The Word of God, the Bible, is a spiritual treasure trove of admonition, instruction, teaching, guidance, etc. etc., but as we all know, if a person doesn’t receive the instruction, if they are not teachable, the truth falls on deaf ears and is not profitable. II Timothy 3:16 states “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” When we attend church and hear the teaching and preaching of the Word of God, our prayer is that we would “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Ecclesiastes 5:1, “…when thou goest to the house of God,…be more ready to hear…” Richard Baxter said, “For in a learning way men are ready to receive the truth, but in a disputing way they come armed against it with prejudice and animosity.” We speak of an “attitude” of learning, an attitude of humility, of being teachable even as a little child. Proverbs 8:33 states “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” We are not speaking of intelligence, we are talking about spirituality. In John 6:63 Jesus said “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The spirit of God teaches us by the Word of God.

We also learn from experience. In Philippians 4:11 the Apostle Paul said “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He knew both blessings and trials. He experienced both abundance and loss and was better for it. There was an Indian, who, whenever he reached a dangerous bog in the swamp, would put up a stake to mark the spot. By this means, he not only guarded his future movements, but furnished a warning to others who might pass that way. This is the benefit one generation derives from another.

We can also learn from someone’s else’s mistakes and experience. Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” What have we learned from the jealousy of Joseph’s brethren, the criticism of Job’s friends, the faith of Abraham, the help of Abigail, the providence of God in the book of Esther or the blessings of God in the book of Psalms? What have we learned from history? That we don’t learn from history!

Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” If you would find rest for your soul, if you would find wisdom and guidance for your life, learn of Him. May our Lord give us all a hunger and desire for His instruction.

All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who thro’ life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

Have you ever been offended or criticized? Of course you have. How are you doing because of that? Some people “carry” grudges or “hold” grudges. The damage and definition of a grudge are very negative. A grudge is to be discontented at another’s enjoyments or advantages. To murmur; to repine; to complain; as, to grudge or complain of injustice. Sullen malice or malevolence; ill will; secret enmity; hatred; as an old grudge. In James 5:9 we are instructed, “Grudge not one against another,…” Don’t waste your life with a wrong spirit. Thomas Hogben wrote “A grudge, a bitterness, a desire for retaliation – will break the wings of faith and hush the cry of real prayer.” The Sociology Department of Duke University did a study on peace of mind and happiness. They found nine factors that were most likely to contribute to mental and emotional stability. The very first and most important factors were “Absence of suspicion and resentment. Trusting and avoiding grudges were important.”

Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.” II Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” I Peter 4:9, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

A visitor from across the mountain leaned on the rail fence, watching his old friend plow. “I don’t like to butt in,” he finally said, “but you could save yourself a lot of work by saying “gee” and “haw” to that mule instead of just tuggin’ on them lines.” The old timer pulled a big handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his brow. “Yep, I know that,” he agreed, “but this mule kicked me six years ago and I ain’t spoke to him since.” Sound familiar? If you hold a grudge, it will be because YOU will not let it go.

If you hold onto a grudge you will hold on to ill will.
If you hold onto a grudge you will hold on to discontentment.
If you hold on to a grudge you will hold on to murmuring.
If you hold on to a grudge you will hold on to a bad spirit.

The terminology ought to be a warning to us all. Bearing a grudge. Holding a grudge. The load can be very heavy. Matthew Henry wrote, “If our brother has done us an injury, we must not return it upon him, that is avenging; we must not upon every occasion upbraid him with it, that is bearing a grudge; but we must both forgive it and forget it, for thus we are forgiven of God.” The longer you live, the more grudges will fill your life if you let them. This is why some people turn into bitter old folks. Break the habit in your youth. “Bitterness is its own prison.” The Lord wants to free you from such captivity. Job 42:10, “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends:…”

Mankind has spiritual needs. He has emotional needs and he has physical needs. Spirit, soul & body. I Thessalonians 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Spiritual needs can only be met by God. Joni Eareckson Tada writes “For a wheelchair may confine a body that is wasting away. But no wheelchair can confine the soul,… the soul that is inwardly renewed day by day. For paralyzed people can walk with the Lord. Speechless people can talk with the Almighty. Sightless people can see Jesus. Deaf people can hear the Word of God.” Hebrews 4:16 states “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” If we take this verse backwards…Help comes from grace and mercy and grace and mercy come from the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat represents the presence of God.

Ever pray like David?

Psalm 6:2 “”Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak:…”

Psalm 9:13 “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer…”

Psalm 25:16 “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted…”

Psalm 27:7 “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.”

Psalm 30:10 “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine, Can peace afford
I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power, When Thou art nigh!

Because we are needy, we come often to the throne of Grace! It is the only place to obtain the spiritual help that we need. A throne of Grace / A Help in time of need! This help is not just for our needs, but for the needs of others. We experience His mercy that we might be merciful to others. We experience His love that we might share that love with others. We are helped and comforted that we might comfort others. II Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort we ourselves are comforted of God.” Isaiah 25:4, “For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat,…” Those who know God, know where to find help…to find refuge.

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned Upon the Saviour’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned. His lips with grace o’erflow.
His lips with grace o’erflow.

“Abounding sin is the terror of the world, but abounding grace is the hope of mankind.”
– A.W. Tozer

“I’ll do what I want, the way I want, when I want!” Wow! What a picture of a proud and stubborn self-will. To be fair, it is sometimes wise and prudent to follow your will above someone else’s will. The Christian, however, is led by and interested in God’s will. But even saying something is “God’s will” can be used as an excuse for man to have his own way. Paul E. Little in his sermon entitled “Affirming the Will of God” states “It sounds terribly spiritual to say “God led me”, but I am always suspicious of a person who implies that he has a “personal” pipeline to God. When no one else senses that what the person suggests is the will of God, they had better be careful. God has been blamed for the most outlandish things by people who have confused their own inverted pride with God’s will.” Remember, God’s Will is found in God’s Word.

II Peter 3:9 states “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Willing means pleased to or desirous, consenting with pleasure without reluctance. Remember your wedding vow? Will you take this woman…will you take this man… Your vows made were definitely consenting with pleasure! A chaplain was speaking to a soldier on a cot in a hospital. “You have lost an arm in a great cause,” said the chaplain. “No,” said the soldier with a smile. “I didn’t lose it – I gave it.” Being willing is not tied to circumstances. The husband gained a wife, the soldier lost an arm. Both were willing. Jesus was willing to die on a cross for you. He suffered the shame of the cross for “the joy set before him.” He delighted to do the will of the Father! Concerning giving His life, Jesus says in John 10 :18 “No man taketh if from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” Mark 1:40-42, “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.” What a great combination! If you want to be cleansed, Jesus wants to cleanse you. If you want to be saved and forgiven, Jesus wants to save and forgive you. What a great combination.

John Powell wrote, “I have a sign in the mirror of my room I see it every morning in my groggy condition, when I first wake up: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT GOING TODAY, GOD? I’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF IT. THANKS FOR LOVING ME.” He went on to say “That’s the condition of successful prayer.”

The sign on the back of a trailer read “If I’m not headed west, stop me and turn me around.” William Barclay wrote, “However far you go, it is not much use if it is not in the right direction.” Some people go a long way in the wrong direction! Isaiah 30:21 states, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” You may not know the way, but if you know the Guide, He will show you the way. John 16:13 …he will guide you into all truth. John 17:17 …thy word is truth. There is an old proverb that says “It is better to ask the way ten times than to take the wrong road once.”

A certain Christian traveler was packing his suitcase, about to proceed on a journey. He remarked to a friend: “There is still a little corner left open in which I desire to pack a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a telescope, a book of poems, a number of biographies, a bundle of old letters, a hymnbook, a sharp sword, a small library,– all these articles must occupy a space of about three by two inches.” “How are you going to manage that?” asked his friend. The reply was, “Very easily; for the Bible contains all these things.” David said in Psalm 73 that God would guide him with His counsel.

When one tries to increase his knowledge by doing mental gymnastics over books without waiting upon God and looking to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, his soul is plainly in full swing. This will deplete his spiritual life. Because the fall of man was occasioned by seeking knowledge, God uses the foolishness of the cross to “destroy the wisdom of the wise.” Watchman Nee

There are four things important so as not to forsake the Guide!

Genesis 24:27 “…I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”
DON’T FORSAKE HIS WAY.

Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
DON’T FORSAKE HIS WISDOM.

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
DON’T FORSAKE HIS WORD.

James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…”
DON’T FORSAKE PRAYER.

Spurgeon wrote, “Meek spirits are in high favour with the Father of the meek and lowly Jesus, for he sees in them the image of his only begotten Son. They know their need of guidance, and are willing to submit their own understandings to the divine will, and therefore the Lord condescends to be their guide.”

It has been said “Never substitute the peace of circumstance for the peace of God.” The peace of circumstance is a real peace, but it is not like the peace of God because it completely depends on the circumstances. There seems to be a real lack of circumstantial peace today. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth…” This is inner peace.

I love Thy Word, O God: For comfort freely given;
For inner peace that keeps my soul, And gives me thoughts of heaven.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding…” Philippians 4:7. What an amazing statement! Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace…” That is the comfort of the Scriptures. Psalms 29:11, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” Peace is a blessing. It is defined as freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience. Isaiah 32:17, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” J. Oswald Sanders said that peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. You cannot have the peace of God unless you have made peace with God.

“Jesus was a man of peace; He came into our world, and was worshipped at His nativity as the Prince of Peace: He lived to make peace “by the blood of his cross”: He died to complete it. When He was going out of the world, He said to His disciples, “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth…” When He was risen from the dead,…and made His first appearance to His disciples, He said to them, “Peace be unto you”: He is the peacemaker: the Holy Ghost is the peace bringer: His gospel is the gospel of peace:”
Samuel Pierce

The reason Jesus came into this world and died in our place, for our sins, was so that we could make peace with a holy God. You can read about this in Ephesians chapter 2. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through of Lord Jesus Christ:” If you have never made peace with God, you may do that right now by receiving His Son Jesus as your Savior. “He that hath the Son hath life.” “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Pray and ask God to forgive you and receive Jesus as your Savior.

Romans 15:13 states, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Make peace with God and then you will enjoy the peace of God.