Currently Reading The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel By Mark Dever, Paul Alexander see related

The Hand of God: Reflections on Psalm 139

Currently Reading The Magician's Nephew (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1) By C. S. Lewis see related

What Makes a Person Persuasive?

Proverbs 16:21- The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Tonight I flipped on CNN, and listened to three political analysts tell me which presidential candidate deserved my vote. One gentlemen, a middle-aged, heavy-set, outspoken fellow, was very articulate and spoke with great passion. I must say, he was very convincing. But just at the point when I was about to side with him, he started interrupting other people, talking over them, and being loud and belligerent.

And all of his rude antics kind of made me forget about his good points. His content hadn’t really changed much. But he seemed much less convincing. In fact, because he was so cantankerous, I didn’t care to listen to him much.

That’s what happened when I listened to an Obama/Clinton debate a few months back. I couldn’t have told you who had a better plan to save health care—both plans sounded equally plausible (or implausible, I guess…). But Clinton seemed loud and defensive, and a little bit harsh. And Obama seemed cool and collected. And because of it, Obama was more convincing.

It is hard to deny that a calm ethos makes a man (or woman) persuasive. Right content is only half the battle in convincing someone else of a point. You must also present the content in a particular way.

Perhaps that is why the Bible is so adamant that we speak to others gently and with respect. Nothing is more winsome than a respectful word,and a listening ear. People will not listen to true words if they are spoken from rude lips. Gentle words make a man persuasive.

I Peter 3:15- But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Currently Listening Add to the Beauty By Sara Groves see related

The Fear of the LORD in Proverbs

1:7- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

3:7- Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

8:13- To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

9:10- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

10:27- The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

14:2- He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him.

14:16- A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

14:26- He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

14:27- The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

15:16- Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

15:33- The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. [or, “Wisdom teaches the fear of the LORD”]

16:6- Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

19:23- The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

22:4- Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

23:17- Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

24:21-22- Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

24:14- Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

[29:25; Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. See also Luke 12:4-5]

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

OBSERVATIONS:

1. The fear of the LORD has a positive component and a negative component. Positively, it embraces upright living. Negatively, it despises and hates evil behavior.

2. The fear of the LORD brings many blessings to life. These blessings include wisdom, length of life, a secure fortress for a man and his family, a fountain of life turning a man from the snares of death, avoidance of evil, wealth, honor, life, safety, and praise.

3. The fear of the LORD is the starting point for a life of wisdom. All those who would seek to be wise must first start by fearing the LORD. The fear of the LORD is the gate by which one enters the way of wisdom.

4. The fear of the LORD is connected with humility. In fact, these two themes are nearly synonymous. To fear the LORD and tremble before Him leads one to see himself as small in relation to God's majesty. And to see oneself as small compared with the matchless glory of God is to be humble. Arrogant men have not experienced a transforming glimpse of God’s presence. [see 3:7, 15:33, 22:4 ]

5. The opposite of the fear of the LORD is fear of man. [See 29:25, and Luke 12:4-5]

CONCLUSION:

The man who trembles before the LORD will be unshakable before men.

Currently Reading The Chronicles of Narnia (7-Book Box Set includes "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "Prince Caspian," "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," "The Silver Chair," "The Magician's Nephew," " The Horse and His Boy" and "The Last Battle") By C.S. Lewis see related

Let Me Tell You a Secret

Everyone loves a good secret. There is nothing like having the feeling that you have an inside scoop on some little-known piece of insider information. To hear a secret is to become a person of privilege—to be let into the inner ring. A friend pulls you to the side and says, “Now I want to tell you something, but you can’t let another soul hear about it—you’re the first person I’ve told, and the only one safe enough to know what I’m about to tell you....” And your ears almost dance with anticipation.

Perhaps that is why the book “The Secret” is doing so well. With a title like that, it almost doesn’t matter what is inside! What’s the secret? I must know!

The apostle Paul once had a secret. Not many people knew about it in his day. And even today few people have ever heard it. You probably wish you knew it, because it sure would make your life a whole lot better. Are you ready? Well, you’ll have to come close, because I don’t want this getting out…

Paul discovered the secret of being content in any and every situation. Now there’s a secret! And what was astonishing about his little secret was that it could be applied in the most extreme circumstances—whether he could barely pay the bills and life was by all of our standards rather crumby, or whether he was rolling in the dough, with extra money for golf and eating out.

It didn’t really matter to Paul what life brought his way. By looking at him, you wouldn’t know if he was cooking up Ramen or feasting on filet mignon. You couldn’t tell if he was barely scraping by or raking it in. You see, he knew a secret. And the secret helped him to be completely at rest and satisfied in his existence. He was content both in the worst and best that life could bring him. Now that’s something that Americans like me are constantly striving for! What was the secret?

Whether life’s blessing or curse fell his way, he learned to stop dwelling on his poverty (or prosperity), and instead rely on God’s power. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13). Gazing on Christ and relying upon Divine power is the secret to being content in whatever situation life may bring our way. And there is strength stored up for all who would listen to this secret.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…” Phil. 4:12

Currently Reading Miracles By C. S. Lewis see related

Is Matt Rusten a Submissive Wife?

Perhaps one day, if I get lucky, I will have a wife. And if she is Godly, the Scriptures tell me that she will be submissive. Of course, this looks quite a bit different than the picture that many 21^st century Americans might have of a quiet, lifeless, thoughtless wife who cowers and submits to a harsh, cruel husband. Submission isn’t about male totalitarianism, or male domination, or patriarchal rule, or a thousand other feminist monikers. But a wife’s life is supposed to provide a living, radiant picture of Jesus’ life—it should be an image of Christ’s glad submission to His Father. By looking at a Christian marriage, a lost world should be able to learn something about God.

But all this wife talk has got me thinking—for I am also a wife, and I have been for some time. And this without surgery! In fact, if I ever get married, alongside of my role as being a husband, I will continue to be a wife. Well, a wife at least in so far as I am a part of the corporate bride of Christ, the Church (forgive me for my Western individualism!). I, along with the Church, act as God’s bride—if you will allow me to say it—His wife.

All of this leads me to ask a very important question: How am I, as a male, doing in my wifely submissive role to my husband, the Triune God? Do my day-to-day thoughts, actions, and attitudes demonstrate joy-filled submission to a faithful, glorious Bridegroom? And secondly, should I be disappointed if I do not marry a submissive wife when I often act as a rebellious, stubborn bride myself? Or worse still, what if it is God’s intention to lead me to a wife as obstinate as myself?!? Lord, have mercy!

There is not a creature on earth that falls outside of the calling of submission. Because, at the end of the day, there is only one Husband, and male and female alike will one day submit to his joyful rule.