Appearing Beautiful on the Outside

This weeks Bible Study virtues was fear of the Lord and humility. I have been thinking a lot about hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivered a series of woes to the Pharisees. Jesus says "Woe to you, scribe and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone. Blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."

Many times if we see good behavior, we think a person must be inwardly good. This is not always the case. A person can be deceptive for a time. Eventually the bad fruit will show but we can not look at behavior alone. The Pharisees on the outside looked very good. They did all the "right" things. In fact Jesus said they "appeared beautiful outwardly". Jesus compared the Pharisees to a tomb with dead men's bones. They may have looked beautiful and appeared to obey everything but inside they will filled with all evil and lawlessness.

Clean Heart

As I read today's verse in Acts 13:22 for a Proverbs 31 study, the song Create in Me a Clean Heart started bubbling out of me. The lyrics to this song are:

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

Scripture: Acts 13:22 - "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as King, to whom also He gave testimony and said " I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will."

Observations: (1). Being a man/woman after God's heart involves doing ALL God's will and not most or everything but just one thing; (2) God raised up David to be King; (3) God gave testimony of David so that the people knew what it meant to have a heart after Him/God; (4) God is the one who removes and puts people into power.

Applications: On Friday, I had worked hard mopping all my wood floors. I did laundry, cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, homeschooled my three year old, played with son, made a lasagna and did many tasks in our home. I hardly ever think to clean under our one bathroom sink or to clean our one desk going down to our basement. However, on this day both came to me to do. It was an impression on my heart that would not leave I was tired from all the other tasks that I had done. I didn't want to ignore what I believed God was telling me to do. I really didn't think it made much sense as I did so much else that day however I knew I better listen.  I started with the desk and tried to organize all the mail. I opened all the mail and put it in a nice, organized pile on the top of the desk. I cleaned the first shelf well. I thought I had done well since that is the most important but I failed to do the other two drawers. I said "that is good since I am tired and I did obey by cleaning the mail shelf." Then later on in the day, medicine spilled in the cabinet under the sink. I cleaned up the medicine and straightened out the cabinet. I, however, did not clean every box or bag under the sink. I interpreted clean under the cabinet as just straighten it out and quickly clean the spilled medicine. There was an impression upon my heart that I was to clean it all but  my son was in the bathtub and I had already worked a lot that day.

Now, I thought my husband would be pleased with having all the mail neatly organized. However, I gave room for the enemy, Satan, to work by not doing all God had said to do. Of course, I could blame my husband and say well he should be putting his mind on all the good things done (which I did) but the fact remains I didn't obey ALL God said to do. I halfheartedly cleaned the desk and cabinet rather than do it all and all for the glory of God. This may seem rather small but it is not because it brought on some really big issues in our home. God says that we are to be faithful in small things.   Luke 16:10 says "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." I thank God that we saw the lack of obedience, Satan's attacks and how it all affected our family but there were consequences.

As for the desk, Saturday night my husband went cleaning the desk. Now why did he start that? He hardly ever does that and we did not talk about what I knew i was to do the day before. He already had all the mail/bills on the top of the desk. However, when he went looking through the other messy drawers he thought he found another bill. This is upsetting as there may be other missing bills. Of course this interaction could result  in the blame game but the fact remains God had put it on my heart even before all this to clean the whole desk. I wanted to clean what i wanted to clean. I did not obey in all of it.

It wasn't just the desk my husband started to look at this weekend . On Sunday after great time with my family, my husband decides to go look in the cabinet under the bathroom. He never usually needs to go it. Why this weekend?  It was a bit frustrating for him. Now he has not thought about this cabinet in years but it is interesting that this was the weekend he did especially when God had put it on my heart to clean it two days before. This frustration led to an incident with my husband and son that stole peace from our home and also caused a sin.

I am a list maker and a schedule maker but it is important for me to do all God tells me to do rather than what is on my list or what I planned to do. I am learning to heed all of what God says (clean all the cabinet and all the desk). It is important to be in faithful in all God says to do in His word and that He guides and speaks us to do throughout our day. When I fail to do what God tells me to do with all my heart, I see sin passing on to my family members. Also, I gave occasion for Satan to come in and attack. Also, God's name is dishonored.

Sometimes we may not see all the effects of failing to do ALL God tells us to do. We may think oh God doesn't instruct us to clean a cabinet or a desk but He does. He guides us in all things. He prepares us for things before they happen. Isaiah 30:21 says "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." We hear God through His Word. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus says to do and what we are to do. We will hear a voice saying "This is the way; walk in it."

Application Regarding my Desk/Cabinet Siutation:
1. What did God instruct me to do today (what weighed on my heart to do and I made excuses, what did I not do with all my heart, what did I rush through just to get it done).
2. If there was something I rushed through just to get it done - I need to go back and pray for God's strenth and power to do it for His glory.
3. Go back and redo it and do it all well

God sees and knows how Satan will try to divide our families. God sees the end from the beginning. Being obedient to God in all things in His Word and what He directs us to do in our daily tasks shows that our heart is submitted to Him.  1 Samuel 15:22 says "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

 

Prayer: Father, thank you that we can cry out to you to clean our heart. Thank you that if we disobey we can run to you. Thank you that you do tell us the way to walk. Thank you that your Word is a lamp onto our feet and a light onto our path. Thank you Lord that you give us the armor of God to wear. Thank you that you tell us the enemy is not our families but Satan. Father, create in me a clean heart. I am sorry for not cleaning all of the desk and all of the cabinet and that I did not do it wholeheartedly onto you. Please forgiving me for thinking partial cleaning was complete obedience.

The Inheritance

Last Night, I watched The Inheritance based on a book by Louisa May Alcott. The character Edith may quite an impression on me. To write that she was humble, kind, gentle and quiet would be an understatement. One who have to read and see her character come to life in order to have those character traits take meaning. In the story Edith was an Italian orphan that was saved by a very rich family, The Hamiltons. Edith grows up with the Hamiltons as "their help". She is a companion to their daughter. At the end of the story, Edith finds out she truly is a heir (her Father is the brother of Mr. Hamilton).  There is so much I would like to write about this movie/book but in case you haven't seen it, I will save the details.

It was very fitting this morning when I woke up and saw Today's Proverb 31 verse for the study. It is Proverbs 31:31 -"Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."

As I observe the verse above, I see Edith from The Inheritance. She didn't force being a heir or tell everyone when she found out she was an heir. She in fact doesn't tell anyone despite the fact that she could have used it on three occasions for her benefit. She didn't use words as tools to argue or defend her case. She didn't look for praise yet she received that and more. She didn't try to get men's attention but everyone was attracted to her even if she was not in their "social class".

Also when I think of the "fruit of her hands", I am reminded of Psalm 1 where it says "he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper."

The application for me is that throughout my life, I may not look like a "heir". People may not treat me like a "heir". I may be accused of things I didn't do. I may be accused of wrong motives. I may be persecuted. I may be looked down upon. However, I see a picture of my heavenly Father telling me to come as I am a heir, a heir of the king. He says we are a royal priesthood. In 1 Peter 2:9 it says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

It is hard at times for me to be silent when falsely accused. Sometimes, I want what I want right now. If others do something that is wrong, I want to tell them exactly what they did. If others speak to me in a malicious tone, I want to retaliate. However, I see God at work in me changing me from the inside and out. I am not who I once was. Also, I see God changing me more in how I respond to situations in life. God truly is my inheritance.

To Him be the praise and may I may I always sing His praises.

My prayer is the Hymn Blessed Assurance:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine O, what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of God Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood Chorus: This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior, all the day long This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long Perfect submission, perfect delight Visions of rapture now burst on my sight Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love

 

 

The Fall

I WILL BE LIKE GOD

To be like God! How many of us want to be on high, be exalted and praised, be seen, have the light shine upon us and be all we can be?  The Fall of Satan is described in Isaiah 14:12-14 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground. You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High."

Satan said these things in his heart. He may not have said them out loud. God looks at the heart. He sees our heart's intentions. Eventually we act out of these heart intentions. Satan said at least five things in his heart:
1. I will ascend into heaven
2. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God
3. I will sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north
4. I will ascend above the heights of the the clouds
5. I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH

Lucifer's  (Satan) name means light bearer. Here in this passage, he is called son of the morning. He was meant to bear God's light not his own.

Satan used the same deception on Eve that caused his own fall .  He whispered "For God know that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree desirable to make one WISE, she took of the fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her and he ate." (Genesis 3:5-6). The fall of humanity too was wanting to be like God in our own arrogant pride.

Proverbs 16:18 says that pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.  In 1 John 2:16 we read that "for all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world." A long time ago, in studying the Bible I learned that there was a connect between the fall of humanity and the three temptations in 1 John 2:16.

Lust of the Flesh = good for food
Lust of the Eyes = fruit desirable to the eyes
Pride of Life = to make one wise/be like God

In thinking upon my own pride, I am reminded of the passage in Luke 14:8-11
which says When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  ¹⁰But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. ¹¹ For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Our Proverbs 31 study today is about humility and the fear of the Lord rather than pride. The Proverbs study today focuses on bearing God's light rather than our own light of how good a wife we are or how much we accomplish. 

PROVERB 31 STUDY SCRIPTURES

Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.

Proverbs 22:4 - By humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honors and life.

OBSERVATIONS

1. The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom but also the instruction of wisdom

2. Humility and fear of the Lord comes before riches, honors and life and not the other way around

3. We are to be instructed in wisdom and not seek to be wise in our own ideas or to be wise for wisdom sake.

4. Humility needs to come along wisdom or we may be puffed up with pride.

APPLICATIONS

Our Church has five core values. One of them is Gospel Humility which is defined as "an attitude that causes us to submit to one another and to listen intently to godly counsel. On the one hand, it prompts us to be gentle and forgiving, and to admit when we are wrong. On the other hand it prompts us to walk in spirit led boldness. Gospel humility requires a healthy self assessment. It liberates a person to pursue God's way of living - regardless of the interpretation of others."

Humility is defined as the quality of being modest and respectful. Humility comes from the Latin word humilitas meaning grounded, from the earth, low. It derives from humus which means earth. It is a quality by which a person considering his own defects has a "humble" opinion of self and willingly submits to God and others for God's sake.

The first verse that came to my mind as way of application was Psalm 131: 1 which is "Lord my heart is not haughty nor my eyes lofty Neither do I concern myself with great matters nor with things too profound for me." My prayer is that I can say that. Many times I am trying to figure it all out. I am trying to fix and change everyone and every thing. I have liked being right. I want to be wise. I like to learn but the problem is we should not learn for knowledge or learning sake to have power over others. We are to be wise in the Lord's eyes and for shining His light not our own.

For where envy and self seeking (selfish ambition, pride) exist confusion and every evil thing are there. James 3:16.  This verse says every evil thing exists where there is pride. Also in Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom."

As a wife, many times I want to be right. I think of things too lofty for me at times. I think I need to work and fix everything. This many times can cause pressure for my husband instead of a safe haven and peaceful sanctuary. My husband helps me to see, feel, touch, smell and taste the wonderful gifts God gives. He helps me to be grounded on this earth.  Many times, I think my way of seeing things is right and that he must be wrong. I failed to see at times that God makes people different and to appreciate the differences that keep me grounded.  God is guiding me and teaching me in his Word to humble myself and submit to my husband. It is so precious in the sight of God.

PRAYER

Lord, may I shine your light rather than trying to shine light on myself. Lord, forgive me for trying to be right a lot rather than humble myself in your sight.

I don't want to be wise to have an advantage over others or to lift myself up. Please forgive me for wanting to be you and have your rightful place. May I decrease and you increase. May I always wait on you.

Inner Man

It isn't about what we look like on the outside whether than be clothes, jewelry, make up or even our outward actions/behaviors. We are talking about inner beauty. When 1 Peter 3:3-4 notes "hidden person/hidden man" it is talking about something that is concealed. You are not able to see it by dress or ornament. It lies within. Many times behaviors and actions can be shown but disconnected from inner man. Bible notes say that the expression used in 1 Peter 3:3-4 is the same Paul uses in Romans 7:22 referring to the inner man.

Who is this inner man?

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 3:3-4 - Whose adorning let it not be that outward adoring of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (KJV)

 Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] ^[a]interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.(Amplified)

OBSERVATIONS

1. The Hidden person/heart incorruptive and unfading

2. God sows in us a gentle and peaceful spirit

APPLICATIONS

^{Ephesians 3:14-20 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people; to grasp  how wide and how long and how deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that supasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of allt he fullness of God.}

The inner man or the hidden man of the heart as expressed in today's Proverbs verse refers to the part of us that does not decay when we are in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 it says:

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The outward parts of us waste away. Even outward behaviors we learned as a child that may seem good but only hide the inner realities waste away. They willnot last. All hidden will be shown.  Our inward person that God is creating into His likeness is being renewed day after day. God is the one who sactifies and sets us apart to be holy. We cannot make ourselves holy.

Further Reading/Verses:



http://www.olivebranchministries.us/Hidden%20Man%20of%20the%20Heart.htm

Prayer: Father, please create in me a clean heart. I pray that if there are any hypocritical masks I wear that you would take them off. I want to be completely surrendered to you. Lord thank you that you do not judge on my outward looks or outward behaviors but you look much deeper. Thank you that you set me apart and you are taking my ashes and making me beautiful.

The Lord Looks At the Heart

My three and a half yer old son and I  have dialogues like this:
Mommy: Do I love you because you are handsome?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are a good artist?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are smart?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are good at sports?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are sweet and say nice things?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are attentive and ask good questions?
Son: No
Mommy: Then why do I love you
Son: Because I am yours (or because I am your son)

Depending on what my son has been praised for, I asked him different questions like the ones above. I don't want him to think he is loved or accepted based on what he does. It is hard at times to parent from the heart or out of grace when I am focusing on rules, morals or character. We need both truth and grace. I want to be gospel centered. My son asks questions about Satan often. He also asks about people like Judas, Goliath and many other "bad" people we may see n the Bible. He understands something I do not. He understand God's love but many times I fear he will identify too much with the "bad" person. Then again maybe that is a good starting point. He understands and knows we all have sinned. He knows about God's amazing love and grace.


Scripture: Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Observations
1. We are not to be praised for our "charms" and outward behaviors or looks but because of what is in our heart in fearing the Lord
2. Charm - any outward behavior that causes us to favor another. I see charm as your "good" qualities, behavior and mannerisms. These good qualities, character traits, mannerisms or moral behaviors can be  affection, honesty, truthfulness, genuine, funny, interesting, reliable, respectable, attentive, supportive, thoughtful. This list can go on an on. These "outward" behaviors can be deceptive because they can be learned behaviors, manners and actions. Everything looks good on the outside but inside full of all manner of evil.
3. Beauty - any outward look/appearance. Outer beauty does not last. We all grow old, get wrinkles, hair turns gray and body decays.


Applications:
Real fear of the Lord is our respect, awe, and honor of the Lord God. Man looks on the outer appearance including looks and behavior, but God looks much deeper tot he heart. Today's Proverb 31:30 verse reminds me of God's interaction with Samuel over the next King. When God told Samuel to go anoint the next King after Saul, Samuel saw differently than God. 1 Samuel 16:6-7 says  When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  

Behaviors can be deceitful. We can act kind, act respectfully, say all the right things but this does not mean that our heart is right before the Lord. It is interesting as I look at the life of Saul and David that they both committed sins. David in fact had an affair with another man's wife and then had the man killed in war to cover up the affair. Saul was told to wait until Samuel arrived 7 days later for Samuel to offer the sacrifice. Saul waited the 7 days but when he didn't see Samuel, he offered the sacrifice. (1 Samuel 13). Saul did not completely obey. Not completely obeying is disobedience. Then in 1 Samuel 15 Saul was told to destroy all the enemies. When Samuel comes, Saul says I have obeyed the instructions. This was not true as Saul had saved some animals as a sacrifice to the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:12 "Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."

Many are teaching good values, character development and morals but the problem is good values, character development and morals without a child understanding and living in God's grace and truth are just "good behaviors". We don't want our child just behaving well because God's Bible/Word will just be a story about being good. Saul many times looked good and others may not notice the slight act of disobedience since it both instances above Saul was offering a sacrifice to the Lord. These sacrifices of the Lord were disobedience and God took the kingdom from Saul. Moralism is not Christianity.

The gospel is that God saves you by grace and then you obey out of joy and grateful love." He draws a distinction between "religion" and the gospel. "We would say religion is 'I obey therefore God accepts me.' The gospel is 'God accepts me through the work of Jesus Christ and therefore I obey.' Those are two completely different impulses and they create two different kinds of people."

We fear the Lord which is an awe and respect of God not to set up our own monument but for God's glory. We are accepted through Jesus. We are to be praised for our fear of the Lord and not for our good behaviors or good looks. We don't want the cart before the horse and therefore I don't want to teach my child character or behavior. I want to be gospel centered.

Prayer:  Lord, please forgive me for the times I want good behavior in myself and others rather than be centered on you and Your Gospel. Thank you God that you always bring me back to your truth. Thank you that I am not accepted on what I do but who you are. Help me to give that same acceptance to my child and to others.

Questions for Application:
1. Are you teaching moralism or the Gospel?
2. Write out the Gospel
3. How do you feel and react when other's behaviors don't look good? What is your focus?

Further Reading:
Read 1 Samuel and the accounts of Saul

http://www.libertyandlove.org/freedom-archives/all-things-are-clean/god-looks-at-the-heart.aspx

http://hopechurchvarsitylakes.blogspot.com/2012/06/veggietales-creator-repents-of-moralism.html#!/2012/06/veggietales-creator-repents-of-moralism.html

http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2012/04/gospel-vs-religion.html#!/2012/04/gospel-vs-religion.html

Rest

We are nearing the end of the Proverbs 31 study. As I read today's verse, I was encouraged to hear the words "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." I saw the Lord rejoicing over me. I am the person who always finds one more thing to do or one more thing to work on. Today, this verse reminded me I have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

This is a great description of the Sabbath. I can rest from all my labors as I have peace with God through Jesus Christ. I have been contemplating the Sabbath for years. It is not just a ceasing from activity or work. It is taking delight and love in God and what He has made and done. It is a peace without striving. It is a day of rejoicing. It is more than a physical or mental rest. It is not just a "vacation". It is an abiding. It is trusting God takes care of us and protects us.

I do think of the final rest. In Matthew 25:23 -  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

I also think of Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see a man skilled (who excels) in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. The word excels in Proverbs 22:29 has been translated as diligent, skilled, efficient and competent. We are to be faithful and diligent in the things God gives us to do. However in all things we need to be reminded that what we have is from Him. We can not do anything apart from Him. It is not just His strength and His power that we obtain. We have Him. It is about Him and not what we can do. We need a deep abiding and remaining in Him.

This abiding in Him has been producing a peace in me. A peace that does not just exist in good circumstances but is especially there in hard circumstances. The application for me is to keep leaning on Him and learning about Him being Lord of the Sabbath and to be at rest and peace in Him.