, and
does that covenant not require that we continue to love her?
	 Since the perfect and holy Christ loves the imperfect church
unconditionally, shouldn't we, who are far from perfect, love our
wife unconditionally? "Love your wives, even as Christ also loved
the church." If there weren't this unconditional love in marriage,
many of our wives would have quit loving us long ago.

	 We are to love our wife with an active love.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but
in deed and in truth. (1John 3:18)

	 We all know someone who has professed to love us, yet proved
they didn't by their actions.  What do your actions say to your
wife?  Can you ignore her all year and then make up for it with a
card on your anniversary?  But how are you to show her you love her?
	 We must show our love for our wife by providing for her. We
must provide for her both physically and spiritually.  Paul told
Timothy that any man who does not provide for those of his own house
has "denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (I Timothy 5:8)
	 If a man is physically able, he must provide for his wife
(and children).  This is a responsibility we took on when we said "I
do." We must see to it that our wife has whatever is necessary for
her security, her health, and her comfort. Just as Christ, and our
Father, give us everything we need (though not everything we
desire), we are to provide for the physical needs of our wife.
A husband who refuses to work and just sits on the couch watching
television does not fulfill the biblical role of a husband.
	 A husband must also want to see that his wife's spiritual
needs are met. Ultimately, that is in the Lord's control, but it
should still be one of our great concerns.  Evan as Christ is the
spiritual head of the church, so you, the husband, are the spiritual
head of the family.  You may not be a preacher, or A deacon, or fill
any other position in the church, yet you have an obligation to know
the Word of God. Yes, all children of God have this obligation, yet
the husband more so.  How can you feed your family if you don't feed
yourself? In order to be A spiritual leader in the home, we must
know the Word of God.
	 It is the husband's responsibility to see that there is
prayer in the home.  At meals, bedtime, or any other regular prayer
time, the wife shouldn't have to be the one to initiate prayer.  If
this is the case (which too often it has been in my home), then the
husband is not doing his job. It is also our responsibility, not our
wife's, to see that our family is in church and on time.
	 If we truly love our wife, we will be concerned with more
than her physical care.  We will be even more concerned with her
spiritual condition. Isn't this infinitely more important?  How is
her prayer life?  Does she have peace with God?  How are her
relationships at church?  Is she reading and learning and growing
from the Word of God?  These are the ways to true happiness, and
this is what we are to want for our wife. As loving husbands, we
should always be encouraging her, and leading by example.
	 It is a shame, and a rebuke to husbands, when this role is
reversed.  How many times is it the wife who encourages prayer?  How
many times does she have to initiate family Bible study?  How many
times does she have to persuade us to go to church?  We are to
provide for our wife spiritually by being the spiritual leader in
our home.

	 We are to love our wife by "giving" ourselves to her,

"even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

	 First and foremost, Husbands are to love God.  This should
come before loving our wife, our children, or anyone. If we don't
love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind, then we are not
capable of loving others as we should. We should love God more than
our wife, but we should love our wife more than we love ourselves.
	 Our wife's needs come first.  There are times she needs us
to listen to her, even though we are absorbed with ourselves.  My
wife has had to listen to me talk for hours.  Don't I owe it to her
to do more than listen halfway when she has something to say?  We
would not have much confidence in prayer if Christ listened to us
the way we sometimes listen to our wife.  Does she need to talk?
Turn off the TV.  Does she need a break?  Then change that diaper,
or do those dishes.  Does she need a hug?  Then we better give her
one!
	 All of this takes humility.  Who is our perfect
example?  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
(Phil 2:5)  Though He was (and is) God, He "made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant."  (Phil. 2:7)
Christ was in complete glory with His Father.  Yet He was so full of
love that He was willing to come to this low earth.  God stepped out
of glory and into our world, where He felt hunger, pain, cold, and
the scorn of man.  He allowed Himself to be mocked, spit UPON, and
crucified.  What humility!  There has never been such meekness NOR
humility in man, yet how much greater is He than we? When we live in
some town where we are known and respected, wouldn't it be tough to
move to a town where we're hated?  This is a weak comparison to
Christ leaving His Father to walk among men.  Yet He "humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross."  (Phil. 2:8)
	 This is our supreme example of humility and willingness to
serve others. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay
down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) This is love.  This is
how we are to love our wife. When she sees that we love her in this
way, it will be natural for her to follow the apostle's
command, "wives submit yourselves to your own husbands, as unto the
Lord."  (Ephesians 5:22)

John Bird
Matador, TX

Practical James
A simple commentary
by John Byrd


James 4:8-12
8: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

             Christ says "seek, and ye shall find," and "he that cometh to me I
will in no wise cast out." Draw near to me, seek me, and I will draw near to
you. When we seek Him through prayer or His word, though we may not always feel
his presence, He is there. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace." Hebrews 4:16. He says He will draw near to us, so we should draw near to
Him with confidence.

             It is not in our power to wash the stains of sin from our hands, but
James means to part with sin. Though we can not wash away these stains, Christ
can and does at the time of regeneration. "As far as the east is from the west,
so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12.  "There is a
fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins.  And sinners plunged
beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains."

             We should hate sin as God hates it and apply to Him for the grace
needed to part from it. Besides cleansing our hands, we are told to purify our
hearts.  If we have clean hands but wicked hearts we're only hypocrites, or
"whited walls," as Jesus called the Pharisees. Those that try to serve Christ,
yet have their hearts set on the world are "double minded," and will not be
profitable servants.

9: Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy to heaviness.

             If we were to remember all of the filthy and wicked acts we have
committed in the sight of a holy God we would mourn and weep.  It is necessary
for the sinner to realize his sinful and lost condition, and to mourn for his
sins, before he is prepared to go to Christ for salvation.  "Blessed are they
that mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4.  And so it is a blessing
for God to reveal our sins to us, for this is the beginning of His grace.  This
life which will pass away in an instant is all that stands between the
unregenerate sinner and an eternity of hell.  We may not have a day, or even an
hour. Let the sinner cast himself at the foot of the cross.  It is through pride
that men do not repent, and so pride is of the greatest evils.

10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

             Again we are told that the Lord gives grace to the humble.  When the
sinner humbles himself and begs God for mercy, he will be lifted up and
forgiven. "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a
contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isaiah 66:2.  Christ came to heal
the sick, not the whole.  It was the sinful publican who said "Lord, be merciful
to me a sinner," that left the temple justified.  The proud Pharisee, even with
his fasting and giving to the poor, was not heard in prayer.  Luke 18:10-14

11: Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his
brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law:
but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

             Regardless of the circumstances, we are not to speak evil of one
another. We are not only to not speak evil of our brethren, but of any one. 
Here James is specifically addressing speaking evil of our fellow believers in a
way of judgment.  Christ told us, "judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew
7:1.  When we set ourselves up as judges of others, we condemn ourselves.
Speaking evil of others is in contrast to loving our neighbors, and shows an
inability to control our tongues. We are going against the commandments of
Christ; therefore, we break one part of the law yet judge someone else by
another part. We are not being "doers" of the law, but judging it by holding one
point above another.  There are, however, times when it is appropriate for a
church to judge its members, such as when they are living in open sin.  Paul
expressly teaches this in the fifth chapter of his first letter to the
Corinthians.  This type of judgment is not unlawful. Also, we are to have good
judgment in choosing whom we associate with.  James speaks here of judging
yourself to be better than others and as a result, speaking evil of them.

12: There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that
judgest another?

             It was God who gave the law, and it is Him alone who can rightly
judge by it.  All of our actions are in His sight, and our hearts are laid open
before Him. He judges with perfect judgment and wisdom. There will be a day when
we will all be judged.  Let us hope that we will be judged according to the
righteousness of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Psalm 106:34-48

John Bird

PO Box 262

Matador, TX 79244



             The Psalm under consideration deals with the two main themes that
God's people are concerned with: the sin and depravity of His people, and His
dealing with them in judgment and mercy.. Here the author is specifically
concerned with the nation of Israel during the times of the judges, but
application can be made to our own country at this very day.



34: They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:



             After beginning with praise for all of God's goodness and mercy
toward his people the psalmist remembers the sins of the nation of Israel in
Egypt and the wilderness.  As they were afflicted and tried, we might wrongly be
tempted to excuse their murmurings and rebellion.  From all outward appearances
(which we are not to judge by), it might seem that they were forsaken by their
God.  We know this was not the case, and would not be possible by a covenant
keeping God, yet it could "naturally" appear that way.

             But we are not dealing here with Israel under the bondage of Egypt,
or wandering in the desert.  We are considering Israel after they have been
brought, with much grace and mercy, and by many signs and wonders, into the land
promised to Abraham.

             After being delivered from bondage and an endless wandering, Israel
owed to their God gratitude and thankfulness.  It seems that they would be eager
to serve Him by keeping His commands.  Instead, they failed from the beginning. 
The nation was commissioned by God to utterly destroy the seven heathen nations
in the land of Canaan.  Rather than obeying, they either through laziness, or a
false pretence of mercy, or for some other reason, chose to let remnants of the
Canaanites remain in the land.  They became progressively tolerant of sin (which
we shall see), and lost their zeal in obeying their God.



             In our own case we can see many parallels.  For now, we will only
look at one.  There are ways in which our own nation (and the church within our
nation) can be compared to the nation of Israel.  This is not the most spiritual
way to apply these verses, but is practical and hopefully profitable.

             Our nation's very beginning was rooted in the pursuit of worshipping
God.  Throughout our short history, we have seen His providence and loving
kindness.  Of all the countries in the world, we have the most reasons to
constantly be filled with praise and thanksgiving.  In its early years, the
church in our country believed in serving God with all their heart, soul, and
mind.  They were not content to ignore any sin in their life, but sought to
mortify even the smallest remnants of their old nature. But we, like Israel of
old, have grown increasingly tolerant of sin (these "spiritual Canaanites"), and
suffer them to live in our land.


35: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.



             We see from this the wisdom in God's commands.  His people were to
destroy the Canaanites so that they would not mingle, nor learn their sin.  But,
as we have heard many times, omissions lead to commissions.  Failing to keep
God's positive commandments leads to us breaking greater commandments, and so we
should seek to keep ourselves under His rule.  As is written in verse three,
"Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all
times."  It is better to trust that there is wisdom in God's commands, than to
look back and see the wisdom after failing.  If we eat of the fruit of the tree
of knowledge of good and evil, it will be very bitter.

             Israel was given the land that flowed with milk and honey, and they
became complacent.  They became arrogant, forgetting where their blessings came
from.  Instead of putting the sin of the land away, they began to imitate it.
They mingled with the heathen, became friends with them, married them, and
learned their ways.  They learned and practiced the very sins for which the
former inhabitants of the land were cast out.



             Because of the ease, the peace, the lack of afflictions in our
lives, have we not become complacent?  The prevailing world view today is that
we are the cause of our own blessings.  We have this idea that our country is
blessed because of something in ourselves.  Whether we believe that we work
harder, or that we are more intelligent, or that we are more righteous than the
other nations, we miss the mark.  The truth is that we are recipients of God's
mercy and grace.  We have great cause to be thankful, but instead, we cast off
our God and learn the ways of the heathen.

             Many teach today that we should mingle with and conform to the
world, in order to "witness" to them.  We have the opportunity to show them that
we can be just like them, we are not that different.  If we look and act like
them, we will draw them.  As we can learn from this Psalm, and the other
scriptures, this is not the truth.  The truth is, because of our nature, that
the more we mingle with the world, the more worldly we will become.  This is the
danger in churches conforming to the world to be attractive.


36: And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.



             We see now what the Puritans called the "exceeding sinfulness of
sin."  There is a natural progression.  Harboring "small" sins inevitably leads
to greater sin.  The Israelites at first may have said, "We will allow them to
live in our land, but we won't associate with them." Then, "What's wrong with
being friends with so-and-so? I am just being neighborly; we must be friendly. 
These Canaanites are really sincere people.  We will go to their temple, but we
won't really serve their gods. Maybe we will "win" them to our God."

             But we see that they were indeed snared by the sins of their
neighbors. Even little sins, so called, are a snare.  Have you felt this?  They
catch you, lay hold on you, and lead to greater sin.  Man, without the
restraining grace of God, finds himself in total bondage to sin.  He finds
himself today doing things that he did not think were possible yesterday. Our
grandfathers accepted things that our pilgrim fathers would have been horrified
at.  We now accept things that our grandfathers would have been horrified at. 
What will come with the next generation?

             "But surely we don't serve idols today.  That is a thing of the
past." But our country does serve as many or more idols than did the nation of
Israel.  They take on different forms, but they have the same effect.  They keep
us from loving the Lord with all of our hearts.  We have made idols out of
celebrities, hobbies, careers, wealth, and even ourselves.  An "idol" is
anything we put before serving God.  Do we not put ourselves first?  How many
things today do we allow to get in the way of our worship?






37: Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

38: And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their
daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was
polluted with blood.



             Now we see what a hard taskmaster sin can be.  Was serving the Lord
this hard? He never required anything so severe from His people as the offering
of their children.  Israel displayed the depths of human depravity by offering
their innocent children to these idols.  We learn through history that it was a
very common practice of the ancient heathens to sacrifice humans by burning
them. This is something that never would have entered the minds of the Hebrews,
and would have even been shocking to them at one point.  But now they were
practicing it.

             Certainly these were "devils" that were served by these sacrifices. 
Satan was a "murdered from the beginning", and so it was him that these
sacrifices pleased. This shows us that considerable zeal in worship in NO
EVIDENCE of true religion.  These people were extremely zealous in worshipping
their idols.  Paul was zealous, before his conversion, in destroying Christians.
The terrorists of our day are zealous in serving their false gods. In his
testing, Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son to the true God, through faith
that God could raise Isaac from the dead.  However, these were only led by
worked up emotion and affections, and cast off the word of God.  How dangerous
it is to be led by anything other than the Word of God in matters of religion!

             Sin is polluting and defiling, even the smallest of sins.  How much
more defiling to a land is the shedding of innocent blood?  Now the land that
God had promised to His servant Abraham, this holy land, was defiled.  And yet
Israel continued to be full of national pride.  What hypocrisy!  The only thing
that separated them from the heathen was the Lord's favor, and now they had
forsaken Him.  Yet they continued to pretend that they were the best of nations,
and they expected Him to continue to bless them.



             This is shocking to us, and we are tempted to be like the Pharisee
in the temple:  "Lord, I thank thee that we are not like the heathen of old." 
Are we not doing the same thing today?  Over 1.5 million babies are killed by
their parents every year in our country.  This is thirty percent of all babies
conceived in our country.  And are they not being sacrificed to idols?  In a
recent magazine article featuring women who were proud to say that they had had
abortions, one young lady was quoted as saying, "I wanted to do something bigger
with myself; I didn't want to be stopped by anything."  She was sincere in her
statement considering that she was willing to kill her unborn infant.  Who are
these people serving?  Obviously they are serving themselves. They are
sacrificing their children to the idols of the modern world, and our land is
polluted with blood.

             If an alter was erected in Fort Worth, Texas, to a heathen God, upon
which children were slain and burnt, there would be a huge outcry.  Or would
there?  Does it make any difference that our law says it is okay?  The same law
that says we will be fined for crushing the egg of an eagle protects the killing
of our babies.  Have we become so desensitized to the sin in our world that we
can look away from this?

             I recently read an article in which a Primitive Baptist brother said
that children of God are not to get involved in the affairs of this world. 
There are too many "causes"; we must only be concerned with our church. 
However, Christ asked His disciples, "If the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted?" He then said, "Ye are the light of the world." 
What does light do, but expose darkness? Paul tells us in Ephesians to "have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."  We
are to reprove the works of darkness in our country!  Yes, we are all sinners. 
No, we are not to be judges of individuals.  Yet we are to reprove the works of
darkness.  This word "reprove" in the Greek also meant to convict or convince. 
The child of God has been told by Paul to convince the world that these are
works of darkness, and then to reprove the works.  If Paul would not have
considered abortion a work of darkness, then just what did he have in mind?




39: Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their
own inventions.
40: Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch
that he abhorred his own inheritance.

41: And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them
ruled over them.





             Israel cast off their good, merciful and true God to serve devils,
and so they are compared to adulterers.  They acted like a woman who would leave
a kind and loving husband for a drunk that beat her and her children.  And just
as the good husband would be, the Lord was filled with righteous indignation.
They wanted to mingle with the heathens and serve their gods, so He gave them
their hearts desire.  Though Israel spared the Canaanite, the Canaanites did not
spare Israel.  They "hated them", and killed them and their babies, and carried
them out of their land, time and time again.

             This was God's "own inheritance", and yet he "abhorred" them and let
their enemies destroy them.  Yet many in our country are naïve enough to think
that we are safe and sound.  Some think that it is our government or our armies
that secure our peace and freedom, ignorant of the fact that it is God and Him
alone.  Then there are those that think that He merely "winks" at our sin.  We
should ask a few questions.  If God would destroy the descendents of Abraham,
with whom He has an everlasting covenant, how much more might He destroy us?  We
are NOT His inheritance.  We are only a nation upon whom He has been pleased to
freely bestow blessings. Might we not be destroyed before the return of Christ? 
Is our country less corrupt than the Roman Empire?  Are we stronger and mightier
than the Romans were?  Have we been in existence nearly as long as they?  No,
yet where are they?  Though they were larger, and stronger, and lasted for
hundreds of years, where are they?

             A sign of the end times given in the New Testament is that people
will be "without natural affection."  Certainly this speaks of the very end of
time, but could it not also speak of the end of time for a nation?  Before the
destruction of Israel by Rome, the Jews had become so depraved that the Romans
believed they were doing the work of God by destroying them. In fact, it was
when the Roman leader heard of a Jewish woman killing and boiling her own infant
that he vowed to level Jerusalem to the ground.  Why would we fill ourselves
with so much national pride and a false sense of security that we would believe
we do not provoke God's wrath, and that our enemies will not be permitted to
destroy us?

             Perhaps it is not the Lord's will to destroy us.  It may be that we
are spared for but "ten righteous," or the remnant that exists in our land.  Yet
still this is a dark blot on our country.  Proverbs 14:34 tells us that
"righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."  The sin
in our country is a reproach to us all, especially those of us who profess to be
followers of Christ.  If we truly love our country, why are we silent on this
issue?  We must unapologetically speak out against this injustice, and pray for
the Lord's intervention and mercy.



44: Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
45: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the
multitude of his mercies.
46: He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
47: Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give
thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
48: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let
all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.



             Our God is still faithful and merciful.  Just as He will keep His
covenant with Abraham and restore Israel to their land which they polluted in
former times, he will remain merciful to His people.  "I change not, therefore
ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."  If we could be granted the grace to seek
Him, to turn from our ways, He will be merciful.  There is mercy for the
repenting woman who has had an abortion, for the Doctor that has performed
abortion, for the parent that has suggested abortion, just as there is
forgiveness for any other sin of God's children. Although this is a terrible sin
that should cause us all to be filled with shame and mourning, it is yet one
that can be covered by the blood of Christ. We must speak out, yet not become
self-righteous. Remember what Christ taught about the sixth commandment: "I say
unto ye, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause." We should be
moved to pray with the hymn writer of old:



See, we repent, we weep, we mourn;

To our forsaken God we turn;

O spare our guilty country; spare

The church which thou hast planted here.



We plead thy grace, indulgent God'

We plead thy Son's atoning blood;

We plead thy gracious promises;

And are they unavailing pleas?



These pleas, presented at thy throne,

Have brought ten thousand blessings down

On guilty lands, in helpless woe;

Let them prevail to save us too.



Isaiah 55:6: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he
is near:
7: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let
him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for
he will abundantly pardon.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Practical James
A simple commentary
by John Byrd


James, chapter 4:1-7
         1: From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence,
even of your lusts that war in your members?

             Every evil is a result of lust (a sinful desire).  Ambition and
pride (the lust for honor) caused the fall of Satan.  Man's original sin was not
different.  Adam and Eve were tempted by the lie that "ye shall become as gods."

2: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye
fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

             James says, "You fight and kill and war because of your
covetousness." One sin leads to another. He then gives some reasons why people
don't have what they desire.  One is that they don't ask. Another follows:

3: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon
your lusts.

             God does not answer prayers that stem from a covetous and  worldly
heart.  David said, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear
me." Psalm 66:18.  Believers enter into prayer as approaching a "throne of
grace," where they ask for those things which are needful to live in a way that
is pleasing to God.  Why would he grant us things that would only hinder our
relationship with Him? "And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, and the lusts of other things, entering in, choke the word, and it
becometh unfruitful." Mark 4:19.  So we should not expect anything from Him that
will only serve to "choke the word."

4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world
is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.

             Children of God desire the things of God.  To desire the pleasures
of the world is to leave our first love and seek another.  James rightly calls
the one that desires friendship with the world an adulterer.  "If any man love
the world, the love of the father is not in him." 1 John 2:15. The world that we
live in promotes pride, ambition, lust, and greed, and hates the things of God.
Our Lord said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated
you." John 15:18.  How can a child of God be a friend to the world that hated
His son? We would then be an enemy of God rather than His child.

5: Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us
lusteth to envy?

             The scripture says nothing in vain.  All parts of it are true and
profitable.  Genesis 6:5 says that every imagination of man's heart is evil. 
Our wicked hearts lust for the pleasures of the world, and therefore provoke God
to envy (Exodus 20:5), just as a man would be envious for his adulterous wife.

6: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the humble.

             To those that see their sins and seek the Lord, he will give
deliverance. "Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13.  When He saves His children eternally He gives them a new heart
which is not in total bondage to sin.  Though evil is still present, "sin shall
not have dominion over you." Romans 6:14. The proud do not see any need for the
Lord.  They cannot see their own sins and think that they have their own
righteousness.  These, therefore, are resisted (they receive no grace.)

7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.

             To submit to God is to be obedient to His word.  We have an example
of perfect submission in Jesus' statement, "nevertheless, not my will but thine
be done." Jesus was "obedient unto death." Phil. 2:8.  In humility we must
acknowledge that the Lord's will is best, and strive to keep His commandments. 
By doing this we will resist the devil who "walketh about seeking whom he may
devour." 1 Peter 5:8.  Outside of God's grace, we have no power to resist Satan
and his temptations.  We must, therefore, "put on the whole armour of God." 
When we resist him we are told that he will flee.
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Rob and Jenny Gerard
4177 Millikin Road
Hamilton, OH 45011-2229
513-894-6498

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