Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jul 24th Get The Vision

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 28 – 31 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 3 – 4; Psalms 116 – 118; Proverbs 24)

Scripture Memorization for June – Great Commission Verses

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Matthew 6:33

Read a great article by Brother John Goetsch – “Uncola Christianity – 7 Ingredients To Add To Your Faith“

Read the “0724 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18)

“And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” (1Samuel 3:1)

If you have been a Christian for any length of time then you have most likely heard a sermon preached on vision. Most of the time the preacher will use Proverbs 29:18 to prove that the pastor and people need to have some type of plan for the future in order for the church to survive and thrive in the next generation. For instance, I have heard this verse used by a preacher who was trying to convince the congregation regarding a new building. He was trying to get the people to “see” the new building, to get a vision for it. While I do believe it is wise for the pastor to know where he is going in the future,and I also think that He is responsible for casting the “vision” for the church, I do not believe this verse is teaching that. This verse, and the verse in 1 Samuel 3 both connect the term, “vision”, with the Word of God. God is not saying that the preacher or church need to have their own vision, but rather that they need to have God’s vision, which is the Pokies Word of God.

Christians often speak too flippantly about what “God told them”. I always ask them about the book, chapter, and verse that God used to tell them the thing that He supposedly said. You see, God does not speak to us with audible voices anymore; He gave us His Word. God uses the revealed Word of God to “direct our  paths”, etc. Now I am not saying that God does not lead us down particular paths, and into specific areas of service. He does reveal His will to us through a combination of means, but it all starts with the Word of God, and is confirmed by the Word of God. It is the Word of God that is God’s “open vision” today.

Last night at the Northeast Vision Summit, I listened attentively to a great Bible message by Pastor Kurt Skelly on this very subject. He was preaching from Genesis 37 where Joseph was dreaming dreams. God used dreams back in the days of Joseph to reveal His Word. Joseph faithfully took the Word that was given Him through the dream, and delivered it to his father and brothers. The preacher pointed out that the recipients of Joseph’s dreams were not much different from the recipients of the Word of God today: they didn’t like what they heard.

As Christians, we need to look to the Bible for direction in life. Preachers, we need to faithful study, learn, and teach the Word and Words of God that He has given to instruct His people today. It is the Bible that will guide; it is the Bible that will encourage; it is the Bible that will give comfort; it is the Bible that will correct; it is the Bible that reveal the future; and so much more. All we need is the Bible, and the Holy Ghost of God Who will help us understand it. So, get a vision; but get it from the Bible.

Jul 20th Oh Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 11 – 12; Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)

Scripture Memorization for June – Great Commission Verses

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 27:15

Read a great article by Brother John Goetsch – “Uncola Christianity – 7 Ingredients To Add To Your Faith“

Read the “0720 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and awordspoken in due season, how goodis it! (Proverbs 15:23)

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.(Proverbs 17:7)

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (Proverbs 17:9)

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. (Proverbs 17:28)

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – (Proverbs 25:11)

Isn’t it amazing how much the Bible has to say regarding our tongues. The verses listed above are just a few of the references from today’s passage that deal with the words that we say. God is very concerned about the things that we allow to escape our lips. A good passage to read that also teaches along this line is found in James 3. In it, God gives a scathing rebuke to the tongue that is used to destroy.  As God’s people we must strive to allow the Holy Spirit of God to control our words. As God’s ambassadors we have no right saying the things that we want to say, but rather we must speak the things that will glorify God and edify others. One of the reasons that I sometimes prefer to write (text, e-mail) to people rather than talk to them is because I can carefully choose the words that I use. I find myself re-writing, looking for just the right thing to say. Often when conversing with someone face to face I find myself being quick to speak, when God wants me to be slow to speak.

I think that I could be much more affective as a minister of God if I would employ the following principles in my life regarding my speech:

1 I should pray before I speak. David prayed,

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

2  I should pause before I speak. The Bible says a lot about refraining from speaking. Will what I am going to say edify the listener? Will it glorify God? Will it tear down somebody else? These are all thing to consider.

3  I should pastor (minister, edify, teach) with my speech.

It would certainly be a quieter world, if we would all put these principles into practice; but it would also be a lot more peaceful.

“O be careful little mouth what you say

O be careful little mouth what you say

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little mouth what you say”

Jul 18th Safe!

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 10 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 7 – 8; Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Scripture Memorization for June – Great Commission Verses

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121

Read a great article by Brother John Goetsch – “Uncola Christianity – 7 Ingredients To Add To Your Faith“

Read the “0718 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “The Richest Man on Earth“; “Pride“

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:6)

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22 KJV)

It seems like just good common sense, but the verses above are perhaps among the most neglected principles in the Bible. Getting good advice before making any important decision is absolutely essential if you are going to be happy, and achieve success in life. However, most people launch into decisions unadvisedly. Why is that? I believe it is because people usually have their hearts set, and their minds made up on a matter, which causes them to not really want to hear what anyone else has to say. I have seen people make some of the dummest decisions in life, convinced that they were making a great move, and then later deeply it. I have made a few of these mistakes myself.

Another mistake that I have observed people making is that they will “shop” for counsel. These folks know that they should get advice from others, but they purposely go to people whom they know will tell them what they want to hear. They surround themselves with “yes men”. This is just as dangerous as not asking for counsel. There is a man in my church who is not afraid to tell me when he disagrees with a decision that I am about to make. This man is invaluable to me. He keeps me straight. There have been times that I had my heart set on doing something that just would have been a bad move, but this man counselled me in the other direction. I have to admit, there have been times when this made me angry, but I know that overall, I have made better decisions because of this man’s input.

I believe there are a few principles that you and I can put to practice in our lives that will help us make good decisions:

1  Look to the Word – make sure that God does not advise against the thing that you want to do in the Word of God.

2  Pray – before you make a decision, ask the Lord. It may be a good thing, but it may not be a good thing for you, or it may not be the right time.

3  Get counsel – Ask the advice of some wise people in your life who will be willing to be brutally honest with you. Your parents, and your pastor are good people to include in your cabinet of counsellors.

4  Don’t rush into anything. Don’t make any rash decisions. Quick decisions are usually bad ones. Take the time to go through the process, and you will find that you will avoid the tragedies that so many face as a result of poor decision making.

“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” (Proverbs 20:18)

Jul 17th Who Are You Going To Listen To?

Today’s Passage –Proverbs 7 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

Scripture Memorization for June – Great Commission Verses

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read a great article by Brother Rick Houk – “Keeping It Fresh – Summer Bible Study“

Read the “0717 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Did you notice in our passage this morning that there were two very different women, and each of them were calling out to men, trying to get them to yield to her?

# 1 – The Foolish Woman (the Strange Woman)

“And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.” (Proverbs 7:10-20)

“A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” (Proverbs 9:13-18)

The first woman is the foolish woman. You meet her quite often in the Book of Proverbs. She is easy to spot because she dresses like an harlot. She is loud, and very bold about what she wants. You see her just about everywhere you go. She is very alluring, and offers pleasure that promise satisfy, at least temporarily. Unfortunately, those that yield to her end up ruining their lives. “For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.” (Proverbs 7:26-27)

# 2 – The Woman named Wisdom

“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” (Proverbs 9:1-6)

This woman is a different story altogether. She is introduced as in the first few verses of chapter 7. Chapter 8, and the beginning of chapter 9 are all about her. She is also trying to get you to yield to her, and she is desparately trying to keep you away from the strange and foolish woman (7:5). She offers you long life and the favor of the Lord, and promises that the fruit that she gives you is more valuable than gold. She has served as counsellor to the greatest leaders of the world, and was even present when God created the world around us. And she delivers on her promises. She may not give you the temporary pleasure that the foolish woman offers, but in the long run, she is the much “wiser” choice.

So, who are you going to choose? I can give you a suggestion. “Get Wisdom”, and stay as far away from the foolish woman as you can.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

“Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her (the foolish woman) ways, go not astray in her paths.” (Proverbs 7:24-25)