Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Author: Sir Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Does anyone find it kind of ironic that when we set off to find happiness or joy or significance or meaning or purpose or passion, we seldom find it? Instead, when we zealously pursue opportunities to love God, to declare our love of God and then to serve others and we seemingly find ourselves zealously pursuing every opportunity for giving our whole selves wholeheartedly to the Lord and his work, it is then we find what we most need? What is this zealous pursuit?
Proverbs 21:21 New American Standard Bible
21 One who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
What are we pursuing in life? It is not unusual to hear someone say that they are pursuing a career in some field of endeavor. When we hear someone say this, we know that they are putting their energies and their time into study and practice of that discipline. It means that they have a goal in front of them and that goal is what guides them in much of what they do. Thus, the question begs to be asked, “What exactly are we pursuing when it comes to spiritual things?”
God points us to wisdom by telling us that there are two things that are very worthy of pursuit when it comes to spiritual matters. These two things are righteousness and loyalty. Today we will take a closer look at what it means to pursue these two things. We will also see in the rewards that God says come to those to zealously follow this pursuit the reason why this is exceedingly wise.
When God says to pursue these things He uses the word, “radaph.” This word means to chase or to follow after closely and with great effort and energy. The idea is that one is not just to pursue – but one is to overtake these things.
The mindset is that we will not be content with a life without righteousness and without loyalty. These are things we absolutely must have – and thus in our pursuit we are to be passionate and totally committed. This is not a hobby or just something to add to our resume. This is a hot pursuit that is pleased only with the eventual ‘catching’ or ‘having’ of these things. Nothing else will do.
We pursue righteousness – which in Hebrew is “tsedequah.” This word means righteousness abstractly – but when applied to how we live our lives it speaks of moral rectitude – of an over-zealous desire to have our lives measure up to a standard of right and good and moral that is found in God and in His Word.
It speaks of living a life of justice in how we relate to others and especially how we relate to the poor and unfortunate. The word refers to a moral standard that is not set according to the world and its views. The moral standard and ethical sentiment we embrace is that which is found only in the pages of Scripture.
Yet the righteousness we seek is not by law. The Scriptures which speak of this righteousness say that we obtain it by faith. It is not a set of rules – it is a person – the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, we over-zealously pursue Him for only He can transform us and make us righteous.
We also pursue loyalty. The Hebrew word used here is “chesed” which refers to more than just a loyalty. This is the word that most closely relates to the New Testament word grace. It is the word that is used to describe God’s love and commitment to His covenant people. It is easily translated, “covenant-love.”
Apostle Paul repeatedly says to us in the New Testament to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
What we are to pursue in life is the grace of God. We live by the grace of God – and advance in life by the grace of God. In pursuing grace – we are kind of pursuing the One who is waiting for us to come back to our senses. We pursue love and we pursue commitment. We pursue a selflessness that is evidenced by the unconditional love of God in Christ Jesus. Kind of cool here to see that even in an Old Testament proverb we are told to pursue righteousness by faith and a God who gives us such a righteousness by His loving, matchless, selfless grace.
What will we find when we give ourselves to such a pursuit?
We are told of three things.
First is that we will receive life.
“Chayim” is the word for life here – and it simply means life itself. We are made alive when we pursue these two wonderful things.
Consider the New Testament call to us – that when we pursue Christ, Who is the ultimate source of life – the ultimate way of life – and who is the life itself – we receive eternal life. This is the life of our God, Who alone is eternal. We have an unmatchable quality of life that can only be received from God Himself.
Second in our set of three blessings is “righteousness.”
This is the same word as was used earlier – and it simply means that in seeking and pursuing righteousness – we receive our righteousness as a gift by faith – only through the grace of God.
This does not mean we attain righteousness by our own choice of lifestyle. The fact is we are given righteousness by a gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are stunned to learn that when God gives us this gift – we are just as righteous as Jesus Himself – by God’s wonderful gift – and as a result of that – we can be transformed to reflect that righteousness in all our ways.
The third in this list of glorious benefits is honor.
The word for honor here is “kavod” and it is the word God uses for glory.
When we pursue the proper things – it is to the glory of God – and we receive from it the honor of His working in our hearts. What a glorious gift is ours – to receive the glory of salvation – the glory of God’s righteousness – the glory of being at peace with God – the glory of His marvelous transformation of our lives. This is ours when we pursue the One Who in His mercy still waits for us.
Want to know what to pursue in life? Pursue God our Heavenly Father!
Want to know what to pursue in life? Pursue His only Begotten Son, Jesus!
Want to know what to pursue in life? Pursue our great helper, Holy Spirit!
That is the ultimate answer when all is said and done with today’s proverb.
It is an immeasurably wise thing to pursue God, Jesus and Holy Spirit – and to pursue His righteousness by His grace. This is both the ultimate pursuit in life and the ultimate prize! Oh, the glories of pursuing the One Who waits for us! Oh, the joy of hugging the One Who by grace captures all our hearts. Pursue, ye dearest saints – pursue for you will find as you do – you are gloriously hugged by the One Who loves you more than you could ever dream of being loved by!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
Father God, my Guide and Guardian, illuminate my mind so I can understand how you want me to live. Your word tells me that people of integrity who follow your instructions are joyful. You have said that those who obey your laws and search for you with all their hearts are blessed and happy. I want that joy! Holy Spirit, please guard me against allowing evil to influence what I believe and do. Help me walk only in your paths. May my daily actions consistently reflect what you have said is right and righteous, good, moral and ethical. Alleluia! Amen.
Over the brief course my writing this devotional, I have received an uncountable number of requests, from quite literally every corner of the globe, for prayers to be lifted up to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The predominance of these is a sincere, heartfelt request for intercession to be “lifted up” out of poverty. They ask me to pray unto God that their material needs are magnified and their station in life be uplifted through God’s benevolence and my powerful prayers. Typically, these requests for prayers are worded and phrased quite eloquently.
“I have no very little money to my name.” “What I do have plenty of is a whole lot of Poverty.” “It’s just a little thing. It doesn’t hurt if I fudge a little, does it?” “Does my wealth or my poverty matter to Jesus?” “I want to be faithful to God, but I have nothing to be faithful with!” “I so want to be an authentic Christian, but I only have my abundance of poverty to be authentic with.” I want to be an empowered, inspired and motivated follower of my Savior God, but I can only be motivated and be inspired and empowered by my vast wealth of poverty!”
All of these aforementioned concerns are absolutely legitimate prayer issues. I do everything I can to pray to God to give me the “right” words. They want to know how they can maximally serve God and their neighbors even if they have so precious little resources from which to serve their family needs. Service to God and service to our neighbors is absolutely needed to show the unyielding, unending magnitude of the unconditional love of God which resides in our hearts. Except, we only have our poverty to express our love of God from. Our love of God compels our hearts and our hands and our feet to move forward. But the reality of our “impoverished selves” limits what we believe we can do.
With such a vast wealth of poverty to live by, does my faithfulness matter? Does my trustworthiness matter? Jesus says, “Yes, it does matter.” Why? Because integrity is about faithfulness to our values and to our Lord, regardless of the price. Faithfulness in small things, including matters involving money, is an essential part of what reveals the truth about our authenticity as disciples. What we do with a little reveals a great deal about exactly what we will do with much.
Luke 16:10-13 New Revised Standard Version
10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, [a] who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” [b]
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
Our title this morning is “Be faithful in the little things.” We are looking at a principle that Jesus teaches and how he applies it to two different areas of our lives. The principle is stated most clearly in Luke 16:10. We can call it –
The principle of our having too little wealth, ask, can we have too much God”
Luke 16:10 – “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is unreliable in a very little is also unreliable in much.”
So, we have what is little in terms of material and monetary wealth and what is much which is our undeniable measures of poverty. And there is a relationship between them. How one does with what is little is a clear indicator of how one will do with much. This is stated by Jesus in both a positive and a negative way – whether we are faithful or unreliable with vast wealth or with vast poverty.
This verse is very realistic. If we can satisfy God in a small thing, then we will satisfy Him in a great matter. God observes the depths of man’s heart. If we are willing to practice the truth in small things, if we are willing to participate in the truth with the small things, then when big matters come upon us, even if we feel all of it is insurmountable, God will protect us so that we can all stand firm.
We may be poor in wealth; we may dream and wish and pray mightily for any way and any means out of our captivity to poverty, but whether we are poor in our bank accounts, poor in our spirits, we are forever infinitely rich in our God.
One too many times, we will limit our access to God’s infinite wealth. We will take our own action based on our own limited wishes for more things in small things too improve our socio-economic status and to bolster our self-esteem.
We will limit ourselves in our God-Esteem, become good at forgiving ourselves, believing that we do not deserve or need to care about such small things as trust and integrity and faithfulness. We cannot find reason to care, therefore God too, cannot and does not care about our being trustworthy and faithful either. As long as we do the maximum to stand firm in our own worrying about our big matters, everything will be OK. Hence, we miss the chance to satisfy our God, maximally serve our neighbors from our wealth of poverty one after another.
However, when we least expect it, when something “God” big happens to our wealth poverty and has to do with our own personal benefit, what do we do? If and when that “God Miracle” moment comes, will we recognize God’s blessing? Will we remember that God will recognize our faithful efforts and multiply our blessings 5, 10 or 100-fold? Will we grab onto these blessings and thank God for being forever faithful and trustworthy and true to His Word and His Promises?
The key here is, ‘Will we serve God from our “poverty,” do what he has tasked us to do?’ If we are faithful with the small responsibilities in this life that God gives us, God will give us greater responsibilities and honor us in the world to come.
The principle of our having too little wealth, ask, can we have too much God.
Mark 12:41-44 New Revised Standard Version
The Widow’s Offering
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed from out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
This principle teaches us that what we do in this, our “impoverished life” will determine what we have in the life to come. God tests us in the little things of this life, before we get the real blessings of the world to come. Because he can tell from what we do in this life, what we should have in the life to come.
If we let our vast measures of poverty effect how we serve our God, if we aren’t trustworthy and faithful in ministering from deep “within the little things”, we will not be so quickly entrusted with the greater things – the much of the world to come. So, whether it is how we use our poverty of wealth or wealth of poverty in this life, or how we choose to use such poverty to fulfill the tasks that God has given to us in this life, our characters and integrity are continually being tested.
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy Prayer Warriors?
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy servants of God?
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy dish washers?
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy preparers of food?
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy servers of food?
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy bearers of water?
From our wealth of poverty, can we be faithful, trustworthy stewards of grace?
And so, my word of encouragement to you this morning is this be faithful in the little things of this world! Be radical in your giving – do not let fear of being held captive in a vast wealth of poverty drain or hinder your love of God and service to your neighbor. Serve God with reckless abandon – don’t let the things of this world distract you from what is truly important. Do this and you will be blessed with the much of the world to come – with what is true, with what is lasting and with what will be very soon your own – untold blessings in the kingdom of God.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all that you’ve given me. I pray to ask for your guidance. Help me be faithful in the small things and the big things. Help me be just and make good decisions in small things and big things. I trust you and follow you. Guide me Lord and give me wisdom. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Every Christian I know wants to live a healthy and effective life for Jesus. The key to this healthy life, the key to this healing life, the key to succeeding in this is practicing His presence, abiding in him. Abiding in Christ is foundational to centering your whole life around God. Our efforts at tapping into Savior Christ’s healing presence and power is what will allow you to bear good fruit in this life. It is my hope that after today we are more aware, we are more equipped, and we are more empowered to live out a life centered on the healing presence of God.
John 15:1-8J.B. Phillips New Testament
Jesus teaches union with himself
15 1-8 “I am the real vine, my Father is the vinedresser. He removes any of my branches which are not bearing fruit and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit to increase its yield. Now, you have already been pruned by my words. You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me. I am the vine itself; you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share my life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like, and it will come true for you. This is how my Father will be glorified—in your becoming [healthy and] fruitful and being my disciples.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
So often out of a right desire to do good and God-honoring works we try too hard and force fruit out of ourselves without taking the time to rest and receive the healing nutrients we can only get from abiding in our heavenly Father. A branch disconnected from an apple tree can no more produce good apples than you and I can do good works apart from our continual abiding in the love, grace, and healing presence of God. Without truly centering our lives around meeting with God on a secluded park bench far away from the deepest uncivility of our world, we’ll never get to producing the healthy fruit we were created to make.
John 15:1-5 New American Standard Bible
Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already [b]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, [c]and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit [d]of itself [e]but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [f]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
God’s heart is for us to abide in him all day, every day. How incredible is that! You and I can graft ourselves every day into the perfect, good, and powerfully connected vine of our healing heavenly Father. We can wake up every day, open our hearts to God, practice His presence, daily acknowledge Him, daily sit, pray with Him and live out of the union afforded us by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus.
Rather than striving to do good works from the moment our feet hit the ground, we must take time to be loved by our heavenly Father.
Rather than making our own opportunities to serve God, we must allow him to guide us to the healing works he’s set out for us.
Rather than trying to lead others to Jesus by our own efforts, we must simply live openly and honestly with others, thereby revealing God’s heart to meet with those who are broken and in need of him.
And rather than living as if God has left us to our own unhealthy devices, we must acknowledge our healing union with the Holy Spirit in every moment, thereby allowing his loving presence to permeate inside everything we do.
James 2:21-26 The Message
21-24 Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that weave of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
25-26 The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.
James 2:26 teaches, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”Connect yourself to the wonderful vine of Jesus today. Center your life around meeting with him. It’s only in abiding in God that your faith will produce works that are alive, eternal, filled with the transformational, healing and restoring power of God’s Spirit. May you discover the freedom and love available to you in continual communion with your heavenly Father today.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Take some time to heal yourself with Prayer
1. Meditate and Ponder upon the undeniable importance of abiding in the vine. Be healed! Allow Scripture to stir up your desires to rest in God today.
Psalm 23:1-3 The Message
23 1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”Psalm 46:10
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh[a] and refreshment[b] to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.Proverbs 3:5-10
“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”John 15:5
“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed, our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”1 John 1:3
2. Where have you been striving too hard to do too many good works apart from the abiding presence of your Creator? What parts of your life need to have a greater connection to the love of God? What part of your life need His healing?
3. Take time to rest in the presence of God. Abide in him. Don’t look to or think about the things YOU set before you today. There will be plenty of time for tasks and relationships. Focus all your attention on the reality of God’s nearness and open your heart to receive all the love he has for you in this EXACTING moment.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
Psalm 46:10 is a popular verse for comforting ourselves and others—many people tend to believe this verse means to rest or relax in who God is. This verse does encourage believers to reflect on who God is, but there is far more to this psalm than one verse—and verse 10 is actually more of a wake-up call to be in awe than a gentle call to rest. Taking quality time out of our day to meditate on Scripture and be silent with listening ears toward God is mentioned in other sections of Scripture (Psalm 119:15, Joshua 1:8, Luke 5:16, and others). But this command— “Be still…”—is written in the context of a time of trouble and war; therefore, we should each likewise consider the verse with that context in mind.
Common Misunderstandings of Psalm 46:10
Instead of interpreting “be still” as a gentle suggestion, the meaning in this Psalm lends itself more to: “cease striving” or “stop” and more specifically in this context “stop fighting,” which is also directed toward the enemies of the people of God. The people of God should here interpret the command for themselves to read more like: ‘snap out of it,’ ‘wake up,’ ‘stop fearing’—acknowledge who your God is, and understand you are not—and be in awe!
However, it is good to note that there’s nothing wrong with the words in the translation “be still;” those words are not incorrect, it is simply helpful in our studies of this Psalm and this verse in particular to note the context of the phrase. Verse 10 has something empowering to say to both the enemies of God and the people of God, but it is unto the people of God the psalm is written to.
Verse 1 starts, “God is our refuge and strength” (my emphasis added). The Psalms are for God’s people.
The Message of Psalm 46 (AKJV):
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
What Is the Real Meaning of “Be Still and Know”?
“Be still” is the same thing Jesus says to the wind and the waves in Mark 4:39.
Mark 4:38-39 New American Standard Bible
38 And yet Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and [a]it became perfectly calm.
The very lives of disciples were gravely threatened by the onset of a severe and sudden storm. The disciples, many of them lifelong fisherman familiar and well trained by their fathers and completely familiar with all the waters they fished, were unable to contend with the sudden ravages of the severe storm. Instead of them relying on their own training and expert skills, they went to Jesus, and they shouted their pleas over the roar of the storm, into Jesus’ ear, to wake Him up from a rather deep and sound slumber. They woke him up. He stood up and against the great storm and quite quietly said: “BE STILL!” The wind and the sea then completely died down into silence, in awe and worship of the Creator.
How was Jesus able to stay asleep against the great cacophony of the thunder and sound of the crashing waves and the severe tossing of the boat? Was it an absolute assurance of his faith in His Father, God that: “ALL WILL BE WELL?”
Jesus implicitly trusted His Father, God. He implicitly trusted His Father would get him through the absolute worst of conditions – so he could just stay asleep?
There was a starkly contrasting lack of trust in God on the part of the disciples that God would bring them through the storm – if they would just cease their all too human reliance upon their own skills, alleged expertise and to “BE STILL!” “KNOW [WITH ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE] THAT GOD IS GOD” they would live?
That is God’s message shared with the world—the more people will come to KNOW HIM and understand his ultimate security and enjoy his presence. God’s goal in being with his people is so they can accomplish his purposes, to spread knowledge of him so more and more people can come to securely KNOW HIM!
The people of God must stop what they are doing and acknowledge that God alone is the sovereign ruler of the universe and commit their whole selves to following him. He will one day stop all wars and he will be exalted among the nations (the Gentiles and Jewish believers as one family, the Church) and all the earth. There absolutely will be no question of who God is and what he is doing.
At God’s voice the earth melts, the enemies cease fighting, and the people of God remember who their God is. God commands stillness and silence, but why is this important for the people of God? The people of God were prone to fear; they needed to remember who their God is. We don’t need to fear the end of our life—even in the midst of battle—because we’re going to that city; we’re going to Zion one day. We will dwell with God and there will be no more wars, no pain, and no end (See Rev. 21). We don’t need to fear what the world can do; we need to remember who our God is, and we need to share that knowledge with others.
So, there’s nothing wrong with the translation “Be still” in Psalm 46:10 vs. “Stop fighting” or “Cease striving,” and there’s certainly nothing wrong with believers taking time to be still and quiet before the Lord in prayer.
That’s something Christians should do every day, and we have Jesus as our sure and true example for that in Psalms 107:23-32 and Mark 4:35-41. But is the quiet, meditative interpretation of “be still” the best interpretation for Psalm 46:10 based on the context of the psalm as a whole? Maybe not, as it may take away from the intensity of the psalm—the way that God can command the earth and everything in it to be still before him and it is. But here’s what we need to remember about the application of this verse and the different views.
Regardless of whether we interpret “be still,” “cease striving,” or “stop” phrase of Psalm 46:10 to be God’s words toward the enemies of the people of God, his people, or both groups, there is great comfort in this psalm which extends far past one verse. David’s heart penning this psalm is “1000% awe!”
We too should find immense comfort in the fact that our God is an impenetrable refuge, HE ALONE will bring glory to his name among the nations and all the earth, and that HE will protect his people and bring them to everlasting peace.
KNOW God does call us to stop fearing, to be still and commit to him. In order to feel secure, we have to KNOW we have an utterly impenetrable home with God.
God alone will make sure his glory is known. His Word reminds us of who he is and calls us to worship in awe.
BE STILL and remember who God is,
BE STILL and stop fearing,
BE STILL, see what God is doing,
BE STILL and acknowledge his greatness,
BE STILL and know God is with you…
Now, from within that mind-set of THOROUGHLY HUMBLED STILLNESS,
GET YOUR HANDS AND FEET MOVING and EXALTING THE LORD ALONE!
Spread the knowledge and the GOOD NEWS of who he is!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
God of truth and wisdom, sometimes I not sure if I’m actually hearing your voice, or if it’s just my own feeble thoughts or even another spirit. Sharpen my spiritual hearing, Lord, so I can recognize your words when you are speaking to me. Help me know it’s really you, with no doubt or second-guessing. When I’m asking for your guidance in important decisions, pray, give me your peace that surpasses understanding with your answer. Help me remember that your words to me will never go against your written word in the Bible. Give me a clear mind and push out all my confusion. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Today is as good a day as any to do and to say something we are all much too reluctant to do for fear of giving grave offense. We must admit that our society accepts white lies as an excuse, but as children of the Light, we must embrace the truth. A lie is a lie and sin are a sin. There is no such thing as big sin and no such thing as a small sin. The inescapable truth is SIN is SIN! You and I need to know that a good thing and a right thing might be different. The world may say choose the good thing, but do not risk give anyone offense. But a good and an inoffensive thing is not always the right thing, yet the right thing is always the best option to choose and the right choice for Holiness with God is a good thing!
When you make the right decision for God, people may not like you and they won’t necessarily be happy about your decision. They will probably take an offense you chose relationship God over relationship with them You might face serious personal doubts and start asking yourself, am I doing what God wants me to do? Was that choice the right choice? People around you may not agree with you, because the correct decision usually does not fit into what society says. But when you choose the path of Holiness with God over the unholiness of the world, you choose to do the right thing, you will feel the peace inside of you.
You may very well lose something or someone or everyone who is significant to you, but you will have a SHALOM inside which no one can take away. SHALOM is God’s reward to us, for doing the right thing, because He is pleased by us.
DECIDE TODAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING
We need to decide today that we will choose to do the right things – that we will strive to live in holiness with our God who created us, redeemed us. Remember, without holiness with God, no one will see the Lord, because God is a holy God.
Choose today to train your mind and your soul to do the right things, so when a harder situation comes and suggests you doing something bad, your mind will be more prone to think of a way out. Do not be afraid; God will 100% empower you to do the right thing through the ministry and works of God’s Holy Spirit. Choose to become sin’s worst enemy! Choose relationship, friendship with God.
Hebrews 12:14-17 J.B. Phillips New Testament
In times of testing be especially on your guard against certain sins
14-17 Let it be your ambition to live at peace with all men and to achieve holiness “without which no man shall see the Lord”. Be careful that none of you fails to respond to the grace which God gives, for if he does there can very easily spring up in him a bitter spirit which is not only bad in itself but can also poison the lives of many others. Be [exceedingly] careful too, that none of you falls into impurity or loses his reverence for the things of God and then, like Esau, is [fully] ready to sell his birthright to satisfy the momentary hunger of his body. Remember how afterwards, when he wanted to have the blessing which was his birthright, he was refused. He never afterwards found the way of repentance though he sought it desperately and with tears.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
We are all pretty much aware of what the “right thing to do” is. We are pretty much aware of what is the right thing to do and what is the wrong thing to do. For the most part we know right from wrong because our parents have told us and taught us and instilled in us what they are from the first moments of life.
We learn what is hot and not to touch it because there is a substantial risk of our being significantly burned. So, we learn very early on from Mom and Dad about the consequences of playing with matches and things which bring about fires.
We learn about what is cold and to be careful how we touch really cold objects. We learn how to dress for hot weather and how to dress against cold weather. We learn about the relationship between hot and cold and how to stay healthy. We learn about what is the right thing and the wrong things to do to survive. We learn about what and how to safely touch and how to and how not to touch stuff. We learn the life-essential relationships between what is, is not, safe to touch.
We learn what is safe to say and what is not so safe to say. We learn what it is which will promote friendship and what it is which will promote enmity with someone else. We come to know and understand the right thing to say in the right environment and the right moment to say it – not to give offense but to offer the hand of empathy and friendship, peace, understanding and of trust. We want our understanding of genuine friendship to be the very first priority.
Question becomes do we know what friendships ought to take first priority?
James 4:4-6 J.B. Phillips New Testament
4-6 You are like unfaithful wives, flirting with the glamour of this world, and never realizing that to be the world’s lover means becoming the enemy of God! Anyone who deliberately chooses to love the world is thereby making himself God’s enemy. Do you think what the scriptures have to say about this is a mere formality? Or do you imagine that this spirit of passionate jealousy is the Spirit he has caused to live in us? No, he gives us grace potent enough to meet this and every other evil spirit, if we are humble enough to receive it. That is why he says: ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
What is the right choice to make?
What is the “right thing to do?”
What is the “wrong thing to do?”
What is that first and foremost priority?
Friendship with Sin?
Friendship with the World?
Friendship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Enmity with Sin?
Enmity with the World?
Enmity with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
What is the “right” choice and decision to make?
What is the “wrong” choice and decision to make?
The lines “Right or Wrong” between them are all clearly and severely muddled.
In following the humble, sacrificial, example set forth by the Lord Jesus we are to toss off everything that hinders us, continually, continuously, looking to Him as our example of perseverance and faith (Hebrews 12:1-3). One way to accomplish this is to live at peace with others and to pursue holiness.
Holiness can be defined in two ways. First holiness means consecration and purification, it is the result of being set apart to God (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2). This happens when we choose to enter into a relationship with a good God by faith in Jesus (Acts 26:18, 1 Corinthians 6:11).
Apostle Paul said in Romans, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Romans 6:22). Holiness is a byproduct of our union with Savior Christ, it is the reward of that union. It is not through natural means that we possess this. Sanctification comes only through Savior Christ Jesus as a gift.
Secondly, holiness is also the effect of being consecrated or being set apart. It is sanctification of our heart and what becomes evident in our daily lives through union with God. It is the outgrowth of leaving behind old desires and pursuing the things of God. Sanctification is a process for the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 7, Romans 6:19, 22, I Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 12:14).
In the New Testament writings, the process of sanctification or holiness can be understood in these ways, first it is God’s will for the believer (I Thessalonians 4:3). Secondly, it is learned by God and taught by His Word(John 17:17-19, Psalm 17:4, 119:9). Next, the Holy Spirit is the agent in sanctification(Romans 15:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Corinthians 6:11). And lastly, holiness must be pursued by the believer(Hebrews 12:14). We are to be built up by our obedience to the Word following the example of Christ Jesus according to the Ministry and works of God’s Holy Spirit who enables this change to happen.
Relationship with Christ and attention to His Word will birth holiness into the natural realm. He has already provided this by faith in Him as you were given everything needed to live as Christ in this world (1 John 4:17, Galatians 5:22-25).
This is why, as believers, we must continually, continuously, zealously, pursue holiness; letting His truth and life-giving Spirit change us from the inside out. Letting what is on the inside of us match what the world sees, a life set apart, sanctified and holy. Without it, others will not witness the Lord working in us.
This is an amazing truth! God has sanctified us and set us apart. He has given us everything we need to live a holy life. We respond by pursuing holiness in every aspect of our talk and our walk with Him. By His Word and by His Spirit we are changed, and everyone around will experience the result of our sanctification!
What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Joseph M. Scriven, circa 1855
What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear And what a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
God my Creator, God, sole Author of my life, You know well my limitations and shortcomings. You know the depth of my heart and soul, yet You love and chose me. I thank You for Your unlimited and unending and unyielding love in my life. Help me, guide me to live according to Your righteousness and teach me to love Your commandments. Strengthen my feet to walk in Your way. In Jesus’ name. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Jesus’ words are God’s words. When we read and study our Bibles, we come to know God through His Son, our Savior Jesus. When we come to the knowledge of our Savior, we come to obey our Savior. When we come to obey our Savior Jesus, we come to obey the Father. When we disobey Jesus, we also disobey the Father. With so much at stake, how will we know what Jesus wants us to do?
We have in our possession, only by the grace of God, two great blessings: One blessing is Scripture, especially the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) which tell us about Jesus’ life and words. The other blessing is the Holy Spirit, which helps us understand Jesus’ words, reminds us of Jesus’ words when we are trying to live for him, and leads us to become more like our Savior, Christ.
John 14:25-27 New American Standard Bible
25 “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. [a]Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor [b]fearful.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
As believers, we have been given the Holy Spirit as a Helper, Teacher, Friend, and seal for the promised inheritance of eternal life with God. His presence, guidance, and wisdom in our lives are our greatest gifts while here on earth.
Through him we have access to direct connection with our heavenly Father. Through him we receive spiritual gifts to empower us. And through him we are able to bear the incredible fruit of abundant life. Pray! Open up your heart and mind to all the Holy Spirit would give you, show you, and lead you to this week.
We have in the Holy Spirit the same Teacher who faithfully breathed the perfect and practical words of Scripture to imperfect men across 10 thousands of years.
And Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Not only did the Holy Spirit teach the disciples, but he also longs to teach us. He longs to reveal to us the depths of God so that we might learn what it is to be a true follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
He longs to show each and every one of us the wisdom of God so that we might surely live as men and women inspired by God rather than fools who find their knowledge only in the matters of the world. Let’s open our minds and hearts to receive the wisdom which can only come from God himself in the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:10, “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”
The Holy Spirit who dwells within us searches the depths of God and longs to reveal to us the ways of our heavenly Father. He longs to teach us what it is to be a lover of God in a world so fully and completely set in opposition to the ways of God. The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to us the maximum allowable wisdom of God’s plans for us and show us the folly which comes from living for the world.
The Holy Spirit desires to be your Teacher today.
The questions before you and me today are:
Are you and I willing to be his student?
Are you and I willing to submit the shallowness of our understanding to the ageless understanding of the Holy Spirit and live in light of his teaching?
Are you and I willing to appear foolish at times when the world does not have any desire, or a very limited desire, to come to understand the wisdom of God?
Are you and I willing to live wholeheartedly for the pleasure of our heavenly Father over the undefinable shallowness and the fleeting opinions of man?
If you and I will open our hearts and minds today to being taught by the Spirit, you and I will discover an undefinable, limitless wealth of truth which has the power to set you free from the bonds and burdens of this world. Scripture will begin to change our lives as the Holy Spirit reveals unto you and me how these words written thousands of years ago are entirely applicable to our life today.
Receiving the counselling and guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit is as simple as submitting our lives to him one day at a time and making quality time to sit quietly and listen to him and study and pray, ponder, the word with him.
As important and helpful as they are, we don’t have to be ordained pastors, ministers, theologians, or scholars to understand what the Bible means.
The Holy Spirit will be our teacher the way he was for the disciples. He will teach us how Scripture applies to our life and guide us into the way of truth. It’s incredibly important that we make time to study Scripture, but it’s equally important we read the Bible along with the Spirit instead of apart from him.
The Bible is an eminently practical book meant to impact the lives of those who read it under the influence of the Spirit. It’s a text manual for living life in the abundance of relationship with God, not a book to be read apart from the reality of God’s nearness. Scripture is meant to guide us into direct communication with our heavenly Father, not to substitute real, direct relationship with him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Trust in the teaching of the Holy Spirit today. Lean on his wisdom instead of your own. Acknowledge the reality of his nearness in your life. And discover knowledge that has the decisive power to fill you with abundant life.
1. Meditate on the Holy Spirit’s desire to be your teacher.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”John 14:26
“But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”1 John 2:20
“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not [a]personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth [b]that comes [only] from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.”Colossians 2:1-4
2. Choose to be a student of the Holy Spirit. Choose to follow what he reveals to you to be wisdom over the ways of the world. Choose his opinion over man’s.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”1 John 2:27
3. Spend time studying Scripture with the Holy Spirit. Pray and ask the Spirit to reveal to you what measure and degree of wisdom he wants to show you. Ask of him to reveal to you the deeper meaning of the words and passages and text you are reading. Surrender Self! Allow him to apply Scripture directly into your life.
“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”1 Corinthians 2:10
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5
We now have perfectly powerful guidance in Scripture and the Holy Spirit. The pairing of God’s written word and the very God who authored the word have the power to lead us into a life of all wisdom, understanding, and revelation. But we must choose to live this life in light of eternity. We must now choose success in heaven over success in the world’s eyes. Scripture and the teaching of the Holy Spirit only have power in our lives if we follow their leadership and principles.
Choose today to be a doer of the word instead of a hearer only and discover freeing and empowering wisdom that has the power to transform your life.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Father, please bless me as I seek to obey Jesus and live according to his words for my life. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who is at work to bring those words to life in me. Forgive me, dear Father, when I have not sought to know more about Jesus in Scripture or when I have resisted the work of the Spirit to transform me to be much more like my Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
God alone is the one who can give us victory over our adversary. He is the one who shields, leads, guide, protects and strengthens us for the journey and He protects us along the way from the evil one.
Our God is the one who makes a way where there is no way. He is the Lord God who sees what we cannot see, and He is the God who makes provision for us before the need arises. He is the God who clears the path for us to travel.
Our God is the one who promises never to leave nor forsake us, but to be with us always.
As humans we often fail one another but God CANNOT fail. His Word is true and will NEVER return void for what He says, He will accomplish.
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so, through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God”(2 Corinthians. 1:20, NIV).
God is faithful to His people and all His promises to them can be received with assurance and confidence in knowing that He will do just what he said concerning us.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments”(Deuteronomy 7:9, NIV).
Great is the Lord’s faithfulness always and forever is a promise from God to His people on today.
Who besides God can we truly call faithful? NONE!
Faithful is our God! There is none like Him!
Faithful is our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Faithful is God the Holy Spirit to intercede for us when we cannot or know not when or if we ought to intercede for ourselves.
Faithful is our God to hear our prayers! There is none like Him!
Faithful is our God to answer our prayers! There is none like Him!
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 New American Standard Bible
Request for Prayer
3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will [a]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; 2 and that we will [each] be rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, [b]and He will strengthen and protect you [c]from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing, and will do, what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
MUTUAL PRAYER FOR DIFFICULT TIMES
“Mutual Prayer for Difficult Times” is an exposition of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
There is a powerful dynamic that works and reveals itself when the Body of Christ, the Church, pray for one another, when saints pray for one another.
In this brief letter to the young church at Thessalonica, Paul teaches about the last days or end times. There was confusion about the second coming of Christ.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul discusses the coming of the Lord to rapture the saints. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Paul discusses the Day of the Lord that will consummate history. But confusion apparently remained. So, Paul wrote this second letter to the Thessalonian church.
In chapter 1, Paul again discusses the coming of the Lord. In chapter 2, Paul discusses the man of lawless who will oppose Christ. In chapter 3, Paul exhorts the church to live in light of the imminent return of Christ.
This is the pattern when the Second Coming of Christ is addressed. There is an explanation and then an exhortation. The New Testament is emphatic Jesus is coming again. The Lord will return to the earth physically and majestically and unexpectedly. But Christ’s imminent return is not an excuse to disconnect from the real world or to really live irresponsibly. We are to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that true blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. God’s word? 100% faithful.
This letter begins with the reality of the last days. It ends with the responsibility of the saints as we live in the last days. Between these two sections there is the resource the church can access until Jesus returns. It is the privilege and power of prayer. Paul was facing difficulties in Corinth. And the saints were facing difficulties in Thessalonica. But Paul knew a way they could help one another through their difficult times. He says, “You pray for me. I will pray for you.”
There is a dynamic power that works and reveals itself when the Body of Christ, the Church continually and continuously prays for one another, when the saints continually and continuously pray for one another. It can only be accessed when our focus is on the Lord. Paul and the Thessalonians prayed for one another.
But the primary concern of their mutual prayers was not about themselves. It was all about the Lord, who is mentioned four times in these first five verses.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 teaches several critically important spiritual priorities that should consume our prayers for one another.
I. THE WORD OF THE LORD
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 says: “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
Chapter 2 of this letter ends with Paul’s prayer for the church at Thessalonica.
Chapter 3 begins with a prayer request Paul makes to the church.
Verse 1 says, “Finally, brothers, pray for us.” This request is not unique.
Paul frequently solicited the prayers of the saints.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 also reads: “Brothers, pray for us.”
Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. The Thessalonian followers were brand new Christians. Yet Paul did not think they were too little to pray for him. And he did not think he was too big to ask for their prayers. Paul humbly requested, “Brothers, pray for us.” This request is in a grammatical emphasis that denotes continual action. He freely solicited their ongoing prayers. Paul’s example reminds us we never reach a place where we do not need others to pray for us.
This prayer request also tells us that the Thessalonians needed to pray. The saints at Thessalonica were facing difficulties for which Paul prayed the Lord would comfort and establish them. But Paul did not consider the difficulties these young Christians faced so great that he should not ask them to pray for him. They absolutely needed to pray as much as they needed to be prayed for.
This is the irony of prayer. The heavy load you carry is often lifted as you take on the burdens of others. Job 42:10a says, “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends.” Job’s friends were not good friends.
As Job suffered, they showed up not so much to console, but to question and condemn him, rather than comforting him. Yet he prayed for them. And God intervened for Job when he prayed for his friends. God will also restore some things for you when you pray for your friends. Paul understood the benefits of mutual prayer. So, he asked the saints to pray for him and his missionary team. Specifically, Paul makes two prayer requests concerning the word of the Lord.
A. PRAY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS BEFORE US.
Verse 1 says, “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.” This request was not so much for Paul and Silvanus and Timothy as it was for the word of the Lord to go forth.
It is an affirmation of the primacy of the word of God. No one in the church is indispensable. But the word of God is. All that the church is and does is to be rooted and grounded and go forth into God’s Kingdom, in the word of God.
Reverend Dr. Warren Wiersbe comments: “Too much Christian work these days is accomplished by human plans and promotion, and not by the word of God. We trust our programs and do not publish the word of God.” May this not be true of us. May the Lord give us a holy passion and preoccupation with the word of God. May we preach it, teach it, believe it, obey it, share it, defend it, and pass it on to the next generation. This requires prayer. Pray and the word of God are inextricably tied together. Both must be alive and well for the church to be healthy. So, Paul asks the church to pray for the ministry of the word.
PRAY THAT THE WORD WILL GET OUT.
Paul asked the saints to pray “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead.” The verb Paul uses here means “to run.” It is an athletic term used of one who runs a race. Here Paul pictures the word of God as being a strong well-trained, long-legged, long-distance, high endurance runner speeding ahead on its course.
This prayer request makes an important statement about the nature of the word of God. The word of God is not dead or idle or passive. It is forever alive, forever active and forever on the move. It is forever going forward enduring all things.
Psalm 147:15 says, “He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.” This prayer request is also a statement about the urgency we ought to have for continuing the momentum progress of the word of God. If we believe the word of God, must absolutely go forth no matter what, then we should pray earnestly that the word of God would continually and continuously speed ahead to reach those who are lost. The word of God must be that diesel locomotive that knows no quit, whose engineer and engine stoker know the Gospel must move. It is absolutely imperative every last ounce of energy keeps this train moving!
PRAY THAT THE WORD WILL GET IN.
The word of God can get out without ever getting in.
It can reach a person’s ears without reaching his or her heart.
So, Paul asked the saints to pray “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored.” The word can be translated as “honored” or “praised” or “glorified.”
Psalm 138:2 says,“I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”
God exalts his word as much as his name. And it is God’s will that his word be exalted among men. So, pray the word of God would be honored everywhere in your towns, villages, your cities and states and nation and among the nations.
The word of God is fully honored when it is affirmed and believed and obeyed.
At the end of verse 1, Paul gives us a frame of reference: “as happened among you.” When Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica, they honored it.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul writes: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” Paul asked the church to pray that what happened among them would happen in Corinth: the word of God would speed ahead and be honored.
B. PRAY FOR THE OPPOSITION THAT IS AGAINST US.
In verse 1, Paul testifies about the positive response the word of God received in Thessalonica. But in verse 2, Paul testifies about the negative response the word received in Corinth.
In verse 1, Paul asked the saints to pray for the proclamation of the message. But in verse 2, he will ask them to pray for the protection of the messenger.
In verse 1, we see Paul’s humility. But in verse 2, we see his humanity as he asks the saints to pray “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men.”
Paul was doing the will and the work of the Lord. Yet he still faced significant opposition he described as “wicked and evil men.”“Wicked” here refers to stubborn, unreasonable men who oppose the word. One commentator called them “morally insane.” Paul also calls them “evil men,” indicating they were actively involved in mischief to actively hinder the progress of the word of God.
This is as specific as Paul gets about his opposition. But we know from the record of Paul’s time in Corinth that he is referring to religious people both outside and within the church who opposed his work.
Concerning this text, Reverend Dr. J. Vernon McGee wrote: “I find that the spreading of the Gospel is hindered more by people in the church than by anything else. No liquor industry, no barroom, no gangster ring has ever attacked me – at least I have never known about it. But I have had so-called saints in the churches attack me.”
Paul could surely relate. Yet he does not spend a lot of time talking about the opposition. He mentions them only to make a prayer request: “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men.”
The word “deliver” is the same word used in Matthew 6:13, where Jesus teaches us to pray, “Deliver us from evil.” Why does Paul ask for the saints to pray for deliverance? “For not all have faith.” Apostle Paul did not take personal attacks personally. He rather viewed it as a spiritual matter of faith. So, he would ask of the church to pray for his deliverance for the sake of the word of the Lord.
II. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD
Verse 2 ends with a sad indictment: “For not all have faith.”Verse 3 begins with a wonderful assurance: “But the Lord is faithful.” We live in a world where loyalty is a scarce commodity. And we are often left to ask, who can you trust? Paul answers, “The Lord is faithful.” His character never changes. His love never ceases. His compassion never ends. His promises never fail. His wisdom never errs. His purposes never come short. His strength never wanes.
No matter the state of the restless sea of humanity, be it the muted ebb and flow of indifference, or the violent swell of fierce opposition, the Lord controls the waves, and he is faithful in every circumstance. (Psalm 107:23-30)
He is faithful in salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “But God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.”
He is faithful in temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
God is faithful in confession.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he if faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God is faithful in sanctification.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 says,“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
He is faithful in every circumstance.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
God is faithful in answering our prayers.
Psalm 16 New American Standard Bible
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Salvation in Death.
16 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. 2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord; I have nothing good besides You.” 3 As for the [d]saints who are on the earth, [e]They are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them. 4 [f]The pains of those who have acquired another god will be multiplied; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the Lord who has advised me; Indeed, my [g]mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to [h]Sheol; You will not [i]allow Your [j]Holy One to [k]undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
In 2 Thessalonians 3 verses 3-4, Paul states the Lord can be absolutely trusted to do whatever it is which needs to be done in you and through you.
We serve a good and faithful God, who has promised to work His good work in the lives of all His children and establish each one in every good work and word. But we must be aware that we have a powerful enemy, who desires our downfall and seeks to shipwreck our faith. No wonder Paul was keen to remind this little group of believers that God is faithful to guard us against the evil one… that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan.
Man may be, and frequently is, faithless and false – God is faithful despite our inconsistencies. And He expands this promise of grace even further, for the Lord our Salvation has pledged to strengthen and establish His children in the truth of His Word – for we are HIS. In His grace, HE works in us and through us, for His good purpose. God knew us before the foundation of the world. He knows the number of hairs on our head and keeps our tears in His bottle.
God knows our weakness, and He understands that our faith may fail, “BUT the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.”
We cannot be faithful to God as God is faithful to us. So, we pray, and we pray ….
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithful promises… to strengthen, establish, and protect me, even when my faith falters and I prove faithless and false to You. Keep me ever mindful of this truth and guide me in the choices I must make today. Use me as an instrument of Your grace and keep me from all evil, so that I may grow in grace and in a knowledge of You, and in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Whose name I pray, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.
You won’t be surprised to hear me say that time spent in diligently studying the Bible is never wasted. However, when we next set the Bible down, we put it back upon our bookshelves, turn around and go on and turn around and to live life as we always had, we leave the Bible behind us to gather dust, without heeding the following advice from the book of James, we are fooling ourselves into thinking we did something noble to grow our faith. Do God a favor – please avoid looking into any mirrors. God does not want your image to be seen – but only wants His.
We simply enjoy looking back at our smiling elves quite enough during the day. Do you get tired of looking at yourself in the mirror? James certainly hopes so!
Come along side with me as I walk through a passage of Scripture phrase by phrase, reviewing its context, interpreting, and offering an application. Some of us – including me – learn best by watching somebody else. That is what I am now inviting you to do with me today as we study through James 1:22-25:
James 1:22-25 The Message
22-24 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life! —even [a glimpse] out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
Let’s dive in and explore the context: James is writing this letter to a number of believers scattered across regions. They likely scattered when they ran away from persecution in Jerusalem after Stephen was stoned to death for preaching about Jesus (Acts 7-8), Saul went on the “warpath” arresting, jailing followers.
The Book of James begins by exhorting them to consider their current trial joy in light of how it can grow their faith. They fear for their lives because of the threat of persecution, but James is urging them to trust without wavering just like God does not waver. (James 1:2-18)
Having already warned them not to be prideful about their earthly wealth, James now addresses their attitude of anger and calls on these believers to get rid of all moral filth and evil by humbly accepting the Christian teachings and warnings to follow.
This is where we step into today’s passage with verse 22 AKJV:
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James doesn’t play around, nor does he mince his words. He tells all of these believers plain and simple what he wants and what he expects from them:
“Obey God’s Word! Do not just listen to it being read or just read it yourself and feel exceedingly great about “devoted Christian self” Actually DO what it says! Do not just read the Scriptures then nod your head and smile in a not-so-subtle pretense of thoroughly understanding what you just read. Read the Scriptures! Then perk your ears up, listen to what God is trying to communicate into your heart and unto your soul. You read Scriptures, you are definitely talking to God!
Even though this sounds excessively simple, like a natural extension of your soul, ask yourself a question – is it a natural extension of your heart and soul?
Let’s take a look at each phrasebecause that’s when we learn more than we expected to learn or substantially more than we actually wanted to know.
“Do not merely listen to the word…” Why is he talking about “listening”? Don’t most people read God’s Word? It’s not exactingly like they had the King James Bible APP on their Smart Phones reciting the Bible back to them verse by verse.
Exactly, and neither did most first century Christians have a copy of the Old Testament or letters by the apostles in their home. The church leadership likely had possession of a copy – as letters such as this epistle usually traveled from church to church – and they were read when the community gathered. Most first century believers only listened to these teachings being read to them.
“… and so, deceive yourselves.”Ask yourselves, “Who are we hurting when we walk away from the Bible unchanged?” The answer is we hurt ourselves. We are severely hurting ourselves by deceiving ourselves into thinking we are “good Christians” for having read the Bible today when, in fact, we are not living out our faith. James’ clearest command is this; “Do what it [God’s teaching] says.”
As James likes to do, he brings his point to us in an analogy in verses 23 and 24:
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his [a]natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, [b]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. [NASB]
How is reading the Bible like looking into a mirror?
When I do a quick once-over before I leave the house, I make 100% sure all the zippers are zipped, my shirt matches my pants, my necktie does not clash with my outfit, my socks and shoes match my pants, and my hair is neatly combed.
Let’s say I am on my way to a business meeting, or a formal event and I spot a giant stain on my shirt. I see the stain – it’s loud and clear – but I leave for my function without changing. What’s the point of looking in the mirror in the first place? I make it to my gathering with my giant stain, and somebody asks me a little sarcastically, “Don’t you own a mirror?” and my response is, “Of course I do. I took a long look at myself in said mirror before I left, too. What else could possibly be the problem here?” I just gave the appearance of a careless dresser.
This scene is so ridiculous, yet this is how we sometimes act with the Bible.
James 1:19-22 New American Standard Bible
19 [a]You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all [b]that remains of wickedness, in [c]humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.
In full disclosure, I’ll share with you a personal example. Let’s take the set of verses we just glanced over, James 1:19-20: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
I will freely confess that anger and impatience is a big weakness of mine and has been as long as I can remember. There have been years of taking this sin seriously but there have also been periods of giving up and basically saying, “I am an impatient person. I see this verse telling me to listen patiently and to keep my sarcasm and anger in check, but I am walking away without a change.”
Here are some reasons why, I think, some of us walk away from God’s Word unchanged:
We have tried to solve this problem in our own strength, have failed and given up. Clearly, this is just how we are, and there is no hope. Not true! Jesus told us He was sending the Holy Spirit to be our Helper to remind us of everything He has taught us (John 14:16-17, 26).
We have forgotten why we study the Bible. It’s easy for our quiet time to become our quiet routine. Remember to start our Bible reading with prayer for focus and a heart and soul open to being convicted and changed. (Psalm 32)
We are scared to admit and confess our sin before man and before God. We each somehow think we will lose face – even if just in front of ourselves. We run from the shame we’d feel at the thought of our sin. Guess what?! Forgiveness is right on the other side of confession. Jesus has already paid the price, so our heavenly Father is waiting with open arms for us to confess and to grow closer to Him.
I cannot move on before mentioning that last phrase: “When we walk away, we forget what we look like.” When we close our Bible and our souls are unfazed and move on with our day, we are not likely to revisit the issue. On the other hand, if we read the passage with an open heart and feel convicted, the Holy Spirit has our attention to begin working in our hearts towards change and righteousness.
James 1 Verse 25NASB has another promise for us:
25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but [a]an active doer, this person will be blessed in [b]what he does.
There is so much to explore in this verse.
How is this person looking into God’s Word? Intently! It’s not an obligatory glance but intentional, focused reading.
What do we learn about His Word, “the perfect law”? It gives freedom. The world tries to tell you that God’s rules are restricting, but obeying God rather than being a slave to sin is actually freeing. Have you ever experienced that? When we turn from sin towards Christ, we have a joy and peace beyond description.
Is it about intentionally reading God’s Word then? No, that’s just the first step.
The key is to continue in His will – that means to not forget His word but rather implement it. Of course, we do so imperfectly on earth and grow over time with the help of the Holy Spirit. But thankfully, God first looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows we are “only human” (Psalm 103:14), and never gives up on us but grows our faith until the day He will perfect it (Hebrews 12:2).
And when we do God’s will… well, then God will bless us in it! What a promise.
James continues his letter to the scattered believers with lots of exhortations to love one another regardless of status or wealth, live out our faith in our actions and speech, and walk humbly with God instead of boasting in ourselves.
The book of James is full of these life lessons.
Do you seriously and over-zealously want to learn how to study them well?
I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African American Spiritual)
1. I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
2. I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
3. I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
4. I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna read my Bible so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna study my Bible so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna love my Bible so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna live the word of God, so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna walk the word of God, so God can use me, anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna talk the word of God, so God can use me, anywhere, Lord, anytime!
Finally, in your contemplations, in and within your pondering and meditation over exactly whose mirror you are looking in, whose image is most preferred?
Consider well your motives for knowing versus not knowing the Word of God:
In your experience, what’s the hardest part about reading God’s Word intently?
What distracts you from taking a look at yourself in light of what you see in Scripture? And, while you comment to God, see if you can encourage a fellow believer who has also shared to keep on keeping on in our faith in Christ Jesus.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, Author of Wisdom, thank You for the wise teachings of James. I realize how important it is to not only have a genuine faith… by trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary, but to be a fruitful Christian in word and in deed. Keep me from worldly ways and from slipping back in the carnality of fleshly living, but may I grow in grace and in a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ – as I abide in Him… and bring forth much fruit to Your praise and glory – this I ask in Jesus’ name, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! AMEN.
10 Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other. 11 Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord. 12 Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. 13 Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
As much as it is or is not possible for any one person, we read Paul’s directive to be joyful, patient and faithful in the midst of ever-mounting daily struggles.
Considering the differences between when Paul first wrote these words and these 21st century days, if there really are any significant differences except the passage of years and generations of people which have come and gone, and the obvious differences in socio-cultural, socio-economic, techno complexities, it must still be the same in the minds of the readers specific to each time frame.
They read the words and I have read the words myself over and over again, and it is clear to me as I believe it was to them: these words seem like a hard pill to try and swallow and remain faithful and devoted to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Every era has its own singularly unique complexities and challenges which we as followers and believers must raise up and meet – not in any image of “me, myself and I” but in the image of God. the Father, God the Son and Holy Spirit!
Be devoted to one another like a loving family.
Excel in showing respect for each other.
Do not be lazy in showing your devotion.
Use your energy to serve the Lord.
Be happy in your confidence.
Be patient in times of trouble – without regard to how big or small trouble is.
Pray continually.
Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. (Who does not need?)
Be hospitable.
Any one of these directives taken alone is daunting enough.
Any two or three or more taken together in whatever combination – WOW!
But there are NINE DIRECTIVES given by the Apostle Paul in these verses.
Doing all NINE DIRECTIVES in the image of God, the Father, Son and Spirit?
Who is not wondering what was on Paul’s mind when he wrote these words?
Is Paul out of his collective mind? Is he or is he not in firm contact with reality?
However, these charges come directly on the heels of instruction to serve the Lord continually out of a growing and maturing spiritual fervor and passion for God. When we are walking after the Spirit, living out of our relationship to Him then these things will naturally occur in our lives because each one of these is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). These fruits are His characteristics and traits, so each of these identified characteristics in our lives are a byproduct of our relationship to Savior Christ. As we devote ourselves to God, become more and more like him, we will 100% start resembling His character on a daily basis.
Let us just try to carefully examine the directives from verse 12.
12 Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.
We are to be joyful in hope.
When our hope is placed Jesus then being joyful in all things is easy because we know the hope to which we were called.
1 Peter says, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
As born-again believers, we know the hope that we have through Christ. Our future in heaven is secure in him by evidence of his resurrection.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Just the knowledge one day we will be reunited with Christ is reason enough to be continually joyful in all things. This inexpressible and glorious joy should be self-evident to everyone around us because of the 100% hope we have in Christ.
Secondly, we are to be patient in affliction. Being patient is a wonderful characteristic to have. It is a quality of suffering with fortitude while enduring wrongs and trials at the hands of the world.
James tells us that we are to “consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
The King James Bible says it this way, “the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:3-4 KJV).
The work of patience in our lives produces growth, maturity and completion in our faith. This is why we can be patient in affliction, because we know the result of the trial will not destroy us but rather help us grow and mature in the Lord.
Next we are to be faithful in prayer.
James teaches us “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
Through Christ Jesus we are completely righteous which means when we pray, it is powerful and effective. This is why Paul tells us to be continuously faithful in our continual devotion and discipline to prayer because we know that we are releasing God’s power on this earth when we pray.
Jesus told the disciples “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). When we pray in accordance with God’s will then we can rest assured that the answer is yes to whatever we ask.
The Apostle Paul gave us an empowering and encouraging word in Romans 8 concerning this and praying in agreement to God’s will, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Since we are called to His purpose, we can pray in the knowledge that it is effective and will work out for our good.
Joy, patience and faithfulness are all fruit of the Spirit. We can operate in all of these things because they are characteristics of God and have been deposited into our born-again spirits. We can let them flow through us simply by living by His spirit and renewing our minds to the truth of His word. How may this word of God come to bless you and may your fruit look like His characteristics today?
Try giving the directives a new life within your 21st Century Times and Seasons!
Try giving these directives a new order within your 21st century complexities!
Recently I skimmed the verse backwards and it gave new life to the verse I already love.
FAITHFUL IN PRAYER
Prayer basically means to talk to God. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In all things we should seek God through prayer. We don’t need to be anxious, worried, or in doubt. He is always available to listen and give us peace.
Not only are we asked to pray but pray faithfully. Faithful by definition is to have a long-continued and steadfast devotion. So, we are to be devoted to prayer, and another translation tells us to be constant in prayer. Break the Cycle! Being in a constant conversation with God throughout your entire day. Through every last stumble we deliberately look to Him to guide us. That’s what He wants, and that’s what we need. A healthy relationship will always require communication.
PATIENT IN AFFLICTION
Patience is the ability to tolerate delay without getting angry or upset. I’ve heard a lot of people say, “don’t pray for patience, God will give it to you!” As in, you and I will sooner or later, end up in a situation that will require patience.
But the truth we all seem to take for granted is we will all have afflictions or something that causes us our unique pain and unique suffering in this life.
Whether it’s financial hardships, chronic pain, emotional struggles, or even various degrees and measures of oppression and persecution, we need Godly patience to help us along the way. When we face times like these, we can seek God through prayer and lean on Him to give us patience to endure our trials.
JOYFUL IN HOPE
We will spend eternity in the presence of the creator of the universe.
Our hope is in Jesus and eternal life spent with Him! This truth should be radiating from us!
John 14:1-14 GOD’S WORD Translation
Jesus Promises to Send the Holy Spirit
14 “Don’t be troubled. Believe in God and believe in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you into my presence so that you will be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have known me, you will also know my Father. From now on you know him ⌞through me⌟ and have seen him ⌞in me⌟.”
8 Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us.”
9 Jesus replied, “I have been with all of you for a long time. Don’t you know me yet, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? What I’m telling you doesn’t come from me. The Father, who lives in me, does what he wants. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe me because of the things I do.
12 “I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do anything you ask ⌞the Father⌟ in my name so that the Father will be given glory because of the Son. 14 If you ask me to do something, I will do it.
Whatever size and magnitude of trials come our way; we can always be joyful in the fact that we will have a future with Jesus. In the meantime, through faithful prayer and patience, we can continue to look at Him until that day has come.
In John 16:33 after Jesus tells the disciples the future troubles, they were going to face he says:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Through faithfulness in prayer, we receive patience to wait upon Jesus in whom we find our joy-filled, joyful everlasting, ever-living, genuine hope.
We are called to disciple and shepherd not just the ones who are easy, but also the hurting ones. The hurt might be self-inflicted, or due to an illness, personal, financial, or relational loss or a number of other reasons. Regardless of the reason, Romans 12 is a beautiful road map I often refer to for walking with the hurting.
BE PRESENT: Let your love for others be genuine, not artificial or forced. Be the first one to greet them in the church lobby, make eye contact, smile at them make them feel valued and that they are important to you. Make the sincere effort to be present with them as they navigate their ups and downs of life.
Reconciliation, forgiving someone, coming back to church, making amends with those they hurt, or starting a conversation with God who they believe let the bad thing happen to them. These may be little baby steps to us, but it is a very necessary forward motion, and they need to hear you celebrate with them.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ” Romans 12:9
“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15
BE PATIENT: Don’t put off the hard conversations. This takes dedication, time, and intentionality. There is God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit’s part, there is our part, and their part. Don’t get too far ahead in your expectations and goal setting for them. Walk next to them, not ahead of them.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
BE HUMBLE: “Let your mind be like Christ Jesus.” Ouch, that is a hard one. But Jesus showed us how to do that over and over. Living in harmony is hard work. We don’t get a free pass just because it is hard. Pride is the enemy of humility.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” – Romans 12:14
BE A GOOD LISTENER: A Sound, Growing and Mature Wisdom is knowing what to say and more importantly what not to say. Knowing when to say it and when not to say it. Listen with the exact intent to understand,not respond. The best moments occur when I’m counseling someone, and they just have that “awe ha” moment as they talk it out. Be ever so prudent in your use and application of silence. Give God His space. I didn’t tell them the solution, the Holy Spirit did.
In any time, Paul’s directives are complex and challenging. If we are walking with someone who is hurting, who has hurt you or those you care about, give it to God. He can take the burden off your shoulders and do what only he can do. Love them well in their journey to freedom from the heartaches weighing them down. Love them just as God loves you! Celebrate them as God celebrates you!
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:12
Most of us have endured devastating trials in our lives. We have been devastated by financial loss, heartbreak, loss of loved ones, and other troubled times. Many of these stories are reported on television on a daily basis. And yet, 100% truth, time after time, the resilience of those who are facing adversity shines through.
The main reason many of us do not buckle or stumble under the weight of our circumstances is because of the eternal hope that is alive, well, in our hearts.
Characteristically, just like faith, hope is strengthened by adversity. The harsh experience of having gone through something difficult toughens our resolve so that we believe we are going to be okay. In verse 12 of Romans 12, Paul tried to help us understand that going through difficult times was no excuse to abandon hope. We should strive to remain joyful in faith, hope as we wait in anticipation for God’s promises to be fulfilled, with the greatest promise being His Heaven.
When you experience difficulty, you always have a choice. One option is to hide yourself in a dark place away from the world, or you can face the adversity head on, knowing that, In God, the Father, Son and Spirit, you are, 100% not alone.
God is forever there. Just reach out to Him in prayer. The everlasting hope that He has placed in your heart will see you through. And the next time you endure a trial, through godly patience and perseverance, your hope will be stronger.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us pray,
Holy God, make me a partaker of your Holy Spirit. Enlighten me, oh, God. May I taste this heavenly gift that you reserve for your righteous people. Cleanse me of any barriers in my heart and mind that may stop me from feeling your true presence in me. Flood any dark spots in my heart with your light. Help me to walk in your light and shine your beauty and grace on everyone I meet. Amen.
Valentine’s Day is a special day for those in marriages where there is a mutually enriching relationship. It is a special for couples who are dating or engaged. It is a special day for dear friends. It is a day is for gifting with boxes of chocolate candy all wrapped with a red and white bow, flowers, loving cards, enjoyable times together, lunch dates and dinners all with the most romantic of flares.
But there are some people would like to ignore Valentine’s Day: recent widows and widowers, those living together who are estranged, separated or divorced, those struggling as single mothers or single fathers or anyone because of age, depression or infirmity who feels alone. How can those who are celebrating look at their celebration of shared love from another perspective? How can those who want the day to be invisible, live in their lives from another perspective?
The answer is contained in the pages of God’s Word to us. Whoever we are, we ought to try and remember we are first loved by Creator God at the moment of conception in our mother’s womb. This love remains a constant in our lives. The truth is: God’s love is our first valentine. So, whether we celebrate openly or simply desire the day to fall off the calendar, we can all celebrate God’s love on Valentine’s Day. We do this by reflecting on his word to each of us individually:
1 John 4:7-21 GOD’S WORD Translation
God’s Love Lives in His People
7 Dear friends, we must love each other because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. 8 The person who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, because God is love. 9 God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. 10 This love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if this is the way God loved us, we must also love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 We know that we live in him, and he lives in us because he has given us his Spirit.
14 We have seen and testify to the fact that the Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God lives in those who declare that Jesus is the Son of God, and they live in God. 16 We have known and believed that God loves us. God is love. Those who live in God’s love live in God, and God lives in them.
17 God’s love has reached its goal in us. So we look ahead with confidence to the day of judgment. While we are in this world, we are exactly like him ⌞with regard to love⌟. 18 No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love.
19 We love because God loved us first. 20 Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates another believer is a liar. People who don’t love other believers, whom they have seen, can’t love God, whom they have not seen. 21 Christ has given us this commandment: The person who loves God must also love other believers.
The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
We often think of Valentine’s Day as the day for couples to show their love to one another, but rarely do we use the day to remind us of God’s unmatched love for us, His children. For many single people, Valentine’s Day can be a bitter reminder of their singleness and desire for a relationship. Luckily, God doesn’t leave anyone, single or in a relationship, out of His unending love and grace.
In 1 John 4:8, the author says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
God is love itself. We wouldn’t have any conception of “love” at all if it weren’t for God, the definition of love.
God further defines love in the classic 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 passage that reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
God continuously describes love in this way, and then continually tells us that He IS love. This further emphasizes that God himself is all of these things.
God is continually and continuously patient and kind. He keeps no record of wrongs. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. God’s love is a perfect love that no one on earth could ever possibly emulate.
We frequently read this 1 John 4 and 1 Corinthians passage near Valentine’s Day or at weddings to remind us of what continuous and continual love should look like. We sin and tragically fall short, but God is the perfect demonstration of it.
John 3:16 says, “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
In His continuous and continual love for us, He gave up His only son for us. He gave us eternal life because of His great and unmatched love for each of us.
The theologian C.S. Lewis once said, “He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.”
Ponder upon and today meditate upon this thought: God loves you so much. If you were the only one on earth, He 100% still would have sent His son for you.
Mark 12:28-34 GOD’S WORD Translation
Love God and Your Neighbor
28 One of the experts in Moses’ Teachings went to Jesus during the argument with the Sadducees. He saw how well Jesus answered them, so he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of them all?”
29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. 30 So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
32 The expert in Moses’ Teachings said to Jesus, “Teacher, that was well said! You’ve told the truth that there is only one God and no other besides him! 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus heard how wisely the man answered, he told the man, “You’re not too far from God’s kingdom.”
After that, no one dared to ask him another question.
So, on this Valentine’s Day 2022, remember to set your sights not on earthy relationships, but on the God above who loves far more fully and abundantly than we could ever imagine. Strive in your life to continually, continuously learning everything there is to know from God’s Word about His love for you.
Translate that knowledge and experience into your everyday life with whoever it is you may meet. Celebrate and share the perfect love of God in Christ Jesus. Love others in the exact same way in which God, through Christ first loved you! Pray openly or secretly, with those you meet today, “may God’s love embrace you not just on this Valentine’s Day but in every single moment of every single day!”
There is no such a time that is ever a bad time to express your love for someone, and if it takes a formal holiday like Valentine’s Day, to help you to express your affection to the loved ones in your life, then I’m all for it and you should be too. For the occasion: don’t just send a card or note that says “I love you!” Include a personal message from God’s Words of Love and Life, of Faith and Hope about what it is that you love about that person, why you find time to cherish them.
Please, Do not put off saying “I LOVE YOU.”
For God’s Sake, do not assume someone knows how you feel about them. Tell them. Tell them right now. The matter of one person’s soul hearing God’s love for them should never be taken for granted. God’s first love transforms utterly. Give God, Give Jesus, Give God’s Holy Spirit the opportunity to grow loves seed. We plant the seed of His abiding love with our love we first received from God. Love is always meant to be communicated. Love is always meant to be known.
Try and imagine all those moments when you did not speak or hear of 1st love. Did you love the feeling? Do you regret not even knowing of all the feelings? I encourage each and every one who eventually comes to read this devotional to pick up their Bibles, clean, wipe the dust off the covers – learn of “first love” all over again. Reacquaint and refresh your hearts and your souls with His Truth.
“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, you soul, mind and strength!”
FROM GOD TO YOU, THROUGH ME, HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINES’ DAY 2022!!!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
A Valentine’s Day Prayer
I said a Valentine prayer for You and asked the Lord above to fill your heart and bless your soul with the precious gift of love.
I asked Him for sincere love the kind that’s meant to stay just like the generous love You give to those You touch each day.
I prayed for love from family and from every cherished friend then I asked the Lord to give you His love that knows no end.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 