THE WICKED STUMBLING IN THEIR DARKNESS

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble." Proverbs 4:19

The older I grow, the more I admire and love the book of Proverbs. Its wisdom is most profound. Manifestly these proverbs are the result, not of inspiration only, but of much observation and reflection in the writer. They are useful, being easily remembered, and so various, that you can always find something to apply, be your circumstances what they may. It is plain the author had moved among men with his eyes wide open. Hence, he had noticed that the wicked are forever stumbling, and seem not to know at what they stumble. It is to this great truth that I now call your attention.

I. It is well, in the first place, to notice several facts of human consciousness.

Whoever shall carefully study these facts, shown by human consciousness, must see that the pretended skepticism of men is mere hypocrisy. Men know better.

What are these facts?

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Healing Words

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

There are times when what we say is a great gift. In 1986 I had just undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer and was considering reconstruction. I was very thankful for my survival, but the fear of not being “physically appealing” to my husband was real. After surgery, my husband said something I’ll never forget, “Don’t have reconstruction for my sake. It doesn’t matter to me; I love you just the way you are.” I felt a heavy weight lift off my shoulders. What a wonderfully freeing gift his acceptance gave me. As a result, I chose not to have reconstruction. Words have such great power. The Bible often speaks of being careful of what we say to others. The tongue can be equally devastating or loving. A great gift we can give to others is a word of encouragement, love, comfort and understanding. A reliable guideline is to decide what you would like people to say to you if you were in similar circumstances.

Lord, lead me to people today with whom I can share words of healing and love. Help me to be sensitive enough to your nudging to recognize that person.

By Jackie (Tennessee, USA)

THE CERTAIN DOOM OF THE IMPENITENT

SERMON BY CHARLES FINNEY

"He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy." --Proverbs xxix. 1.

There is nothing in the connection in which these words stand that require explanation; I shall, therefore, at once give you the outline of thought which I design to pursue.

I. NOTICE THE TRUE IDEA OF REPROOF

II. SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH GOD ADMINISTERS REPROOF

III. THE DESIGN OF REPROOF

IV. WHAT IT IS TO HARDEN THE NECK, UNDER REPROOF

V. WHAT IS INTENDED BY BEING SUDDENLY DESTROYED

VI. WHAT IS INTENDED BY BEING DESTROYED WITHOUT REMEDY

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Go to the One

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3 (NIV


There I sat, looking at the University catalog, to figure out what courses
I needed to take for my first group of classes. I was confused, so I
went to the One I oftentimes did when confused. "Lord? You know where my life is going, I do not. I have my ideas,but I know you are directing my path. Please guide me as I choose my classes, Lord, so I end up where you want me to be."

Then I proceeded to look at my course requirements and whatever else interested me. Two years later I transferred to a different University which was not part
of my original plan. I was changing to an unrelated major and concerned
that I might need to take many extra courses to finish my schooling and, of course, incur the extra expense.

When I chose my new major, I looked at the catalog for what prerequisites
were required and was amazed! During my first two years I had taken
every single course that was required for my new major. At that moment I s tood in awe of God, in awe of His faithfulness.


Prayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Remind me to seek your
guidance and commit my actions to accomplishing your purposes. I ask this
in Jesus name and to His glory, Amen.


By Ally, California

Feeble, But Wise

 Rosemary Renninson

Bible Verse:
The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. Proverbs 30:26 (KJV)

Text:
Over the last thirty years, through the study of God’s Word, and the animals He mentions, I have learned so many helpful principles God wants me to apply to my daily living. God has created and gifted even the conies with wisdom for living. Knowing their own natural defenselessness, they make their burrows in the rocks. While feeding, the male head of the clan keeps watch, and if a predator appears, he utters a warning cry that sends the clan scampering into the safety of the rocks. No earthly rulers or the masters of millions of dollars living in fortressed impregnable castles are better protected than the cony dwelling in their rocks. In Luke 6:47-49, Jesus speaks of what those are like who come to Him and hear Him. We needn’t build impregnable castles, but rather avail ourselves of Jesus our rock and our fortress. In Jesus, the weak are strong, in Jesus the defenseless are safe. We could not be more strong if we were giants. We could not be more safe if we were in heaven. By His Spirit He has written it; by His Spirit He has revealed it. And by His Grace, we may merge into Him and be safe from every adversity and foe.

Ending Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please continually help us to have the wisdom to run into our Rock Christ Jesus in every circumstance of our lives. Amen, and Amen.

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom

He that winneth souls is wise. - Proverbs 11:30.

The most common definition of wisdom is, that it is the choice of the best end and the selection of the most appropriate means for the accomplishment of that end. "He that winneth souls," God says, "is wise." The object of this Lecture is to direct Christians in the use of means for accomplishing their infinitely desirable end, the salvation of souls. I shall confine my attention to the private efforts of individuals for the conversion and salvation of men. On another occasion, perhaps, I shall use the same text in speaking of what is wise in the public preaching of the Gospel, and the labors of ministers. In giving some directions to aid private Christians in this work, I propose to show Christians:

I. How they should deal with careless sinners.

II. How they should deal with awakened sinners.

III. How they should deal with convicted sinners.

I. DEALING WITH CARELESS SINNERS.

1. In regard to the time. It is important that you should select a proper time to try to make a serious impression on the mind of a careless sinner.

For if you fail of selecting the most proper time, very probably you will be defeated. True, you may say that it is your duty at all times to warn sinners, and try to awaken them to think of their souls. And so it is; yet if you do not pay due regard to the time and opportunity, your hope of success may be very doubtful.

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Friends Forever

A friend loveth at all times… Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
 
Today is my best friend's birthday. Her name is Elaine. She is celebrating her 59 BD surrounded by love and happiness and joyful music… and maybe even a few balloons. Today I am hopeful that the angels will sing Happy Birthday to her and my "gift" will be this devotional in her memory.

Elaine and I  met when we were 10 and became "blood sisters" by age 13. I can remember pricking our fingers and screaming "ouch"… all the while feeling something magical about the sacred ceremony of friendship. Elaine had long flowing hair and a full figure as most Greek girls do. She was kind, smart, and very inquisitive. Her questions about God were frequent and we often had heated and challenging debates about the ways of God.

At the innocent age of 12, Elaine accepted Christ with me on her knees in her bedroom. This was in the same bedroom where we played the game of "Life" and dreamed our future dreams while playing Barbie dolls for hours on end. After that eventful day, our Barbies and Ken dolls became missionaries. It was hard to find appropriate Barbie doll clothes for their "change of life" adventures, so we had to become even more imaginative… imagine that! 

Elaine grew up and moved away and became a beautiful, intelligent, Godly woman. She became a well-known business woman and CEO for Kodak Inc. She never forgot her God and our friendship. She would call or send me a card on my BD every year.
 
When I received the call that she had suddenly gone to be with the Lord, I wept "bitter tears of joy". You might ask, "How can you weep bitter tears of joy?" Only those who lose a loved one unexpectedly will understand that phrase. It hurt so deeply that I cried out loud to my God and wept for hours on my bed. Even though I was joyful that she was in heaven with the Lord, I would forever miss my best friend. There would be a "black hole" in my earthly heart forever. No one would ever take her place. Remember, we were "blood sisters forever."
 
Today, on her BD, I want to honor her by saying that her life was a gift and treasure to me… and even though no one reading this devotion will know of whom I am speaking… I hope it will remind you to appreciate the friends who are presently in your life.

Maybe… just maybe… this story of friendship will inspire you take the time to say the good words of love that will bless others and rekindle your affections as sisters and brothers in Christ.
 
Lord, help us to use our lives today for your Glory and Grace, and to remember to tell those around us how precious they are to us and to you. Amen.