Evildoers and Liars

Proverbs 17:4 (NKJV) An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

Matthew Henry: 1. Those that design to do ill support themselves by falsehood and lying: A wicked doer gives ear, with a great deal of pleasure, to false lips, that will justify him in the ill he does... 2. Those that take the liberty to tell lies take a pleasure in hearing them told: A liar gives heed to a malicious backbiting tongue, that he may have something to graft his lies upon, and with which to give them some colour of truth and so to support them. Sinners will strengthen one another's hands; and those show that they are bad themselves who court the acquaintance and need the assistance of those that are bad.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.

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The Church in the Book of Ephesians

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world;

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.

He made us accepted in the Beloved.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance.

We were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

We are the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Even when we were dead in trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ;

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

We have been brought near by the blood of Christ;

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

We are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God;

a holy temple in The Lord;

a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

We have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him;

strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man;

rooted and grounded in love;

filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift;

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.

Every part does its share, causing growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love;

we are members of one another.

Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.

And Christ will give you light.

Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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Still true after all these centuries

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. (Proverbs 18:1-8 NKJV)

Save yourself some pain; read the Proverbs.

Pastor Phil Owens

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Thinking and Speaking

Psalm 19:14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Colossians 4:5-6  Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

The wisdom of God is both pure and peaceable. Amen!

Pastor Phil Owens

Thursday, March 6

From Proverbs 6

"Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

How long will you slumber, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep—

So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man."

Morning traffic jams are no fun, especially if you're late for work. But in every one of those cars is a person who is providing for the needs of their own, day in and day out. These are the folks who make this country run. God bless them today.

Pastor Phil Owens