Teaching The Truth

Job 22:29 says - "When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person." "When men are cast down" in times of trial and calamity...when they are depressed or "cast down" into a very low estate and distressed condition...when they are in low circumstances or in great straits and difficulties...when they are cast down in affairs...when their spirits are sinking, desponding, or ready to despair, then the Lord says to say to them that a restoration or a change for the better is coming their way. God is sending me today with a "word" for you. He is saying to you who are "cast down" - "There is lifting up." Restoration and a change for the better is coming your way! It is God's will and desire for His people to be "lifted up." The Scriptures confirm that truth!

How would you describe your walk with Jesus? Are you walking securely on an even, smooth, level, plain ground or are you like one walking on slippery places - likened to ice or polished marble? Or are you like the lame man walking haltingly because there is an unevennness or malformity in your Christian gait - an incongruity between your words and actions? Both David and Solomon shared the principle that says - "...for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide." "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely..." (Psalm 26:1; Proverbs 10:9) In other words, "walking in integrity" promises security and confidence.

"Most men take the world for their chief good, and place their felicity in the enjoyments of it; but this I say, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup, the portion I make choice of, and will gladly take up with, how poor soever my condition in this world. Let me have the love and favor of God, and be accepted of Him; let me have the comfort of communion with God...let me have an interest in His promises, and a title by promise to everlasting life and happiness in the future state; and I have enough, I need no more, I desire no more, to complete my felicity." (Matthew Henry)

"There is great power in praising. It leads one away from self-consciousness. Praise is a very strengthening thing. Our Lord strengthened Himself for the last conflict by praise. The spirit of praise is the very essence of heaven, and the man who lives in praise, will live in 'heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' " (Sermon Bible Commentary) Do you need "great power" to face or to bring down your enemies? Do you need strength to endure the trials or afflictions that you are presently facing? Praise will elevate you to "heavenly places in Christ JESUS" where you will find all that you need.

"Whether you will or no, I will; I will praise Him, if I am alone in doing so; I will praise Him with my whole heart - with all the fervor, spirituality, and sincerity with which I am endowed; I will praise the Lord with all my heart..." (The Biblical Illustrator) In this broadcast, we are continuing the theme of Resolutions in our new series entitled - "In The Beginning Was The Word." In this particular broadcast, we will cover the new subject of "Praising The Lord" as we deal with Resolution #19 as found in Psalm 86:11-12 which says - "Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart..."

"Man is a creature of strong affections. His feelings cling round the objects of his choice like ivy round a tree. Through sin, these affections are misplaced. He loves the things which he should hate, and hates the things which he should love; forsakes the true God, and pursues lovers of his own. He must love, he will worship something; 'that I may win' is the desire of every soul. Wealth, honor, position, and learning are eagerly sought, loved for their own sake, and for the sake of what they are thought to give. Thus men are seeking happiness where it cannot be found..." (Preacher's Homiletic Commentary) In this particular broadcast (and final episode on "Seeking The Lord"), we will do something different. We will look at examples in the Bible of those who "sought not the LORD." Then we will look at some of the things people did seek after when the LORD was not in the picture.

"But the heart must not be divided with many objects if the Lord is to be sought by us." (Charles Spurgeon) "God in everything requires the heart, the undivided heart." (Biblical Illustrator) Many people are seeking the Lord, but how are they doing it? In everything, God requires the heart. Proverbs 23:26 says - "My son, give Me your heart..." God knows that when He has your heart, He has everything. However, He wants your "whole heart." He doesn't want a "divided heart" with many objects. In everything, He requires the undivided heart. Are you giving Him what He requires?

"Many people are gripped and even managed by their fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, fear of losing control. Fear is a gripping force for many. Yet when we seek the LORD, He delivers us from fear." (Pastor Dave Whitehead) Fear is one of the enemy's most powerful weapons that he uses against us. It looks for a channel into your heart. Oftentimes that channel is other people's words. Be aware of this! Recognize the enemy's tactics here!

"You have many enemies, cunning and strong; many trials, too great for your natural strength; many temptations, which no human power is able successfully to resist; many duties to perform, which cannot be accomplished by the strength of man; therefore you need Divine Strength; you must have might; and you must be strengthened every where, and every way fortified by that might; mightily and most effectually strengthened." (Adam Clarke) "Our enemies are numerous, violent, and obstinate, and our infirmities are many. We therefore need strength of every kind. As it is necessary to overcome all our enemies, so it is necessary to be endued with all might - might to endure the most furious assault, might to resist the most bewitching solicitation of evil." (The Preacher's Homiletic Commentary)

"No really good thing shall be denied to those whose first and main end in life is to seek the Lord." (Charles Spurgeon) Are you looking for good things in life to come your way? Do you feel as though there is much that you are yet lacking? Are you feeling totally frustrated because your efforts seem to be in vain? Let me ask you - what is your first and main end in life? Is it to seek the Lord? Because if it is, "no really good thing shall be denied" you! You can count on that! That's Bible!