Tag Archives: gospel

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

By His knowledge the deeps were broken up | P3-V20

March 5, 2021 Nathan Dooley 2 Comments

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. ²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. ²¹ My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

I can only imagine the work and process of the deeps being broken up, the thought brings me to a state of awe and wonder. I experience wisdom move me in a way that is very difficult to describe as I read this verse. I’m curious, what do you experience upon meditating on this verse?

I can feel the depth of my soul broken up by wisdom, my head drips with sweat like drops of blood to the ground as skies drip with dew. The agony I experience from time to time against sin is … surreal. Not that I’m—in any same sense—experiencing what Christ went through for the sake of my salvation, not mine alone, but … the world’s. ^22:44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. Do you remember? It is In the gospel according to Luke when Jesus is experiencing the agony of sin throughout all time to take away the sin of the world. “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.

Now here we are in time past since those days of our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection, waiting eagerly for His return as the only true Priest, Lord, and King of the deep to the skies that drip with the gospel of good news—eternal life!

RESOURCE

Proverbs 3 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org
¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; ² For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. ³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ⁸ It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; ¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, ¹² For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. ¹³ How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. ¹⁴ For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. ¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. ²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. ²¹ My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, ²² So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. ²³ Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; ²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ”When you have it with you. ²⁹ Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. ³⁰ Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. ³² For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. ³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. ³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. ³⁵ The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V20) Commentary
4. It is a participation of the happiness of God himself, for wisdom is his everlasting glory and blessedness, v. 19, 20. This should make us in love with the wisdom and understanding which God gives, that the Lord by wisdom founded the earth, so that it cannot be removed, nor can ever fail of answering all the ends of its creation, to which it is admirably and unexceptionably fitted. By understanding he has likewise established the heavens and directed all the motions of them in the best manner. The heavenly bodies are vast, yet there is no flaw in them-numerous, yet no disorder in them-the motion rapid, yet no wear or tear; the depths of the sea are broken up, and thence come the waters beneath the firmament, and the clouds drop down the dews, the waters from above the firmament, and all this by the divine wisdom and knowledge; therefore happy is the man that finds wisdom, for he will thereby be thoroughly furnished for every good word and work. Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made and still consist; happy therefore are those to whom he is made of God wisdom, for he has wherewithal to make good all the foregoing promises of long life, riches, and honour; for all the wealth of heaven, earth, and seas, is his.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Her ways are pleasant | P3-V17

February 27, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.

In my experience, the ways of wisdom are pleasant when learning to understand the nature of God by His Word. We can experience the meaning of pleasantness when walking with God in the cool of the morning, seeing the birds in the trees awake and alive for the joy set before them singing a song of praise to God (at least that’s my interpretation of their sound when chirping about the making of a melody). Although my lips may not move, my heart joins them as a hum to break my silence. The interpretation of my hum is an agreement with the encompassing sound of worship to God, a choice given me through the pleasantness of wisdom.

What is your experience to the pleasantness of wisdom?

Peace—is such a remarkable experience. I’m so thankful for peace! Even when on the most darkest of paths, if wisdom is my constant reward, peace is with me. What is there to fear if God is with us, nothing! To believe in God through faith in Jesus is the constant reward of wisdom in the innermost parts of the soul. We can experience peace in the face of temptations and the most difficult of tests when we listen to the rewards of wisdom. There is power in this truth, but the discipline to acquire it is difficult to bear because this worlds hates this wisdom. The world hates what wisdom means; believe in name of Jesus for salvation. No matter what paths we find ourselves on, without faith in Jesus, it’s impossible to please God. To have peace means to share the good news of the gospel. To have wisdom means to live a life that testifies to your belief in the gospel.

Do your paths reveal the peace of the gospel?

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V17) Commentary
2. It is a true happiness; for it is inclusive of, and equivalent to, all those things which are supposed to make men happy, v. 16, 17. Wisdom is here represented as a bright and bountiful queen, reaching forth gifts to her faithful and loving subjects, and offering them to all that will submit to her government.

(1.) Is length of days a blessing? Yes, the most valuable; life includes all good, and therefore she offers that in her right hand. Religion puts us into the best methods of prolonging life, entitles us to the promises of it, and, though our days on earth should be no more than our neighbour’s, yet it will secure to us everlasting life in a better world.
(2.) Are riches and honour accounted blessings? They are so, and them she reaches out with her left hand. For, as she is ready to embrace those that submit to her with both arms, so she is ready to give out to them with both hands. They shall have the wealth of this world as far as Infinite Wisdom sees good for them; while the true riches, by which men are rich towards God, are secured to them. Nor is there any honour, by birth or preferment, comparable to that which attends religion; it makes the righteous more excellent than his neighbour, recommends men to God, commands respect and veneration with all the sober part of mankind, and will in the other world make those that are now buried in obscurity to shine forth as the sun.
(3.) Is pleasure courted as much as any thing? It is so, and it is certain that true piety has in it the greatest true pleasure. Her ways are ways of pleasantness; the ways in which she has directed us to walk are such as we shall find abundance of delight and satisfaction in. All the enjoyments and entertainments of sense are not comparable to the pleasure which gracious souls have in communion with God and doing good. That which is the only right way to bring us to our journey’s end we must walk in, fair or foul, pleasant or unpleasant; but the way of religion, as it is the right way, so it is a pleasant way; it is smooth and clean, and strewed with roses: All her paths are peace. There is not only peace in the end, but peace in the way; not only in the way of religion in general, but in the particular paths of that way, in all her paths, all the several acts, instances, and duties of it. One does not embitter what the other sweetens, as it is with the allays of this world; but they are all peace, not only sweet, but safe. The saints enter into peace on this side heaven, and enjoy a present sabbatism.

God and Coffee, Journal, Nathan Dooley

NATHAN’S JOURNAL 2021 — Winter Storm Uri | VI

February 21, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

I’ve missed you people! Or well I’ve missed the meditative prayerful thoughts of you people when writing! There is a time for everything the Preacher says, and it was time for my writing to be on hold during last week’s winter storm “Uri” for the care of my family. But we’re okay! We’re alive … sort of!

I’ve had a little longer than a week to think about some things, ‘thinking’ can be quite dangerous if not spiritually healthy, and by healthy, I mean, trusting in the Holy Spirit of God to guide, even and especially when nothing makes sense: Like how does – “The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages scheduling on an electric grid carrying 90 percent of Texas’ load.” – resolve the issue of people freezing to death if the math forecasts dead cold temperatures upon us (said playfully to mean a very serious problem)? Not that I’m complaining, necessarily, because my faith is in Christ my Lord and Savior while being Texas proud, but being without power intermittently and for longer than 24hrs in freezing temperatures does cause pause, not to mention caring for someone sick—in a COVID stigmatized nation—to “help” our situation. So … needless to say; I’ve been thinking … “time to go off grid?!”

I did actually think that though, to go off grid, and even brainstormed with Laura (my wife) on how to go about doing that while camped out in our living room with my mother-in-law to try and stay warm. We had candles lit all around us like we’re performing some sort of witch craft or something—”you should’ve seen it! We made my mother-in-law levitate off the couch in subzero temperatures and everything! It was awesome!” (I’m definitely getting in trouble for that joke). But while freezing to death, decided to reach out to every Christian Texan on the cost of going off grid as a way of protest … unfortunately … it would ultimately mean war. That’s me confessing how my thoughts can take shape to form dangerous ideas in the wake of difficult circumstances if not governed by the Holy Spirit of God.

Anyway, apart from uneducated thoughts, my Christian brothers and sisters did take great care of us while in the midst of this Uri storm. I’m eternally grateful for Christian community! Going on 24+ hrs with no power, a Christian family of close Christian friends invited us into their warm home until our power was restored and remained on. They even took us in at the risk of one of us having COVID.

No one should deny the magnificent beauty through a costly storm as the language of it’s existence declares the scientific presence of God.

This storm called life is not over, and thank God for that! The experience of being alive should not be taken for granted, nor used to deny it’s Author. God is with us no matter what storm we are going through, but will the person reading this trust in the testimony of that truth? Man, I hope so! Jesus died, was buried, and rose on the third day taking away the sin of the world, defeating death! The Word of God is declaring His coming judgement, and if you died today … are you ready? I’m excited to write again, thank You Lord! I’ll leave you with this scripture to think about:

^{John 16:7} But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; ¹¹and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

“Truth without love is ice cold.”

_{^{—Nathan Dooley}}

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Long life is in her right hand in her left hand are riches and honor | P3-V16

February 13, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.

This verse from our lady wisdom is assuring us of a truth that is ours for understanding—by God, through Christ Jesus, the Word of God—that helps us keep long life, riches and honor.

Imagine your club, your squad, your gang, your people, that you know and trust. Do you have them in mind? Go up to them and tell them to hold out their hands in front of them, palms facing heaven, and say, “In your right hand is given long life.” And then, with them still holding out their hands as though to receive something, say—”In your left hand is given riches and honor.” Then tell each of them to grab their neighbor’s hand at their right and left, form a circle, and say:

“The nails that pierced the hands of the Son of God who took away the sin of the world is alive by His Spirit here and now according to the glory of God. And in His right hand—eternal life; while in His left—riches and honor. Jesus is in the glory of God with hands working the sanctification of the new covenant in us as the gift of the Holy Spirit; death is defeated, and long life is recognized in the resurrection of the dead, but in the kingdom of heaven—not hell (If we’ve accepted the truth of the gospel, the experience of our salvation in Jesus Christ while in our flesh and blood because flesh and blood do not inherit the kingdom of God—^{1 Cor 15:50}Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.). We share in the suffering of our Lord and Savior which is our riches and honor to celebrate as people are drawn to believe in Jesus by this faithful work and service of God for salvation.”

The words that testify of Jesus are written in more books than what the bible holds, but ONE message is clear according to the Scriptures—Jesus is the Word of God, and is going to return again.

^{Luke 21:25} “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶ men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. ²⁸ But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

RESOURCE

Proverbs 3 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org | biblegateway.com
¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; ² For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. ³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ⁸ It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; ¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, ¹² For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. ¹³ How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. ¹⁴ For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. ¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. ²⁰ By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. ²¹ My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, ²² So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. ²³ Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; ²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ”When you have it with you. ²⁹ Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. ³⁰ Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. ³² For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. ³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. ³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. ³⁵ The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V16) Commentary
2. It is a true happiness; for it is inclusive of, and equivalent to, all those things which are supposed to make men happy, v. 16, 17. Wisdom is here represented as a bright and bountiful queen, reaching forth gifts to her faithful and loving subjects, and offering them to all that will submit to her government.

(1.) Is length of days a blessing? Yes, the most valuable; life includes all good, and therefore she offers that in her right hand. Religion puts us into the best methods of prolonging life, entitles us to the promises of it, and, though our days on earth should be no more than our neighbour’s, yet it will secure to us everlasting life in a better world.
(2.) Are riches and honour accounted blessings? They are so, and them she reaches out with her left hand. For, as she is ready to embrace those that submit to her with both arms, so she is ready to give out to them with both hands. They shall have the wealth of this world as far as Infinite Wisdom sees good for them; while the true riches, by which men are rich towards God, are secured to them. Nor is there any honour, by birth or preferment, comparable to that which attends religion; it makes the righteous more excellent than his neighbour, recommends men to God, commands respect and veneration with all the sober part of mankind, and will in the other world make those that are now buried in obscurity to shine forth as the sun.
(3.) Is pleasure courted as much as any thing? It is so, and it is certain that true piety has in it the greatest true pleasure. Her ways are ways of pleasantness; the ways in which she has directed us to walk are such as we shall find abundance of delight and satisfaction in. All the enjoyments and entertainments of sense are not comparable to the pleasure which gracious souls have in communion with God and doing good. That which is the only right way to bring us to our journey’s end we must walk in, fair or foul, pleasant or unpleasant; but the way of religion, as it is the right way, so it is a pleasant way; it is smooth and clean, and strewed with roses: All her paths are peace. There is not only peace in the end, but peace in the way; not only in the way of religion in general, but in the particular paths of that way, in all her paths, all the several acts, instances, and duties of it. One does not embitter what the other sweetens, as it is with the allays of this world; but they are all peace, not only sweet, but safe. The saints enter into peace on this side heaven, and enjoy a present sabbatism.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

My son do not reject the discpline of the Lord or loathe His reproof | P3-V11

February 8, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹¹ My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof,

Lord, here we are again, a time to be devoted. And in this devotion, You remind me of the beginning; when mankind was created. You’ve taken me back to when Adam awoke to life by Your breath—^{Genesis 2:5}Now no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. ⁶But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. ⁷Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person. So I close my eyes, and breathe.

When my eyes are closed, and I breathe in the air … there is only darkness. I can feel my body expand as the air You breathe enters my body, my eyes open and I see the wonder of Your majesty. I experience Your presence, but have yet to hear Your voice. And then … there it is; I hear You; I comprehend our relationship and recognize Who You are in me. My Father. You give me an environment with a warning, a command, to eat from “… any tree of the garden …; ¹⁷but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” Everything was good, but being alone.

¹⁸Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” And so You gave me love, a woman, and everything was complete. Then sin entered the heart of what was created to be good. Knowledge is inevitable, but evil is cunning, and death has reigned from millennia to millennia since that day of sin committed by mankind—^{1 Timothy 2:13}For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. ¹⁴And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a wrongdoer [underline bold mine]. I can feel the law of faith discipline me as a son, enlightening me by the testimony of Your Word made flesh for the salvation of souls.

My conscience bears witness to Your work in me, the process of sanctification is an experience foreign to the mind of a human. But to the mind of the resurrected, it’s a taste of home. Oh Lord, I pray for all to be saved by grace through faith in Your Name, to the glory of God our Father.

^{Hebrews 12:7} It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. ¹¹ All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.¹² Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. ¹⁴Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V11) Commentary
III. We must conduct ourselves aright under our afflictions, v. 11, 12. This the apostle quotes (Heb. 12:5), and calls it an exhortation which speaks unto us as unto children, with the authority and affection of a father. We are here in a world of troubles. Now observe,

1. What must be our care when we are in affliction. We must neither despise it nor be weary of it. His exhortation, before, was to those that are rich and in prosperity, here to those that are poor and in adversity.
- (1.) We must not despise an affliction, be it ever so light and short, as if it were not worth taking notice of, or as if it were not sent on an errand and therefore required no answer. We must not be stocks, and stones, and stoics, under our afflictions, insensible of them, hardening ourselves under them, and concluding we can easily get through them without God.
- (2.) We must not be weary of an affliction, be it ever so heavy and long, not faint under it, so the apostle renders it, not be dispirited, dispossessed of our own souls, or driven to despair, or to use any indirect means for our relief and the redress of our grievances. We must not think that the affliction either presses harder or continues longer than is meet, not conclude that deliverance will never come because it does not come so soon as we expect it.
2. What will be our comfort when we are in affliction.
- (1.) That it is a divine correction; it is the chastening of the Lord, which, as it is a reason why we should submit to it (for it is folly to contend with a God of incontestable sovereignty and irresistible power), so it is a reason why we should be satisfied in it; for we may be sure that a God of unspotted purity does us no wrong and that a God of infinite goodness means us no hurt. It is from God, and therefore must not be despised; for a slight put upon the messenger is an affront to him that sends him. It is from God, and therefore we must not be weary of it, for he knows our frame, both what we need and what we can bear.
- (2.) That it is a fatherly correction; it comes not from his vindictive justice as a Judge, but his wise affection as a Father. The father corrects the son whom he loves, nay, and because he loves him and desires he may be wise and good. He delights in that in his son which is amiable and agreeable, and therefore corrects him for the prevention and cure of that which would be a deformity to him, and an alloy to his delight in him. Thus God hath said, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, Rev. 3:19. This is a great comfort to God’s children, under their afflictions,
  - [1.] That they not only consist with, but flow from, covenant-love.
  - [2.] That they are so far from doing them any real hurt that, by the grace of God working with them, they do a great deal of good, and are happy means of their satisfaction.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine | P3-V10

February 7, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

I love this wisdom!

The previous devotional was—at least the very least, meant to be—more focused on the giving of our personal development (that reflects our belief system and faith portion) first, to God; now lets focus on the Person of God and the increase given as result of applying this wisdom.

As we make a practice of faithfully giving the first portion of our ‘gross pay’ income to our God (church, family [orphans/widows\etc.], homelessness, etc.; Christian organizations), is a testimony to our spiritual position and health because we serve a living God that means to give us the good of Himself for an eternal life with Him through His only Son, Christ our Lord, Yahweh.

God our Father gave us the ultimate first of all His produce

We couldn’t pray for a better produce from our God and Father, than His Son, and He is Who we have every moment of everyday in all things we’ve been blessed to experience.

^{Philippians 3:7}But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, ⁹and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

^{Hebrew 2:9}But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. ¹⁰For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

^{1 Corinthians 8:5}For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, ⁶yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. ⁷However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

So watch how God gives the increase as we continue in our faithful obedience to His Son, our Lord and Savior, the Messiah, Jesus. Lets put this wisdom to the test by heeding its instruction to give the first of all our produce, and trusting God with the nature of Christ our Lord as increase in our spiritual development … to be more like Christ, from glory to glory.

^{2 Corinthians 3:17}Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V10) Commentary
2. A promise, which makes it our interest to serve God with our estates. It is the way to make a little much, and much more; it is the surest and safest method of thriving: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty. He does not say thy bags, but thy barns, not thy wardrobe replenished, but thy presses: “God shall bless thee with an increase of that which is for use, not for show or ornament-for spending and laying out, not for hoarding and laying up.’ Those that do good with what they have shall have more to do more good with. Note, If we make our worldly estates serviceable to our religion we shall find our religion very serviceable to the prosperity of our worldly affairs. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is and most of the comfort of it. We mistake if we think that giving will undo us and make us poor. No, giving for God’s honour will make us rich, Hag. 2:19. What we gave we have.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce | P3-V9

February 6, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

⁹ Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

“Our Father in Heaven … Holy … is Your Name.” When we look from the ground to the stars, the mirror to our scars; the idea of wealth feels real when the value is us. The first of our produce should be a prayer in faith, to God. The value that produces currency, is not money; it’s belief. And so the next time you read the letters on a dollar bill, take notice how we’ve went from “IN GOD WE TRUST” to ‘DIGITAL‘ because that precious reminder of trusting God is long past due. The first of every breath, every thought, every experience, is to honor our Lord and Savior, Christ the Son of God, Jesus. It could be that our children become leaders of the most wealthy on the face of the planet, every person subject to their wisdom, their every decision, but if they have not God? All of the achievements to success and wealth will have amounted to a debt of eternal hell. I thank God for the prayer of grace that has been ever present at the work of the cross, the heart of God; grace that stretches from the eternal east to the eternal west—^{Gen 3:24} So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life. Jesus is our tree of life. There is no amount of wealth that will buy belief, it’s a matter of faith, it is the gift of God in Jesus Christ that canonizes our relationship to God our Father in Heaven (not the Roman Catholic Church or any other Church than the One Jesus said, and upon this rock I’ll build My church ^{Mat 16:18}). “Jesus, I trust you.”

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V9) Commentary
II. We must make a good use of our estates, and that is the way to increase them, v. 9, 10. Here is,

1. A precept which makes it our duty to serve God with our estates: Honour the Lord with thy substance. It is the end of our creation and redemption to honour God, to be to him for a name and a praise; we are no other way capable of serving him than in his honour. His honour we must show forth and the honour we have for him. We must honour him, not only with our bodies and spirits which are his, but with our estates too, for they also are his: we and all our appurtenances must be devoted to his glory. Worldly wealth is but poor substance, yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it, and then, if ever, it becomes substantial. We must honour God,
- (1.) With our increase. Where riches increase we are tempted to honour ourselves (Deu. 8:17) and to set our hearts upon the world (Ps. 62:10); but the more God gives us the more we should study to honour him. It is meant of the increase of the earth, for we live upon annual products, to keep us in constant dependence on God.
- (2.) With all our increase. As God has prospered us in every thing, we must honour him. Our law will allow a prescription for a modus decimandi-a mode of tithing, but none de non decimando-for exemption from paying tithes.
- (3.) With the first-fruits of all, as Abel, Gen. 4:4. This was the law (Ex. 23:19), and the prophets, Mal. 3:10. God, who is the first and best, must have the first and best of every thing; his right is prior to all other, and therefore he must be served first. Note, It is our duty to make our worldly estates serviceable to our religion, to use them and the interest we have by them for the promoting of religion, to do good to the poor with what we have and abound in all works of piety and charity, devising liberal things.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil | P3-V7

February 3, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

As I think about this verse am examining how it pertains to me personally as well as how it might pertain to you. I think of what it means to be wise from the eyes of Christ and His Church on earth.

I then think about the world and how my eyes were well acquainted to sin before experiencing the freedom from Hell by the wisdom of God in the work of His Son on the cross.

Being wise in our own eyes from the western part of our globe looks like the freedom to be happy in doing whatever makes us “happy”, no judgement or consequences, just … power and pleasure to be who we want to be. It looks like the world is on its way to self-sustainability for life apart from religion, or life apart from the conviction of truth—telling us how went wrong, are sinful, and in need of repentance until the return of Christ to make us Holy.

However, fearing the Lord by turning away from evil (repentance) reminds us of where our truth is … which is in us by faith if we pass the test. The test being that we are found securely fastened to the gospel promise of Christ, the Son of God, our salvation. Our faith producing in us glory to glory…

^{2 Corinthians 3:17}Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

^{2 Corinthians 13:5}Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V7) Commentary
We have here before us three exhortations, each of them enforced with a good reason:-

I. We must live in a humble and dutiful subjection to God and his government (v. 7): “Fear the Lord, as your sovereign Lord and Master; be ruled in every thing by your religion and subject to the divine will.’ This must be,
- 1. A humble subjection: Be not wise in thy own eyes. Note, There is not a greater enemy to the power of religion, and the fear of God in the heart, than conceitedness of our own wisdom. Those that have an opinion of their own sufficiency think it below them, and a disparagement to them, to take their measures from, much more to hamper themselves with, religion’s rules.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight | P3-V6

February 2, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Even when on a date with my wife or writing out this devotional, my heart means to acknowledge Him before anything else including myself. Although, of course, I miss the mark at times as result of practice not to miss the mark. But as I write this … can think of several perspectives throughout my day where I didn’t acknowledge God before voicing my perspective or behaving contrary to this verse’s’ instruction. And yet, with that thought, have reached the end of this day by the grace and mercy of God. His love is truly powerful, and I’m so very thankful. Even when my ways are about the day, whatever it holds, my faith in the path of Jesus is straight; Jesus has made my path straight because of my faith in Him, my salvation is secure. I pray this devotional will find you in this faith, steadfast and secure, a fellow heir of the kingdom of God while in the flesh of an alien dying on this earth for the hope that all will come to know our Lord and Savior, Christ (Messiah) the Priest King, Jesus.

^{John 14:5} Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” ⁶Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. ⁷ If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V6) Commentary
2. By prayer (v. 6): In all thy ways acknowledge God. We must not only in our judgment believe that there is an over-ruling hand of God ordering and disposing of us and all our affairs, but we must solemnly own it, and address ourselves to him accordingly. We must ask his leave, and not design any thing but what we are sure is lawful. We must ask his advice and beg direction from him, not only when the case is difficult (when we know not what to do, no thanks to us that we have our eyes up to him), but in every case, be it ever so plain, We must ask success of him, as those who know the race is not to the swift. We must refer ourselves to him as one from whom our judgment proceeds, and patiently, and with a holy indifferency, wait his award. In all our ways that prove direct, and fair, and pleasant, in which we gain our point to our satisfaction, we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that prove cross and uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge God with submission. Our eye must be ever towards God; to him we must, in every thing, make our requests known, as Jephthah uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh, Jdg. 11:11. For our encouragement to do this, it is promised, “He shall direct thy paths, so that thy way shall be safe and good and the issue happy at last.’ Note, Those that put themselves under a divine guidance shall always have the benefit of it. God will give them that wisdom which is profitable to direct, so that they shall not turn aside into the by-paths of sin, and then will himself so wisely order the event that it shall be to their mind, or (which is equivalent) for their good. Those that faithfully follow the pillar of cloud and fire shall find that though it may lead them about it leads them the right way and will bring them to Canaan at last.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man | P3-V4

January 30, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

⁴So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

It was at twelve years of age that our Lord stayed at Jerusalem, in the temple, to be about His Father’s business. And in case you think I mean His earthly “father” figure (Joseph), I don’t. It would appear as though Mary and Joseph had left Jesus behind, after all, we ARE talking about raising the Son of God here! I mean what better excuse to be released from such a responsibility of raising the Son of the living God than to leave Him with His “Biological” Father at the temple?

*Mary: Here! It’s your weekend! Good luck!

*God: … Sigh … Ah—Come Onnn!

*Mary and God: (…dialogue…)

*Meanwhile Jesus is in the background revealing the issues of divorce to the Teachers of the Law as they sit and watch with popcorn at the drama between God and Mary.

*Jesus: …annnd that’s why I’m not getting married.

*Teachers of the Law: (^{Luk 2:47} — “…amazed at His understanding and His answers.”) Awwwe, I see…

*Joseph: I knew there was a reason we brought the table we just finished carving out during our journey, gather round, hand me the popcorn … this is gettin good!

But what actually happened was that Jesus stayed behind, He wasn’t left as though forgotten. Jesus understood the nature of His purpose, but Mary and Joseph had yet to understand. Jesus stayed behind in the temple to be with His Father … to be home. Jesus is the true Priest and King of everything, not just in Jerusalem of Israel. God chose Israel for the revelation of His Son, the Lamb of God that took away the sin of the world. Everything the old law represents, culminates, in the flesh and blood of Jesus. We would all be dead in hell if it wasn’t for the grace of God established by the cross of Christ; the old law demands such perfection that none could keep it and live because of the sin that would match the law in its effect, thereby condemning the people obeying the law because of the sin that matched its effect. This is why it was inevitable Christ our Lord, Jesus, would die on the cross. This is why Jesus was predestined for our salvation because there was no other logical way for us to be redeemed from the sin of ONE man! The law can NOT redeem without Jesus. And so now that we have Jesus through the Holy Spirit (upon belief through faith), the gospel makes us alive to a new purpose (born again).

We now possess the capacity to truly repent of sin because of the gift of God!

^{Luke 2:41}Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴²And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; ⁴³and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, ⁴⁴but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. ⁴⁶Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. ⁴⁸When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” ⁴⁹And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” ⁵⁰But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. ⁵¹And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

As a people of God evolving intelligently in the 21^st century during a time when the world has connected in a way never thought imaginable, this verse excites me all the more! Jesus is still finding favor today through His Church across the globe, just as He had when in the flesh of His ministry.

^{Luke 2:52}— And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

To have favor with God and humankind is to reveal the commandments written on the tablets of our hearts by believing in the gospel of God. If we do not believe the gospel of God … the commandments will condemn us to hell because we think that it’s the commandments that save. The commandments do not save, Jesus saves because He is the commandments. The commandments testified of Jesus and is how we have eternal life … because we believe in the Person of God that fulfilled the power of the law while taking upon Himself our sin so we can believe in Him.

To believe in Jesus means we have two distinct qualities that make us standout as a separate people (sheep) in the midst of all destructive people (wolves).

favor
good repute

Favor

We have the favor of God by our testimony of belief in His ONE and ONLY begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.

GOOD REPUTE

Faith produces sanctification by the help of the Holy Spirit in the believer. This means your entire behavior changes to reflect the gospel while in this life … because the gospel is our good repute … the gospel is Jesus in the flesh of His Bride, the Church.

^{John 20:26} After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” ²⁸ Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

The bible is something we see much like Thomas; we can see it, touch it and therefore, believe it. But the bible is not meant to be idolized as to be worshipped; it’s only meant as a compass, guide, and mirror, for all who are drawn to Jesus; Jesus produces our confidence through belief to turn from our sin by repentance, having truly been saved from our present trajectory of hell, to a life everlasting in the name of Jesus! But if we hold to our state of sin that the Word of God convicts in us to change by warning us of the nature it will destine; what then is the consequence? Have you truly believed? Or are you just believing for sheer want of being favored? That is why those of us who believe without the bible, are blessed … because we’ve believed in Jesus, without seeing!

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V4) Commentary
To encourage us to do this we are assured (v. 4) that this is the way to recommend ourselves both to our Creator and fellow-creatures: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding.

1. A good man seeks the favour of God in the first place, is ambitious of the honour of being accepted of the Lord, and he shall find that favour, and with it a good understanding; God will make the best of him, and put a favourable construction upon what he says and does. He shall be owned as one of Wisdom’s children, and shall have praise with God, as one having that good understanding which is ascribed to all those that do his commandments.

2. He wishes to have favour with men also (as Christ had, Lu. 2:52), to be accepted of the multitude of his brethren (Esth. 10:3), and that he shall have; they shall understand him aright, and in his dealings with them he shall appear to be prudent, shall act intelligently and with discretion. He shall have good success (so some translate it), the common effect of good understanding.

III. We must have a continual regard to God’s providence, must own and depend upon it in all our affairs, both by faith and prayer.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart | P3-V3

January 29, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

I thank God that we have technology so advanced that we can connect with each other around the world, but not only that, a plethora of information to sift through upon need of instantaneous education on any given subject as even these topics of kindness and truth, only … those principles are not taught by an online inquiry … they’re learned by meditating on the Person of Jesus, our Christ. The only way to develop such principles is by observing the Person of Christ in the churches of God across the globe. You’ll notice all throughout the apostolic testimonies, how they addressed our churches still alive today:

^{Romans 16:16} — Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

^{1 Thessalonians 1:1}— Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

^{1 Corinthians 16:19} — The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

^{Galatians 1:2} — and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

^{1 Thessalonians 2:13-}— For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all people,

^{Hebrews 12:23} — to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

I hope you experience the joy in these words that were sent out from the hearts of churches 2000 years ago to be written on the tablets of our hearts today, right now. I pray you’ll do that. Write to remember the kindness and truth of God, that when you’re addressing people of the faith you’re addressing the Bride of the Lamb. And when addressing the world of sin, you’re proclaiming the good news from your tablets within. By faith we have the Word of God made secure in hope for our salvation, but there might be eyes that see not nor ears that hear not for the glory of God written in you to reveal Him in the name of Jesus.

The churches are still greeting us today … will you hear the kindness and truth of their voices, and see those principles as a favorite necklace around your neck? If you’re reading this … the church from the household of Laura and Nathan greet you.

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V3) Commentary
II. We must have a continual regard to God’s promises, which go along with his precepts, and are to be received, and retained, with them (v. 3): “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee, God’s mercy in promising, and his truth in performing. Do not forfeit these, but live up to them, and preserve thy interest in them; do not forget these, but live upon them, and take the comfort of them. Bind them about thy neck, as the most graceful ornament.’ It is the greatest honour we are capable of in this world to have an interest in the mercy and truth of God. “Write to them upon the table of thy heart, as dear to thee, thy portion, and most delightful entertainment; take a pleasure in applying them and thinking them over.’ Or it may be meant of the mercy and truth which are our duty, piety and sincerity, charity towards men, fidelity towards God. Let these be fixed and commanding principles in thee. To encourage us to do this we are assured (v. 4) that this is the way to recommend ourselves both to our Creator and fellow-creatures: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you | P3-V2

January 28, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

² For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.

Jesus is our law of liberty that brings us to length of days and years. And because we have faith in the cross of Christ, peace is added to us.

What is the law of liberty?

^P3-V1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; ² For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.

The perfect law of liberty was accomplished at the cross when Jesus was crucified for the sin of the world; Jesus took away the sin of the world! The law of liberty is our way to God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ. The old law that held us captive to our sin of disobedience is now covered by the Body and Blood of Jesus having set us free from the captivity of sin that condemns our soul to hell—along with that crafty serpent of old—upon believing in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

John 1:29 — The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

James 1:25 — But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

James 2:12 — So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

Revelation 12:9 — And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 20:2 — And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

The scheme of the devil today might be hard to detect or discern because the doctrine used is designed to confuse those of us in the faith of Christianity by the teaching of Puritans and Reformers, or “Pharisees and Sadducees” in western civilization … during this present era or epoch. The disciples of these Reformed preachers are rising up against the Bride of Christ through reforming old testament law into the new testament gospel of God.

These preachers will teach a doctrine based on the 5 solas, but will then turn to condemn a believer who does not conform to an idolatry of their doctrine.

The 5 Solas

Sola Gratia (Grace alone)
Sola Fide (Faith alone)
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (To the glory of God alone)

These statements of belief are without the most vital components, or organ, and thus lives as brittle as sandstones to be mistaken for a house that was built on a “Rock”. The components are lights that shine—as the unified Church—through a prism of love to create the beauty of colors that glorify God, and the organ … the heart of God that beats inside the soul of His Son alive at His right Hand.

Which means these 5 solas are built on this idea of: “alone”. And how appropriate … as it stands alone without Scripture to fill it with life; it becomes the cat of nine tails, wood, stone, and nails, now to crucify the Bride of Christ. These 5 solas are the equivalent of the first five books of the Holy Law; the Holy Law that was designed as a tutor for Jewish Temple Keepers, Teachers, and Preachers trained in their senses to perceive the coming of Christ, but were instead used as stones to hurl the death of our salvation; captivated by their sin of disobedience to crucify the Son of the living God.

Here we are again 2000 years later doing the same thing as the Chief Priests, Pharisees and Sadducees—now against the Bride of Christ, the Church. So beware of the leaven of the Puritans and Reformers who search the Scriptures because in them they think they have eternal life.

Witness of the Scripture

^{John 5:39}— You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; ⁴⁰and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. ⁴¹I do not receive glory from men; ⁴²but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. ⁴³I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. ⁴⁴How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? ⁴⁵Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. ⁴⁶For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. ⁴⁷But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

The book known as the “Holy Bible” carries in it the testimony of Jesus Christ, the love and glory of God. The bible is a witness to us about the coming of our Salvation from sin that was accomplished on the cross of Christ our Lord, Jesus.

Listen Listen

We are not suppose to treat the bible as an idol to worship. The bible is a mirror that reflects the testimony of God’s grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit in the believer who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. God is love, and His Word is given as the truth and promise to our eternal life that lives inside us by faith. We who believe are in a process of sanctification if Christ is in us. Remember, examine yourselves to see if Christ is in you.

2Co 13:5 — Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

How would you answer when you examine yourself?
Do you have the testimony of Scripture in you as your promise?
Or are you driven by the doctrine of men?
How do you treat the bible?
Who do you go to for eternal life?

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V2) Commentary
2. To encourage us to submit ourselves to all the restraints and injunctions of the divine law, we are assured (v. 2) that it is the certain way to long life and prosperity.

(1.) It is the way to be long-lived. God’s commandments shall add to us length of days; to a good useful life on earth, they shall add an eternal life in heaven, length of days for ever and ever, Ps. 21:4. God shall be our life and the length of our days, and that will be indeed long life, with an addition. But, because length of days may possibly become a burden and a trouble, it is promised,
(2.) That it shall prove the way to be easy too, so that even the days of old age shall not be evil days, but days in which thou shalt have pleasure: Peace shall they be continually adding to thee. As grace increases, peace shall increase; and of the increase of Christ’s government and peace, in the heart as well as in the world, there shall be no end. Great and growing peace have those that love the law.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; | P3-V1

January 26, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;

I’m so excited about this chapter!

And let me tell you why!

We people of God live with the temptations of sin constantly crouching at our door as long as we’re alive in this world under the dominion of Satan, waiting to devour us … and as those pressures of temptation build up inside of us (for want of something we think we need, didn’t get, or don’t have) … the affect might look like a very bad attitude of disbelief, theology, or doctrine, that eventually kills the innocent love of God which means to save our souls—through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It is hard work to master our emotions and logic in a way that resists the temptation to live for ourselves, and yet to rather, die for the sake of Christ and the gospel. But wisdom rewards us with the capacity to resist sin by grace through faith in Jesus Christ! Jesus is our reward! We receive the rewards of what Jesus accomplished on the cross! We share in His afflictions! We receive the rewards of wisdom with the help of the Holy Spirit!

Thinking about that reminded me a bit about the story of Cain and Abel:

^{Gen 4:3}So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. ⁴Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; ⁵but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy. ⁶Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your face gloomy? ⁷If you do well, will your face not be cheerful? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” ⁸Cain talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

As members of the Body of Christ, we become targets to the enemy because we live contrary to his [Satan’s] agenda. We’ve willingly died with Christ through baptism as a confession of faith in repentance to death, born again with a new life in Christ for the sake of our faith in the gospel. That looks a lot like what happened to Abel when offering in faith the firstborn of his flock; his faith was revealed by the innocence of his blood crying out from the ground to plead his case. The blood of Christ that saves us, cries out to God, pleading our case even though we deserve the curse of Cain. God hears the cry of His Son in us as we live out our lives for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. You and I, are each others keeper in the Lord. Wisdom teaches us courage to confess our sins through prayer in Jesus, and by doing so will heal our broken consciences that experiences the guilt of our wrongdoings; we’re forgiven—cleansed from the guilt of our lying, lust, and pride, to serve God with assurance and confidence in the promise of eternal life.

^{Gen 4:9}Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” ¹⁰Then He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground. ¹¹Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

^{Heb 11:4}By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

And we haven’t even gotten to our verse yet yo!!!

Okay, to our verse of the day.

Examine the Scriptures within yourselves—unless indeed you fail the test? Now you might not agree with me on this, or just don’t care one way or the other, but when I read … “My son…” … I think of God the Father in Christ, instructing His Son that will eventually be revealed as Jesus of Nazareth (the Word of God in the flesh) through the lineage of prophecy (Adam to Joseph) at the time of the Spirit in Solomon. And so now that, that time has passed, we of the faith, are being transformed in the image of His [Jesus Christ’s] glory; the Holy Father of Jesus becomes our Holy Father in Christ by the seal of the Holy Spirit as a promise alive in us who’ve believed and are born again. So by the Spirit of Jesus alive in us, God is now instructing us as His Children in the Lord—”do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;“

^{2 Cor 13:5}Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

^{2 Cor 3:15}But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts; ¹⁶but whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

^{Matt 1:1} The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: ²Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers. ³Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Ram. ⁴Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon. ⁵ Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse. ⁶Jesse fathered David the king. David fathered Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. ⁷Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa. ⁸Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Uzziah. ⁹Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah. ¹⁰Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, and Amon fathered Josiah. ¹¹Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. ¹²After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel. ¹³ Zerubbabel fathered Abihud, Abihud fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Azor. ¹⁴Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud. ¹⁵Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob. ¹⁶Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

^{Luke 3:23}When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years old, being, as was commonly held, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, ²⁴the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, ²⁵the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai, ²⁶the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, ²⁷the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, ²⁸the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, ²⁹the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, ³⁰the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, ³¹the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, ³²the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, ³³the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, ³⁴the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, ³⁵the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah, ³⁶the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, ³⁷the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, ³⁸the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

RESOURCE

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V1) Commentary
This chapter is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and for directions therein.

I. We must be constant to our duty because that is the way to be happy (v. 1-4).
II. We must live a life of dependence upon God because that is the way to be safe (v. 5).
III. We must keep up the fear of God because that is the way to be healthful (v. 7, 8).
IV. We must serve God with our estates because that is the way to be rich (v. 9, 10).
V. We must hear afflictions well because that is the way to get good by them (v. 11, 12).
VI. We must take pains to obtain wisdom because that is the way to gain her, and to gain by her (v. 13-20).
VII. We must always govern ourselves by the rules of wisdom, of right reason and religion, because that is the way to be always easy (v. 21-26).
VIII. We must do all the good we can, and no hurt, to our neighbours, because according as men are just or unjust, charitable or uncharitable, humble or haughty, accordingly they shall receive of God (v. 27-35).

From all this it appears what a tendency religion has to make men both blessed and blessings.

Pro 3:1-6

We are here taught to live a life of communion with God; and without controversy great is this mystery of godliness, and of great consequence to us, and, as is here shown, will be of unspeakable advantage.

I. We must have a continual regard to God’s precepts, v. 1, 2.
- 1. We must,
  - (1.) Fix God’s law, and his commandments, as our rule, by which we will in every thing be ruled and to which we will yield obedience.
  - (2.) We must acquaint ourselves with them; for we cannot be said to forget that which we never knew.
  - (3.) We must remember them so that they may be ready to us whenever we have occasion to use them.
  - (4.) Our wills and affections must be subject to them and must in every thing conform to them. Not only our heads, but our hearts, must keep God’s commandments; in them, as in the ark of the testimony, both the tables of the law must be deposited.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it | P2-V22

January 24, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

Proverbs 2; I die daily devotional.

²² But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.

Lady Wisdom isn’t pulling any punches by these verses, like this one, that means to get our attention to the severity of wicked and treacherous behavior.

What do you think of … when you read, but the wicked will be cut off from the land?

I think to myself, “Well, what does it mean to be wicked?” And by asking; I’m then sent on this spiritual journey with Lady Wisdom to teach me how to understand, so I don’t make the mistake of claiming ignorance. Wisdom teaches me perspective; it’s important that I don’t delude myself in the practice of wicked behavior as though it’s impossible to escape out of it while in the flesh of this world. Satan has his way of lying.

Deu 25:1-3 — “If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, then it shall be if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his guilt. “He may beat him forty times but no more, so that he does not beat him with many more stripes than these and your brother is not degraded in your eyes.

So what does “wicked” look like for you?

I believe wisdom equips us with knowledge through our present experiences, even now, while you’re reading through this devo. As we begin to engage the depths of her [Wisdoms’] teachings, she enlightens us to our capacity of wickedness while warning us about the outcome, the consequences of that path; which ultimately leads to … Hell.

Mat 10:28 — “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Let me ask you a couple interesting questions—you see that verse (^{_{Mat 10:28}}) above; how did that verse come to be used by me? Is it because they’re just words or do they testify of a truth that is alive?

Really think about that a moment … because it didn’t just come from no where. The Word of God is alive and active in us who believe. It’s alive to save those who will believe and condemn those who will not believe.

Mar 16:15-16 — And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Can you hear Lady Wisdom speaking to you?

No, I don’t mean audibly, of course, like an actual voice saying … “Don’t go that way!” But I mean a very real and literal experience to the truth alive in you, giving you the awareness of, “Not that way!”.

We already know all about how to be wicked, and the pleasures of wickedness. And so what the Word of God does is testify to the truth of that condemnation that was already at work in you by having eaten that fruit of the knowledge of good and evil in disobedience. That is why we know all to well how to answer the desires of Satan. We are rich in this world of wickedness because of a treachery that was born at the beginning we missed the mark (sin).

However, thanks be to God, by His grace through Jesus Christ, we have our Salvation. We don’t have an excuse to behave in a way that contradicts the truth about our salvation. Jesus obeyed the commands of His Father because we didn’t know God as our Father until Jesus showed us the way. We were of our father the devil, remember?

Jhn 8:42-44 — Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

So these people who’ve heard and disbelieve the gospel have chosen a trajectory that will not go well for them or anyone else that follows after them. The consequence of being wicked as a result of their disbelief will condemn them; they will be cut off from the land they have now (their treasures of the world will perish along with them) and the treacherous will be uprooted all together from salvation (body and blood of the earth—Jesus Christ) because they’ve betrayed the testimony of truth that was given to save them (just like what happened with Judas Iscariot).

Jhn 9:39-41 — And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

There is no amount of good that earns our salvation in Christ. When Christ died on that cross, He paid the penalty of which we could not pay! He took the beatings we deserve, the chains, the lashes, the nails, the cross, the death—we all deserved. Jesus traded His innocence’s for our sin, and is why we now have the capacity to resist sin to serve the living God!

Act 26:18 — to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

2Co 3:3 — being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Heb 9:14 — how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Will you experience the truth inside you?

If you are living a wicked lifestyle of disbelief, then it’s time to repent and turn to God. Stick with us on these devotionals a day at a time and watch how God changes your life from unbelief to belief.

Mar 9:19-24 — And He *answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (*bold/underline* mine)

RESOURCE

[BP]

Proverbs 2 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org
¹ My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, ² Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; ³ For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; ⁴ If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; ⁵Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. ⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. ⁹ Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. ¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; ¹¹ Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, ¹² To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; ¹³From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; ¹⁴ Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; ¹⁵ Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; ¹⁶ To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; ¹⁷ That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; ¹⁸ For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; ¹⁹None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life. ²⁰ So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous. ²¹ For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it; ²² But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P2-V22) Commentary
(2.) Because men’s iniquity will be their destruction, v. 22. See what becomes of the wicked, who choose the way of the evil man; they shall be cut off, not only from heaven hereafter and all hopes of that, but from the earth now, on which they set their affections, and in which they lay up their treasure. They think to take root in it, but they and their families shall be rooted out of it, in judgment to them, but in mercy to the earth. There is a day coming which shall leave them neither root nor branch, Mal. 4:1. Let that wisdom then enter into our hearts, and be pleasant to our souls, which will keep us out of a way that will end thus.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it | P2-V21

January 23, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

Proverbs 2; I die daily devotional.

²¹ For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it;

Wisdom is teaching that the upright will live in the land of promise and the blameless will remain in it.

Where is the land of promise?

Heb 11:8-9 — By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Much like Abraham didn’t know where he was going, neither to do we know where we are going. We are born in dust, raised as dust, and then aware of a world of which dust stretches out into eternity without knowing where eternity ends. We are just here along for the ride so it seems; as the earth is on a trajectory in our solar system with our Milky Way Galaxy.

Where are we going?

Astronomers Say They Have Proof the Milky Way Galaxy Is Still Expanding—And No One Can Explain It — https://www.outerplaces.com/science/item/18198-astronomers-milky-way-galaxy-expanding

Heb 12:22-24 — But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

We are going to a city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where there are myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood—which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Check this out Christian!

Rev 21:1-8 — Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Our sanctification through faith behaves in a way to change us from a personality of sin, the dominion of Satan, to God. And so the inheritance that we do not yet see although hope for, is very much alive in us by the power of the Holy Spirit as we wait eagerly for our uniting of a new heaven and earth, to the glory of God.

Wisdom teaches us how to live free from sin and blameless for remaining in the land of promise that we inherit according to faith in the Word of God while living in the flesh here and now.

We are on a trajectory of salvation in Christ to eternal life in the promise land with Jesus, if indeed, Christ is in us?

Is Christ in you?

2Co 13:5 — Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

RESOURCE

[BP]

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P2-V21) Commentary
(1.) Because men’s integrity will be their establishment, v. 21. It will be the establishment,

[1.] Of their persons: The upright shall dwell in the land, peaceably and quietly, as long as they live; and their uprightness will contribute to it, as it settles their minds, guides their counsels, gains them the good-will of their neighbours, and entitles them to God’s special favour.
[2.] Of their families: The perfect, in their posterity, shall remain in it. They shall dwell and remain for ever in the heavenly Canaan, of which the earthly one was but a type.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things | P2-V12

January 14, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

Proverbs 2; I die daily devotional.

¹² To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;

WAY OF EVIL

Wisdom assures that disciples of the cross will be delivered from the way of evil, and people who speak perverse things.

What does this mean, that we’ll be delivered?

What is the way of evil to be delivered from?

I hope that I’m revealing the evidence of this in my own life (especially through my writing as the literature reflects the condition of my heart); I continue to practice preaching the gospel to fellow disciples that can discipline me with the Word of our God, and it’s only a matter of time before the iron is sharpened so sharp it will be time for battle, and then the process of sharpening starts over again for the next battle… before the war. I want to be ready if our Lord returns in the next moment, hour, day, year, but always at the ready.

Until then, there are souls lost out in the seas of this world that need saving, and what does it profit me if I’m physically fit for the storms of evil but not spiritually equipped with the gift of good news?

2Ti 3:5 — holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Jesus equips His disciples with power … even and especially today! So don’t fear the mention of the cross of Jesus Christ; because He’s the way, truth, and life!

Jhn 14:6 — Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The power of the cross is evident by how we conduct ourselves in a world that wants to kill, just as it was in the days of God in the flesh and blood of Jesus. When converting to Christian, we become aliens in this world … it’s obvious by how we’re treated, but God knows those who are being drawn to Jesus by the work of His Word in His Church yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Are we trusting the wisdom of this verse when we preach, confident that we’re delivered from the way of evil (those who’ve denied the power of godliness)?

PERVERSE THINGS

I think the apostle Paul informs us well about the man who speaks perverse things:

2Ti 3:1 — But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ²For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.⁶ For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

Paul also testifies to the glorious work of this verse in his letter to Timothy:

¹⁰Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! ¹² Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

What say you?

Are you delivered from the way of evil?
From the man who speaks perverse things?
How do you experience this verse?
Are you preaching the gospel for the lost?

RECOURCE

[BP]

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P2-V12) Commentary
2. More particularly, wisdom will preserve us,

(1.) From men of corrupt principles, atheistical profane men, who make it their business to debauch young men’s judgments, and instil into their minds prejudices against religion and arguments for vice: “It will deliver thee from the way of the evil man (v. 12), and a blessed deliverance it will be, as from the very jaws of death, from the way in which he walks, and in which he would persuade thee to walk.’ The enemy is spoken of as one (v. 12), an evil man, but afterwards as many (v. 13); there is a club, a gang of them, that are in confederacy against religion, and join hand in hand for the support of the devil’s kingdom and the interests of it.
- [1.] They have a spirit of contradiction to that which is good: They speak froward things; they say all they can against religion, both to show their own enmity to it and to dissuade others from it. They are advocates for Satan; they plead for Baal, and pervert the right ways of the Lord. How peevishly will profane wits argue for sin, and with what frowardness will they carp at the word of God! Wisdom will keep us either from conversing with such men or at least from being ensnared by them.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones | P2-V8

January 10, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

Proverbs 2; I die daily devotional.

⁸ Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

PATHS

Sometimes … our paths don’t seem so clear. As I meditate on this verse, a continuation from yesterday’s verse, altogether reads:

⁷He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

I think about Job from my writing yesterday, and how Job’s path in relation to mine, is clear—for me. But is it clear to my family and friends?

… *sigh* …

I feel like the most painful form of abuse is spiritual abuse; that’s not to take away from anyone who would disagree for reasons beyond me, but on our subject of Job; I believe his case will prove most enlightening to spiritual abuse in our lives today.

If we can imagine our lives from the viewpoint or perspective of Job while dealing with his family and friends, will see the similarities to intent and motives of our own believing families and friends that mean well on God’s behalf, but completely misrepresent God. And it is dangerous, as we’ll see in the book:

Job 42:7 — It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. ⁸ Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” ⁹ So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job.

See I fear that I’ve been guilty of misrepresenting God by seeing with a lens of human eyes rather than the lens of a godly heart; I see and hear what’s happening in the United States politics and think of “sins” that might have caused our present conditions; being a democrat or republican can procure an argument between friends, but the question is…

…what is the right path?

JUSTICE

Without fail, Job looked through his wife’s advice to curse God, his friends advice to accept defeat, and pleaded for the source—the only One Who could put an end to, or explain, his constant agony:

Job 2:10 — But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 6:1 — Then Job answered, …⁸ “Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing! ⁹ “Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off! ¹⁰“But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. ¹¹ “What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure? ¹² “Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze? ¹³ “Is it that my help is not within me, And that deliverance is driven from me?

Jesus guards our paths of justice just as He did Job’s, and not only Job’s, but his wife’s and friends; Job didn’t cave into sin because the testimony about Job’s faith (blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil) proved true even when put to the test by our enemy.

Will your faith prove the same for you?

So what if we choose not to put our faith in our government, but the sustenance of God’s Word? Could it be then that the path of a democrat, or a republican, prove null and void, because those paths don’t actually matter?

When I look at the book of Job and think about Jesus, I see a path guarded and preserved for my soul.

Do you see that for you?

Job 42:10 — The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. ¹¹ Then all his brothers and all his sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the LORD had brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold. ¹² The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys. ¹³ He had seven sons and three daughters. ¹⁴He named the first Jemimah, and the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. ¹⁵In all the land no women were found so fair as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers. ¹⁶ After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. ¹⁷ And Job died, an old man and full of days.

There is so much more I want to dig into with this devotional, but unfortunately, my deadline is fast approaching…

The last little bit of insight I found from Job for my character development was that Job was instructed to pray for his friends, even though they proved worse than no help, he prayed and afterwards was restored. Notice it was when Job prayed for his friends that he was restored, not before.

Are you praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ on both sides of our democracy? Or consider this… we’re all liberal and conservative at the same time, so there is no side but liberty in Jesus Christ.

Do you trust that your path is guarded, and that your way is preserved?

RECOURCE

[BP]

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P2-V7) Commentary
3. He has particularly provided that good men, who are sincerely disposed to do his will, shall have that knowledge and that understanding which are necessary for them, Jn. 7:17. Let them seek wisdom, and they shall find it; let them ask, and it shall be given them, v. 7, 8. Observe here,

(1.) Who those are that are thus favoured. They are the righteous, on whom the image of God is renewed, which consists in righteousness, and those who walk uprightly, who are honest in their dealings both with God and man and make conscience of doing their duty as far as they know it. They are his saints, devoted to his honour, and set apart for his service.
(2.) What it is that is provided for them.
- [1.] Instruction. The means of wisdom are given to all, but wisdom itself, sound wisdom, is laid up for the righteous, laid up in Christ their head, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and who is made of God to us wisdom. The same that is the Spirit of revelation in the word is a Spirit of wisdom in the souls of those that are sanctified, that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way; and it is sound wisdom, its foundations firm, its principles solid, and its products of lasting advantage.
- [2.] Satisfaction. Some read it, He lays up substance for the righteous, not only substantial knowledge, but substantial happiness and comfort, Prov. 8:21. Riches are things that are not, and those that have them only fancy themselves happy; but what is laid up in the promises and in heaven for the righteous will make them truly, thoroughly, and eternally happy.
- [3.] Protection. Even those who walk uprightly may be brought into danger for the trial of their faith, but God is, and will be, a buckler to them, so that nothing that happens to them shall do them any real hurt, or possess them with any terrific apprehensions; they are safe, and they shall think themselves so. Fear not, Abraham; I am thy shield. It is their way, the paths of judgment in which they walk, that the Lord knows, and owns, and takes care of.
- [4.] Grace to persevere to the end. If we depend upon God, and seek to him for wisdom, he will uphold us in our integrity, will enable us to keep the paths of judgment, however we may be tempted to turn aside out of them; for he preserves the way of his saints, that it be not perverted, and so preserves them in it safe and blameless to his heavenly kingdom. The assurances God has given us of his grace, if duly improved, will excite and quicken our endeavours in doing our duty. Work out your salvation, for God works in you.

God and Coffee

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity | P2-V7

January 9, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

Proverbs 2; I die daily devotional.

⁷He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

SOUND WISDOM

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright

Job 1:1—There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.

I’m curious… have you read the story of Job?

If you haven’t, stick around … because this book of the Bible is pressing on my heart to write my—I die daily devotions—on next. I digress.

If we didn’t know anything else about the man named Job other than what that first verse describes…

…what would you think?

Because it sounds like Job would be protected by God; he’s blameless, upright, and respects the power of His Holy God by turning away from evil.

So what could possibly go wrong?!

Well if we were to continue on, in the story, one might make the argument that God went wrong to be proud of Job, and that is exactly what Satan did; Satan made that argument, ultimately challenging the Word of God about Job, and was granted the permission to put his [Satan’s] challenge to the test.

What do you think happened to Job?

Do you think that Job remained blameless, upright, and fearing God?

If we, Christians today, think ourselves to be upright, how would it be determined?

Do we think that if we lived with knowledge of the scriptures, to practice them in faith by: prophesying, casting out demons, working miracles, etc.; that according to the evidence of that power through the scriptures, we must be upright?

The answer according to scripture is…

No.

Mat 7:21—“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

You see… there are quite a few fascinating insights and treasures we can gain by this story of Job regarding uprightness and integrity:

Job was known by God.
Satan challenged the integrity of God’s Word.
Satan challenged the integrity of Job’s character.
Job was put to the test.

Okay, now watch this…

We are known by God through Jesus Christ.
Satan is challenging the integrity of grace.
Satan is challenging the integrity of the cross.
We are being put to the test.

SHIELD

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity

Jesus is our shield of faith as we breathe each breath, clap our hands, and stomp our feet! Thinking to myself:

“Shoot…

It’s time to feel that beat of the drum!

BUM-BUM-BUM!”

Let death come?

No!

Let change come!

1Co 15: — “… ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. …”

As we walk through the valley of this shadow of death, we’ll fear no evil.

Christ, by His Word, is the Holy Spirit that lives in us who are known by the Word of God; to be that shield to our integrity, that justice due our sin was paid on the cross of Jesus, and by our acceptance of that truth is an act of faith revealed at the confession of our behavior—Jesus is the name of the Lord.

AND WE SERVE HIM…

TO THE GLORY OF GOD…

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN!

Oh… the war is here… it’s already happening… can you feel it?

Satan is killing; people are dropping dead. Satan is taking; people are losing income. Satan is lying; people are cursing the day of their birth for want of understanding.

Can you hear?

The Whirlwind is here… do you hear?

Are we listening?

Job 38:1—Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ² “Who is this that darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?

I mean… who am I [Nathan] to say what’s next?

Is God to blame? No! God is not to blame for divine beings that have manipulated His [God’s] glory for the sake of their own, of which is not attainable, but Hell is their destiny… their choice, and regretfully so… .

We are but dust, a vapor in the wind, and yet…

LOVED!

As you examine your life, and think about Job, what do you experience and why?
How does our verse today inspire you?
What do you hear come from the whirlwind in your life right now, and what is your response?

RECOURCE

[BP]

COMMENTARY

(1.) Who those are that are thus favoured. They are the righteous, on whom the image of God is renewed, which consists in righteousness, and those who walk uprightly, who are honest in their dealings both with God and man and make conscience of doing their duty as far as they know it. They are his saints, devoted to his honour, and set apart for his service.
(2.) What it is that is provided for them.
- [1.] Instruction. The means of wisdom are given to all, but wisdom itself, sound wisdom, is laid up for the righteous, laid up in Christ their head, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and who is made of God to us wisdom. The same that is the Spirit of revelation in the word is a Spirit of wisdom in the souls of those that are sanctified, that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way; and it is sound wisdom, its foundations firm, its principles solid, and its products of lasting advantage.
- [2.] Satisfaction. Some read it, He lays up substance for the righteous, not only substantial knowledge, but substantial happiness and comfort, Prov. 8:21. Riches are things that are not, and those that have them only fancy themselves happy; but what is laid up in the promises and in heaven for the righteous will make them truly, thoroughly, and eternally happy.
- [3.] Protection. Even those who walk uprightly may be brought into danger for the trial of their faith, but God is, and will be, a buckler to them, so that nothing that happens to them shall do them any real hurt, or possess them with any terrific apprehensions; they are safe, and they shall think themselves so. Fear not, Abraham; I am thy shield. It is their way, the paths of judgment in which they walk, that the Lord knows, and owns, and takes care of.
- [4.] Grace to persevere to the end. If we depend upon God, and seek to him for wisdom, he will uphold us in our integrity, will enable us to keep the paths of judgment, however we may be tempted to turn aside out of them; for he preserves the way of his saints, that it be not perverted, and so preserves them in it safe and blameless to his heavenly kingdom. The assurances God has given us of his grace, if duly improved, will excite and quicken our endeavours in doing our duty. Work out your salvation, for God works in you.

God and Coffee

For the Lord gives wisdom | P2-V6

January 8, 2021 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

Proverbs 2; I die daily devotional.

⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

WISDOM

For the LORD gives wisdom...

“How does the Lord give me wisdom?”

I love asking myself this question because I immediately want to go to His Word and read what our Lord taught, and discover the wisdom He gives, for example:

^{John 7:14} But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. ¹⁵ The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” ¹⁶ So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. ¹⁷ If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. ¹⁸ He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Right here ^^^^, so the wisdom given me is not mine, but Christ in me; just as wisdom is being taught NOT of Christ, but of God… His Father …to these Jews.

Jesus is of the Father in glory … just as the Father is of Jesus in the flesh, and the Church is of Christ in this world … just as the Holy Spirit is of God in our bodies of faith while in this world; the flesh and blood of Jesus was a Body, a Lamb, prepared and given as the ultimate sacrifice. A sacrificial payment, we’re bought with a price:

1Co 6:20 — For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1Co 7:23 — You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

And so according to this wisdom of our Lord found in this text, you and I being Christian, can say that our teaching is not our own but of the Holy Spirit that lives in me and you (if you believe in Jesus to be your Lord and Savior).

“WHAT SAY YOU?!?”

Do you teach for your own glory?

According to the apostle Paul… wisdom instructs us to glorify God in our bodies, that by teaching we’re bought with a price, and not to become enslaved to this world, but rather, to live as though we’re already changed during our time of grace:

1Co 15:50 — Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

MOUTH

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding...

So according to our verse, the mouth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, speaks through the Holy Spirit inspired in the Body of our Church.

Which means that you and I can know and understand the language of God for the glory of His will, and obey. That even though we’re in this world of sin, our bodies are built with the skin of grace, the grace of God that saves to change our bodies for His glory if we believe in His Son?

The Holy Spirit is poured out and given to all that will do this…

Rom 10:8 — But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; ¹³ for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

FAITH!

Knowledge and understanding comes through faith in the Holy Spirit living in your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And we have a responsibility to our relationship with Christ, first, before our family and friends…

…SO…

…are you living out this wisdom and teaching the knowledge and understanding of a glory that is not yours but…

CHRIST ALONE?

It is to His glory I write, and we read… together, forever. In Jesus.

Amen

RECOURCE

[BP]

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P2-V6) Commentary
III. What ground we have to hope for this success in our pursuits of wisdom; we must take our encouragement herein from God only, v. 6-8.

1. God has wisdom to bestow, v. 6. The Lord not only is wise himself, but he gives wisdom, and that is more than the wisest men in the world can do, for it is God’s prerogative to open the understanding. All the wisdom that is in any creature is his gift, his free gift, and he gives it liberally (Jam. 1:5), has given it to many, and is still giving it; to him therefore let us apply for it.
2. He has blessed the world with a revelation of his will. Out of his mouth, by the law and the prophets, by the written word and by his ministers, both which are his mouth to the children of men, come knowledge and understanding, such a discovery of truth and good as, if we admit and receive the impressions of it, will make us truly knowing and intelligent. It is both an engagement and encouragement to search after wisdom that we have the scriptures to search, in which we may find it if we seek it diligently.
3. He has particularly provided that good men, who are sincerely disposed to do his will, shall have that knowledge and that understanding which are necessary for them, Jn. 7:17. Let them seek wisdom, and they shall find it; let them ask, and it shall be given them, v. 7, 8. Observe here,

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

They would not accept my counsel | P1-V30

December 30, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Wisdom Warns

Proverbs 1; I die daily devotional.

³⁰ “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.

Have you ever prayed over your donut expecting the sugar its made of to change the unhealthy nature of its effect; when in all reality, we just got fatter by our insulin getting pissed about the placebo our mind is selling. “We’re getting phatter!” “No! You’re NOT!”—Insulin yells back. I do this, also, with caffeine; it’s actually a very bad habit, and even worse to lie convinced its truth by the mere “justification” of a prayer. Can you imagine, we’re in a court of law, the judge just gave us the verdict: *The gavel comes down, WHAM!* “Guilty!” “BUT BUT, JUDGE! I’M JUSTIFIED BECAUSE I PRAYED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE MURDER—SO IT DOESN’T COUNT!” “Son, are you an idiot?”

NOT ACCEPTABLE

Okay, the judge doesn’t have to say that, but… is it a fair question if put another way? “Son, why are we in court of law if lawlessness is justified in prayer?” What do you think? If we Christians say we believe and yet continue in our sin as we pray for forgiveness, is the sin justified? Is it not wise to become educated about what we are eating, of which once learned, to stop eating the sin with prayer as though we’re right with God when… we’re not. ^{James 1:26} If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. If I know that caffeine can cause infertility in me, and yet pray it doesn’t, will not change the truth about that drug even if someone else has four kids being completely ignorant (or not) of that fact about “too much” caffeine. And that’s not to tempt people who don’t want kids either, so don’t think you can get away with that, said facetiously. What do you think? Is it important that we Christians exemplify the nature of prayer appropriately, and understand the risks involved to the choices we make or don’t make? I think so because we are the Church, the Light to the world, a Beacon of faith, truth, hope, and Love. ^{James 5:19} My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Why do you, and I, not accept counsel?
Do you, or I, know someone who struggles with reproof?
What does accepting the counsel of Wisdom look like?
How can we learn to accept reproof?
How can we serve those who struggle against reproof?

RECOURCE

P1-V31

So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way | P1-V31

Proverbs 1 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org
¹ The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: ² To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, ³ To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; ⁴To give prudence to the naïve, To the youth knowledge and discretion, ⁵ A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, ⁶ To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. ⁸ Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; ⁹ Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck. ¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. ¹¹ If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause; ¹² Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit; ¹³ We will find all kinds of precious wealth, We will fill our houses with spoil; ¹⁴ Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse,” ¹⁵ My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, ¹⁶ For their feet run to evil And they hasten to shed blood. ¹⁷ Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird; ¹⁸ But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. ¹⁹ So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors. Wisdom Warns ²⁰ Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; ²¹ At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: ²² “How long, O naïve ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? ²³ “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. ²⁴ “Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; ²⁵ And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; ²⁶ I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, ²⁷ When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. ²⁸ “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, ²⁹ Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD. ³⁰ “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. ³¹ “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices.³²“For the waywardness of the naïve will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them. ³³ “But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P1-V30) Commentary
[4.] Now they are eager upon their own way, and fond of their own devices; but then they will have enough of them (v. 31), according to the proverb, Let men drink as they brew; they shall eat the fruit of their own way; their wages shall be according to their work, and, as was their choice, so shall their doom be, Gal. 6:7, 8. Note,

First, There is a natural tendency in sin to destruction, Jam. 1:15. Sinners are certainly miserable if they do but eat the fruit of their own way.
Secondly, Those that perish must thank themselves, and can lay no blame upon any other. It is their own device; let them make their boast of it. God chooses their delusions, Isa. 66:4.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Because they hated knowledge | P1-V29

December 29, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Wisdom Warns

Proverbs 1; I die daily devotional.

²⁹ Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.

When I think of the idea of hating knowledge, I think of the apostle Paul telling me… ^{Galatians 6:11} See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. ¹²Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. I was guilty of this wrong in the past for the comfort of myself, not wanting to share the gospel—to avoid the persecution of the cross—for the sake of my environment mixed with tempting desires to experience in this life, or what’s worse, to share the gospel with words of faith, but a heart filled with fear and want, not actually taking serious the power of the Word—my faith was in vain.

HATED KNOWLEDGE

When I think about my disobedience to God I think of what the bond-servant James says… ^{James 1:}²¹ Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. ²² But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. I ask the question, “Why do people choose not the fear of the Lord?” And then clarity comes, the answers’ so evident, so true; yet here I remain as a man regretful of who I once was… the man in the mirror, until … I looked intently upon the perfect law of liberty. However, there are still those present with us today that choose rather to hate the knowledge of the cross and don’t fear the Lord. Don’t lose hope, keep praying for these people, but remain faithful to respect the justice of God in Christ our Lord. Let’s not fear persecution and keep looking intently at the perfect law of liberty.

What do you, and I, think of to be “hated knowledge”?
Why do these people choose not the fear of the Lord?
Are you and I looking intently at the perfect law of liberty?
How can we serve those who hate knowledge?
What can we do about those who don’t fear the Lord?

RECOURCE

P1-V30

They would not accept my counsel | P1-V30

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P1-V29) Commentary
[4.] Now they are eager upon their own way, and fond of their own devices; but then they will have enough of them (v. 31), according to the proverb, Let men drink as they brew; they shall eat the fruit of their own way; their wages shall be according to their work, and, as was their choice, so shall their doom be, Gal. 6:7, 8. Note,

First, There is a natural tendency in sin to destruction, Jam. 1:15. Sinners are certainly miserable if they do but eat the fruit of their own way.
Secondly, Those that perish must thank themselves, and can lay no blame upon any other. It is their own device; let them make their boast of it. God chooses their delusions, Isa. 66:4.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

At the head of the noisy streets she cries out | P1-V21

December 21, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Wisdom Warns

Proverbs 1; I die daily devotional.

²¹ At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:

Jesus is crying out in out in our hearts and uttering his sayings in our minds, our conscience is bearing witness, and are we listening? ^{Matthew 10:26} “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.²⁸Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

SHE UTTERS

^{Matthew 10:32} “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Wisdom utters her voice about the true God and Father in every body and soul. And the consequence of understanding the knowledge of good and evil is our experience of this present death by that sin of Adam. However, by Jesus, the Son of God, that sin was taken away when He died on the cross in obedience to His Father, our Father in Heaven, where Jesus has ascended and is, right now, the true King. Wisdom is the whisper in our ears, the meaning of principles that reflect the nature of an eternal life, an eternal life through the belief in Jesus Christ. Wisdom is our hope and faith in this life to behave in a way that reflects the next. This truth will not bring peace, but a spiritual war.

Do I hear her cry?
Do I hear her utter?
Do I hear her whisper?
Does my life speak Jesus before men?

RECOURSE

P1-V22

How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded | P1-V22

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P1-V21) Commentary
II. How he calls to us, and in what manner.

1. Very publicly, that whosoever hath ears to hear may hear, since all are welcome to take the benefit of what is said and all are concerned to heed it. The rules of wisdom are published without in the streets, not in the schools only, or in the palaces of princes, but in the chief places of concourse, among the common people that pass and repass in the opening of the gates and in the city. It is comfortable casting the net of the gospel where there is a multitude of fish, in hopes that then some will be enclosed. This was fulfilled in our Lord Jesus, who taught openly in the temple, in crowds of people, and in secret said nothing (Jn. 18:20), and charged his ministers to proclaim his gospel on the housetop, Mt. 10:27. God says (Isa. 45:19), I have not spoken in secret. There is no speech or language where Wisdom’s voice is not heard. Truth seeks not corners, nor is virtue ashamed of itself.
2. Very pathetically; she cries, and again she cries, as one in earnest. Jesus stood and cried. She utters her voice, she utters her words with all possible clearness and affection. God is desirous to be heard and heeded.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

It is useless to spread the baited net | P1-V17

December 17, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Enticement of Sinners

Proverbs 1; I die daily devotional.

¹⁷ Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;

Financial freedom is a useless net to cast for sinners, because they’re already doing what pleases them. They have no mind for Wisdom, or heart, for Understanding. They only chase after their own destruction by taking advantage of the innocent. Remember, my son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

USELESS

When education is learned with a skill to achieve financial stability, the sinner does not care to hear the advice of counsel. The sinner ignores the calling and draw of a heavenly Father, they’re so pleased by their achievements. The sinner has no mind for their abilities gifted from above, and ignore their responsibility to love. The sinner will cast their net for gain, but their heart chooses not to understand spiritual counsel. The net they cast is their own destruction, for the sake of money and pleasure.

Do I seek the kingdom of God first?
Am I chasing after money?
Do I desire financial freedom?
Am I seeking a net of personal gain?

RESOURCE

P1-V18

They ambush their own lives | P1-V18

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P1-V17) Commentary
Herein,

(1.) They are like the silly bird, that sees the net spread to take her, and yet it is in vain; she is decoyed into it by the bait, and will not take the warning which her own eyes gave her, v. 17. But we think ourselves of more value than many sparrows, and therefore should have more wit, and act with more caution. God has made us wiser than the fowls of heaven (Job 35:11), and shall we then be as stupid as they?
(2.) They are worse than the birds, and have not the sense which we sometimes perceive them to have; for the fowler knows it is in vain to lay his snare in the sight of the bird, and therefore he has arts to conceal it. But the sinner sees ruin at the end of his way; the murderer, the thief, see the jail and the gallows before them, nay, they may see hell before them; their watchmen tell them they shall surely die, but it is to no purpose; they rush into sin, and rush on in it, like the horse into the battle. For really the stone they roll will turn upon themselves, v. 18, 19. They lay wait, and lurk privily, for the blood and lives of others, but it will prove, contrary to their intention, to be for their own blood, their own lives; they will come, at length, to a shameful end; and, if they escape the sword of the magistrate, yet there is a divine Nemesis that pursues them. Vengeance suffers them not to live. Their greediness of gain hurries them upon those practices which will not suffer them to live out half their days, but will cut off the number of their months in the midst. They have little reason to be proud of their property in that which takes away the life of the owners and then passes to other masters; and what is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his life? For then he can enjoy the world no longer; much less if he lose his soul, and that be drowned in destruction and perdition, as multitudes are by the love of money.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Let us swallow them alive like Sheol | P1-V12

December 12, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Enticement of Sinners

Proverbs 1; I die daily devotional.

¹² Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

For those of us who have intimate knowledge by the experience of sin can be enticed to educate the innocent by our experience of sin. We can become the very nature of these current verses of our chapter: ¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. ¹¹ If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause; ¹² Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit; ¹³ We will find all kinds of precious wealth, We will fill our houses with spoil; ¹⁴ Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse,”

The sinful nature of our flesh desires the innocent to understand the nature of our pleasure, after all; we want what the innocent has—innocence. But why? Because innocence is the essence of goodness, and evil is incapable of that essence. there is a thought experiment out there called “The Evil God” challenge, and the problem is that the arguments by Christians defending a good God can be turned around and used also for defending an evil God, thus “defeating” our cause.

SWALLOW THEM ALIVE

Or… at least… that is what the skeptics might contemplate or worse, the atheists’ willingly believe.

However, the truth is, God is good because He is innocent. But the evil, that is not innocent, hates that fact, and is why Wisdom is teaching us not to be the sinner. The sinners desire is to swallow us alive because they are dead, and they want us to be dead with them. But this is why when we believe in Christ, we desire baptism, and church, and the Word of God (the bible). What does Jesus say to us sinners?

^{John 5:13} But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. ¹⁴ Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” ¹⁵ The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. ¹⁶ For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.¹⁷ But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”

Jesus said, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” We, by grace through faith, have become well. That means we are different, we have changed! What does the apostle Paul say?

^{1 Corinthians 15:51} Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. ⁵⁵ O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; ⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you dead?
Are you still sinning?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
Are you changed by faith?
Are you alive in Christ?

RECOURSE

P1-V13

Find all kinds of precious wealth | P1-V13

COMMENTARY

Matthew Henry (P1-V12) Commentary
Here Solomon gives another general rule to young people, in order to their finding out, and keeping in, the paths of wisdom, and that is to take heed of the snare of bad company. David’s psalms begin with this caution, and so do Solomon’s proverbs; for nothing is more destructive, both to a lively devotion and to a regular conversation (v. 10): “My son, whom I love, and have a tender concern for, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.’ This is good advice for parents to give their children when they send them abroad into the world; it is the same that St. Peter gave to his new converts, (Acts 2:40), Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Observe,

1. How industrious wicked people are to seduce others into the paths of the destroyer: they will entice. Sinners love company in sin; the angels that fell were tempters almost as soon as they were sinners. They do not threaten or argue, but entice with flattery and fair speech; with a bait they draw the unwary young man to the hook. But they mistake if they think that by bringing others to partake with them in their guilt, and to be bound, as it were, in the bond with them, they shall have the less to pay themselves; for they will have so much the more to answer for.
2. How cautious young people should be that they be not seduced by them: “Consent thou not; and then, though they entice thee, they cannot force thee. Do not say as they say, nor do as they do or would have thee to do; have no fellowship with them.’ To enforce this caution,
- I. He represents the fallacious reasonings which sinners use in their enticements, and the arts of wheedling which they have for the beguiling of unstable souls. He specifies highwaymen, who do what they can to draw others into their gang, v. 11-14. See here what they would have the young man to do: “Come with us (v. 11); let us have thy company.’ At first they pretend to ask no more; but the courtship rises higher (v. 14): “Cast in thy lot among us; come in partner with us, join thy force to ours, and let us resolve to live and die together: thou shalt fare as we fare; and let us all have one purse, that what we get together we may spend merrily together,’ for that is it they aim at. Two unreasonable insatiable lusts they propose to themselves the gratification of, and therewith entice their pray into the snare:-
  - 1. Their cruelty. They thirst after blood, and hate those that are innocent and never gave them any provocation, because by their honesty and industry they shame and condemn them: “Let us therefore lay wait for their blood, and lurk privily for them; they are conscious to themselves of no crime and consequently apprehensive of no danger, but travel unarmed; therefore we shall make the more easy prey of them. And, O how sweet it will be to swallow them up alive!’ v. 12. These bloody men would do this as greedily as the hungry lion devours the lamb. If it be objected, “The remains of the murdered will betray the murderers;’ they answer, “No danger of that; we will swallow them whole as those that are buried.’ Who could imagine that human nature should degenerate so far that it should ever be a pleasure to one man to destroy another!
  - 2. Their covetousness. They hope to get a good booty by it (v. 13): “We shall find all precious substance by following this trade. What though we venture our necks by it? we shall fill our houses with spoil.’ See here,
    - (1.) The idea they have of worldly wealth. They call it precious substance; whereas it is neither substance nor precious; it is a shadow; it is vanity, especially that which is got by robbery, Ps. 62:10. It is as that which is not, which will give a man no solid satisfaction. It is cheap, it is common, yet, in their account, it is precious, and therefore they will hazard their lives, and perhaps their souls, in pursuit of it. It is the ruining mistake of thousands that they over-value the wealth of this world and look on it as precious substance.
    - (2.) The abundance of it which they promise themselves: We shall fill our houses with it. Those who trade with sin promise themselves mighty bargains, and that it will turn to a vast account (All this will I give thee, says the tempter); but they only dream that they eat; the housefuls dwindle into scarcely a handful, like the grass on the house-tops.

belief-structure, Personality, Therapy

Nathan’s Public Journal | I

December 10, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Monday, 12/7/2020

Here I sit, cameras in view, the time for me to be off duty is fast approaching. It’s nearly 06:00 (military time) coming off of a 12hr deep night shift during the weekend. My occupation is as a level 2 Private Security Officer and my work schedule is not ideal, but it’s currently the closest to my preference considering the options; this schedule fits my focus at this duration of my life. That focus is … well, we’ll get to that, but right now I’m still getting over this cringe.

I didn’t realize just how, hmmm … damaged I was, until re-reading some of my material of old. I can see where my mind would get stuck in the trauma of my past; a lot of my first posts I’d published nearly 3 years ago are written in a language of which feels, irreconcilable. I think, needless to say, I’m thankful for the grace—to be ever learning through undeveloped skills—of inexperience; the mistakes are endless, and that’s frustrating (I learn hands-on). However, there is a story in my mess waiting to be written, just not yet. Alright—time to head home.

So… now I hope, is as good-a-time as any to welcome you to my journal. If you’ve followed along with me (I know those of you who have) until now, you know this about me. I’ve been thinking about this journal idea for too long now (like yesterday—that’s a joke); writing happens to be very therapeutic for me, so uh… thank you, Therapist, I guess. This idea is much-much more than a therapy session you get to sit in on to hear all about my life’s drama. It will be an empirical psychology, only it’s written to be watched through the lens of intuition and imagination that writing/reading ignites!

Psychology—according to wordnik—at its core; the study of the human soul. And there is where I’m going to learn how my salvation is alive! I don’t know about you, but I want to understand my soul. And more than that, I want to understand the relationship between salvation of the human soul and God. I want to learn about what my belief structure means; I found someone in the field of psychology, a mentor. I’m exercising (like working out in the gym or fitness center) the weight of the gospel in my conscience. So I thought, “Well, what if my ‘T4P’ people want to keep a watchful eye on this progress and quite possibly, discover something of their own by this as well?” A big part of this idea goes out to Dallas Fluegel (check em out on YouTube) because I really like how he has structured—is structuring—himself by his videos, and want to apply that to my life.

Tuesday, 12/8/2020

What if you could understand your personality?

Function the way that you do?

Feel the way that you feel?

Does that not sound absolutely terrifying, it’s so awesome! Anyway, there are reasons I behave the way I do as soon as I wake-up into this world of causality that provides insight into who Nathan is and why he is, the way he is. I want to tap into that meaning of myself, so… here it goes. *Let’s make this a page turner.

Pages: 1 2 3

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Bold as a lion

November 28, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Warnings and Instructions

Proverbs 28; I die daily devotional.

¹ The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

After reading the commentary for this verse provided in our resource, I appreciated the connection between the wicked flee when no one is pursuing, and guilt.

"Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff."—Matthew Henry

As I meditate on this verse and commentary, think to myself, “how does it apply to me.” In my head this exercise works, but now, how to articulate it into writing where it makes sense? That’s quite the psychological exercise because it’s no longer about me, but the relationships between: God, the author to this proverb, Matthew Henry (17^th/18^th century biblical commentator), myself, and you. However, I’ve already hinted at the focus, “How does this apply to us?” And a deluded paranoia comes over me by the thought that I’ve done something so terribly wrong that it’s impossible for me to be forgiven and reconciled to a holy God.

“Why is that—” I ask myself, and then remember my guilt. I remember how I was sexually abused. I remember how I was physically abused; psychologically abused; spiritually abused. But then I also remember how all that abuse—much like a virus invading cells—invaded to reprogram my psyche, and a lot of what happened to me convinced me of a different identity. I’d become the virus. I’m guilty! So now that the virus has successfully reprogrammed me, I flee. I make excuse after excuse to avoid the truth because the truth is pursuing me. … Is it?

BOLD AS A LION

It’s time to face the virus. I won’t forget my wife Laura in agreement to the encouragement of our friends, “go to this ‘re:generation‘ program” that my church provides, which is basically like going to A.A. meetings, but on steroids—so I thought. Okay maybe not steroids, but I think you get the point. I also won’t forget how Laura decided to go along with me as though she didn’t need it, and well—I’ll let her tell you that story—because that woman was dead wrong up-in-dis-house. As soon as we arrived at our first meeting, we’re separated (women with women and men with men), it felt sketchy the first couple of sessions, but it was a safe place. After I’d “graduated” the first six weeks, I was given a dedicated group of other adult men with issues all across the spectrum. It came about after 5 months in, all that testosterone was like a bomb going off and we all killed each other! I’m ghostwriting you right now… Are you paying attention? These guys dumped all their heavy weight of sin on the floor to watch it burn—because nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

“^{Romans 8:38} For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

To continue in our guilt is to continue in our very … insecurely … wicked behavior, that virus of sin—that does separate us from God. This is why the Word of God is preached and the gospel available to believe because it’s a miracle. You are a miracle! Yes, you could give me reasons to prove against that fact; it only makes sense, when we feel convicted by whatever sin separates us from God. And you might say to me, “But Nathan, you don’t understand what I’ve done! You don’t know the skeletons in my closet!” and you’d be right, but I can tell you this! Nor-do-you-mine! And if I’m here preaching a victory over my sin to you, do you dare challenge the validity of the Lion in me? Because shoot… bear with me another mile, and let me tell about this gospel!

It wasn’t a Lion that conquered the sin in you, but a Lamb. The Lamb of God—given as the sacrifice to atone for not only the “virus” of your enemies if their faith reveal it so, but for you, your sin. And if God were to have it be that your enemies be turned back to Him even after the injustice done against you, who are you oh man to talk back to the Lion of God—Jesus Christ. Is it not righteous to hope for those guilty of injustice to experience remorse, a conscience convicted, and forgiveness extended being reconciled to God? Is that not what it means to be as bold as a lion?

Don’t be afraid or a coward to confess the nature of what is hidden deep within you. If you believe in God through Jesus Christ then you have a Lion inside you, willing to help clean up all your mess. Find someone you know in the Lord, someone you can trust with all your soul, and let them pray over you—be healed.

^{James 5:16} Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Resources

Proverbs 28 (NASB)—blueletterbible
¹ The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. ² By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. ³ A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. ⁴Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. ⁵ Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things. ⁶ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich. ⁷ He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. ⁸He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. ⁹ He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. ¹⁰ He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. ¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. ¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.¹³ He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. ¹⁴ How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. ¹⁵Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.¹⁶ A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. ¹⁷A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. ¹⁸ He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once. ¹⁹ He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. ²⁰ A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. ²¹ To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. ²² A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. ²³ He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue. ²⁴ He who robs his father or his mother And says, “It is not a transgression,” Is the companion of a man who destroys.²⁵An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. ²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. ²⁷ He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. ²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

See here, (28:1—Matthew Henry Commentary)
1. What continual frights those are subject to that go on in wicked ways. Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff. Though they pretend to be easy, there are secret fears which haunt them wherever they go, so that they fear where no present or imminent danger is, Ps. 53:5. Those that have made God their enemy, and know it, cannot but see the whole creation at war with them, and therefore can have no true enjoyment of themselves, no confidence, no courage, but a fearful looking for of judgment. Sin makes men cowards.

Degeneres animos timor arguit-
Fear argues a degenerate soul.—Virgil

Quos diri conscia facti mens habet attonitos-
The consciousness of atrocious crimes astonishes and confounds.—Juvenal

If they flee when none pursues, what will they do when they shall see God himself pursuing them with his armies? Job 20:24; 15:24. See Deu. 28:25; Lev. 26:36.

2. What a holy security and serenity of mind those enjoy who keep conscience void of offence and so keep themselves in the love of God: The righteous are bold as a lion, as a young lion; in the greatest dangers they have a God of almighty power to trust to. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed. Whatever difficulties they meet with in the way of their duty, they are not daunted by them. None of those things move me.

Hie murus aheneus esto, nil conscire sibi-
Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence,
Still to preserve thy conscious innocence.—Hor.

OUTLINE

-One verse at a time.
-Provide commentary.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

By wisdom a house is built

November 24, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Precepts and Warnings

Proverbs 24; I die daily devotional.

¹ Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; ² For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. ³ By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; ⁴ And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. ⁵ A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. ⁶For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Christian of Jesus Christ according to the gospel,

That might be unnecessary, but to address you in that way feels appropriate considering the world’s connection via social media and not everyone claiming their allegiance to Jesus, is Christian, or those that are might be confused by its meaning. So, “Where is the line of determination drawn? How do we verify whether the claim is actually true?” you might wonder, but *laughing—I’m obviously wondering!

From my personal experience: The information about the gospel happened for me at a very early age (around 8 years old) by fear of what I didn’t understand yet; only that Jesus could save me from that experience of fear, and so I prayed religiously. However, growing up in church didn’t prevent me from rebelling against the principles preached from the pulpit. In fact, church was a perfect social setting to get frisky with my faith. This might upset some people employed to church stewardship, but I’m being vulnerable and honest. The membership structure of some churches at the highschool level to college young adult need serious attention because these are crucial years of faith development; our youth needs to be armored for a world of actualities and potentialities that undermine the warning label provided on the bottle of sin that our world is drunk in. Consider organizing specialists in these areas of faith development such as psychologists and therapists … just saying. The ruler of this world is actively devouring lives. Okay, I’m off that soapbox. Where was I—

Ah yes, “qualified ‘christian'” and “personal experience”; my sins are confessed, but the torment is very real as I live in repentance. I experience a conversion of energy as my life exists’ saved in the name of Jesus Christ and it’s known through a public proclamation (or baptism) of faith, but there is still a real possibility of apostasy that exists if my faith claim was/is a lie. Apostasy looks like self-proclaiming Christians that have hearts of deception only the Lord will draw out to reveal. If that truth about apostasy is understood, and we are convicted when accepting the gospel, then we have the fear of the Lord in us and don’t need to worry. If doubts are lingering in our faith don’t fear; the Lord knows our hearts, just listen when those experiences come—journal it out; call a mature believer; read an I die daily devotional. Lets not neglect our time with God because those difficult experiences exist to get our attention; God didn’t make us to be ignored, nor for Him to be ignored by us. Listen to the Holy Spirit for help because after all … He is the Helper!

House is built

Just as we can build physical houses with our tools, we can also build our spiritual house with our tools. Only our tool of choice is faith. By keeping and learning the book of prophecy will provide us with the tools of blessing to build our house of wisdom. First we need to change our perception about time because Jesus defeated death, so don’t let death fool you into thinking it’s the end—IT”S NOT!

Jesus is the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the alpha and omega—not death. We are alive in Jesus Christ because the gift (or tool) of faith is given as our Helper to build life out of a dead soul; our soul. Remember what Jesus said? I’m paraphrasing (because I want to remember as closely as I can, but): he who wishes, seeks, and loves to save his soul in this life will lose it, but he who loses his soul for my sake and the gospel will preserve it to life eternal. Okay, so if we’ve decided by faith to lose (baptized with water in repentance) our soul in Jesus Christ will then be saved (baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire) then every moment of everyday is an opportunity to live in that mindset. Don’t worry about tomorrow because we are already alive in eternity through faith; for it is by grace through faith that not of yourselves lest any man should boast, but it is the gift of God. Faith is given as a portion for us to be responsible of and for building our house of wisdom in the kingdom of God. Why?

Because our God loves us that much, that’s why. It’s not about whether we are worthy because the point is…

HE IS!

Resources

^{2 Thessalonians 3} Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

^{John 16:7} But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; ¹¹ and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

^{Luke 3:16} John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

^{Romans 12:3} For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Proverbs 24 (NASB)—blueletterbible.com
1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. 6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. 7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate. 8 One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer. 9 The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 10 If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited. 11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. 12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; 14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off. 15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; 16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. 19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; 20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous, ”Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. 27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house. 28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips. 29 Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.” 30 I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, 31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. 32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. 33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” 34 Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

Proverbs 20; Wine is a mocker…

November 20, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

On Life and Conduct

Proverbs 20; I die daily devotional.

When I think, metaphorically, of wine and hard drink. I think of vices specific to influence the mind—not just alcohol—such as: prescription drugs, marijuana, caffeine, pornography, etc. (any substance that deals directly with the psyche). It’s not that we should feel guilty when enjoying a beverage, but that we understand the consequences of its intoxication. Wisdom teaches us what we don’t have to experience. That means we don’t have to get our kids drunk in order for them to learn the consequences of too much alcohol. So don’t go and find your favorite flavor of sin, become intoxicated and say, “OohHhaA that’s what wisdom meant”. No, don’t do that, avoid the substance of stupid.

¹Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
² The terror of a king is like the growling of
a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits
his own life.
³ Keeping away from strife is an honor for a
man, But any fool will quarrel.
⁴ The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
⁵ A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

Yessss… Jesus turned water into wine, but that wine is symbolic to the blood of the new covenant, His blood. And if we are reading the Word of God, then we are drinking all the wine we need!

⁶ Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But
who can find a trustworthy man?
⁷ A righteous man who walks in his integrity—
How blessed are his sons after him.
⁸ A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.
⁹ Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am
pure from my sin”?
¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

If you and I are inspired by the Holy Spirit, then you and I live as archetypal kings that sits on thrones of justice to disperse all evil from our eyes! If we believe in Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God), we can say that we’ve cleansed our hearts, and in faith, are pure from our sin.

¹¹ It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes
himself If his conduct is pure and right.
¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The
LORD has made both of them.
¹³ Do not love sleep, or you will become
poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied
with food.
¹⁴ “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But
when he goes his way, then he boasts.
¹⁵ There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious
thing.

Our deeds distinguish us by how we conduct ourselves. Are you pure and right? I would like to know whether I am, but my wife reminds me without my asking (perks of marriage); you don’t have to be married, intimate friends in Christ will do the same (perks of what marriage means). As for now, I can tell you that I (personally) have much work to do, but stick with me and watch the Holy Spirit work to the glory of Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ Take his garment when he becomes surety
for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him
in pledge.
¹⁷ Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to
a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled
with gravel.
¹⁸ Prepare plans by consultation, And make
war by wise guidance.
¹⁹ He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
²⁰ He who curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will go out in time of darkness.

We are at war with spiritual wickedness that manifests through us when we choose to sin rather than repent. So let’s go to war with the sin that so eagerly desires to devour our souls and the souls of our loved ones. Don’t fear what it is evil, fear the Lord who casts out evil. Perfect love casts out fear.

²¹ An inheritance gained hurriedly at the
beginning Will not be blessed in the end.
²² Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the
LORD, and He will save you.
²³ Differing weights are an abomination to the
LORD, And a false scale is not good.
²⁴ Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way?
²⁵ It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!”
And after the vows to make inquiry.

I find it easy for me to compare myself to people who seem to have it all together; they’re structured, they have the right job, the right family, the perfect score! I also find it easy for me to compare myself to people who don’t have it all together; they’re crazy, free to explore, fun friends, revolving jobs, the perfect adventure! The worst part about this comparison issue is how I judge to determine the value of someone else’s life; Person 6’s’ life is what I want, but Person 5 … definitely not. Why does this happen? For me, I think of it as another kind of “substance” abuse; I don’t even have to do drugs or get drunk for this issue. Insecurities have a way of destabilizing me in ways that destroy my character and relationships; when I “drink” that “kool-aid” it looks like delirium, but don’t let that fool you, it’s insecurities that affect everyone. It’s a hard cycle to bend until it’s broken, but with discipline I’ll learn by these proverbs of Wisdom. If you’re with me on that struggle of insecurity, and on this journey with me … I feel you.

²⁶ A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.
²⁷The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
²⁸ Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he
upholds his throne by righteousness.
²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
³⁰ Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts.

Let’s be KINGS!

Resources

Proverbs 20 (NASB)—Is what I’m using for these devotionals, but personally study with multiple versions.

OUTLINE

I have the chapter provided and broken in sections for me to write throughout as you read the chapter at your convenience.

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

The plans of the heart belong to man

November 16, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Proverbs chapter 16; I die daily devotional.

¹ The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

PLANS

I feel like a got hit so hard I woke up tomorrow, and I nearly did. Laura and I both worked the graveyard shift last night, but had plans for today because we’re off. During the night last night we had planned to prepare a little video for today’s chapter once we were off the clock heading home; because on our way home the colors of the sky change as night turns into day, and as the sky changes, the colors complement the Dallas Tx skyscrapers in a way that inspires you to marvel in awe and wonder! So our schedule was a productive one to start the day today. But uhhh… That obviously didn’t happen! As soon as we made it home, it was lights-out, figuratively and literally! And it was only about an hour ago (6p) that I officially rolled out of bed. Needless to say… today’s proverbs is appropriate for me.

² All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the LORD weighs the motives.
³Commit your works to the LORD
And your plans will be established.
⁴ The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
⁵ Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to
the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

It wasn’t long after waking up, realizing the time, that thoughts began to race through my mind along with the feelings that accompanied them; confusion, guilt, shame, anxiety, sadness, depression, anger, etc. . All of that complexity in myself causes me to pause especially now, while writing this out, praying without even realizing that I’m praying—distracted by so many questions that flood my system—but then that reminder of yesterdays post comes to mind, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”. Except replace Elijah’s name with yours: “What are you doing here, [NAME]?”. And so here I am, applying my faith to that question:

“What are you doing here, [Nathan]?”

⁶ By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.
⁷ When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.
⁹ The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.
¹⁰ A divine decision is in the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.

7:45^pm CST

In the wake of my human storm of logic and emotions clashing with my present circumstances, I knew one thing for certain! I’ve committed to devote dying daily for the sake of—Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, Luke 17:33 and John 12:25—which is the greatest reward of faith to an eternal life while here on earth!

What is that reward?

¹¹A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
¹² It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
For a throne is established on righteousness.
¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
¹⁴ The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵ In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

LOVE AND TRUTH

^{1 Timothy 2:3-} This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The greatest reward to experience here on earth is that desire; LOVE! Love—is instilled in every true believer that was saved. But saved from what? If the emotion and logic of love did not have meaning or purpose, the experience of love would render null and void—chaotic in nature, fire without limitations or boundaries, meaningless—to be completely random for ultimate destruction; forgotten to the memorial place of hell.

^{1 Timothy 2:3-} This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

But the reality of my experience to desire, is purposed with structure—even randomness—because of the knowledge of the truth. What is the knowledge of the truth? ^{1 Timothy 2:5} For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. Our warning to keeping this truth is different that the warning that was given in Genesis—^2:16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; ¹⁷ but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

¹⁶ How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who watches his way preserves his life.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
¹⁹ It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

WARNING

^{Revelations 22:18} I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

I’m curious as to what that warning means to you, Reader? For me, I hear what I’m not ready to understand yet—all the while, also—what motivates me to lose my soul. That may sound morbid, but actually, it might be selfish; because I believe in what it means for the reward at achieving it, which is eternal life, but more than that; for all to achieve the reward at losing their soul for the reason of God’s desire. I hope and pray for every man to be like King David in that he was a man after God’s own heart—^{Acts 13:22} After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.’

²¹ The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.
²³ The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
²⁵ There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

Especially because our Lord said, ¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”—that He is the root and descendant of David! Jesus is narratively, figuratively, and literally the heart of God! I hope for every man to be found with those words of that testimony:

A MAN AFTER MY HEART

²⁶ A worker’s appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
²⁸ A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;
He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

So what are your plans?

What are you hungry for? (Not talking about food).

Do our plans work together?

What is the tongue of the Lord saying to our plans?

³¹ A gray head is a crown of glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.
³² He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.

I plan to read the next chapter of proverbs, possibly have some more coffee since I’ve slept my day away. If the Lord will, I’ll eat, read, think, write, and plan more tonight with the Lord. I pray we will all rule our spirits as ^v.32 advises.

Until the morning…

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

A gentle answer turns away wrath

November 15, 2020 Nathan Dooley 3 Comments

Proverbs chapter 15; I die daily devotional.

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.

GENTLE ANSWER

But don’t get it twisted because the truth when ‘spoken gently’, might effect to reveal the wrath of God in someone. For instance, the sadducees and pharisees; in both Matthew and Luke chapter 3 verse 7 it says, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?“. I mean, if I were in their shoes at that time, “ouch!”. That would hurt and might provoke me to anger if I were NOT honestly seeking forgiveness from what John was exposing. The sin condition to look for is—defensiveness and justification (^{John 3:36} He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”).

² The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good.
⁴ A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
⁵ A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.

CODEPENDENCY

A lot of the times, the issue we face as a people of relations is codependency. We depend upon family telling us who we are or friends giving us the help we think we need, but there is only One Person Who has the authority over—the course, and outcome—of all life! These proverbs will help train and guide us out of the sin of codependency!

⁶ Great wealth is in the house of the righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.
⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination
to the LORD, But the prayer of the
upright is His delight.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination
to the LORD, But He loves one
who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes
the way; He who hates reproof will die.

Without knowing it (possibly); you Reader, have a tremendous power that these proverbs emphasize. ² The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable and ⁴ A soothing tongue is a tree of life! Our tongues’ possesses the power to affect a person’s condition just as the tongue that wrote these proverbs are affecting us right now. Me and my wife had talked about codependency today and she said something remarkable! “God is who brings value to a person and gives them their identity”—Laura Dooley. I told my wife that I was going to tweak that quote uh-bit, to read, “God breathes value [soul] in a person and gives them their identity [born to be a child of God]”. What I didn’t tell my wife was that… I’m going to steal it and use it in this post (hope that’s okay honey haha’ *as author pulls’ neck collar* and *eh em* clears throat; moving on!)

¹¹Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD,
How much more the hearts of men!
¹² A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
¹³ A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
¹⁴ The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

TRANSFORMATION

When we use our faith to workout the meaning of ^{1 Corinthians 15:45}…“The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.—we experience a process of transformation from the death of our soul to a life-giving spirit! It starts from within our hearts. And from our hearts to our minds—^{Romans 12:2} And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
¹⁷ Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
¹⁹ The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
²⁰ A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

LET THIS CUP PASS

Codependency is especially seen in parents to their children and vice-versa; the love there, is so strong, that the nature of it is possessive. And without wisdom, becomes destructive. Because not even God our Father took the cup away from His only Son when it came time for Jesus to be crucified—“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”! If there were some other way—let this cup pass from Me—Jesus pleaded with His Father; yet Jesus, trusting His Father, drank that cup so we could be saved and made alive to an eternal life in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. You might think you love your child or children, but can you provide your child salvation from death and make them alive to an eternal life? Then respectfully and gently I say… God loves your child infinitely more than your capacity to fathom that depth of love God is for you and your children in Jesus Christ.

²¹ Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.
²² Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed.
²³ A man has joy in an apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely word!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may keep away from Sheol below.
²⁵ The LORD will tear down the house of the proud,
But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

I pray and ask Lord for understanding, and thank you for a path that leads straight because of your name, Jesus. Lord please help us to find our counselors for success, and thank you for the joy we get to experience upon the purpose you give us to do while here on this earth. Lord, please bless us with wisdom as we exercise our faith, and thank you for tongues that speak a language of your truth and salvation. Please forgive us our sin, tear down our pride and establish our boundaries. In your name, Jesus. Amen.

²⁶ Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD,
But pleasant words are pure.
²⁷ He who profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
³⁰Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news puts fat on the bones.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Being human in all our complexity can be quite difficult to work with at times. Our emotions are very informative when we pay close attention to what we are experiencing and why. When the brains and hearts of people are not in sync it’s definitely noticeable, but the question is how to engineer a fix to a broken human system? The answer: kill em! That was a joke, but in a weird-kinda-way that’s happening to us already—so that method is taken. What’s next!? Well… the next thing would be to reeallyyy listen, pray, and process, until it’s time to speak or do something. That practice is especially useful with an inquisitive heart because you’ll want to be ready to ask questions for more insight into the condition that person is facing/experiencing. Navigate what people are experiencing with internal questions first, then trust how the Holy Spirit will use you in that situation—which could be that you’re presence is enough. Don’t force or expect healthy change that is not dependant or contingent on you, but the work and will of God in that person. Committing these insights to memory for practice when the time comes will prove a heavenly treasure. That’s been my experience anyway.

³¹ He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.
³²He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

^{1 Kings 19:11-} So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

God and Coffee, I die daily devotionals, Nathan Dooley

A scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

November 13, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Proverbs chapter 13; I die daily devotional!

¹ A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
² From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is violence.
³ The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
⁴ The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
But the soul of the diligent is made fat.
⁵ A righteous man hates falsehood,
But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.
⁶ Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness subverts the sinner.

Wisdom speaks in a language that is always directed at the heart and soul of a person. When wisdom encourages a wise son to accept his father’s discipline _(v.1), how does that language inspire you? As for me; I don’t only think of how my dad disciplined me as a boy, but how I’m being disciplined as an adult with a spiritual nature of a child. Because even though I’m an adult, I’m not entitled. Jesus—who is the Child of God—is still teaching me what that means in Luke 18:17 (“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”). And I don’t want to see anyone miss out on receiving the kingdom of God because of a (wicked) entitlement issue.

A scoffer…

Does not listen to rebuke. Now this is a hard lesson for me! Because sometimes it’s difficult to discern the nature of that condition. The spiritual condition of a scoffer; I myself have been guilty of this because it’s easy to put my ego before my ears. I mean, it doesn’t exactly feel nice when being told how jacked-up I am. Not that that gave me an excuse. It was natural for me to scoff at someone (like my wife) when my flaws were exposed. So there is a choice on how to respond:

Ignore, (react internally) get angry (use abusive language or worse) and suppress it (magnify the issue narcissistic-ally) as though it never happened.

Or shut-up, listen, and reason the issue for an appropriate adjustment/correction.

The former is noticed by people arguing politics on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Etc), and especially now during this election debacle (voter ballot malpractice, undermining voter confidence) whatever; without guarding your heart to be blameless will result in being overthrown to a wicked cause or as the proverb says, subverted _(v.6).

“How do we guard against that?”

Wisdom

⁷ There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing;
Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
⁸ The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth,
But the poor hears no rebuke.
⁹ The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked goes out.
¹⁰ Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
¹¹ Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But the one who gathers by labor increases it.
¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
¹³ The one who despises the word will be in debt to it,
But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn aside from the snares of death.

The one who pretends to be rich has nothing to do with money, but whether you have a spirit of wisdom. You might be someone who is literally rich—I’m talking millionaire status—and thinks “I must be wise”. But in-fact, is poor! Because the wealth of our proverb means to buy and sell (or exchange) wisdom; not ecommerce.

Numbers…

Will give definitive answers about the condition of our lives and predictions depending on the trajectory that our spiritual condition reveals. Don’t get confused by what numbers mean from a worldly perspective because the ruler of this world devises deception. When the proverb (⁸ The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke.) talks about ransom of life; the ransom is symbolic to your soul. Your soul is your wealth, not money.

But get this,

Your soul is condemned to die because of sin; which means that every human soul is needing a remedy or vaccine to be saved from their debt of sin that we each owe, but can not pay. That is why we are cursed to die. We were never meant to experience the consequence of this knowledge through disobedience; as the saying goes, “knowledge is power”. Since we ate the fruit of knowledge _{(Gen 3)}, we now experience the ramifications of that disobedience and are responsible for not trusting a HOLY GOD at His Word!

God said,

“…you will surely die…”

And I’m very confident that our God is a Person of His Word considering the emphasis on…

“…you shall not eat…”

All in that same verse of Genesis chapter 2 verse 17! It says it all! It’s not like we’re experiencing life and death for the hell of it… literally… the hell of it!

¹⁵ Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is hard.
¹⁶ Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool displays folly.
¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into adversity,
But a faithful envoy brings healing.
¹⁸ Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline,
But he who regards reproof will be honored.
¹⁹ Desire realized is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.
²⁰ He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
²¹ Adversity pursues sinners,
But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

“…for in the day that you eat from it…”

Yah, I better shut-up or this will be the longest post yet!

Okay

Verse (²⁰ He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.) is awesome because that is what I hope for the future of everyone, wisdom that prevents harm. Don’t be a stupid idiot and built-up your environment with foolish people! Or you’ll suffer through the way of escape. Whenever we dig in the dirt using our hands, our fingernails will feel the harm from the dirt compressed between the finger and the nail. That is what it feels like when you surround yourself with unbelief being a believer; believers with the Helper [Holy Spirit] in them are the shovel for your hands!

Now we all experience the fruit of the Helper in different ways and at different times; for example—you might be experiencing a flavor of clarity to a person who is experiencing confusion. The fruit of the Spirit is the same for all believers, but the flavors are different for specific purposes. If I’m confused about my finances, someone who is skilled in that area of expertise might perk up because of that Helper inspired to be of service for me.

You know what…

…let’s get a little…

…Personal!

My wife has a discipline of self-control in an area where I am desperate for that help; that’s what makes us interwoven. But she’s weird, you know! She does not experience a lust for the flesh; that makes no sense to me! That is my weakness. A wickedness that will subvert the sinner, me! So the counsel from her Helper (the Holy Spirit of her soul) is what I crave and desire more fervently than my desire for sexual sin. We have the same “fruit” (Spirit). But see without counsel, I’d be addicted to Pornography to relieve my appetite, or some other form of distraction; rather than accepting the truth of my condition and reason through it for the sake of…

My Wife!

Because she is…

…My…

…Wisdom!

²³ Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,
But it is swept away by injustice.
²⁴ He who withholds his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
²⁵ The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need.

Do you have abundant food? You might check your heart to see if you need some counsel, because if you don’t find it you’ll be swept away by the injustice incurred by wicked influences.

Go to church!

Or bring church home to you, but don’t neglect the life-giving spirit that the apostle Paul tells the Corinthians (So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.).

LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT…

That is in you!

in Chapter 15 verse 46… Don’t neglect the last Adam [Jesus Christ] by denying the truth of the Helper that saves you, blesses you with your spouse [Wisdom], and gives you life [God], by the promise of the Holy Spirit [Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation]!

If you’re hungry, don’t worry; the righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite in Jesus Christ! Bread is not sufficient to satisfy an appetite for wisdom, but the Word of God is!

Believing in Jesus Christ by way of the gospel is what it means to be wise and to not ever worry about surviving death! Rather; accept the logical conclusion about death and survive the lie of the devil, “The serpent said to the woman,

“You surely will not die!”

Yes

You

WILL

YOU WILL DIE!

The glory of holiness does not mix with the sin of wickedness, so accept the discipline of a heavenly Father throughout your life even until death! Because our heavenly Father loves us too much to behave wickedly!

“God is Love”

Devotional, God and Coffee, Nathan Dooley

The Perfect Promise

September 11, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

^{Hebrews 5:9}

I love this verse because it makes secure the salvation of your soul. In the first devotional you’ll read about the power of God through an instruction to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. In the second devotional you’ll read about how faith is our ability to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. In this devotional we have an intimate relationship between belief and faith that produces… The Perfect Promise!

If you’ve believed in the good news about the Son of God in the flesh of Jesus Christ—then you are perfect in that provision of love through faith, not fear, meaning that your confession of sin is forgiven _{(Luk 12:10)}. You might be experiencing a heavy load of guilt and shame for deep dark secrets that hold you captive to an environment of enslavement _{(Eph 5:1-21)}? It’s like your soul is screaming for help because there is a consequence for the rejection of truth about your environment _{(2Pe 2:1-22)}. If that is the case…?

Please literally stop what you are thinking and doing and listen to this promise. God promised that He would provide salvation not just for a duration of time, but eternal salvation, meaning that Jesus Christ is the perfect promise of sacrifice to remove and remember your sin no more and to help you handle the deepest darkest issues of your life for complete restoration in the resurrection of Jesus Christ _{(1Tim 2:4-6, Jhn 16:7-15)}. By believing that truth is an act of faith you’ve decided to choose by trusting in this promise of God.

And so how to obey is that you trust in the name of Jesus Christ, and if you’ve decided to trust in the name of Jesus Christ… you are made perfect in love by the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. The darkness of your life will be converted to light through faith, believe in your faith _{(Eph 2:4-9)}, because you are loved with an eternal love. And Jesus Christ is your source of perpetual salvation! By really meditating on this promise, you will experience the providence of the Holy Spirit.

Perfection

You Are To Be Perfect

How Faith Makes One Perfected In Love

Controversial, God and Coffee, Nathan Dooley

When We Sin By Our Vote For Biden Or Trump In 2020

August 30, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The question is not a matter of *if* we sin, but when? for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, _{(Rom 3:23)}. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us _{(1 Jn 1:10)}. Not one person of sound mind is ignorant of sin. Have you watched the conventions? We’ve nominated sinners up in this House! The heck is going on! Who do you think is going to rule the land for the next four years?

POWER OF SIN

Who’s it going to be?! Biden or Trump for 2020?! We’ll soon find out in a couple months. Oh yes, you’re right, I thought the same… “This ought to be interesting!”. It’s quite a choice deciding between the lesser of two evils; that idea should not be perceived as a slight against the character of Biden or Trump—because all of America’s citizens are on trial (myself included). Or… does the Voter not know that their vote is a portal to their identity? And so when the ‘lot’ falls on either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, it will be due at the hand of your endorsement; we the people is more like we the demon possessing the condition of our White House or “home” to our governing administration. Or… perhaps you are an American citizen who has already voted due the immediately present media harbingers of power? If so… you’ve handed over the birthright of your soul long before there was even a choice you thought otherwise to consider.

Can you perceive the “call to arms”? Peoples defenses conjuring like it’s time for war! You’ve seen the riots lootings and shootings; that at the very least should cause pause, rampant emotions are the reason our country is in the face of civil war. And for radical change to happen we need to talk about the sin of our decisions, specifically—the decision to vote.

If you’re a Christian then your vote was cast at your conversion because we don’t serve two masters _{(Mat 6:24, Luk 16:13)}! I believe the Christians in America that vote are actually voting for a prayer, the coming of Jesus Christ _{(Rev 22:20)}; because when a Christian wakes up to reality of His return, it shakes you to the core because only your faith remains intact when He does _{(1Jo 5:4)}. The people of God are born again to the purpose of serving the ministry of reconciliation _{(2Co 5:19)}, not to vote for Roman whoops—I mean the United States of America’s agenda into power. We the Christian people all throughout the continents, although divided, know the teaching of Christ and it’s time to wake up! The American dream for liberty means well, but does not deliver anyone from their sin because it’s to busy endorsing it… The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; _{(1 Co 15:56)}. Do we not fear God?

God our Father has disciplined us to understand the Word of God all the while we trample it underfoot by our allegiance to a government that does not teach true liberty in Jesus Christ _{(Heb 10:29)}. Sin is not the law governed by America nor of any other nation than that of Israel, until Christ in the flesh on the cross that gave us the power of deliverance made available to all the world _{(Jhn 3:16}). but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ _{(1 Co 15:57)}.

RIGHT TO FREEDOM

Did you read that verse closely? but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ _{(1 Co 15:57)}. So who gives us the victory over the sting of death? God does! How does God give us the victory? but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ _{(1 Co 15:57)}. What does”…through our Lord…” mean? The Holy Spirit of God is given through your believing by taking part in eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus Christ! That is your right to vote—your right to freedom! The old covenant of the old testament did not deliver anyone from their sin, meaning that no one can earn salvation by voting Biden or Trump! If any christian in their right mind is a true patriot of their Kingdom then they should live as an alien to this country because they’re free indeed. We don’t live as slaves to the misguided nature and condition of this world. We live as ambassadors sent from the Kingdom of God for Jesus Christ!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him._{—(2Co 5:17-21)}

So why not choose rather, not to vote? Or is it that we’ve placed our faith in this worldly government for the provision of our soul? Why would us Christians expect anything different from a people so desperate for their rights; to chase their sexual appetites, to decide their gender, to fight for their color, to kill for their pride, to steal for their pleasure, to lie for their lust, and to what end when the self-proclaiming “christians” are in a relationship with the devil that confuses the truth for a lie? Why expect… Is it because of what I wrote at the start of this post? Not one person of sound mind is ignorant of sin. So then that excuses the timidity of our christian military, does it? Like when king Saul was in the face of the philistine giant _{(1Sa 17:11)}? Do we not have the same Spirit of king David_{(1 Sa 17:26)}? Don’t tell me the church still needs to be trained on how to be a shepherd in the face of a lion when we’ve already been anointed as king to meet the face of Goliath. We are the rock in the sling, so ummm… let’s fly! Let’s go! Come on Church! What do you want from me?—no but seriously… It’s time.

Nathan Dooley, Spiritual Insights

Spiritual Insight | #8

March 8, 2020 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Do any of you learn by experience, also known as experiential learning (EXL) according to my quick google search? When asked how I learn, I’ve always just said, “I learn hands-on”. Click “hands-on learner” to see more about experiential education.

“Experiential learning at Cascades Academy is implemented at all levels of our curriculum and revolves around the central idea of learning by doing. The central tenets of this methodology include engaging students in a cycle of (1) activity/experience, (2) reflection, (3) conceptualization, and (4) application of desired learning outcomes. While the classroom affords many opportunities for students to engage in experiential education, the school also employs this learning methodology outside the traditional classroom.“

So apparently ‘hands-on learning‘ is a form of ‘experiential learning‘, but there is so much more information to delve deeper through the links provided above. Check’em out!

Keep reading

Semantics

Grandma

December 17, 2019 Nathan Dooley 3 Comments

The Difference Between A Relationship And Religion

I was talking with a guy here recently about life. A military man. This guy has quite the story, a lot I can relate and not relate to, been through more than most in a short period of time being in his early thirties. It’s no wonder the reason he questions his relationship to God. He believes there is something, a higher power; but the God of the Bible and Christianity, not buying it or any other gods/god of the many facets to other religions.

Did you know that anger can be a religion?

How about a sport like soccer?

Even the military?

I resonate especially with the first two “anger” and “soccer”. But now, my religion, is my grandma. That might seem weird, but I’m telling you, only if you knew my grandma would you understand. This woman believes in visiting the orphans and widows in their †distress, that is literally her job as a caregiver at 77 (nearly 78) years old. I’ve seen my small but strong and wise grandma lift and guide an older gentlemen from his seat to the wheelchair and help people in their distress over and over again.

I’ve witnessed how this woman (my grandma) has loved a family that has rejected her time and time again. My grandma has slept outside in her cold car because she was unwelcome by family only to come back and love again and again. How… do… you… do… that? I’ve heard and seen the treatment, the abuse, she’s endured for the sake of Who she believes in and yet with humility sharing only her mistakes without blaming anyone else. She was told where to sit and what to do if she wanted to see her grand kids and guess what…she did. Writing this infuriates me, yet remembering, “Nathan, Nathan, how I was treated doesn’t matter…” are you kidding me!

My grandma is the type that might scold me for this praise but you’re reading a result of her labor in the Lord her God and I’ll scream aloud “Jesus Christ is Lord!” Because no navy seal can compare to my grandma, bring it! Just kidding, don’t hurt me. The point is religion is a religious practice of what you believe. And my grandma practiced hard with her Bible not only in hand or by word, but her actions. It’s true there are a lot of religions that provoke a lot of questions and demand certain practices, but that is the reason I labor for the preaching of the gospel to all nations.

Because religion to the gospel is defined by visiting the orphans and widows in their distress while being unstained by the world. It is not putting yourself in chains as though you can’t have fun or enjoy life. But it is respecting the true God of your soul and having a relationship with Him every moment of every day. I’m not saying you can’t have a drink of alcohol unless it’s to your destruction (abuse it—then don’t drink it). I’m not saying don’t have a cigarette or cigar, maybe even marijuana depending on where you live, but not to your destruction (addicted—then don’t smoke it).

You might be convinced you’re unable to break a bad habit, but respectfully, you’re wrong. That is like saying, “I won’t stop cheating on my wife because I’m unable, I’ll get cranky, so wheres my porn at!” We all have the ability but lack the discipline because we’re given over to not caring, “who cares”. The One Who created us cares, God didn’t create an experience (sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll) to be abused or take control of you. Have an experience in moderation and respect of wisdom and honor. Now that … is quite a thrill!

Don’t make a religion your excuse not to believe in this gospel being preached to you. We need more Christians speaking, writing, videoing the essential of the gospel of Jesus Christ; Not speaking, writing, videoing my/their personal preference, expectation, or standard of life change—the Holy Spirit of God that convicts every believer will do that work of salvation, justification, and sanctification. We are just providential agents.

I love you Grandma,

Nathan Dooley

†(James 1:27)

Semantics

Divided

December 12, 2019 Nathan Dooley 1 Comment

Divided

It’s sad to reach a point in life when the thought of hell seems much more appealing than to remain in the skin of your flesh. When the thought of escape is your only option, but are petrified. When a call for help is not meant for saving.

I don’t hate my life. But that unreliable feeling of hate sure is poking and prodding. What I hate is being divided by the questions and doubts of people that presume to know me when they don’t have a clue; there is just not enough time in the world to be completely free with people that choose not to believe they can trust you unless you adhere to their “divine” perception for you, then they might believe. As long as you stay within their realm of interpretation and perception.

It’s incredible the amount of attention you will draw to demons when living for your faith “Jesus as Lord” by recognizing sin for what it is and how I’m in desperate need of salvation. It’s incredible the sirens and temptations in place just for you. It’s a constant crouching (Genesis 4:7):

“Those people see you as a tyrant. That woman wants you. That man desires you. Do this to get rich. Say that to make a difference. You’re a sexy beast, well endowed, who can resist. It feels good to be right. It feels good to have power. You’re a liar. You’re a fraud, poser, fake, and the list goes on because you’re unworthy. Don’t waste my time. You have our undivided attention. Look at him, he is better than you in every way. You’re smart and beautiful, but ugly and stupid too. I feel depressed. You’re unstable, unfit, unqualified. Here is your kingdom of heaven! No, there it is!”

I ask myself, “why is this happening?” But it only makes sense. Because…demons are taking the time the world does not have to get to know you and me. Whether the world or I want to believe that or not, the truth sets us free. I hate this spiritual war that divides my soul and blood into pieces as bread for demons and wine for their minions. If you are a believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, you’ll understand this war, but if not then I hope this will prick at your conscience because you’re held captive thinking you’re free.

They are clever. The devil and his demons … but I see them. And they know that I see them. “It’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). I’m in hell learning the tips and tricks of insanity navigating my way through the crowd in hope to save some if not all, “have you heard…“.

It’s sad…

Nathan Dooley

Semantics

Chronological Bible Study-The Beginning of Beginnings

February 7, 2019 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

The Baker Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines

Join me on Mt. Sinai with God and Moses to discover the beginning of our beginning. This is a very exhausting study but well worth the time and effort. In my Bible I learn that Moses is the author of the first five books also known as the Pentateuch. These books were more than likely written during the 40-year period of Israel’s wanderings in the desert: 1446—1406 BC

Note: the “BC” given after the calendar year (1446—1406 BC) means “Before Christ” but if you see “BCE” (nowadays), don’t be alarmed, it just means “Before Common Era“. (According to my research). The reasons surround appeasing those not Christian and an arguably inaccurate calculation of Jesus’ birth. It’s believed that Jesus Christ was born around 6—4 BC, which is why these labels (BCE/CE) “CE” for “Common Era” are being used today by many publications rather than (BC/AD) “AD” meaning “the year of the Lord” as it references a Latin phrase: anno domini (“the year of the Lord”—after Jesus was born.)

So why Moses? “God… Why Moses?”—A prayer guiding me through a lot of scripture to uncover the context of that time. Moses was beautiful in the sight of his mother and lovely in the sight of God. God heard the outcry of the sons of Israel at the time of their oppression in Egypt and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It’s time to organize the sons of Israel as God’s covenant people and Moses is the man God will be with to do it. It all points to Jesus Christ.

Semantics

Preaching from Heaven

September 19, 2018 Nathan Dooley Leave a comment

Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com

Soon the season will change and with it its’ colors. As the weather turns cold, the leaves of the trees fall to the ground with a message from heaven. One leaf says, “This is what it’s like to fly.” How can this leaf bring a message of flying having never flown? The leaf says, “If you knew the tree of which I fell, you would know what it’s like to fly.” There are many trees and leaves and every leaf comes from one tree. Of all the trees and leaves, why is it that this leaf seems to know what it’s like to fly and not the others? The leaf says, “Because those leaves came from only trees of which know what it’s like to fall.”

Search the menu to learn the game. Without any research or bible, guess the book and chapter to the scripture verses above; comment below, shoot a text or email. I’ll be in touch.

Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

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Favor

GOOD REPUTE

Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

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The 5 Solas

Witness of the Scripture

Listen Listen

Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

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WAY OF EVIL

PERVERSE THINGS

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PATHS

JUSTICE

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SOUND WISDOM

SHIELD

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P1-V31

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P1-V30

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P1-V22

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P1-V18

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P1-V13

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