I pray this morning’s blog finds you seeking after God during the middle section of the week. Since Sunday the world system has been active trying to undermine all that God wants to do in our lives. I want to talk about a word today that is seldom used but carries with it a profound meaning. The word we will discuss today is proscription. I pray that God will direct your heart this morning so that God’s will is done in our lives.

The word proscription carries an important meaning, and yet it is a word seldom used. Its simple definition is “to forbid as harmful.” In our day when anything with a negative connotation is disdained, the word proscription is not likely to gain popularity; but the truth it represents must not be disregarded or taken lightly.

Believers are taught to love God, to love one another, to love the lost, etc. Those are all positive aspects of love, and few question them. However, when God says, “Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world” (v.15), this is considered too negative to fit within the framework of love. As a result, new, illogical, and unscriptural meanings are attached to both love and the world in an attempt to salve the consciences of those who do not want to obey Love’s Proscriptions.

Think how many Christian leaders and fellow-believers are doing their best to clean up the world, or refine the world, or use the world to build the church and evangelize the world. They use worldly means, worldly music, worldly words, and worldly programs to get people into the church. After that task is accomplished, they have to be continually on the lookout for the newest worldly attractions to keep people in the church. No wonder there is a famine for the Word when so many are feeding on the world.

There is absolutely no excuse for this. God’s command is clear – Love not the world (v.15). God’s explanation is clear – For all that is in the world . . . is not of the Father (v.16). God’s revelation of future consequences is clear – And the world passeth away (v.17).

The proscriptions of God’s love concerning the world are not designed to rob Christians of good times and successful ministries. Instead, it is God’s love for His own that causes Him to forbid the ways of the world. What great loss is suffered by believers who disregard His warning.

As we see more and more pastors and churches succumbing to the ways of the world, it becomes more and more unpopular to reprove, rebuke, and exhort those who either have forgotten what God has said or who have been deceived by worldly slogans like, “Try it, you’ll like it”; or, “If it works, it must be okay”; or, “We can reach more people this way.” Love not the world – no matter what others may be doing. We must love God above all else and meditate on Him.

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Avis, the car rental company, has a motto, “We Try Harder”. In the natural world in which we live, “trying harder” is commendable, as well as effective. However, in the spiritual realm, “trying harder” is actually lamentable.

Trying harder will defeat the Christian every time – in due time. I vividly remember talking to a person who disagreed with me on the above point. The pastor later told me this individual seemed to disagree quite often. In fact, he would use such an opportunity to vent his anger. This obviously was a Christian using “flesh techniques” when trying to convince others of his beliefs. Next, there was a lady who seemed to be devout, active in church, followed the rules, even a leader in that church, yet she too was questioning the activity I referred to as the “flesh”. The man with the negative patterns is obvious, but we are prone to assume that the woman with the positive patterns has actions that are derived from the Spirit. Yet the Bible reminds us people can do “marvelous works” apart from vital union with Christ (Matthew 7:22).

There are three enemies identified in the Bible that we need to recognize and battle if we are to live the Hidden Life – Christ living IN us. These three enemies are the world, Satan, and the flesh. No doubt, most Christians realize the need to be armed against Satan and the sin of this world. They understand who and what they are. However, most Christians do not understand nor how to identify “flesh.” Many times, they think of “flesh” as skin or their body. This obviously is a stumbling block to really getting a grasp on one of the top three enemies to the Christ – life. Flesh is also very different from the “old man”. The old man is the unregenerate human spirit. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him. . .” Romans 6:6. (Therefore, it is out of the picture.) Yet Paul said the flesh remains as an enemy: “For I know that in me (that is, IN MY FLESH) dwelleth no good thing . . .” (Romans 7:18).

Your “flesh” can be defined as your “body, mind, will, and emotions under the influence of anything other than Christ.” The flesh can also be defined as “personal techniques for meeting your own perceived needs, apart from Christ.” This does not mean the action has to be defiant toward God. Walking after the flesh is simply relying on your own abilities instead of the resources of God. Do not think of the flesh as something that you naturally find repulsive. It may be very attractive and even look spiritual. I think a good synonym of the word flesh is “self-sufficiency”. We somehow think that we must have abilities so that God can use them to bless others and glorify Himself. This is not true! The flesh will often connect itself to our talents, appearances, education, wealth, upbringing, and countless other things. This is how we begin to depend on ourselves rather that depend on God. We learn to rely on “flesh” to get us through or ahead in life.

Therefore, my abilities often become liabilities. I have personally ran bus routes, preached persuasive sermons, provided for my family, pacified bad behavior, patriotically participated as a citizen, and many other countless things “in the flesh.” Though I have a long way to go, I am learning God’s purpose in my life is to bring me to the place where I totally rest in Him and His sufficiency. Understanding the flesh and what it looks like has brought me closer to this goal that God has for me. I now know that “we try harder” should be replaced with “He never fails.”

Learn to identify, recognize, and fight these three enemies. Nothing will rob you more in this life than self-sufficiency. It is deceptive and wrong. The Christian life is not about “me becoming a better me.” Any time I place myself in the equation as part of the solution, I am displacing Christ. This is the battle that the “flesh” often wins, and we as Christians, don’t even recognize it! Remember…it’s not me, it’s He!

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Prophecy: One who boldly proclaims truth.

Service: One who identifies undone tasks in God’s work, however menial, and uses available resources to get the jobs done.

Teaching: The ability to instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth.

Exhortation: One who comes alongside of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be.

Ruler/Leader: One who stands before the people with such care and diligence so as to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of one’s goals.

Giving: To share what resources you may have been given by God (time or money) with liberality and cheerfulness without thoughts of return from those who receive one’s gifts.

Mercy: To be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery.

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1 Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

As the verse above states, all of us are what we are because of the grace of God. If it were not for the grace of God, I fear to think where I would be today. Though I was not saved out of a so-called “wicked” lifestyle, it is only by God’s grace that I have become what I am today. I love what Steve Curington often says, “We are all a bunch of drug addicts, but some of us just got delivered before we ever had the chance to use.” I am sure there are many who will read this devotional who can only thank and praise God for His grace when they look at where they were before they got saved and compare it to where they are now. However, I am sure there are others who forgot the pit from which they were delivered.

This is what the Apostle Paul was trying to teach the Christians at Corinth. He used his life as an example of what God’s grace can do for a person. He discussed with this church how he previously persecuted the church of God before his salvation, but he reminded them that it was only because of God’s grace that he became what he was, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He said because God had bestowed His grace upon him, He would labor more abundantly to make sure that God’s grace was not bestowed upon him in vain. Then he proceeded to remind us that it would not even be him laboring to prove this, but the grace of God wherein he was magnifying.

Every one of us need to realize that it is only by God’s grace that anything good or useful would come forth from us. Though I am a preacher of the Gospel of Christ, it is not because I deserve to be one, but because of God’s grace bestowed upon me. Whatever and whoever you are in Christ, you must remember that you are that only because of God’s grace. Nobody deserves to be what we are in the church; it is only by God’s grace that we are what we are. We should never get high-minded because of a position. We need to keep in mind that we are only what we are by God’s grace.

Because God’s grace has been bestowed upon us, we should have an attitude of gratitude. Don’t waste the grace of God upon your life by living for yourself. Don’t waste the grace of God upon your life by committing sin. Don’t waste the grace of God upon your life by doing only what you want to do.

Is your life a waste of the grace of God? Have you responded with a heart of appreciation for the grace that He has bestowed upon you? Everyday should be a day when we show God our appreciation for the grace He bestowed upon us by living right continually in His power and serving under the influence of His Spirit. Make it a goal, that at the end of every day you can say that you have expressed to God your appreciation for the grace that He has bestowed in you and through you. We will not have to work extra hard to do this, all we must do is remember…it is the grace of God doing in you and not you in the doing!

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Psalm 107:1-9

Good morning! I praise God that you joined me today as I have this awesome opportunity to share with you a portion of God’s Word that has tremendously impacted my life over the past several days. Today I would like to talk to you about, “Satisfaction For The Hungry Soul.” My following two blogs will cover, “Deliverance For The Bound Soul” and “Healing For The Sick Soul.”

The first division of this blessed Psalm depicts God’s people in a desert wilderness setting. Their desperate situation was a direct result of both outward extremity as well as their own insufficiency. The homeward march was through foreign territory – barren, solitary, and inhospitable in every way imaginable. No wonder weariness characterized each struggling traveler (vv4-5). It would be difficult to visualize a less satisfying situation.

The prayer of faith dramatically changed the picture. The environment remained the same, but changes within made even a desert seem like a taste of heaven on earth – God saw to that (v. 6). The distress they experienced was for a purpose: God wanted them to come to the place where they would look solely to Him. In this way they would not be disappointed, for God forever delights to prove Himself faithful in behalf of them who trust Him for sustaining, overflowing grace. How was that response which God desired expressed? Believing prayer!

God answered their prayer. The Lord led them out of their dilemma “by the right way,…to a city of habitation” (v. 7). They were not only led through the wilderness to the promised destination, but also provided with complete satisfaction of every need en route. What a tremendous representation this is of what God wants to do for you and me when we, too, find ourselves burdened down and about to faint under the load! Are we in need of Heaven-sent nourishment for our weary souls today? Then tell God about it! He delights to answer such requests (v. 9).

The philosophies, pleasures, and riches of this world are no more conducive to satisfying the longings of the believer than the desert is in quenching the thirst of a dying man. Christ alone will satisfy. Also, spiritual famine is invariably the result of setting our sights on the temporal rather than the eternal. Always remember, God delights to meet our EVERY need, but He wants us to seek first our greatest need of all, the peace and fullness of God (Phil. 4:7). “Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Lk. 12:31).

“The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isa. 58:11). There’s no excuse for a desert experience today!

I pray that the Lord will bless your ministry as we walk in Him.

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Imagine that you’ve been invited to meet with the President of the United States in the Oval Office. You’d likely look forward to your appointment with great excitement. Now imagine that someone much more exciting – the God of the universe – wants to meet with you personally. This scenario is true; God really does want to meet with you, and He wants to do so every single day through a private quiet time alone.

I have had the privilege of traveling for several years, training good lay-people in local churches to start the Reformers Unanimous Addiction Program. I never teach on the “It’s Personal” Daily Journal without seeing many tears. I sense hearts being turned towards Him. Just yesterday, I received a call from a Pastor in Florida, where I had been a few weeks prior. He shared with me that the church members who were involved in their addiction outreach were experiencing revival! He contributed it to their participation in the RU Daily Journal. In fact, he told me how his wife, a 29-year old Christian, testified on Sunday night on the effect the journal was having in her own life. I can verify here testimony and place before you hundreds that would say the same thing. However, I wonder how many started journaling and stopped? I wonder how many more started but now, just pencil whip it, to “get it done”?

Keeping a journal allows the individual to review their thoughts, moments of clarity, and assist them in developing Spirit-led insight. Daily journaling is a very powerful tool to keep one in the reality of HIM. I often teach how the journal, when approached properly, will give you a “fresh” awareness of God’s presence in your life. Have you had one lately?

Those appointments with God should be a source of great joy for you. But unfortunately, quiet times can sometimes seem too intimidating to schedule or maintain regularly. Here are some ways you can enjoy your appointments with God; I can promise you they will be more enjoyable than with any President:

1. Seek God Himself rather than anything He might give you. Know that God will meet you where you are and reveal much about Himself to you if you’re sincerely seeking Him.
2. Listen carefully for God’s voice, which you’ll recognize better and better the more time you spend with Him. Wait expectantly in silence for a while for the Holy Spirit to speak. Resist the outside pressure and listen for the inside persuasion.
3. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and prayers in the journal during your quiet time to more clearly express them. Read through your Journal often.
4. Think about how much God loves you, and expect to be blessed as a result of spending time with Him. View your quiet times as cherished meetings with someone you love.
5. Realize that the more time you spend with God, the greater the intimacy you’ll develop with Him. Although the idea of a daily quiet time might seem awkward at first because you might not know what to say or how to recognize God’s voice; after a while, you’ll look forward to the appointment because it will be like meeting with your best friend.
6. Listen to the Daily Journal CD again. I promise you there are parts you have forgotten. This will refresh your look at particular section in your journal time.
7. Set aside a consistent time every day to meet with God. Choose a time at which you’re most alert and can block out distractions. I believe God always ask us for the “first.” He made it plain to give him the first fruits of our income, the first day of the week, etc. Many times, the mentors from the pages of God’s Word spoke of the first part of the day.
8. Designate a special place in which you can meet privately with God. The place can be either indoors or outdoors, such as a home office or in the woods. I suggest you have several places, as to eliminate all excuses. If you are traveling like I do extensively, look for a place as soon as you are at the location you will be sleeping. Prepare to go there when you awake.

Remember: the best evidence of the value of a Quiet Time is remembering the day you skipped it.

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“Persevere…and Give God the Glory”

Good Morning! Are you ready for the work week, or did you already complain in your heart (or out loud) that it is time to go back to work?

Thus far, in the first selection on murmuring, we have discussed how the Spirit leads us in dealing with complaining and its negative influences on our lives. Through faith we can use the positive plan, God promised us, to deal with dissention among our fellow brothers. We also looked at how God intends us to lead others who engage in murmuring. The second selection showed us that we need consultation and leading from God to overcome Satan and his strategies. The Lord leads us to what we shall and shall not do, according to His will. In this third and final selection, we will complete the remaining Spirit-led requirements, leaving us with a better understanding of what He would have us do when encountered with murmuring, whether it is from others or within ourselves.

Let us begin with the fourth requirement from God; “Thou shall not focus on the murmurers.” As we continue to look at the Israelites in the wilderness, God states in Exodus 16:6, “…You shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt.” Here, Moses and Aaron could have scorned against the Jews, however they would have been taking on the Israelites’ negative characterists. Leaders often become prey to the very issues that irritate them. They start complaining about the complainers. Moses never complained about the Jews, despite their continued grumbling. Often times, we complain and lose out on the blessings, contentment, and peace, which God intends for us.

Next, we are instructed that, “Thou shall talk truth to the murmurers.” In Exodus 16:7-8, the scripture states, “…then you shall see the glory of the Lord.” This was a positive statement about the future. Sometimes there is pressure to compromise the truth, due to the consequences, but we’ll never be good leaders if we fail to tell complainers the truth. Instruction six says, “Thou shall not bear the murmurers alone.” Exodus 16:9 states, “…Come near before the Lord.” Moses used Aaron to speak to the congregation. They were not only brothers, but a team. Aaron challenged the Jews to come near before the Lord, “…for He hath heard your murmurings.” If we are dissatisfied, hungry, or hurt, we are to come near before the Lord. This is where you can get real, lasting help.

We also see that, “Thou shall not point people to yourself.” In Exodus 16:10, the Bible says, “…They looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” Moses told Aaron, “We are not their saviors.” The ego drives people to look to others; however the Spirit always directs people to look towards the Lord and not draw the focus on themselves. You’ll never be able to live up to the performance standard of God.

Finally, we see, “Thou shall persevere until death.” Dealing with those who complain, whether it is in ministry, family, or business, ranks high on the list of why leaders quit. For instance, statements are uttered like, “I’ve had it; I’m not putting up with this anymore!” This was not an option for Moses. Our success is not based on how many people we change from being negative, to being content. If you take that as the standard, even Moses was a flop. A leader is not here for the followers, but for Him.

In conclusion, throughout these selections on murmuring, we’ve seen how faith must be used to combat murmuring, both among others and within ourselves and how good leadership is a reliance on God. Our success is measured by our willingness to remain faithful to the call of God, with a good spirit, regardless of the situation. Every leader will be criticized. God called us here to persevere. It’s inevitable that people will perpetually murmur. Get over it and move on. Love God, serve the Lord, persevere, and enjoy a wonderful week!

Related posts:

1. Leading Those Who Complain Part 2 “There’s a Positive Plan, Promised by God!” In the first...
2. Leading Those Who Complain Throughout history, there has often been a struggle between those...
3. Leading Those Who Complain – Part 4 “Great Needs Are Met By Faith” What do you do...

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At Reformers Unanimous, we like to do three things—talk, talk, talk!  For those of you who attend a Reformers Unanimous meeting on Friday night, you know that during the third talk a preacher will speak to us from God’s Word.  In Rockford, Brother Curington has taught us that he uses two other beneficial steps to help him better understand what God’s Word is telling him—dissect and define.  Joshua 1:8 tells us to “meditate” in God’s Word, not just read it.  God promises us that if we do this, He will make our way prosperous.   But to be able to meditate, we must understand what the verse really means and how it can relate to our life’s circumstances.  That is why we “dissect and define” verses.  Dissecting and defining simply means that we break down a Bible verse and define the words and phrases found within it.  We put it back together in a paraphrase to better understand what God is trying to teach us.  It’s a practical way to study your Bible.

You see, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the large words or intimidated by an old English phrase that isn’t part of our “21st century lingo.”  Of course, we don’t want people to find Bible versions that are easier to understand, but we also don’t want to fail to see the truth that is staring at us!  When we pull the verse apart and individually define the word’s meanings, the verse comes alive to us!

Now let me tell you how I and many others do this.  I use an 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, a great tool that is strongly recommended for all our students (which makes it good for us).  This is a valuable resource because it was written at approximately the same era and uses nearly the same language culture as our King James Bible.  Therefore, the definitions will more closely match what the Bible word really means.  You see, there are many words in today’s vernacular that had very different meanings in Bible days.  This dictionary should eliminate that problem.

Bro. Curington’s habit of dissecting and defining Bible verses has taught me many little truths that have had a large impact on my life.  As an example, here is a recently dissected and defined verse that Brother Curington taught us.  When dissected and defined, it taught me that beauty truly comes from within!  Let’s take a look.

Proverbs 17:22  “A merry (pleasant and agreeable) heart (meditator) doeth good (makes beautiful) like a medicine (cure):  but a broken spirit (temperament) drieth (withers) the bones (inward being).”  This is a verse I have often read and thought I understood.  But once I saw the dissected and defined version of it, I gained a different insight.

Dissected, defined and paraphrased, we learn that a “The pleasant and agreeable meditations of my heart make me beautiful.  It’s like a medicinal cure for ugly!  But a broken temperment withers the inward being.”

I believe that a pleasant and agreeable meditation is the best “beauty cream” you can buy!   As I watch the ladies in my group grow spiritually, I see the hardness of sin literally fade away.  It’s a medicine that brings a sure cure!  You can use Pond’s, microderm abrasion, or even have a “face lift” and it won’t do what a merry heart can do!  This dictionary has made a huge difference in my spiritual enlightenment.  Get yours today and begin to “dissect and define!”

Wendy Burks

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