Proverbs Chapter One Concluded...wisdom offers safety

32    For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Those who lack wisdom backslide. The backsliding of those void of understanding will bring them to death's door; spiritually they die.  The prosperity of fools shall destroy them! This is a very interesting verse, it means there are some that God finds so odious that He does not deal with them but rather lets them prosper even thought they are on an evil path. Let’s consider the backslider for a moment, it is not a good sign when a backslider prospers, it would be better for him that he be brought low like the prodigal son because then he would consider his ways but when he prospers he continues on the evil path unit it destroys him.

33    But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

V:33 Converse to Proverbs 1:27-31 we see here those who have made embracing wisdom their mode are tucked away in the shadow of His wing and their life will be free from the dread of evil, they will eat the fruit of wisdom which is peace and safety. This does not mean they are never in difficult circumstances, it means that they, like Daniel, though in a distressing situation never loose their peace.

Proverbs Chapter One Continued... Allow reproof's

30    They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Here is a seven-letter word than sends many into vehement denial “reproof”. People who do not walk in the light generally do not want to hear reproofs because it means they have to admit they are wrong which is very unpleasant to them. What should be the Christian attitude towards reproof? David said it best in the Psalms 141:5 (LITV) “Let the righteous strike me; it is a mercy; and he rebuking me, it is oil of the head, let not my head refuse it...”

31    Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

This really is where we plug wisdom; in reality we want to live our lives in such a way that to eat of the fruits of our ways is a good thing. In this particular verse, however, it is not a good thing because they have turned their backs on wisdom and the unfortunate truth is that in the day of their trouble wisdom is no where to be found and they will be left with the fruit of their own choices. When we choose wisdom and we walk in wisdom the fruit of our ways are good & pleasant (See Proverbs 1:33). This verse implies the negative but we understand a principle, namely that an individual will live off the fruit of their choices; either good fruit which is pleasant or evil which is bitter.

Leah Joy writes her first song...

When we were returning from Niagara Falls on Elizabeth's 21st birhtday; Liz was driving, I was chattering away with her in the front and Leah was in the back of the car writing her first song.

Proverbs Chapter One Continued... They hated knowledge

29 "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:"

Why do people hate knowledge? By definition the opposite of knowledge is ignorance! So, why do some hate knowledge? 2 Peter 3:5 we have this phrase here that I want to draw out: “willingly ignorant”, ignorant of truth because they will it to be so. Many do not want to know the truth because they know it will reflect badly on them so they are willingly ignorant of it, they have convinced themselves that by ignoring it that somehow they will not be accountable to it. We want to be those who voluntarily come to the light that the real issues of the heart can be dealt with. We want to make a conscious choice to choose the fear of the Lord.

“…And did not choose the fear of the Lord”! Did you know that accepting the fear of the Lord is a choice that people can make? People can willingly cast behind them the fear of the Lord; even in the face of conviction and pressing from the Holy Ghost they can push on. How merciful God was to the apostle Paul but is clear from the statement of the Lord Jesus to him “…it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” that had not the Lord Himself knocked him off his horse and blinded him that he would have continued to push away the convictions of the Holy Ghost. Oh how dangerous it is to push back against the conviction of the Holy Ghost because it will certainly mean destruction in the end. We will apply V:24-25 and V:29-31 as confirmation of this very truth. But those who listen to the counsel given by wisdom they shall have V:33

Proverbs Chapter One Continued... Wisdom offended.

27 “When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.”

V:27-30 Take note of the word “when”; she does not say “if”! Storms, trials and woes are inevitable and we will need wisdom when they come because wisdom is the ability to know what is the right thing to do and people perish for a lack of it (that is why it is the principle thing!). This reminds us of a portion in the gospel of Luke 6:48 “He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” “When” is the key word here.

28 "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:"

God does not live in the infamous “Then”. God lives in the present “Today”. The infamous Then is when the foolish virgins went to buy oil for their lamps but it was too late to enter the marriage supper. Then is when the Children of Israel decided to go up against their enemies but it was too late so they were defeated. God operates in the Today’s of life; for instance, “Today if you hear His voice” (Heb 3:7-8); “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). God moves today and so does wisdom; for the one who rejects her Today they will most certainly suffer for it Then!

Proverbs Chapter One Continued... They have rejected my counsels

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

It is a tragedy when wisdom's counsel is scorned, she warns, “You have treated all my counsel as nothing, pushed it from your mind and dismissed it as unimportant”. This foolish individual has insulted wisdom by giving no weight to her words. They have ignored her and counted her counsel as nothing, they did not desire her counsel. How, practically, does one do this? It is by not listening to the counsels of the Word, of the pastor or the counsels of the brethren; it is by not being teachable or turning at correction. These flaws are like the kiss of death on ones spiritual life and well-being!

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

Proverbs 1:26-30 flow together and in short, for the one who has rejected her counsel, wisdom is not available to them to aid them when needed in crisis. This much needed wisdom is something that must be gained over time by embracing her in each and every situation one finds themselves in. It is part of an everyday walk of life, not just for emergencies; if she is not embraced each day she will not serve them when they need her. Again, make it a practice to receive correction each and every time… “Turn at my reproof”

Elizabeth makes her first roadtrip to Niagara Falls with Leah and Dad...

This is a departure from our normal studies but yes, that's Liz behind the wheel! She drove all the way to Niagara Falls and straight to the hotel...

Niagara Falls...Kings and Priests unto God

This morning in Niagara Falls Canada (we came here to celebrate my daughter Elizabeth's 21st birthday and to recapture memories of when they were young and we came here as a family) I awoke and began my morning activities of devotion, prayer and study (especially study; I love to study) then I went out to find a church for us to attend this morning. While driving past the Falls I was asking God how I should pray when at once I felt inspired to pray "Make us Lord what you want us to be". Sometimes our lives take twists and turns we did not expect but I was struck with the realization that God has a plan for us and no matter what happens in our lives we should seek Him to fulfill that plan; so I prayed as I drove "Make us Lord, what you want us to be". I asked, "Oh, Lord what is it that You want us to be?" The answer came back to me in the form of Revelations 1:6 "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen". God wants to make of us a kingdom of priests (Exod 19:6) and so it should be our mission no matter what life throws at us to seek Him diligently that He would complete His good work in us...

Proverbs Chapter One Continued... Wisdom pleads with man

23 "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you".

Turn at my reproof…turn at my reproof! Do not be stiff necked and self-justifying, wisdom's counsel is to repent and choose another course once you hear her warning! O’ how many pastors, elders and brethren have been grieved when they have warned and warned only to have their counsel pushed aside while those they warn begin to go into self-justification and denial. We, who desire to be seekers of wisdom, must listen and heed her instruction; she warns (many times through earthly agents) and we must respond.

Wisdom is one of the seven Spirits of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-2) and she loves those who love her (Proverbs 4:5-6), the Spirit of wisdom is poured out upon those who embrace her (Proverbs 4:7-9) even when her counsel is a rebuke. How do we know if we are a seeker of wisdom and we love her counsel? If we turn at her reproof and we obey her wise counsels...

24 "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;"

Proverbs 1:21-30 is really an ominous warning to those who ignore the entreaty of wisdom. One insults her by giving no weight and credibility to her entreaty; they have sealed their own fate because in the day of their calamity she will stand by and watch while they eat the fruit of their own ways and everything in their life comes apart. At that point it is too late to benefit from her wise counsels. We want to earnestly seek the Lord for the ability to perceive wisdom when it is being spoke through the voice of experience, O’ how much is to be gained by the seasoned saints who have already walked in the counsels of God during times of great trial and temptation. “Lord, give us a hearing ear to know when to speak and when to be silent, what to embrace and what to scorn”!

Video of Pastor Brian J Bailey In Erie "A Great Warning to the Saints"

Many have come to this blog to read of the paragraph Bro. Baileys visit to Erie; therefore, I am posting his message in flash video format. Please feel free to view this awesome message...

Updated: 10-22-2010. This video of Dr. Brian J Bailey has become the most popular hit on this blog; for all those who know and love Bro Brian J Bailey please take time to pray for his restoration of health that he may complete the work God sent him into this world to complete!! We love him and we want Gods best for him so pray with us... Thank You and God Bless, Pastor Frank.

Proverbs Chapter One Continued... Wisdom Crying Out!

21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

She utters her voice; she is not silent and is trying to get men women and children to look to her, to buy of her, to benefit from what she has. She is in the places where she is most needed to be heard, where there is commotion, where there is temptation, where there are the simple ones who are in need of her instruction... but alas, there are few that turn into her and benefit from what she is offering, Proverbs 1:24-26.

22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

It is not hopeless for the simple, remember the scope of this book (Proverbs 1:1-4) informs us Wisdom wants to improve the wisdom of the simple; also, wisdom seeks to allure the simple in a wholesome way Proverbs 9:1-6. Just who are the simple she is referring to? They are defined throughout this book as those who do not walk in His commandments or have enough prudence or discretion to avoid temptation; they are those who walk blindly into pits and snares (Proverbs 7:6-8; Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 27:12).

In modern days the simple can be those in churches who cannot discern their right hand from their left. Their pastors are not teaching them the whole counsel of God, they remain in their bondage's because they are not being shown the true way to be set free. Therefore, they remain simple. The indictment in this verse is not that they are simple but rather this: “How long will you love simplicity and delight in scorning?” In order for one to be wise they must shun their simple ways, embrace and seek to walk in the whole counsel of God, this is what wisdom is uttering in the streets!