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Equilibrium with God and His ways in life and nature is crucial for lasting success. In this message we look at the importance of just weights and measures in everyday life and also the active involvement God has in approving and rejecting false balances in life. We also see the principle of true balance goes beyond the marketplace and is also part of a proper social and moral life with society and society's relationship with God. We see God requires that mankind must maintain a righteous and just balance or be opposed. (Preached Sunday Night 2-3-2024, By Brother John Young, at Green Meadow Bible Baptist Church, in Kalamazoo MI.)

Knowing we will reap what we sow, Solomon encourages us to diligently and faithfully sow things that will last into eternity rather than wasting time on things that will not last. He also cautions us to sow wholeheartedly in the prescribed way so that we can get the full reward of our labors. In this passage he contrasts those who sow correctly with those who sow in the wrong ways. He shows us that if we are faithful to the ways of God we will have joy and strength for the work and enjoy many years of fruitful service. Proverbs 10:24-32 24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. 25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. 26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. 27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 29 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

If Christians only have a warrior mentality and are not diligent for the harvest then no matter how skillful we are with our words the church will starve. It is very critical to always be mindful for the harvest by sowing, nourishing and growing each other with our words rather than fighting and tearing at each other. A true Son of God will always be a caring farmer first and a farmer who can fight second, taking care never to hurt the crop in the process of trying to defend it from harm. In this passage we show the mentality each of us should have in the care of God's Words so that there will be an increase. (Preached by Brother John Young on Wednesday 8-27-2023 at Green Meadow Bible Baptist Church, Kalamazoo MI)

Every woman has a choice in life to make and The Path that they take will determine the outcome of their life. They have two paths they can take. The path of the Strange Woman (Proverbs Chapter 7) or the path of the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs Chapter 31). In this sermon we contrast the two so that each woman can see the indicators in their own life to see what path they are on and so that the can correct their ways to get fully on the virtuous path and to avoid the traps of the Strange woman who's discontented spirit seeks to pull them away and destroy their life and full potential for peace and joy. (Preached Sunday Evening, 4-30-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)

The unexpected happenstances of our life often causes distress, sorrow, and worry. Life is often hard and full of struggles and unexpected obstacles that do not seem to be easy to overcome, which constantly affects our joy. Yet, with just a little bit of wisdom much of life's issues are alleviated and become of no real concern. With wisdom life becomes pleasant and peaceful and easy and no matter what comes you can still have a long prosperous life while remaining joyful and at peace. We also show how many invite evil on themselves and bring the curse of God on their house because they lacked wisdom in dealing with others, making their life harder, worse and more evil than it needed to be. We then show how to keep from such a situation from occurring. (Preached Sunday Evening, 2-12-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton) Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. 27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous. 33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Having right character and integrity will ensure a strong foundation for all our interactions (Relationships) and determinations (carefully choosing right decisions for life). Many of the issues in life often stem from the fact that many have not properly determined and solidified their Godly character and their resolution to hold on to it. In this sermon we show what makes character Godly and how not to deviate from it when pressured to do so. (Preached Sunday Evening, 2-05-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton) Proverbs 3:1-12 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: 12 for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Set befor every young person are many paths of life that can lead to good or evil, life or death. In determining our path of life God observes every decision we make and fashions our path accordingly (Psalm 33:10-15). God will give the humble wisdom and understanding to be able to chose every good path in life and be protected from the dangers ahead. Yet we are to fear Him because if we become proud or arrogant by forsaking our father or mother or His revealed wisdom then He will leave us to our own folly in choosing our own paths and allow destruction and death to come upon us when we encounter it (James 4:6, Proverbs 14:12, Romans 13:2). Therefore we should fear God and submit to HIs will for us in all things so that we can receive grace and mercy for life from Him. (Preached Sunday Evening, 1-15-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton) Proverbs 2 - My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 to deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17 which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

The getting of Wisdom is the greatest task of every young person. In this passage we see the getting of good wisdom alluded to as a young man getting a good and wise wife to help him succeed in every important task in life. In this sermon we show how three types of men reject wisdom (the Simple, the Scorner, and the Fool) and how they are destroyed because of their failure in choosing, marrying, and caring for wisdom as a man does with his good wife. (Preached Sunday Evening, 1-8-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton) Proverbs 1:20-33 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: 30 they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

The greatest fear of every parent is that their children will go down the wrong path by the enticement of the wrong people. Yet the child in ignorance and innocence is often enticed by those people and things which seem good to them at first yet will end in destruction of their life and soul. In this sermon we show the warning signs of those wrong paths and people who take them. In this we see that the Sinner's Path is always the same and the end result on the soul is always the same no matter what it pretends to be or to offer. When we observe the Ways of Sinners and see the warning signs of their path, then, regardless of appearance, we will see and be warned, keeping ourselves away from their enticements and deceits. (Preached Sunday Evening, 1-1-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton) Proverbs 1:7-19 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: 15 my son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Obedience to your parents as children is a fundamental building block in the childhood of any person. On the practical level this passage emphasizes the importance of obeying the instruction and boundaries good parents can instill into their children as they grow. Yet also, on a deeper level, the passage challenges the wise to recognize our Spiritual Father (God) and Mother (The Scriptures). In all this we see also the importance to have good parents to be instructed by because who our parents will determine who we can become (Good or Bad parents can only teach us what they know). As we go deeper, we see how we can also follow other "father figures" and "mother figures" in addition to our physical and Spiritual parents. We show also how to determine what your parent figures are in your life and how you can determine if the deserve this role and if they are good or bad. (Preached Sunday Evening, 12-11-2022, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton) Proverbs 1:7-10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.