Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

 

How does this play out in our lives?

 

It plays out as we rub shoulders with all kinds of people, the good and the not so good. We can be sharpened through good people who speak into our lives. We can be sharpened through people who irritate us, and who are not easy to love. We are sharpened by people who don't think like us, and may even oppose us. 

 

The idea here is that friction is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be a very good thing. Yet, we must not resist the master (God) who is using that very thing to refine us. We must not run from the friction, but embrace it. 

 

Now no one likes the process, but we must learn from the process. If we don't, we the blade will get all nicked up and dull. Then become ineffective or useless to the master. 

 

I find a problem among many Christians today. They don't want to fellowship with other Christians, especially those who don't believe or think like them. They don't want anyone to hold them accountable. They only want to be around people who are like minded, and easy to get a long with. This is one of the reasons many believers don't attend church or enter into fellowship with other believers. Also, it is one of the reasons why there is so many church defections. 

 

Now I am not opposed to us having fellowship with people who are like minded, and easy to love. Yet, if this is the only people we surround ourselves with, then we are not being honed to the sharpness that is most beneficial.

 

Thankfully, we can never avoid all those people who rub us the wrong way, no matter how hard we try.

Let us not go up here without your presence

Exodus 33:15 - Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

I love this verse. God told Moses and the people of Israel to go possess the promise land, and declared that He would not go with them because they were a stiff necked people. In response, Moses says, we need your presence. Moses understood the importance of God's presence. He understood that it was God's presence that distinguished the people of Israel from all the other nations.

In the same way, it is the Holy Spirit and His abiding presence in our lives that distinguishes us. We have an advantage over Moses, God's presence is always with us. Yet, we often don't give place to His presence (Holy Spirit). We need to cultivate the presence of God in our lives through prayer, meditation on God's Word, and fellowship with other believers.

It is not our outward appearance that distinguishes us, or our own righteousness that distinguishes. It is not even what we do. It is giving the presence of the Holy Spirit its rightful place. Yes, God's abiding presence will be seen through our actions. While any good action that does not come from the Holy Spirit workings will not distinguish us. It will fall flat because it is produced in the flesh and often hypocritical. Also, other will sense the presence of the Lord in your life, and see the genuineness of God's Holy Spirit in you. Those who are open to the things of God will be drawn to you, and those who are resistant will be repelled by you.

Exodus 34:29 - "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord."
As we spend time with the Lord, we to will radiate His presence. People will see His glory even our face.

A dose of humility

Sometimes we need a dose of humility. Read I Corinthians 1:26-30.

 

Don't forget where you have come from. Don't forget that all you are accomplishing is by God's grace. Don't forget that if it wasn't for Jesus you wouldn't be who you are or where you are.

 

I Corinthians 1:31 says, "Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

 

God has used a lot of messed up people to accomplish His purposes.

- Jacob the deceiver.

- Moses who was a coward, murderer, and not eloquent in public speaking.

- Gideon the coward. 

- The pride of Samson, and foolish love.

- David an adulterer, and murderer.

- Rahab the prostitute who protected the spies of Israel.

- The cowardly, doubting and sometimes clueless disciples, and many were not well educated or came from the well known or the wealthy families.

- Paul who persecuted the church.

- Don't forget the whale God used to turn Jonas around and the donkey that God used to speak to Balaam.

Finally, when you look at church history through the ages, God has used all kinds of people who were failures and unqualified to further His kingdom. He uses them because they have to depend on Him only. He does this that He might receive the glory.

A word of caution, do not use this as an excuse to fail or sin. God does seek godliness and excellence in all we do. Yet, what God seeks mostly is those who are willing to give their all to Him, and allow Him to use them. 

 

Oh yeah! You people who are oozing with talent (abilities), confidence, and living a life that is pleasing to God. God is able to use you tremendously if we give Him control of all the greatness in us. 

Romans 12:3 - "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Devotional Thoughts #3

1. Proverbs 10:3 - The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry.
2. Proverbs 10:19 - When words a re many, sin is not absent.
3. Proverbs 11:18 - The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
4. Proverbs 11:25 -  Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
5. Proverbs 12:18 - " The words of the reckless pierce like swords,but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
6. Proverbs 13:3 -  Those who guard their lips preserve their lives.
7. Proverbs 15:32 -  Those who disregard discipline despise themselves.
8. Proverbs 16:3 - " Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
9. Proverbs 16,1,4,9; 19:21 - The Lord has the final word in everything.
10. Proverbs 16:18 - " Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
11. Proverbs 17:5 - "...Whoever gloats over someones disaster will not go unpunished."
12. Proverbs 17:9 - "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."
13. Proverbs 17:27 - " The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered."
14. Proverbs 21:31 - " There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."
15. Proverbs 23:17 - "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord."
16. Proverbs 24:11 - "Rescue those being led away to death;..."
17. Proverbs 25:15 - "........ a gentle tongue can break a bone."
18. Proverbs 27:1 - "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."
19. Proverbs 27:2 - "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;...."
20. Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
21. Proverbs 29:7 - " The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."
22. Proverbs 31:8 - " Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."
23. Proverbs 31:30 - " Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
24. Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 -
      1) God made everything beautiful in His time.
      2) God desires us to be satisfied with what we do and have.
      3) Everything that God does will endure.
      4) He has put eternity in the hearts of men.
25. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - There is strength in numbers.
26. Ecc. 5:1-2 - Be careful how you approach God.
27. Ecc. 7:9 - Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit.
28. Ecc. 7:18 - The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
29. Ecc. 12:13 - "...  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."
30. Isaiah 1:15 - God does not listen to the prayers of the wicked.
31. Isaiah 1:17 - Encourage the oppressed, and defend the orphans and widows.
32. Isaiah 5:20 -  " Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,..."
33. Isaiah 5;21 -  " Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes  and clever in their own sight."
34. Isaiah 9:6 - Jesus is the  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
35. Isaiah 26:3-4 - "You will keep in perfect peacethose whose minds are steadfast,because they trust in you.Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
36. Isaiah 26:7 - The path of the righteous is level.
37. Isaiah 26:9 - "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you..."
38. Isaiah 26:12 - "... all that we have accomplished you have done for us."
39. Isaiah 32:17 - " The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."
40.Isaiah 40:28 - "... He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom."
41. Isaiah 40:30-31 - Those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. 
42. Isaiah 41:10 - " So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;...."
43. Isaiah 41:11 - Do not fear those who oppose you. They will be ashamed and disgraced.
44. Isaiah 43:2 - God protects us in the midst of trials and storms of life. 
45. Isaiah 43:18-19 - " Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wildernessand streams in the wasteland."
46. Isaiah 44:7 - "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster;....."
47. Isaiah 46:9-10 - " I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster;..."
48. Isaiah 48:10 - "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."
49.  Isaiah 48:11 - God will not yield His authority to another.
50. Isaiah 48:17 - "....... I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
51. Isaiah 53:4-5 - By Christ's wounds we are healed spiritually and physically.
52. Isaiah 54:2 - Make preparation for God's increase and expansion.
53. Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon formed against God's servants will prevail.
54. Isaiah 55:1-2 - Only Christ can truly satisfy.
55. Isaiah 55:8 - " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord."
56. Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word will not return empty, but will accomplish its purpose.
57. Isaiah 59:2 - Our unrepentant sin separates us from God.
58. Isaiah 61:1-3 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.
59. Isaiah 63:9 - When we are distressed God is distressed.
60. Isaiah 63:10 - The people of Israel grieved the H.S.
61. Isaiah 63:10 - When His people live in disobedience, He can fight against them.
62. Isaiah 65:2 - All day long God holds out His hands to His saints who are in disobedience and rebellion towards Him.
63. Isaiah 65:13-14 - God is able to protect His faithful in the midst of judgement.
64. Isaiah 66:2 -  "... These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
65.  Jeremiah 7:1-4, 9-10 - We can't live like the world, then come to church and think your safe.

66.Jeremiah 17:5 - "This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord."

67. Jeremiah 17:8 - The man who fears the Lord and walks in His way. He will not weary in times of trouble, and bear fruit always.

68. Jeremiah 25:9 - God can use the wicked for His purposes.

69.  Jeremiah 33:22 - I believe a prophesy of God's church as a priesthood.

70. Jeremiah 48:10 - “A curse on anyone who is lax in doing the Lord’s work!....."
71. Lamentations 3:31-33 - God will disciple us for a season, but He finds no pleasure in it because of His great love for us.
72.  Lamentations 3:38 - "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?"
73. Lamentations 3:40 - " Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."
74. Ezekiel 18:19-20 - Each man will be judged according to their sins, not the sins of others.
75. Ezekiel 18:23 - "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
76. Ezekiel 18:24 - "If a righteous man turns away from righteous living, all his righteous deeds will not be remembered. He will be judged for his sinful ways.
77. Ezekiel 22:30 - God is looking for those who will stand in the gap on behalf of the land.
78. Ezekiel 33:1-9 - We are to show the sinner the error of hsi way, if not we will be held accountable.
79. Ezekiel 33:12-16 - Our many acts of righteousness does not cover future sins. One righteous act does not balance out one sinful act.
80-. Ezekiel 34:1-6 - 
       A shepherds responsibility:
       - Strengthen the weak
       - Heal the sick.
       - Bind the injured.
       - Search for the lost.
       - Rule them gently.
81. Ezekiel 47:1-12 - There is a river that flows from God that brings life and healing.
82. Hosea 4:1 - When man forgets or abandons God's principles, the land suffers.
83. Hosea 6:1 - God desires mercy, not sacrifice.
84. Hosea 9:7 - Sin blinds poeple to wisdom and truth.
85. Hosea 10:12 -  Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
86. Joel 2:13 - "  Rend your heart........... Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
87. Nahum 1:7 - " The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,"
88. Habakkuk 3:17-19 -  Even in the worse times, we need to rejoice and be joyful, knowing that God is our salvation. He enables me to be on the mountains while my feet are still in the valley.
89. Zephaniah 1:12 - God will punish those who are complacent.
90. Haggai 1:5-12 - Those who put their desires over God's will not prosper.
91. Zechariah 3:7 - It is those who walk in obedience that will govern God's house and his courts, and will have a place of standing among the servants of God.
92. Zechariah 4:6 - ".... ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty."
                               It is only through God's Spirit that anything of alsting value will be accomplished.
93. Zecharaih 7:13 - "“‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty."
94. Matthew 4:4 - God's Word is bread and life.
95. Matthew 4:23 - There is no disease  or sickness that God can not heal.
96. Matthew 5:13-14 - We are the salt and light of the world.
97. Matthew 5:16 - " In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
98. Matthew 5:19 - Those who obey God's law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
99. Matthew 5:44 - " But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"
100. Matthew 7:25 - " The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
101. Matthew 7:7-11 - God is a loving Fahter, and gives good gifts to His children if only they would ask.