17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud (2 Peter 2).”
It’s disappointing when we think we know someone, because they are an apologist for their convictions, only to discover they are hypocrites. We wish everyone would practice what they preach. The more influential someone is, the higher our expectations of them. Parents, teachers, church leadership, politicians and others are all required to set examples for those they oversee. It’s unfortunate when someone fails to conduct themselves according to the standards they have set for themselves or others. Christians have to live up to their calling; as followers and believers of God, Christ Jesus and the teachings of Scripture. Faith is proved by our actions. Our convictions determine the direction of our lives.
“Show your faith by what you do.”
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2)
If we believe in certain values, then we must stick to them. Thinking about something is not the same as doing it. Faith without works is dead faith—worthless and unprofitable. Faith must be accompanied by works. If you just went around telling people, “Jesus love you,” they would not care until you showed concern for their needs. If you believe in love then act in love. Show your faith by what you do.
The Pharisees, in The Lord Jesus’ days, focused on strictly following Jewish traditions, but neglected mercy, love, justice, and compassion for others. While they claimed to believe in God, they didn’t do what God commanded them to do for others. We can love God, but we must love our neighbors as ourselves. God loves people, and to love people is to love God, Who made them in His Image. Works do not precede faith in God. We believe therefore, we obey, and we obey by our actions. Even the demons believe in God. We are not like them who believe and are rebellious. If the demons believe, then it’s foolish for anyone to be an atheist or idol worshipper. The demons believe there’s One God; yet they are the worst of created beings. The difference is demons don’t do what God commands. Obedience is the hallmark of a true Christian. Don’t just mull over what God has already commanded, do it! There’s a place reserved for the hypocrites. The works of faith are shown more evidently in our love for others, as we also love God.
“Impatience will reveal who we really are.”
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24).
God doesn’t tolerate hypocrites. Hypocrites don’t take God seriously. Their actions make others question God’s Authority and Holiness. There are many Christians who have given up on waiting for Christ’s return. There are those in Church leadership who are also losing their patience with the congregation. Impatience will reveal who we really are. Before long, people start to question what else they have been living for. The Master is coming to take His people to be with Him for Eternity. The Body of Christ should be alert while serving Him, by doing what pleases Him. It is not the time to conform to worldliness in debauchery, strife, hatred and arrogance. Hypocrites cause God’s Name to be blasphemed by others. Christians are to honor God by their conduct of unwavering obedience. When they act like the rest of the world, they promote their self-will and rebellion, before others. They are an aversion to those who want to see authentic and faithful members of The Body of Christ. They pollute God’s Name by which they have been called—sons and daughters of The Most High God. God has reserved hell for the hypocrites, because they dishonor Him in their levity to His Righteousness.
“Obedience is the hallmark of a true Christian.”
21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written (Romans 2).
We teach others what we should expect of ourselves. Don’t condone what you practice, when no one else is watching. The more we know God, the more accountable we are to Him. Sometimes it’s better to just speak less and do more. As we make our position clear on issues, we should be earnest to follow through. If we boast of God’s Perfect Law, then we must keep it. We can’t fool anyone with hypocrisy. God’s Name should not be blasphemed by those who claim to know and love Him. Christians are an expression of God’s Likeness to those around them, by their attitude, character, values, words and actions.
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12).”
Speak what you believe; but remember your words have life. Words will build or destroy others, including the one who is speaking them. Idle words are words we don’t intend to keep. By our words we will be justified or condemned, because we speak what is from the heart. If we intend to deceive, we will lie about who we are. Out of the abundance of the heart is a wellspring of desires and intentions. A good person will have good intentions and act on them. An evil person has wicked desires and will fulfill them. We use words to express our intentions. A good tree produces good fruit, just as a person of good character does good deeds.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Do you not know that as many of us were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of The Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His Resurrection. 6 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin (Romans 6).
Walk in the newness of life— The Life of The Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Our body of sin was united to the Body of Christ, in death. But we are now risen with Him— to live in Him. We can not seek life among the dead. We can not desire to live in the body of sin, that was crucified with Christ. Now, as a new creation, we live in the likeness of His Resurrection. The dead can longer sin; their works are done. We have been freed from sin by His death, and now live by His Spirit. All things are now in Christ. So put off hypocrisy! It is not befitting of one who has already died to sin. Live in the newness of Eternal life and don’t relapse to the old nature.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. 19 But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me (Psalm 66).
Acknowledge that sin is keeping you from obeying God and serving Him. Don’t hide your sin when you go before God. He will not hear the prayers of a brazen sinner, who refuses to seek after His Righteousness. We must approach God in humility. He hears the prayer of the contrite, who repents wholeheartedly. Sometimes, we don’t want to tell God that we were wrong; we prefer to point the finger at someone else. Before we ask God to meet our needs, we have to be honest with Him about our sin. He will not shun the prayers of those who seek Righteousness, before they make their requests.
“We teach others what we should expect of ourselves.”
We are a living testimony of the new life we have in Christ. Our values, conduct, words and lifestyle will determine whether we are authentic Christians. We are not meant to fit in with the world; but to live as sojourners destined for The Kingdom of God. Every Kingdom has a King, a people and laws. Our faith is shown by our actions. As servants awaiting the return of our Savior, we must continue to serve faithfully. He will reward us according to our commitment and determination to obey Him.
Hypocrites tarnish God’s Name by their double-minded attitude. As we profess our faith, we open ourselves up to scrutiny. A good person will speak out of the good treasure of their heart. A hypocrite will act on the wickedness of their desires. God does not hear the prayers of a rebellious Christian. We must be authentic Christians so that God’s Name is not blasphemed by others. It would be tragic to have spent our lives professing Christ as our Lord, and fail to live up to our calling.
“Our convictions determine the direction of our lives.”
14 You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners before The Lord of hosts? 15 So now we call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up. They even tempt God and go free.“
16 Then those who feared The Lord spoke to one another, and The Lord listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him, for those who fear The Lord and who meditate on His name. 17 “They shall be Mine,” says The Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 Then you shall again discern, between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him (Malachi 3).
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16).”
The trials we face in life will either build us or break us. A soldier must go through rigorous training to test their ability to hold their own, in dangerous situations. In a competitive race, some will endure to the finish line, while others will drop out from exhaustion. Character is shaped by the different challenges we face. Every stage of life prepares us for the next. We should see the trials we face as opportunities, not misfortune. The tougher the circumstances, the more resilient we should become. Like bodybuilding, resistance-weight-training strengthens and builds muscle. Christians go through trials, suffering, and temptations, just as much as everyone else. We must grow in faith, persistence, endurance and character, with every trial we face.
“Endure reproach for His Name as a badge of honor.”
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His Glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the Name of Christ, blessed are you, for The Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1 Peter4).
Fiery trials don’t just happen to a select few. There are difficult phases in our lives where it seems like we have lost control of our circumstances: dealing with a debilitating illness, losing a job, death of a loved one, overwhelmed by responsibilities, carrying emotional pain from an injustice or separation from a loved one. The world is rife with imperfection; our mental, physical and emotional being can’t keep up with the ebb and flow. We can make plans that can crumble at any moment. Nothing is guaranteed, not even your life or that of your loved one. So in your trials, remember that The Son of Living God was also subjected to suffering. If Christ, Who Created the entire universe and holds it together, suffered, we are not exempt. If we are in Christ Jesus, we will suffer just as He did. We break the bread of communion—His broken Body, to commemorate His death. But we also eat the bread to symbolize our unity with His suffering Body. We are reminded to rejoice in our suffering, because we bear in our bodies the likeness of Christ.
If as believers we are reproached or reviled for our commitment to Christ, we should rejoice all the more. The Spirit of Glory dwells in us, and He’s the evidence to others that we are unique. Their attacks are proof that we don’t fit in. While they attack our convictions, we glorify The Lord because we have been set apart from others. We ensure as much as possible that we are not being condemned, or criticized for participating in works of darkness. Endure reproach for His Name as a badge of honor. We can’t please everyone, even on our best form. So, we should not think that living for God’s Glory will appeal to everyone. He is the only One we need to impress.
“Trials will either bring out the best or the worst of us.”
9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him. When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. 10 But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His Way and not turned aside (Job 23).
God is imperceptible to our natural senses. We would like to feel Him near us, especially when we are in dire straits. It would be comforting and reassuring if we could hear His Voice. Though we don’t feel Him, He sees us. He feels us and knows us very personally. At all times, we have His Presence in us, and we also have Scripture to guide us. Just because we don’t perceive Him, doesn’t mean He is not there. Each test tries our faith in Him. Instead of behaving like an imp, who must always have their way, by acting out in order to get attention, we should be humble before God. When a child doesn’t get what they want, they become rebellious and petulant. As children of God, we should obey even when we don’t understand why prayers are not being answered. Obedience is much harder when we don’t get what we want. We would rather murmur and become bitter. Obedience makes us do good, focus on God and restrain self-will. Trials will either bring out the best or the worst of us. After we have been tested, we should aspire to come forth as gold.
“Patience trains us to find hidden treasures in our trials.”
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus (Galatians 6).
Why cave in to peer pressure, or temptations of this world? If we bear in our bodies the marks of the sufferings of Christ Jesus, we bear the scars from the beatings, the crown of thorns, and the nails that bore Him on the Cross. What can overpower a body that has already been through such suffering? Let no one trouble or pester you, to conform your body to mediocrity. Bear the marks of Christ’s perseverance, so that you too remain unflappable in the face of suffering. Let no one trouble you, because you bear in your body the marks of victory.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete,lacking nothing (James 1).
Joy hardly ever marries with afflictions. To count it joy when facing trials would require we find something worth rejoicing, in the midst of it. Most trials are out of our control. We can only do so much to mitigate the situation; for the most part, we have to roll with the punches. We can trust God to take charge over those things we have no control over. We put our faith in Him and not in our problem-solving skills.
Faith in God will require us to wait on Him to work things out. Patience is vital for our peace of mind. While patiently waiting to get direction from God, or to see what He will do, we need to direct our energy on other areas in our lives that need our attention. We should pray about every detail of what we are facing and learn how to adapt. Patience should teach us about the areas we need to improve about ourselves. Patience trains us to find hidden treasures in our trials. By staying in constant touch with God, we can be equipped from His Presence with everything we need, to face the next minute. He is our full portion even in the trials. We lack no good thing in His Presence; Here we are made perfect and complete.
“Fill up on everything that Christ was!”
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1).
Faith is tested most in the crucible of afflictions. Trials test our mettle and shape our character. If we believe in God, we can put our faith to the test, when the world seems to be closing in on us. We don’t see Him, we can hardly feel Him, but we believe He is Loving and Good. Faith that is unwavering will give us peace and joy in the midst of trials. Faith is harnessed from love and trust.
Gold is not going to uphold us when we are depressed, grieving or ailing. We serve The Living God Who will not fail us. Joy does wonders that medicine and money can’t replicate. Joy is a by-product of faith. The genuineness of our faith, in trials, will benefit our mind, body and soul. God is honored by our unwavering confidence in Him.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts (Proverbs 17).
Every invention man creates is tested for its usefulness and durability. The most valuable items are tested the hardest and most often: Gold and silver are tested in extreme heat. The Lord tests the hearts of His people. The heart is the hub of all sorts of emotions, passions and persuasion. Anyone who wants to be useful for God’s Purpose must be tested. We are more precious than gold. We have to be ready for every good work, by having the fortitude to overcome what the world throws at us. We are striving to be numbered among those who will enter into His Kingdom, by the salvation of our souls. The enemy of our soul will not relent, to keep us out of God’s Kingdom. So in the furnace of fiery trials, we are trained to withstand temptation, and hold fast to our faith.
17 And if you call on The Father, Who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1).
We are valuable and precious to God, not because we were purchased with gold or silver. We were worth the sacrifice of The Son of God, for the forgiveness of our sins. We belong to Him, because He has redeemed us with His Blood. We no longer live as children of the world, but as the apple of God’s Eye. So no trials should cause us to relinquish our place in the household of God, through compromise. If we could only imagine it, we would understand that we can’t afford to get trapped in vanities and lusts of the world. Every trial is a step higher to our betterment. Our conduct matters in every situation we are faced with. We have to be intentional about gaining what Christ has already attained for us, by living wisely.
24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His Body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the Word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1).
Suffering for Christ, as a member of the Body of Christ, is commendable. Paul said that he would have rejoiced to even suffer more, so that he can be one with Christ in His afflictions. Paul felt that his own suffering was pale in comparison to Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross. Those doing the work of the ministry of the Gospel will also suffer persecution. If we suffer for our faith and work within the Body of Christ—His people, we are in good company. Fill up on everything that Christ was! God has chosen His people to be filled with all the Glorious Riches, including the suffering of Christ in us. He is our hope and our strength.
“Every trial is a step higher to our betterment.”
Take courage and face trials with the strength that God provides. Learn from afflictions, and come out as gold. Surrender to God by obedience and faith in Him. He will not allow trials beyond what you can bear. Christians are not immune to challenges. We have to wait patiently for God to deliver us, as we do what we can to move forward. God will never fail us, even as He allows trials in our life. If we are to be useful as His children, we must be tested, so that we can endure trials and temptations for His Glory. We can overcome the distractions of the world, as we live to honor God. As precious vessels for God’s Purpose, we grow from strength to strength and are able to stand against the wiles of the Enemy. Christ suffered; so we are to be as He was in the world. No one should trouble us with mediocrity, because we bear in these bodies the marks of the suffering of our Savior. He dwells in us, to show forth through us His Power, under the strains of life.
“But now, thus says the Lord, Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am The Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Since you were precious in My sight. You have been honored, and I have loved you. Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life (Isaiah 43).”
There are those who only do the bare minimum, and those who go the extra mile to get things done. We remember those who came through for us, at a time we didn’t know who to turn to. Think of a time when you were facing an insurmountable burden and you felt helpless. Then your needs were met beyond your imagination; words can’t express how it happened. God moves Heaven and Earth to answer when we call. He does exceedingly above what we ask.
“God makes a surfeit of our meager supply.”
14 For this reason I bow my knees to The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His Glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the Love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the Fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3).
God gives according to the Riches of His Glory, not according to our deficit. He gives according to His abundance in His Glory. He strengthens with His Might, by His Spirit working in us. He doesn’t strengthen us with our greatest might—human strength. Christ dwells in us, and by surrendering to Him, we have access to His Strength. By faith we have the Fullness of God dwelling in us—Christ Jesus and His Love. He loves us beyond our comprehension. He makes us one with Him so that we are never going it alone. He tends to us according to His Power in us, exceedingly and abundantly above what we ask or can imagine.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in The House of The Lord forever (Psalm 23).
We are furnished from the riches of His Glory. He knows every affair of our lives, because we are welded together with Him. He knows our anxieties and our weakness, because He is in us. We must ask and pray in confidence, to receive according to His Power that is already at work in us. This is not Power that is far up somewhere, it is Christ in us. We can steel ourselves against our fears and adversities, because we are sustained by His Glorious Riches. Christ’s Love for us is the Fullness of God poured into us, without measure, so that our cup runs over.
“Faith is believing that the little we have is valuable.”
3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.”
5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest (2 Kings 4).”
This widow had just lost her husband, who owed a creditor a large sum that she couldn’t pay. She came to Elisha, who was her late husband’s master. He asked her what she had of value at her home, and she told him she only had her last jar of oil. Elisha told her to borrow many jars and fill them with the only oil she had. She did what Elisha told her, and when she ran out of jars, the oil stayed. She was able to sell it and pay off the creditor, and had leftover oil to sustain her and her sons.
Trust God with what is in your hand, for your present needs. Those who are closefisted are unwilling to let God use what they have. They would rather squirrel away what they need, instead of using it. The widow obeyed what the man of God asked her to do, by using the only oil she had. Take the little you have and put it in God’s Hands. God will supply your needs, and leave a surplus. His Love doesn’t run dry. He exceeds expectations, because He will not give His Glory to another. He wants the memory of His Greatness etched in our minds—as inimitable. God makes a surfeit of our meager supply. He is the only One Who gives exceedingly, because He gives from His Riches.
8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up (Matthew 16)?”
6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand (Mark 8).
The Lord Jesus took the seven loaves and gave thanks. Four thousand people were fed from seven loaves and a few small fish. They ate to their heart’s content, until there were seven large baskets of leftovers. How often do we give thanks for the little we have? though it may not seem enough? Is little better than nothing? Of course it is. If we can be grateful for the little, we can be thankful for larger things. Faith is believing that the little we have is valuable. But we must be thankful for it to want to use it. We have to be grateful for small mercies. Be careful not to despise what can be used to benefit you or someone else. Don’t deny to give the little you have at the present, because you don’t believe it has any worth to someone else. Giving thanks changes our perspective and our attitude. Grow your faith with the little things. Faith is what’s needed when there’s hardly enough, otherwise it would be ‘luck’. Ask and give thanks, then start to carry out the task with what you have. After Christ gave thanks, He broke the bread and dished it out. Take the next step, by doing the next thing; just as you would if you had all that you needed.
“God gives according to the Riches of His Glory, not according to our deficit.”
5 Yet The Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. 6 You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am The Lord your God.” 7 When you reached this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out to fight against us, but we defeated them (Deuteronomy 29).
There are times when God takes us out of our comfort, and we find ourselves in uncharted territory. We feel like a fish out of water with little control of our circumstances. We are forced to live in uncertainty, one day a time. When we are in this state, we must learn to depend on God. We must also learn to adapt to our circumstances. When the comforts we were accustomed to are no longer within reach, we have to learn to be content. The children of Israel could no longer eat bread and drink wine in the wilderness. They had to live on the basic victuals. They only had the clothing they had left Egypt with. Yet, God made certain that they were sustained for forty years in the wilderness.
What is your wilderness? It might feel like you are stuck in a rut, and there’s no breakthrough in sight. God changes seasons just as He changes our circumstances. We must spend our time in the wilderness depending entirely on Him. This is a place of learning and trusting. Until we learn to lean on Him in the wilderness, we will not be able to cling to Him in the place of prosperity. In the wilderness we are trained to humble ourselves, listen to Him, obey and wait on Him. So that when we come to the other side, we will never look to our skills, but His Power. We will be well positioned to take on anything that comes against us. We know our God better in the place of scarcity than anywhere else. If He is not God in our wilderness, then we wouldn’t need Him in a land flowing with milk and honey. He must prove Himself, and how better than when we can’t fend for ourselves. He goes before us to overcome all odds. The children of Israel knew that God was in their midst, because of what they saw Him do, in the forty years of the wilderness. They were unfazed in the face of adversity.
“By faith, we have the Fullness of God dwelling in us—Christ Jesus and His Love.”
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, The Lord appeared to him and said, “I Am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make My Covenant between Me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for Me, this is My Covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish My Covenant as an everlasting Covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and The God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God (Genesis 17).”
One man’s faith in God became a blessing to many generations after him. When Abram heard God tell him He would give him posterity in large numbers, he prostrated before God and worshipped. Without any evidence of God’s promise physically or naturally in Abram, at a hundred years old, he still believed. God commanded Abraham to walk before Him faithfully and in submission. Abram’s name became Abraham. When coming from a place of uncertainty to a place of promise, look the part. Start by worshipping, then forge ahead into the new beginning, with a new attitude, and a pep in your step. God told Abraham that his descendants would be kings, and would inherit the promised land. Canaan, a foreign land, would become Abraham’s possession.
What may seem like a pipe dream becomes a reality when God positions us at its doorstep. God needs something in return; our faithfulness and commitment to Him. Today, be established in an Everlasting Covenant with Almighty God, for you and your children. He extends His Blessings through us when we are faithful—full of faith. He will keep the legacy of our faith in Him alive, long after we are gone, by extending His Mercies and Covenant to our children.
12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days (Job 42).
Job was put through the wringer with the loss of his sons, daughters and all of his wealth, in one day. Satan had asked permission to test Job; to prove if Job’s loyalty to God was merely because He was blessed. God allowed Satan to afflict Job, but He was not to touch Job ( Job 1). In all this Job did not curse God. In the end God blessed Job with seven sons and three daughters and blessed his latter more than the former.
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the Will of God (1 Peter 1).
There’s a possibility that the adversity we are facing may be a test of our faith and commitment to God. God will allow pain, suffering and sorrow, but He will protect us in the midst of it. Life is never fair here on earth. While in the doldrums, we have to be resolute to not give Satan what he wants—drifting away from God because we are offended. God gives and takes away, as Job well put it. We are not entitled to anything, but for God’s Goodness we can draw a breath. When we have overcome by trusting God, He will honor our humility for surrendering to His Will. Job’s life was restored to Him in great measure. He lived to see four generations of his children, with the most beautiful daughters in the land, and had much wealth. No matter what happens, keep God first and don’t waver on His Faithfulness.
We are not poor, but rich in Christ. The manifold Goodness and Power of God abounds in us through The Love of God and Our Lord Jesus. We are strengthened by His Might and our needs are supplied according to His Glorious Riches. We should not fear adversity or scarcity. We have an abundant life in Christ Jesus. He brings us out of the wilderness so that we can enter into the place of rest, by faith and submission to Him. We are never in a permanent state of afflictions, because God Who creates yearly seasons, has new beginnings for each of us. We give thanks with the little we have, by giving it to Him. We live in the divine nature that is in union with Christ. Though we live in this world we are not constrained by our circumstances. Our cup (our being) overflows with joy, peace, love, patience, faith and hope in the confidence we have in Him. Our God is exceeding in Power, Love and Goodness.
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue; 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1).
23 “As for The Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is Excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. 24 Therefore men fear Him;He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.” (Job 37).”
Power is essential to get things done and to overcome any opposing force. When someone is powerful, they are fearless and indomitable in the face of challenges. Those in power should not abuse it, to take advantage of those who can’t defend themselves. Power should be used to help the oppressed, deliver those who are in need, and subjugate evil.
“He is the strength of those who trust Him.”
6 Blessed be The Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him. 8 The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed. 9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever (Psalm 28)
When in trouble, we call on the one who can help and do so expediently. God hears us wherever we may be, and at the drop of a hat. His Power is not limited to the natural order of things. He can move against time and space to come to our aid. He is the strength of those who trust Him.
He will not compete with our self-sufficiency; so we must lean entirely on Him. We can have peace knowing that He is our present help and strength. Don’t ask of God and then doubt Him. He saves all who call upon Him. Call and trust that He is reliable, dependable and capable. He will uphold us with His Mighty Arm, so that we are preserved from impending harm. As we wait on Him to deliver us, we can rejoice in His Greatness that will not fail us. He is the One Who hears and answers when we call. He sends help in many different ways.
5 “Behold, God is Mighty, but despises no one; He is Mighty in the strength of understanding. 6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the oppressed. 7 He does not withdraw His Eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, for He has seated them forever, and they are exalted (Job 36).”
There are those who get power from a position or wealth, and it begins to go to their head. They might become condescending to others who have less than they do. But God in His Greatness, doesn’t despise anyone who is frail, or is down-and-out. His Might comes from His Understanding and Wisdom, and Power to deliver those who can’t deliver themselves from those who are more powerful. God’s Power brings justice to the oppressed. The wicked who oppress those who are weak and helpless will not live a full life—God has shortened their days on earth. Power should be used to fight for the weak and poor, and to eradicate wickedness and injustice. God positions the righteous in proximity to kings or those in authority. He will give the righteous a place to exercise righteousness, by giving them access to the king’s ears and affairs. When an authority seeks counsel from a righteous one, they will execute justice and righteousness. By God’s Power the righteous are well situated to be a great influence.
23 But these people have a defiant and rebellious heart; they have revolted and departed. 24 They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear The Lord our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” 25 Your iniquities have turned these things away, and your sins have withheld good from you (Jeremiah 5).
Sin is rebellion that discounts God’s Instructions, and disregards Who He is. Those who are defiant to God don’t fear Him. They don’t think about Him or believe that He is capable of reacting to their disobedience. They see the work of God’s Hands and still deny His existence. There’s a sense of reverence shown to those in power; the boss, law enforcement, parents or judge; yet often God doesn’t get the honor and fear He deserves. He appoints the seasons and days, the boundaries around the seas, the wind and the Sun are under His Command. He blesses those who fear Him—who seek to please Him. Sin withholds God’s Favor from us. The Most High God desires to bless us, by using His Power to orchestrate everything around us for our good.
“Freedom is the power to resist any form of oppression.”
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10).
We must try to overcome temptation and every thought that would lead us to sin against God. We are susceptible to lose our foothold, if we allow our thoughts to get out of control. The more we discipline ourselves to live righteously, the more courage we have to overcome temptations. Our mind needs to be trained to battle in the spirit. Our thoughts feed our fleshly desires, so they must be subdued. We have to fight in God’s Might, because we are often too weak to resist our own desires. The power to overcome is accessed through obedience to Christ. The Spirit of Christ will convict us and instruct us to do what is right. So we must reject any voice that tunes Him out. We are no longer slaves to our whims, but are free to fight every thought that defies God. Freedom is the power to resist any form of oppression. We are victorious in Christ, to bring all thoughts in subjection to Him.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His Presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in The Lord (1 Corinthians 1).”
“By God’s Power the righteous are well situated to be a great influence.”
The greatest power is the one that brings about a spiritual transformation. Physical strength and stamina can be brought to its knees by disease or despondency. The Power of sanctification is available to anyone who seeks it; God knows those who yearn for it. It’s seldom the highly educated, the brawny, or the wealthy who seek it, because they are self-dependent. God has called, out of this world, those who are wanting by the world’s standards, to receive what no one can offer them—The Power of Salvation, through redemption and sanctification. Those who are called are wiser, mightier, and wealthier, spiritually. They may seem like a nonentity to the world, but they have been endowed with the greatest riches and power from above. The wise of this world have rejected the simplicity of the Gospel of Salvation in Christ Jesus, to their shame. They are described as benighted, weak and destitute, by God’s Standards. No flesh will glory by fleshly (worldly) achievements before God. Glory is only found in Christ Jesus—abiding in Christ; one with Him, sanctified, righteous, and redeemed from the powers of darkness.
17 The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of Glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling; what are the riches of the Glory of His inheritance in the saints; 19 and what is the exceeding Greatness of His Power toward us who believe, according to the working of His Mighty Power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places; 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1).
God imparts to those He has called the spirit of knowledge and wisdom, to be acquainted with Him. To those He favors, He gives access to Himself, so that they may know the riches of their inheritance in Christ. What is the hope of your calling in Christ? It is the exceeding Greatness of God’s Power working in those who believe. The same Power that brought our Lord Jesus back to life is ours for the asking. He gives us Power according to His Might. When do we need power? Each day God’s Power is working on our behalf. We must ask in prayer for God to keep us, sustain us and preserve by His Mighty Power. We have great hope each day we wake up; to know and see for ourselves, how much Power is working for us. In times of distress, we can call at any moment and receive according to God’s Riches in Glory.
“The greatest power is the one that brings about a spiritual transformation.”
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose. 5 We will rejoice in Your Salvation, and in The Name of our God we will set up our banners! May The Lord fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that The Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His Right Hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember The Name of The Lord our God (Psalm 20).
Where is your place of strength and confidence? May it be in The Name of The Lord. As you face each day, exalt His Name—this is the Power which you represent. When you call on God, may He delight in you to give you the desire of your heart. May He save with His Right Hand, and become Your Salvation. He is your full portion to satisfy you with joy and sustain you with His Power. Rejoice therefore, in His Salvation. While some trust in man-made weaponry, in their physical strength or their possessions, you, remember your Creator. Hold up the banner of His Name in prayer, and see the deliverance of The Lord.
We serve a Mighty God. He gives according to the riches of His Glory, and will not suffer His righteous ones to lack. Stick with God and you will not be put to shame. Obey by restraining the fleshly lusts that war against your mind and spirit. Christ has won us the victory, by His Power over death, we are made new in Him. We are no longer who we used to be. We are going from strength to strength in The Mighty Power of God, day after day. He delivers the oppressed and fights for them. Though He is Majestic in Power, He will not use it to destroy those who humble themselves before Him.
God will honor those who fear Him, by aligning them with movers and shakers, to execute righteousness and justice. We exalt the banner of His Name as our defense and salvation. Though we may have little to our name, He has called us out of this world by His Greatness. He has chosen His people to show off His Might through them. We will therefore not trust in frothy wealth, physical strength or human weapons. As long as we are in Christ, we are kept in His Power.
“Each day God’s Power is working on our behalf.”
5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He contend with me in His Great Power? No! But He would take note of me. 7 There the upright could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge (Job 23).
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am The Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says The Lord (Jeremiah 9).
Our actions and words are first a thought, before acted upon. We have so many thoughts that swirl in our minds, most of them we shrug off. There are times we act before we think, then we regret the outcome. We may have to evaluate our thoughts before we act upon them. Our words and actions will always have an impact on others, and will also reflect our character. It’s imperative to use our better judgement—wisdom, before we speak and act. Wisdom comes from those who are well-versed in knowledge and personal experience. God’s Wisdom is supreme and dependable. His Wisdom can guide our thinking, attitudes, character and our relationships. By conforming our thinking to His Character, we learn how to make the best decisions. By obedience to Him, in our words and actions, we can live a more fulfilling life.
“We are what we think of others.”
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God Whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also (1 John 4).
At every turn, there are people, and we have to interact with them one way or another; verbally or nonverbally. The best way to do so, is to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. We should respect others and treat them with the dignity they deserve. As emotional beings, we must consider how we react to or approach those who we cross paths with. If we love someone we will not say or do what will undoubtedly offend or hurt them. If we love God we will not displease Him either, by disobedience and rebellion. We can’t claim to love someone we don’t listen to or continuously disrespect. If we love God we must keep His Commandments. One such great Commandment is that we should love others as ourselves.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19).
If we claim to love God, Whom we have not seen, we should be willing to love those we see. Our perception of others tells us how we feel about them. Sometimes our thoughts make us think we are more superior to others—self-righteous or smarter. Eventually, our thoughts will express themselves. Our thoughts will exude in our attitude and approach to others as bias, criticism, envy or resentment. Evaluate your thoughts about others and ensure they are not offensive to God, first. If your thoughts about others seem unacceptable before God, quash them. Tune out spiteful and disparaging thoughts towards others that are based on hearsay or assumptions. Our hidden thoughts are within earshot of God. Halt any thoughts that denigrate others. God will always have their best interest on His Mind.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the Presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2).
When we are offended by what others say or do to us, we often become infuriated and resentful. It’s human to be angry and frustrated. Though we should not let these emotions fester to the point of hurting others. There’s a time for everything under the sun, and we can’t remain stuck in a cycle of flashbacks that continuously churn bitterness and venom. The decision to forgive will cross our minds, just as often as the reminder of the incident. We should keep in mind that Christ’s is ever present with us and is in us. Either we forgive in His Presence, or we let Satan get the best of us. Satan acts on our self-will—what we are already thinking to do. He uses our emotions to his advantage. He would prefer that we become less like Christ, by doing what we please at the moment. When we choose to forgive, we do so before Christ and the offender; and the same applies, when we hold on to a grudge. We can play right into Satan’s hand, or we can manifest Christ’s Character that has already been imparted to us.
“Our hidden thoughts are within earshot of God.”
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your Wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63).
Take stock of the day before you turn in. What did God reveal about Himself and about you today? Where did you falter, and what could you have done better? He carries us through each second, of every minute. Think of God’s Love that guided you to the finish line. God is our help from the start, to the end of the day. Better to go to bed with thanksgiving than misgivings. Remember God on your bed; how He guided your path, and kept you under His Wings. Recount the many ways God’s Goodness sustained you. Rejoice in joyful utterance at the end of the day; as you fade away to deep sleep. Put aside all worry and anxious thoughts before you sleep. It will not matter who pushed your buttons, and rubbed you the wrong way. Sleep in peace, and with thanksgiving on your mind.
28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of The Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28).’ ”
If we know God is watching and listening, then we would mind our Ps and Qs. The fear of God is the foundation of wisdom. Just as we are careful to slow down when we approach a police car, we must be cautious in our awareness of God’s Presence. The fear of God elicits a foreboding thought of being castigated for disobedience. Why do people feel ill at ease, or even offended by the notion of fearing God? Children become afraid of their parents, when they are about to break rules. If they were once disciplined for insolence and disobedience, they will remember not to cross that line again. So it is with God; the fear of God should steer us away from sin. Restraining ourselves from what would likely be against God’s Ways, reveals that we understand what is required of us. We must repent when we see the error of our ways. Commandments are meant to protect us, just as rules protect children, and laws protect a society from running amok.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left (Proverbs 4).
Make a determination to advance and not regress, in doing better each day. Keep a rein on any inner thoughts that defile your character. Establish yourself in righteous living, and don’t let your guard down. Don’t let the temptation of dissipated living cloud your better judgement. God gives us instruction and wisdom by His Word in Scripture; so that we can live the fulfilling life He intended for us. He is the Giver of Life, Who’s Wisdom is still as time-tested as it was in years past. He knows more about life, as He is The Author of it. Think about how to please Him—this is the fear of God. Don’t succumb to works of darkness; turn away from the paths that lead to sin—this is understanding.
“Our actions and words are first a thought, before acted upon.”
I said, “I will guard my ways. Lest I sin with my tongue, I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me (Psalm 39).”
If you are anything like me, I have trouble restraining myself from telling others precisely how I feel. I have a strong-willed personality and I love to shoot straight from the shoulder. But if I don’t want to look or sound anything like the other person, then I have to decide who I want to be. We have to think about what our words and actions say about us. We can’t blame others for our response. Yes, we are to defend ourselves, if we are threatened. Our adversaries will always want to see if we are capable of holding our own, while under attack. They would like to find something to use against us, especially if we are Christians. Again, we are Christ’s representatives in the world. What we say or do will test our character in The Lord. Guard against impulse, by considering how to respond to opposition, or others who may be difficult to deal with. Our tongue is the most difficult to tame. But we can choose whether we act on our fleshly lusts of rage, anger and vitriol or we let The Spirit of Christ take control of our being.
“The fear of God is the foundation of wisdom.”
There’s much to consider daily about how we act or speak. God is watching and listening and so are others, who are affected by our choices. We should treat others with respect and courtesy. We are what we think of others; biased, hateful, respectful, caring or loving. Our thoughts affect our attitude towards others. They are an open book to God. We should silence anything that is not in line with His Character. We renew our mind by what we put in it. If we add to our thinking God’s Wisdom, we will fear Him enough to please Him. We should not forget to do an introspection and be forward-looking in becoming better, day by day. At the end of the day, we can still lay our heads down with thanksgiving, and put aside anxious thoughts. We are a work in progress; we become less like the world and more like Christ. We should not let Satan take advantage of our emotions. We are to consider what is the acceptable Will of God, and act upon it. A good life is one that has been well lived, and well-thought-out.
“We renew our mind by what we put in it.”
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12).
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