He Is With You

the way [is] not being fond of money, enough that he is with you for he himself says, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5)

To find that it is enough that he is with us, that he will never leave nor forsake us, is very profitable for those who seek the way.

The deceit of earthly riches is one way the devil tries to choke out our growth. We loose our way if we are fond or love money, as the love of money is the root of all evil and we can not serve two masters as we will only be devoted to one. Other ways the devil tries to defeat us is to afflict us so that we are burdened down by anxieties and cares of this world, and through persecution. Things that become deeply rooted in our lives become like walls impossible to overcome. But God offers a way and he is powerful above all that we can think or imagine.

any wise and understanding among you? From your good way of life show his works in gentleness of wisdom (James 3:13)

James writes that the purpose of endurance has the intended work to mature us (James 1:4). And if we lack wisdom to find the way to endure ask God in faith and he will supply (James 1:5). Every good gift and maturing gift comes down from our heavenly Father so that according to his plan he brings us forth through the word of truth so we exist fruit of his creation (James 1:17-18). We are a new creation in Christ according to his plan so that we mature into the likeness of the image of Christ. The source of our boasting and the demonstration of God's power through weakness will distinguish God's wisdom from that of men.

According to James, wisdom comes from the God of lights being revealed to the ones who ask in faith. How do we receive wisdom? Firstly, the source of God's wisdom is Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Secondly, we must be rooted and founded in faith and love (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 2:7) so to grow up to endure the thorns. Thus the word is implanted in us so that it grows up to bear fruit (James 1:21). Thirdly, we receive the word in meekness. Lastly, it is gift, an effect of grace so it is not according to works, lest we boast.* This is how we mature, becoming a doer and not a hearer only.

all good gifts and all maturing gifts exist from above coming down from the Father of light... (James 1:17)

What does wisdom look like? The Sunday school answer is Jesus, the more practical answer is that every good gift of wisdom that comes down is so that we mature. The gifted wisdom provides the way; the way out of temptation, the way to deal with persecution, distress, and affliction... Wisdom points us to true north, establishing us in the way. The practical application of wisdom comes through God's power and the knowledge of Jesus.

Not only is Jesus our wisdom, and righteousness and redemption but he is also our sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). When we are saved, we are given all for life and godliness through the knowledge of him (2 Peter 1:3). This understanding takes a huge burden off our shoulders and puts them on God's. We know the key to godliness and life is based upon maturity through the "knowledge of him." It is through the knowledge of him because he is our wisdom so that we grow in grace and in knowledge of him, maturing into the statute of his image through the knowledge of him (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:13-16). This is what God purposed in Christ Ephesians 1 tells us.

what then shall we say in response to these things? if God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31).

Wisdom from God penetrates head knowledge into the experiential of God's promises and power. For example a practical application of wisdom that God has shown me which gets me through persecution and offense, is to know that God is with me. If he is for me who can be against me? To know that he cares and is with me is a powerful realization of his sovereignty and power. Wisdom that comes down from above gives us practical ways to endure hardships. Sometimes we might not receive wisdom the first time so the trial is repeated. It is God who justifies and condemns, not men. It is a powerful thing to know that he is with you, that nothing, nor no one, neither tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution... nor death, nor life... nor powers, nor rulers... can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:34-39). He is with you.

The Crucible

" The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies ." 1 He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. The definition of zeal is great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. It is this time, to arouse zeal, shout, raise a war cry! As Paul writes, " In diligence not lagging in spirit being fervent serving the Lord ." 2 Our energy comes in the bond of brotherhood, formed in the crucible of combat. A crucible is place of severe test or trial, it is derived from Latin crucibulum ("night-lamp, metallurgic melting-pot"), and is a derivative of crux ("cross"). 3 The Bible speaks of the crucible of the cross for Jesus and for those who follow Him. The purpose of a soldier is two-fold; to accomplish the mission and to care for one another, as commanded. Each soldier has a role to play on a team. Without knowin...

One Grace

" moreover, One, to each of us has been given Grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ ." 1 Grace is a founding principle of Christianity. It is by Grace we grow into the fullness of Christ through faith; " to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. " 2 Without Grace we will never reach this fullness. The weakness in the Law was it attempted to do it in the flesh, and people failed over and over, so God in His infinite wisdom, unveiled this mystery, through faith in Christ we have grace to boldly approach His throne of Grace, to receive grace and mercy as needed! This gift of Grace is properly understood by examining this verse in three parts; moreover, One Grace, to each of us has been given, according to the measure of the gift of Christ . First, we understand, One grace, it is easy to miss the One, and this verse is translated in different ways, I believe it says One Grace and i...

Word Of Life

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life. " 1 Jesus is the Word, He was in the beginning with God. 2 All things were made through Him. He is the Word and Light of men, the way, the path, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." 4 Thus we can say as the Psalmist, Jesus, the Word, is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path. 5 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." 6 Concerning the Word of Life, " the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life ," Proclaimed, that our joy may be complete, a glory like that in the beginning, fellowship with the Father, with one another, and with his Son Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot...

Those He Calls He Equips

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen . Hebrews 13:20-21 When God calls us he equips us, the God of Peace, the one who brought us from the dead by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, will equip you so to do his will. So in this concept of being equipped, we see the calling being irrevocable. "For it is God who works in you to Will and to act on behalf of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 God called you, he's working in you equipping you to work on behalf of his good pleasure. "So that the man of God may be complete fully equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:17 . In Hebrews 12 we read God disciplines those he loves, so that we share in his holy character, as the scriptures...

Truth All Around You

Stand then girding your loins in truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness. * How can a soldier stand in battle if he has not been prepared, trained? How can a house stand if it has been built on sand? How can we stand against spiritual forces if we have not been prepared? Our battle is not against flesh and blood so in regards to such, what good is armor to a child or how can one stained with dirty clothes stand with a defiled conscious? To stand one must be prepared, be his workmanship, someone prepared beforehand to do battle. For this purpose you begin girding your loins in truth, putting on truth, wrapping truth all around you. ... girding your loins in truth... * The word girding is perizōnnymi (from peri "about, around" and zōnnymi "put on") meaning around about put on. Often gird your loins with truth is translated as putting on a belt. Surely we can say truth holds on the garments and confidence in truth is important in standing. I like th...

Hypocrisy and Self-righteousness

“ Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you ” Matthew 7:1–2 In Mathew 7 Jesus is speaking out against hypocrisy, he coins the term, it is exposed as a very serious sin. Because of their hypocrisy these religious leaders were leading his people astray. Today it is the same, it is a top reason why people do not attend a church. Of course we blame the sinner and hear cute little sayings like, come join us you will fit right in... which makes light of the situation. On a more serious note, Jesus gives seven woes to the Pharisees, he even warns them of hell fire and damnation, for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Hypocrisy is basically pretending to be something you are not, it is not to be confused with our imperfection. Our righteousness is found in Christ alone, not in self. Hypocrisy and self righteousness is usually seen by others when we in our own righteousn...

Formed Into The Same Image

because those he foreknew also he predestined, to form to the image of His Son, to the extent He exists the firstborn of many brethren . * The word for form in this verse is σύμμορφος ( symmorphos ) from sym "same, with, or together" and morphos "form or shape." We are being formed, shaped into the same image as Christ. This word has the same root word morphos as in transformed, μεταμορφόω ( metamorphos ) from meta "among, with, after" and morphos "form or shape." Into the same form as Christ we are predestined. Adam was a living soul, but Christ was a life giving Spirit. Adam was formed in the image of God but that image was corrupted. In Christ we are formed a new, so that image is being restored. To be a Christian is more than just doing good works, more than just going to heaven, we are called to be formed into an image after Christ, Christ like. who will transfigure our lowly bodies into the same form as his glorious body, according t...

Feed On Me

"Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me." 1 This "living" Jesus speaks of is eternal or everlasting Life but what does this mean? Is this life an after life in heaven as traditionally taught or something we begin to experience here on earth? We read that Life is in knowing, a personal experience, " this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent ." 2 We receive the Spirit of life when we first believed, but the true disciple of Christ is known by abiding, these have learned that Life is in eating the bread of Life and drinking living water. Life is in Christ, all else has become as rubbish but to know Christ, and the Life he gives, "so also the one who feeds on Me will live." "So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. and you will know the truth, ...

Kiss the Son

Why do the nations rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel, together against Yahweh and against his anointed. Break apart their bands and cast away their cords. He who sits in the heavens laughs, Yahweh scoffs. Then shall he speak unto them with anger, fury, and dismay. I established my King upon Zion, My Holy Hill. I will declare the decree of Yahweh who said, you are my son, you I have this day begotten. Ask concerning, I will establish nations your inheritance Your possession the uttermost parts of the earth. You shall afflict them with a staff of iron on a potter's vessel dashed to pieces. Now, O, kings be wise, be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, because brutish is his wrath. Blessed are all who put their trust in Him. 1

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