WHERE ARE YOUR EYES

“The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all!" (Eccl. 2:14 NKJV).

It is true that our eyes are in our head, but our verse is talking about character. To have our eyes in our head here means that our eyes are connected to wisdom. Thus we want to note three things involved in having one’s eyes in their head: they concern perception, priorities, and purity.

Perception - Everyone does not have the same perception. For example, spectators watching a sporting event will seldom see what the coaches see. In regards to character, some folks will not only see the material side of life but will also see the spiritual side. They will see more than the outward appearance but also the inward appearance. They will not be fooled by the attractive appeal of sin but will see through the disguises of evil. Yes, those with eyes in their head will also perceive great truths in the Scripture.

Priorities - Those with eyes in their head will have good priorities. They will not be wasting time at school when they should to be studying. They will not be distracted along the road when they are driving. They will not be looking at the world for guidance but will be looking at the Word for directions. They will keep their eyes focused upon Christ.

Purity - Those with eyes in their head will not let their eyes dwell on the unholy, the foul, and the impure; but they will turn away from evil sights to the virtuous. Lot’s wife did not have her eyes in her head when she looked back at Sodom. David did not have his eyes in his head when he looked at Bathsheba bathing. Those with eyes in their head will not have difficulty knowing what is pornographic. Those who claim they cannot tell if something is pornographic or not have their eyes in their lusts, not in their head.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A wanton eye is a messenger of an unchaste heart!”

Augustine of Hippo (354 A.D. – 430 A.D.) Theologian and Philosopher

Word Study

Devout

In acts 10:2 we read, “A devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (NKJV).

Devout is the Greek word eusebēs (εὐσεβής = yoo-seb-ace'). It is made up of two words: “eu” which well, and “sebomai” which means fall back before. Thus the word means devout, godly, reverent, and religious. It describes one who has an attitude of reverence exhibited in his actions. In secular Greek use eusebēs described practical piety towards one’s parents. It follows that eusebēs can refer to unbelievers characterized by piety but not spiritual enlightenment, or to believers characterized by a holy life. It is living a life that is pleasing to God. It is not talking ‘godly’ but living ‘godly.’ In the case of Cornelius, devout was an apt description for he was a man who looked both Godward (prayers) and manward (alms)! A devout man does not ‘keep it to himself’ but his devout life spills over like a refreshing spring of living waters onto those around him.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah’s resurrection predicted (Isa. 25:8)

New Testament Fulfillment – 1 Cor. 15:58

Did You Know…

In the Bible, the Lord Jesus is referred as abiding or continuing forever (Heb. 7:24)

Bible Quiz

What does the name “Moses” mean?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Once David and Bathsheba’s child died, what did David do? Cleaned himself up, worshipped the Lord and ate (2 Sam. 12:20).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“King of the mountain (hill)”

“Many people shall come and say, come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3 NKJV).

“King of the mountain (hill)” - The expression “king of the mountain (hill)” carries the idea of ruler or leader. In context it refers to the reign of the Lord. The term “mountain” can represent a kingdom or kingship. The Lord will ultimately elevate Zion as the spiritual center of the world. Gentiles from many nations will encourage one another to go up to Jerusalem to seek the Lord, learn His ways and make them the standard of their lives as they walk in His paths. They will abandon their idols and worship the true God of Israel.

Did You Know – Christian History

Paul Gerhardt was born March 12, 1607 in the Wittenberg District, Germany. He was a German theologian, Lutheran minister and hymnodist

Gerhardt was born into a middle-class family. In January 1628 he enrolled in the University of Wittenberg. There, two teachers in particular had an influence on him: Paul Rober and Jacob Martini. Both of these men were staunch Lutherans, promoting its teachings not only in the classroom but in sermons and hymns. Rober in particular often took his sermon texts from hymns. In this way Gerhardt was taught the use of hymnody as a tool of pastoral care and instruction.

Two thirds of Gerhardt’s life was lived during the Thirty Years War. The fighting of that terrible struggle ravaged Central Europe, and Gerhardt endured much personal and family misfortune during this time. But his suffering gave power, depth, and beauty to his hymns, and he learned to sing of his faith under trying circumstances. His inner peace of soul was anchored in the Peace of God, as is apparent from the words of his hymn, “Commit Thou all Thy Griefs...”

Not able to get a settled position for years, Gerhardt worked as a private tutor. At forty-five he was offered the pastorate of a Church in the small village of Mittenwalde. He was finally able to marry and to publish the hymns he had been writing for many years. In 1657 Gerhardt was called as an assistant pastor to the great cathedral in Berlin. There he enjoyed fame as a preacher and was honored as a man of piety and good works.

In 1664 Gerhardt refused to sign a declaration issued by Frederich Wilhelm I forbidding the free discussion of the differences between the Lutherans and Reformed Churches. For this he was deposed from his office and no longer allowed to practice his clerical functions. However, two years later he was given a lower-ranking church appointment.

Gerhardt continued to minister through his hymns, which have become a strong part of the Lutheran tradition. Gerhardt died on 27 May 1676. Of his 120 hymns, 40 are still in common use. Gerhardt translated Bernard of Clairvaux’s “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” into German; his German translation is the basis of the most-used English version. John and Charles Wesley were deeply moved by Gerhardt’s hymns and translated several into English, including “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me.” Three centuries later, during his imprisonment by the Nazis, the theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer found solace in Paul Gerhardt’s hymns, which he had known since childhood.

A Little Humor

Teacher: “Washington chopped down the cherry tree, but then admitted it. Does anyone know why his father didn’t punish him?”

Brian: “Because he still had the axe in his hand.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“The only solution to the sin question is Calvary!”