The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
~ Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
~ Proverbs 9:10
. . . look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs . . .
~ Exodus 18:21
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
~ Isaiah 26:3-4
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
~ Psalm 119:1-16
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
~ Jesus, as recorded in Luke 6:46-49
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
~ Matthew 28:18-20
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him . . .
~ 1 John 2:4
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
~ 1 John 5:2-3
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
~ Proverbs 13:13
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
~ Proverbs 2:6-8
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
~ 2 Timothy 3:2-5
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. . .
~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes. . .
~ Psalm 5:4-5
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools . . .
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
~ Romans 1:12-22; 28-32
. . . it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.
~ Psalm 75:7-8
. . . he removes kings and sets up kings . . .
~ Daniel 2:21
. . . the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will . . .
~ Daniel 4:17
Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
~ Proverbs 1:20-31
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
~ Romans 9:17-24
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
~ Psalm 2
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
~ Romans 8:28-31
. . . seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . .
~ Matthew 6:33
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge . . .
~ Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom . . .
~ Proverbs 9:10
. . . look for able men from all the people, men who fear God . . .
~ Exodus 18:21
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What are you, some kind of [insert label here] or something?!
What’s with that shark-fishie graphic thing?
Intro to Fire: The Power and Purpose of the Common Believer
When the Bible gets hairy. (Or: Is it right for men to have long hair?)
And especially this one: Never forget that apart from God’s grace you and I are complete morons.
Thank you for your support!
And I suppose Hillary Clinton fits the criteria?
Why on earth would you suppose that?
Where do we ever find Jesus Christ RANTING in the Gospels?
We don't…. He would never have carried on in such a fashion to
make a point…. I remember him in silence writing in the sand. I
remember him speaking to the women at the well NEVER
mentioning her sin but did and show her compassion,
I remember Zacchaeus who every one
hated cause he was a tax collector and was considered a no body
in society, yet Jesus called him down from that tree and went to
his house with him……..
If I compare Jesus whom "Christians" are to MIRROR in life to this
writer who spews his tirade of judgement via a holier then thou,
obnoxious fit, well…there just is no comparison…. This writer needs
to go back to the basics and LOOK at the example Jesus set for us
to follow! For ALL OF US including the writer fall short of the glory of God!
As a Christ follower I am totally disgusted with how "Christianity' is displayed
here in the article…. it's nauseating! There is NO WAY anyone would be
drawn to the gospel of Jesus Christ via this read…. it's totally repulsive!
Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
(Matthew 7:13-29)
Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of John:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. . . "
(John 14:15-24 ESV)
Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke:
As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."
(Luke 11:27-32 ESV)
Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke and quoted in the above Scripture-only article that seems to have inspired you to post quite the hypocritical little rant there, Nellie:
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
(Luke 6:46-49)
Seriously Scott….. why don't you just register as a Democrat. It wouldn't be much of a change for you.
You don't get it, do you?
Republicans are simply Democrats minus 20 years
2016 GOP = 1996 DNC
By declaring yourself a Republican, you're declaring support for everything the Democrats stood for 20 years ago. How are you any better, then, than those you decry?
SAB is at least holding to a consistent standard and attempting to bring that standard to people's attention as they're swept away by the fear-mongering demagogues you are influenced by. SAB's proposals would be genuine change to our system that these posers are not even considering, but you secretly clamor for.
Just like Obama doesn't have "time" for the Louisiana flood because he's busy playing golf…..
Scott Alan Buss doesn't have time to do any negative articles against Obama or Hillary
BECAUSE HE'S ALWAYS BUSY ATTACKING TRUMP.
Trump is taking a stand against the Muslim invasion being given red carpet welfare…. which is more than I can say for any of you so called "Christian" cowards. Trump also has the "belt of truth" girded firmly.
In the wake of a candidate as absolutely satanic and horrible as Hillary…. it STUNS me that so called "Christians" like Scott Alan Buss can't find anything better to do with their time…. then attack the one guy trying to save the damn country.
#1 SECURE BORDERS
#2 NO MUSLIM INVADERS / WELFARE
#3 DEFEND THE BILL OF RIGHTS
#4 DEFEND CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
#5 GIVE EVERYONE A TAX BREAK
#6 BLOCK GLOBALIST CRONY "TRADE DEALS"
#7 DEFEND TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES
#8 GIVE KIDS FREEDOM AND SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO BESIDES HAVING THEIR WALLETS LOOTED, BODIES RAPED, AND HEADS LOPPED OFF BY MUSLIMS.
But I guess God's first commandment means nothing to "Scott Alan Buss"
I can recall republican voters discussing a candidate’s character as an issue to divide the two parties….that seemed to be the hot topic in the Clinton 90s.
But now….victory Uber alles
FWIW, Watched a bit of the GOP Convention (just to flog myself), it was like watching a Clinton convention from the 90s….
Pandering to blue collar workers (promising jobs and economic growth)
Pandering to unemployed
Pandering to minorities (non-whites, non-males, non-christians)
Pandering to gays…
Could you give us any examples of what you consider "not pandering"… ?
Apparently the Iranians were smart enough to realize Reagan was not "pandering"…. as they IMMEDIATELY released the hostages upon him being sworn in.
Certainly.
How about focusing on something called Justice. People used to give speeches based on this topic. They didn't single out people groups when discussing this important topic.
Perhaps a candidate or speaker could discuss Liberty or freedom, an older concept that we seem to have forgotten. Again, there's no need to discuss a people group when covering this material.
Too lofty you say? Alright, perhaps then a discussion of how public schools are failing miserably and a detailed plan for repealing Cummun Cure, reestablishing local control over curriculum, requirements, etc…
Perhaps a plan for removing debt from our system and reestablishing capital growth instead of this sandy bed of debt which rest our economy on.
These are a few of the general topics that are of interest to people across the board.
Broad topics sprinkled with specific proposals that would bring prosperity and freedom to the masses, instead of naming each and every minority and disaffected group that may be begging for a Savior.
Trump is the high priest of the Lukewarm church!
Trump is HONEST…. which means he is better than about 95% of the cowardly so called "pastors" in America. Most of whom get checks from FEMA for betraying the scripture and their flocks.
Sounds like the kind of "church" you warm your backside in eh ?
People on their third wife are "honest"?
People who declare bankruptcy in order to discharge their debts are "honest"?
I'll give you that he's not a media darling…I'll say that he's got some un-PC policy ideas.
You may be the only person defending Trump on the basis of character.
I understand your thinking, Scott. When I first saw Trump in the GOP lineup I felt the same way. But I've changed my mind. God sometimes uses non-believers (although reliable sources say Trump has lately accepted Christ) to do His work. If I remember correctly, He even once spoke through the jawbone of an ass when He couldn't speak through any of His people. I've heard some Christian leaders speak of Cyrus in Isaiah 45. God used him to straighten out his wayward people, and He's done that in other places in the Bible. We probably need a complete outsider who is self-confident and brave enough to take on our corrupt government (both corrupt parties), who is beholden to no one, and willing to take on the entrenched powers that be. Cruz was my choice before, but even he was (is) weak in some areas. I believe God can and will use Trump. I don't see this as a "lesser evil" situation, but a unique opportunity to see God move powerfully just when we desperately need a powerful movement to clean up the disaster that our federal government has become.
God always uses non-believers, often times in leadership roles and, usually in those circumstances, as instruments of his wrath and judgment upon the people who they are leading or ruling over.
The fact that God may use an unbeliever in what we might recognize as a positive manner from time to time in no way justifies our freely and openly supporting a stark raving anti-Christ like Trump in his quest for power over us. Placing real hope in Paula White's (you know, the thrice married prosperity pastorette) claim to have "led Donald Trump to Christ" says a lot about our desire to have our ears ticked with things we wish were true over and above what God has given in His Word as the measure by which we are commanded and equipped to test and measure all things, including even the character of the Republican party nominee for President.
If the "God can use an unbeliever" line is going to be used this way, then we have to be consistent and apply it to Hillary, too.
We are not God. He does what He will do with everyone at any moment in time.
We are created beings given His Word to live by…and His Word has spoken plainly on the subjects of character, virtue, vice, arrogance, pride, lust, and the wrath of God (often displayed through His raising up of wicked leaders).
If professing Christians in America defended the detailed truths of Scripture where they touch upon sacred cows and idols (like public schools and social security) just a tenth as much as they seem willing to contort themselves in defense of Donald Trump, this culture would turn on a dime and rocket in a Godly direction.
Applying the impossible standards of "Scott Alan Buss"…. literally NO ONE would qualify for a vote outside of Jesus Christ himself.
Not George Washington… not Lincoln….. not even Ted Cruz who is a SINNER in bed with Goldman Sachs. Which I SERIOUSLY doubt the Lord finds pleasing. Cruz also supports the mass invasion of the rape/murder cult of Islam. Oh but "he's changed" ? ? ? LOL !
Applying your logic and Biblical view Scott…. NOBODY qualifies for a vote. Which= AUTOMATIC VICTORY for Obama and Hillary ! ?
In my estimation you have BETRAYED GOD and you are no better than a Hillary Clinton supporter. Because that is exactly what you are doing.
And you are NO BETTER or wiser than any other Christian here. Who appointed you Mr. Self Righteous…. GOD ?
All you are doing is NOT obeying the greatest command- to treat others as you would wish to be treated. And I seriously doubt that selling our youth down the river into a horrid future qualifies as treating people good.
Shoot the messenger.
Don't engage the topic being raised (because you can't)
You almost cycle through all of your fallacies in one post here…shooting the messenger,, nobody would measure up so you're helping Hillary the Corrupt, I'm Holier than thou because you don't care about other people…
When a baseball player hits a home run it is said he may "touch em all" and you touched em all in this post….
It's hard work to stay away from an actual counterargument, but you're game.
Stay classy gabrielanking
God also uses pests, wars, floods, tragedy and all manner of undesirable means to achieve His glory.
Shall we aspire to this? Encouraging this type of negative candidate, makes it more or less likely that we get anything better than a reality TV star next time?
It's backfiring now on the Kristols and the Becks of the world that they'd given us such dullards as Romney, Bush, McCain…that now the people are clamoring for someone with a pulse, and entirely discounting character, wisdom, experience, or anything that might be useful to the task at hand.
"Scott Alan Buss" aka
HILLARY SUPPORTER.
That's so disingenuous.
You know that SAB does not support Hillary the Corrupt in any way.
You're presenting the false dichotomy of GOP v DNC and seeing SAB discount Brand Trump as a viable option. Therefore, you say, he's helping Hillary the Corrupt.
Declaring yourself more moral, you decry those who would actually hold to a Godly standard. Pharisee much?
Why can't you engage what SAB is actually addressing? Why are you not extolling the wisdom and virtue embodied in Candidate Brand Trump? Why are you not justifying casinos and strip clubs from a person who has had multiple wives? Perhaps it's because you lack the rhetorical prowess? Perhaps it's because you lack an argument?