And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:4-5
Oh, how we need wisdom today. It has been said that our world is full of very great knowledge and very little wisdom. We need the wisdom of God and not worldly wisdom. When we live by Godly wisdom and persevere through problems, our faith grows. As our faith grows, we become mature and complete in our faith. In God’s economy, problems have a purpose and wisdom pushes us to maturity in Christ.
Are you in need of wisdom? Ask! God loves to give wisdom to His people. The answer may not arrive on our timetable. So keep asking and seeking Godly wisdom each and every day. When the timing is right and when you are ready, God will reveal Himself to you.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Do you ever feel as if you have waited on God for a long time? Does it seem that your patience is at an end and you’re wondering when the Lord will come through for you? If so, you are not alone. Consider these examples from Scripture………..
**Abraham waited on an Heir—Genesis 21:1-5
**Joseph waited on a Dream—Genesis 37:18-28
**David waited on a Rule—I Samuel 16:1-13 & II Samuel 5
**Job waited on Restoration—Job 42:12-17
**Jesus waited on a Resurrection—Matthew 28:1-8
All these waited patiently and God’s promise was fulfilled in their lives. Wait on the Lord, my friend. God is faithful and will reward your longsuffering when you trust in Him!
James , a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:1-3
The Book of James was written around 45-50 AD according to most scholars and teachers. The date of this writing makes it one of the earliest (if not the first) of the inspired writings of the New Testament. It was most likely written by James, the brother of Christ (Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:18) and has been attributed to him in most every point in church history.
The recipients of the book are primarily first-century Jewish Believers. The reference to the scattered tribes of Israel in James’ day makes this point clear.
The book of James deals with practical matters and expressions of Christian living. James is not bereft of doctrine and didactic teaching as the book contains both. However, the emphasis seems to be on how to live out one’s faith day by day in light of the doctrine that has been revealed.
The Principle that James first takes up is this—problems are a part of the Christian life. Life is difficult. Life is hard. I know those statements are actually understatements, but, they make the point of these verses clear. It is not a matter of if, but, when troubles come to our lives. The Bible never sugarcoats the trials and tribulations of life. It is wonderful to know that Christ is with us in the midst of these calamities. It is great to realize that we are not alone.
James tells us that God’s uses problems (tests) in order to grow our trust in Him. We learn to trust Him more and more as He brings us through each trial and each heartache. Problems are a part of life, but, God is not using them to destroy us. He is using them to grow us and make us more dependent on Him.
Another fruit of the Spirit is peace. What brings lasting abiding peace to the Believer? It is certainly not the things of this world. Godly Peace is not found in mere self-esteem or from looking within oneself.
So what does bring the peace that will last and endure in our lives? Consider what Christ has done for us.
Christ’s Resurrection Brings Peace
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
John 20:19
Christ’s Justification Brings Peace
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:1
Christ’s Restoration Brings Peace
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:14
Christ’s Refuge Brings Peace
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
Christ’s Gospel Brings Peace
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:15
In short, Jesus and Jesus alone brings abiding peace that will remain with us forever!
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
This promise from the Word of God is powerful and all-encompassing. The precept that the Christian learns here is key to achieving the peace of God. Let us examine this one verse in detail this week.
Who is the author of this promise? God Himself is the guarantor of this awesome principle. Our Lord is able to keep every pledge He makes. We can trust Him with everything and with every need in our lives. Our Lord is able to do exactly what His Word declares.
What does the promise entail? God will supply all of our needs. He will bring us through and grant us all that we need to live for Christ. This verse does not guarantee that the Almighty will give us all that we want. The Father has vowed to meet our needs whenever they arise. God’s timing can be very different than ours. He will provide and you and I can trust Him in our times of difficulty.
How is this promise enacted? The Father will enact this principle through His riches in Christ Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead and His resurrection teaches the Christian that God’s power can and does perform miracles. Our Lord can do all that He has declared. If He raised Jesus from the dead, the Almighty can take care of us.
What an incredible promise one sees in this passage of Scripture. Thanks be to God who takes care of His own. You can trust in the Lord, child of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
What should we know about the fruit of the Spirit known as joy? Consider these five things.
Joy is More Than A Feeling
He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Job 33:26
Joy is Foundational to the Believer in Christ
Joy Doesn’t Depend on Circumstances
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Job 19:25
Joy that is Lasting Isn’t Found in the World
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:21
Joy Comes Through Knowing Christ
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God ;7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things .9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:1-9
This week’s study will focus on the peace of God. The peace of the Lord is what all God’s people desire and want. Yet, it remains elusive to Christians who struggle with doubt and fear. Paul’s teaching in verses 6 and 7 of Philippians 4 gives the Believer the roadmap to peace. An examination of these verses is in order.
Achieving the peace of God includes letting go of anxiety. How does one do such a thing? Letting go of worry involves focusing upon God and not one’s self. Moving past anxiety means remembering the Lord’s promised in His Word. And letting go of worrisome thoughts leads the Believer to rest in the power, presence, and sovereignty of the one true God, the covenant keeping God. Discarding worry is paramount to realizing God’s peace.
The Christian is also commanded to be prayer always and to allow thanksgiving to be a prominent part of our time with the Savior. Child of God, pray about everything and ask for God’s peace to invade your existence. Continue in thanksgiving and praise every single day. Gazing upon what one does not have leads only to despair. Being thankful for what one has been given propels the people of God to peace that passes all understanding.
Finally, let the requests of your heart be made known unto God. Ask in faith believing that God is able. He won’t always do what we want Him to do. The Lord is always faithful and does what is best for His children.
Achieving peace is a battle and sometimes Christians give in to fear and doubt. When we practice these precepts on daily basis, God’s people are able to live progressively free from fear. The people of the Savior will learn peace when they bring their thinking in line with Scripture and when they attack every anxiety through prayer.
I pray that God’s peace will be experienced and realized by each of you this week!
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.
Psalm 33:18-22
Thoughts about Psalm 33……………………………
God is our help. He is our sustainer, provider, and shield. Even when things go wrong, he guards, guides, and protects. We need “God our help” each day. Cling to Him and serve Him dear Christian.
God is holy. We can trust in His holy name always. I don’t know what battles you are facing this week. I do know that you can trust in God’s holy name. We should trust and rejoice because we know who is in control.
God is loving. His lovingkindness endures to His people. Paul tells that even when we are faithless, God is faithful. (2 Timothy 2:13) We can rest in Christ, put our hope in Christ, and serve all of our days because of His faithful lovingkindness.
It is so true. When Christ is all you have, you truly understand He is all you need!
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:8-11
The course of this study will focus on verse 10. Paul commits to three precepts in this verse that are still applicable to Christians in the present day. Let us be challenged and blessed by this Scripture.
Paul’s first pursuit was to know the resurrection power of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is the central event in all of history. When the Savior rose from the dead, hope was realized, God was exalted, and everything changed. Paul had a deep desire to know and experience a relationship with the risen Savior. May we pursue that type of relationship with Christ through His Word, His Church, His presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle’s second commitment was knowing Christ’s sufferings. He wanted to understand and experience something of what Jesus endured on behalf of sinful humanity. Paul suffered much during his ministry and probably understood better than most what Christ endured though no one can fully comprehend the Savior’s suffering.
Christians today may not be called to suffer to the same extent. Yet, we know that the way of the cross can be difficult, painful, and lonely. However, we always know that in the midst of the pain and heartache Christ is with us. Let us know Christ not simply in the good but also in the sorrowful.
Paul’s last task was to be conformed to Christ’s death. The Apostle committed to living in the reality of Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy. The past was under the blood and Paul was moving forward in the full salvation that he had received.
The same goal ought to be apparent in the lives of Believers today. We have been saved, forgiven, redeemed, and sanctified. Let us not go backwards into the life we once had. Go forward, Child of God, in full assurance of your forgiveness and redemption through the blood of the Savior. (Ephesians 1:7)
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
God’s Love is Patient—V. 4
“Love suffers long and is kind”
God’s Love is Humble—V. 4
“love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up”
God’s Love is Unselfish—V. 5
“does not behave rudely, does not seek its own own”
God’s Love Pardons—V. 5-6
“is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth”
God’s Love is Protective—V. 7
“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Let us give thanks, glory, and praise for the Love of God!
mrtonyfrench 