Today's Teachings

"Wizdumb or Wisdom" part 3 by Charles Simpson

1/23/2020

Wizdumb or Wisdom?

WISDOM
Wisdom does what wizdumb cannot. Here are some things, from Proverbs 24, that wisdom does:
Builds (see verse 3): Wisdom has the innate desire to build and build up. Solomon the Wise built the glorious temple and other structures. He built a glorious kingdom which left the Queen of Sheba breathless.

Jesus, the wisdom of God made flesh, is building a glorious Church. The apostles built on the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. We marvel at great structures and respect those who build them. Building reflects wisdom. We are known by what we build.

Establishes (see verse 3): Good builders build with lasting values and methods; they build for future generations. The great structures endure for centuries, even millennia. Their work endures the ravages of time and lasts beyond the winds and fads of a particular generation. Durability is a true mark of wisdom.

Obtains (see verse 4): Wise people acquire the knowledge to obtain and manage resources. We admire and sometimes envy those who obtain wealth” if honestly gotten. Jacob’s son Joseph and Solomon are prime examples of wisdom’s power to obtain.

Most people desire to obtain, but lack the wisdom to do so. One should seek wisdom before resources. And the source of wisdom is God and His Word (see James 1:5).

Strengthens: Wisdom is better than muscle power. It arms itself with good counsel and sound strategy. Conflict is inevitable but wisdom assures success. The Bible gives us numerous examples of conflict both won and lost. Power without wisdom is a recipe for failure. The USA and the former USSR both provide examples of power used without wisdom. Power is no guarantee.

Wisdom not only strengthens those who possess it, but causes them to strengthen others. Their words “edify” (build up) others and draw admiration. The power of life is in their tongue.

Silence (see verse 7): Wisdom knows when to be quiet. Foolishness does not. An important time to be quiet is in the presence of elders or those “who sit in the gate.” In the presence of superior knowledge and experience, a wise person will speak only when spoken to. They will draw from the deeper well.
There was a time when it was said, “Children are seen and not heard.” That day is past. Now children are the center of attention. They are encouraged to show off and be cute. The tragedy is that they miss the opportunity to learn wisdom. Too many of us have the “gift of speech” but need the “gift of silence” (see Isaiah 3).

Get It! (See Proverbs 8)

I have mentioned just five attributes of wisdom. There are many more. Wisdom is the principle and priceless issue of life. It is knowing that no matter how much we know; we don’t know all there is to know about anything (see 1 Corinthians 8:1).

Wisdom was in the beginning with God and reflected the macro and micro of His intricate creation. And, the awe of God is where wisdom begins with us. It is better than gold, silver, knowledge, or power. It is incomparable. “Wizdumb” is costly; wisdom is free and priceless. It cries out to us at every intersection and decision. It pleads for us to listen.

If I could guarantee a way to wealth, I could charge large sums and become wealthy myself. But I can offer something better, and it is free wisdom. Here’s how you can find wisdom: Ask God, read His Word, and associate with wise people, accept correction, learn from mistakes, observe successful people, honor parents and leaders, and don’t quit.

Of course, we must forgive foolishness, or we will not be forgiven. However, forgiving others or ourselves is not enough – we must learn wisdom. We live in a very unforgiving world. Wisdom saves lives, reputations, money, and redeems those who fail. Better yet, it prevents the problems that consume so much of our time and resources.

In Christ,

Charles Simpson

"Wizdumb of Wisdom: part 2 by Charles Simpson

1/22/2020

Wizdumb or Wisdom?

Talking too much (see verse 7): Those who talk too much, talk beyond their knowledge and often in the presence of wiser people. Their words become disrespected and annoying. This is a problem that I have fought and sometimes lost. Those of us with the “gift of speech” must be aware.

Once in a conversation, I intended to say, “I am a patriarchist,” meaning that I believe fathers should lead. Instead I said, “I am a patrician,” meaning, I am an aristocrat. The listener only laughed, realizing that I was no aristocrat. But I felt dumb. On another occasion in a conversation with some other leaders, I said, “Let’s look at this from Gods perspective.” They also laughed.

Our culture is highly verbose: Talk radio, talk T.V., blogging, rap, and so forth. In former days, people were more understated. Calvin Coolidge was a man of few words. Returning from church, his wife asked, “What did the preacher preach on?” “Sin,” he replied. “What did he say about it?” she pressed. “He was against it.” Coolidge answered. ‘Nuff said!

Fainting (see verse 10) Foolishness cannot endure testing. It may “blow hard”, but it withers under examination. In fact, foolishness invites scrutiny. I live near the Gulf of Mexico. Once, when I had several guests, I bragged about our beaches, “They are the most beautiful in the world” a slight overstatement. One of my guests took me literally. “O, let’s go see the beach!” I had to take him and it was not the best day to see the beach” overcast, rainy, and in winter. He was disappointed, and I was embarrassed. The statement invited scrutiny but lacked credibility. (We do have very nice beaches!)

Lazy (see verse 30) The lazy person is foolish. The writer of Proverbs observed a field that was overgrown with weeds and the stone wall was broken down. It had potential but was unproductive. The writer observed that the owner was “devoid of understanding.”

Laziness is foolishness, because valuable time-our most valuable commodity, is wasted. The time will come when the resources will be needed but there will be no payday. It is a replay of the ant and the grasshopper story (see Proverbs 6:6).

Failure: “Wizdumb” adds up to one thing – failure. It fails to fulfill its promise, fails to build, establish, obtain, strengthen, listen, or bless anyone. It will eventually bring judgment. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, ‘It might have been’.”

"Wizdumb or Wisdom" by Charles Simpson

1/21/2020

Wizdumb or Wisdom?

Dear Friend in Christ:
I pray this letter finds you well. This month, I want to talk about two different words that are very relevant to where society is today. One is priceless, the other can be extremely costly.

Wisdom is propriety: It is knowing how to apply one’s knowledge or vocabulary to a situation; it is sound judgment, discernment, or knowing when to keep quiet. Wisdom is not considered an “exciting hot topic” these days, but if wisdom is not a serious pursuit where does that leave us?

I would define “Wizdumb” as being a statement or action intended to be clever, but turns out to be foolish. (I may have coined a new word, but we all have done what I’m talking about here.) Wisdom can be a source of pride or increased respect. Wizdumb leaves us embarrassed and laughed at-at the least.

WIZDUMB
Stupid statements and stupid actions are a great source of humor. But as someone said, “Humor is what happens to the other guy.” Someone else said, “No matter how big a fool is, there is always a bigger one to admire him.” It is one thing to laugh at foolishness, quite another to admire a foolish person. This happens too often in our celebrity-dominated culture.
The Lord warned us not to call anyone a fool (Matthew 5:22). But the Bible devotes significant time showing us how to recognize foolishness, and how to avoid it.

You may have heard these sad examples: In Brazil, a man tried to protect himself from bee stings while removing a beehive by putting a plastic bag over his head; he suffocated. An intoxicated college student attempted to shake down a Coke machine in order to release a can; the machine fell on him and killed him. Another man chased a half-full beer can into a Houston freeway; he was hit by a truck. You get the picture; wizdumb can be deadly.

The single greatest example of wizdumb is found in Psalm 14:1, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” This statement is repeated in Psalm 53:1. Romans 1:22 makes the same assessment of those who think that they are intelligent, but deny God’s existence in the face of “creation” evidence.

Proverbs 24: Perhaps the most beneficial exercise for me has been to read one chapter of Proverbs each day. I have recently spent some time in chapter 24. I recommend it as a source of discerning between wizdumb and wisdom. The following are some evidences of foolishness.

Evil Scheming (see verse 8): It is plain dumb to plan to do harm to someone. It is a misuse of time, effort, and resources. Not only will another person be hurt, but it will bring the one who plots under judgment. The thousands of people in prisons could testify that planning evil is foolish. We ought to allow them to do “commercials” against planning to do harm. Evil is a boomerang.

Scoffing (see verse 9): Mocking and cynicism are foolish. Such statements directed at others create a negative atmosphere, discouragement, and motivates retaliation. Scoffing is the opposite of encouragement (see 2 Peter 3:3). Scoffers tend to ignore reality when it is presented to them, rather than considering it. They do so to their own hurt.

"facing the Future" part 2 by Robert Lindsay

1/20/2020

Facing the Future
IV. We are called to tithe our increase to the high priesthood of Jesus Christ.
   A. Even Father Abraham tithed to Melchizedek.
   1. Jesus obtained a more excellent ministry and established a better and more lasting covenant.
   B. The laws of God and His covenant are written on paper, but not necessarily in our hearts.
   1. The New Covenant was ratified, not with the blood of animals, but with the blood of Jesus Christ the son of God.
   2. By His blood, Jesus obtained eternal redemption for us.
   3. By His death, the covenant was put in force into the heart of believers.
   C. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, His blood was needed for our Redemption.
   1. Faith in God’s Word has been the substance of history. The examples are numerous and heroic.
   2. These heroes of faith were pilgrims and strangers to the world system, and they lived and died in faith looking for a better city.
D. In the face of historical witnesses, we are called to run with patience, and endurance, and keep our eyes on Jesus as we run.
1. As with Jesus, there is a joy and reward set before us.
2. Avoid bitterness and keep your eyes of what we are coming too; a unshakeable Kingdom.
E. Walk in love, avoid sin and know that the Lord will never leave of forsake you.
1. Support your leaders, be a joy and not a grief, and be prepared to be led out of the city gate as Jesus was.
2. Continue to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
V. Being established:
A. Victory is assured regardless of what appears to the natural eye.
B. The hymn “Christ, The Solid Rock”
1. His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood, when all round me gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
2. We are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us.
3. I trust the Lord with my life and I encourage you to trust Him

"Facing the Future" part 1 by Robert Lindsay

1/19/2020

Facing the Future
I. How to escape from escapism and see Christ’s Kingdom extended in and through your life?
A. There comes to us a question; “Do you believe that Jesus is coming soon?”
B. Matthew 24 and Acts 1:7 tell us several significant aspects about this subject.
1. We should not say that the Lord delays His coming.
2. We should be found ministering in righteousness when He comes.
3. We should love His appearing.
4. No man knows the hour of His return.
   C. What should we be doing if Jesus delays His coming?
   1. Suppose He comes back in 2020 .... Are you ready?
   2. Suppose He does not; what will you do in the days and months ahead?
   D. The early Gentile believers expected Jesus to come in their lifetime.
   1. I Thess. 5: Paul expected Christ’s return.
   2. Paul never lost his sense of mission.
II. Most of the early Christians, Jews and Gentiles were so convinced of Jesus soon return that they did little or no work and made no plans for the future.
A. Hebrews 10:35-39 Some were discouraged by the suffering they and others had endured.
B. The writer of Hebrews was seeking to establish these Christians to face the future.
1. Are we loving Jesus or do we want to “Get out of the World.”
2. I John 5:4 There is a better attitude: Victory that overcomes the world.”
III. Let’s look at the entire book of Hebrews.
A. This means, He is the sent-forth One and Mediator between God and man to reveal the purpose of God.
1. Jesus Christ is the supreme revelation of the Father and Heir of all things.
2. Don’t neglect or forget what you have heard. The words that we received were confirmed supernaturally. We are stewards of His purpose.
   3. Jesus Christ is faithful to his Apostolic and High Priestly Calling.
B. We are partakers of His calling.
1. Faith in Christ will bring us to a place of rest. Rest is not merely a day; it is ceasing from our labor and entering into His will.
C. Our High Priest knows our condition and we can trust Him.
D. We can come boldly to His throne of grace and find mercy and grace in a time of need.
1. Jesus’ high Priesthood is eternal, in contrast to Aaron.
2. We are called to go beyond the foundations of faith (Hebrews 6: 1&2) to inherit the promise made to our father Abraham, “Surely blessing I will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you.”
3. God swore by Himself to uphold this promise in spite of all conditions.
4. This hope is an anchor of the soul and is rooted in His presence where Jesus has gone into heaven’s holiest and high place.

Not Alone by David Lindsay

1/17/2020

We are the church.
We were born for community.
We were born with needs that we alone cannot meet.
We need each other.
"Not Alone" by David Lindsay

I can't stand alone
In this void that I call home
Beneath the weight of shame
That keeps rushing in to drown me
I am in need

Of someone to help me stand
Who's not afraid of all I am
Who won't run from all the pain
I have hidden deep inside me
I am in need

Here in the silence
A whisper calls my name
It tells me I'm not enough
To live this life
Not enough to play this game
I am in need

Because the pain is all I see
So I believe
That this shame is who I am
I am in need

'Cause I can't stand alone
In this void that I call home
Beneath the weight of shame
That keeps rushing in to drown me
I am in need

Of someone to help me stand
Who's not afraid of all I am
Who won't run from all the pain
I have hidden deep inside me
I am in need

Until here in the silence
I hear a voice call my name
A voice that is strong enough
To shatter guilt
Strong enough to heal my shame

And Love found me
I was blind but now I see
'Cause Love found me
I'm not afraid of who I am
'Cause Love found me
And I'm not alone

"Not for Sale" part 3 by Charles Simpson

1/16/2020

Not For Sale

FALSE PEACE
Was I always right? Of course not! But by the grace of God, I live in His peace and joy. I am sure that Naboth was not always right, Jacob certainly was not, nor was King David, or many others. But they were not for sale to accusation and intimidation.

What will happen to us if we become fearful of intimidation? We will sell our precious vineyard and our heritage. “The devil’s peace” is not a good trade for our heritage. In the end, it is not peace at all—no peace. We don’t have to be perfect, but we do have to be courageous!

CHOICES
God is Sovereign. He has all power and could completely control our lives if He chose; to make us mere actors to a script that He has already written. Some people seem to believe that. But while God has all power, wisdom, and foreknowledge, He also allows us to make choices—even bad ones. God does not force us to follow Him.

He does not force us to take unpopular positions or go into the battle between Good and Evil. He does call us, and sometimes His call is intense, but we can flee away if we choose. But He loves us, and He wants to walk with us as He did with Adam. He wants to bless us with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. All of that is still available, even in times of hardship or spiritual war. We can have peace and even joy in the battle.

I even wonder if God and His grace are not more available when we have to face some kind of threat, accusation, or danger. The friends of Daniel seemed to have a greater measure of grace and God’s presence when they took a stand, would not bow, and were thrown in the furnace. They walked with One who appeared as the Son of God. Could it be that God does not control us so that our stand—“not for sale”— comes from within us and not imposed upon us? Could it b e that courage and boldness are so innate to God’s own nature that He loves to see it in us so much that He moves closer when we choose to stand?

Did Gideon’s 300, who risked all to fight the Midianites, have something more, even more joy, than those who only came to the battle after it was won? I think so. When you stand—“Having done all to stand”—you become part of a brotherhood or sisterhood with those who braved false charges, vehement threats, and yes, violence. In a sense, “Jesus’ cup” that He challenged the apostles to drink is still ours. Can we still drink that communion in the “not for sale” community? I pray so. And, I pray that “Happy New Year” will be more than mere nice circumstances. I pray that we can drink with Him in His Kingdom, whatever comes in 2020! We love you, pray for you, and thank God for you!

In Christ,

Charles Simpson

"Not for Sale" Part 2 by Charles Simson

1/15/2020

Not For Sale

RICHARD JEWELL
Film actor and director Clint Eastwood has recently released a movie called “Richard Jewell” about the man who was accused of being the bomber in Atlanta’s Olympic Park in 1996. One person was killed, one died of a heart attack, and others were injured.
The actual truth that finally emerged was that Richard Jewell was a hero because he discovered the bomb and was warning people to get away before it went off. Yet some law enforcement initially surmised that he had actually placed the bomb. There were profilers who looked at his personality, agents who accused him, and news media who spread the accusation. He was guilty in the eyes of the general public until months later when he was exonerated. However, Richard never got over the embarrassment, shame, and accusations. He died, aged 44, in 2007.
Clint Eastwood ironically, in an effort to eulogize Richard Jewell, has been accused and castigated by some for how he told the story. I doubt if Eastwood is intimidated. But I wonder how many decent people are intimidated into passivity by the threat of accusations, questioning motives, and enraged social media mobs?
ARE WE FOR SALE?
Now, I am sure that most Christians would reject Ahab’s offer to buy their heritage. We love our heritage. But what if we knew the rest of the story? Maybe we would “work something out” with Ahab. There are other issues more daunting than our need for money. How about destroying our reputation? What about prison? How about the threat to our family? And of course the threat to our professional or vocational lives is serious.
I wonder how many good people will never serve in American government because they do not want for themselves and family to endure the often awful process of campaigns and confirmations where “guilt by accusation” now seems to be the norm? How many young people never want to be in ministry today because of the increasingly anti-clergy culture? (I am not criticizing those who can live more prosperously and peacefully by not serving in government, being in law enforcement, or ministry.) But are we selling out because of accusations or intimidation?
I understand this in a personal way. My late teen years were rough for me because I was running from God’s call to ministry. My Dad was a minister, a wonderful husband and father, and a deeply honorable man. But I saw him too often mistreated by people calling themselves Christians. Though I knew God was calling me into ministry, I wanted no part of it. I even endangered my life to “prove” that I was not “clergy material”. I hated intimidation of any kind, and believed that accusations had to be backed up by facts.
However, in 1955, at age 18, I said “yes” to the call of God. Now looking back on almost 65 years of ministry, I was right to struggle with that call, but also right to say yes. I was controversial in Seminary over biblical issues, controversial in my denomination over the work of the Holy Spirit, controversial among Charismatics over teaching discipleship to Jesus; I was falsely called a “cult leader” back in the days of Jim Jones (1978), and had crosses burned in front of my house.
My children were attacked at school; our church was investigated by the IRS for three-and-a half years because of false accusations from other Christians, yet we were fully exonerated, which
ultimately led to the Church Audit and Procedures (CAP) Act being passed by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. I am sure, as I live, there will be more battles ahead because we have taken a stand for righteousness.

"Not for Sale" part 1 by Charles Simpson

1/14/2020

Not For Sale

Dear Friend in Christ I pray that you have a peaceful and joyful 2020! But please remember that peace and joy are in the Holy Spirit, not in circumstance (see Romans 14:17).

This year, like others, will present battles and challenges that will test our resolve. It is vital that we hold fast to our trust in Jesus and whatever He calls us to do. We are here and enjoying God’s faithful mercy because many who have gone before us would not sell out, even at the cost of their lives. In this letter, I want to focus on one such story found in the Bible.

In 1 Kings 21, we read about King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, two of the most notorious and wicked figures in history. They were idolaters and murderers who themselves were later killed. As King and Queen of Israel, they had immense power and misused their power continually. They instituted the worship of Baal and Asherah across Israel and murdered many prophets of God.

Next to their palace was a vineyard owned by a man named Naboth, but Ahab wanted that vineyard for himself. Ahab offered to buy it from Naboth, but Naboth refused to sell it. The reason that he would not sell to Ahab was that the vineyard had been willed to him; it was his heritage. Heritage was very important to Naboth.

Ahab pouted over Naboth’s refusal, but Jezebel came up with a plan to get the vineyard. She proposed that they prepare a great banquet to honor Naboth and set him at the head of the table. While they were “honoring” Naboth, two false witnesses, “scoundrels”, would come in and accuse Naboth of “blaspheming God and the King.”

Weak Ahab and wicked Jezebel carried out the plan. As they dined in false honor, two worthless men, false witnesses, rushed in and declared that Naboth had “blasphemed God and the King.” Naboth was taken out immediately and stoned to death just because of that false accusation! What was Naboth’s “sin”? He loved his heritage; it was not for sale.

(Dr. R.G. Lee preached a masterful message on this story, entitled “Payday Someday.” It can still be viewed on YouTube. Dr. Lee covered far more than I can here.)

THREE POINTS
A major point that I want to stress is what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Jesus said much the same in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, know that it hated me.” And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.” It is worth noting that Jesus and Paul were killed for doing the will of God. Thank God, Jesus rose again! And the words of Paul continue to live on, bringing wisdom, comfort, and strength to more than two billion Christians worldwide.
While we should be “Wise as serpents and harmless as doves,” we must not sell out our mission to the threat of persecution (see Matthew 10).

A second point is that a righteous heritage is worth dying for—that is how we received it. If persecution, martyrdom, or accusations could have destroyed our heritage before we received it, then we would not have it. Countless lives have been given to purchase our heritage—our treasured gifts and liberties. Those who are unwilling to sacrifice are unworthy to receive what was purchased by sacrifice.

A third point to remember is that the enemy’s primary tool is accusation, and it is used against us all. Satan is rightly called “The Accuser of the Brethren” in Revelation 12:10. That verse says that he “accuses us before God day and night” as he did Job. His accusations certainly extend out into the culture, as he accused even Jesus of blasphemy and accused Paul of sedition and causing riots.

The next verse, Revelation 12:11, says that they overcame the accuser by the blood of the Lamb (God’s Covenant), the Word of their testimony, and loving not their own lives even unto death. So, there is a way to defeat the accuser by the blood of Jesus, giving our testimony, and a willingness to sacrifice.

"Rethink Church" by David Lindsay

1/9/2020

Tuesday, January 7, 2020:
Rethinking Church (Again, because I am asking myself questions.)
Not to ‘Throw Shade’ on ‘The Church,’ but I think that maybe it is time to rethink church as many of us now know it. I think that it is time to move away from Superheroes/Superstars and move into Fatherhood/Motherhood.
Maybe it is time to move away from organizations and memberships and into families. Maybe it is time to move from viewing the backs of heads and to looking each other face-to-face as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Many of us have grown up in a Hollywood culture - fame, stars, lights, cameras, bigger, better, glitz… but many of us have become jaded with all of this in society and in the church. Many of us have become exhausted with the shuffle of people from church to church depending upon who has the best show.
Many of us are tired of heroes, who never know us and are beginning to want fathers and mothers, who know our names. Maybe it is time to rethink church.
Maybe it is time to disrobe the church of glamour. Maybe it is time to rethink our music programs and make them simple. Maybe it is time to rethink our youth programs. Maybe it is time to rename our pastors. Maybe they should be seen as father or mother. You don’t vote in a new father or mother.
Maybe we should abandon the massive structures that we call CHURCH and gather as the church.
Maybe the church should look more like family. Maybe we should live more like family. Maybe we should share our meals together, share our dreams and pains together. Maybe, just maybe…
An organization barely notices when you don’t show up.
A family leaves a place at the table for you.
An organization doesn’t know or care when you leave.
A family mourns when you do.
An organization quickly moves to refill your position.
A family remains incomplete without you.
An organization puts the most qualified forward.
A family works to see each other become their best and a success.
We should be part of a family, not members of a club or organization.
I don’t know all of the how’s, but maybe it is time to rethink church as many of us now know it.
The Church - organic, simple and yet powerful - empowering sons and daughters to take their place in society, in the world, in history and in Family of God as sons and daughters and then as fathers and mothers for the glory of God!
"I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." - Jesus
Selah!

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