Tags
2 Corinthians 10:2-5, Are you seeking Jesus or doing your own thing?, Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 6:10-18, Faithful to Jesus?, Faithfulness and Truth., Faithfulness matters!, Galatians 5:16-26, God's Word is the standad, God's Word IS Truth--written and living., Hebrews 13:4-6, Hebrews 4:12-13, Philippians 4:12-13, Philippians 4:6-8, We can have a victorious life for Jesus.
Faithful To Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #478
I love reading and studying Paul’s letters, they are chock full of so much that can make us better servants of King Jesus; he talks not only about the ‘don’ts’, but also immeasurable treasures about the ‘dos’! Yes, there are things we are to recognize as harmful to our own walk with Jesus, as well as to those who are following us, and even those whom we encounter even casually. We are a testimony to the world of Jesus all the time; in fact we are a testimony all the time—be it a good testimony or a harmful witness! Let’s dig into the scripture and see what we can glean from our observations to help us be better witnesses and servants!
“Wherefore putting away lying,
speak every man truth with his neighbour:
for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not:
let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole
steal no more:
but rather let him labour,
working with his hands
the thing which is good,
that he may have to give
to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication
proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good
to the use of edifying,
that it may minister grace
unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness,
and wrath,
and anger,
and clamour,
and evil speaking,
be put away from you,
with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted,
forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake
hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:25-32
Because I am forgiven, I am called, equipped and obligated to extend that same forgiveness to others; not the kind of forgiveness that is often promoted around us, that which says, I forgive you, but I won’t let it go; I forgive you but I will seek retribution; I forgive but I won’t forget what you’ve done to me. Now, I’m not saying that we can erase the past wrongs done to us, but what we must do is to think on the things of God and remember what Jesus did for me! I can learn to forgive and release the consequences to Jesus! I know that is often easier said than done, but scripture is our hope, our truth and our pathway to success. Let’s check out a few passages—some of my favorites that I rely on regularly.
“Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known
unto God.
7 And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8
“But I beseech you,
that I may not be bold
when I am present
with that confidence,
wherewith I think to be bold
against some,
which think of us
as if we walked
according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh,
we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal,
but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strong holds😉
5 Casting down imaginations,
and every high thing
that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity
every thought
to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:2-5
How can we do these things? By taking heed to scripture and what it teaches us about walking successfully with and before our King! As Paul says so succinctly in his letter to the Philippian believers.
“I know both how to be abased,
and I know how to abound:
every where
and in all things
I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry,
both to abound
and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things
through Christ
which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:12-13
Jesus can supply our needs when we depend upon Him, His grace, and His power!
“16 This I say then,
Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh…
…25 If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,
provoking one another,
envying one another.” Galatians 5:16 & 25-26
And one of the best ways to keep things in order, is to put on the armor of God—every morning first thing!
“Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness
of this world,
against spiritual wickedness
in high places.
13 Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day,
and having done all,
to stand.
14 Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate
of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod
with the preparation
of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all,
taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts
of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God:
18 Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18
What an amazing opportunity to start our day off in such wonder of what Jesus has not only done for us, but also what He has provided for us to not only survive but to thrive spiritually. We must rely upon The Word of God—as our hope, confidence and power. Let’s consider two more passage that give us total assurance in The Word; and remember Jesus is the living Word (See John 1:1-12) and the breath of the written Word.
“For the word of God is
quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature
that is not manifest in his sight:
but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him
with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13
Jesus has promised to be with us, and you can depend upon Him, yet it is essential that we walk with Him in accordance with His Word. I pray that you will draw near to Jesus and dig into His Word to get to know Him and His desires for you!
“Marriage is honourable in all,
and the bed undefiled:
but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;
and be contentwith such things as ye have:
for he hath said,
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say,
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear
what man shall do unto me.” Heb.13:4-6
Amen and Amen!!!