“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James3:13
To be wise is to have understanding Understanding help us have a good life.
To be wise is to have a good life. A good life encourages deeds to be done.
To be wise is to accomplish deeds with meekness.
Deeds done in meekness produce humbleness.
To be wise is to do all things with humility Humility focuses on others more than self.
Understanding, a good life, deeds done in meekness, and humility are developed when we spend time with the One who is the wisest of all, our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Nature always reminds me that if I remain in Christ, I’m a mighty mountain, a pool of fresh water, a plant with beauty blooming, and a child of God. Which reminds me of doing good deeds for my Lord.
As long as I practices the truths above, I reflect a hint of the grandness of our mighty God and the power of our Savior.
As I step away from such a grand scene, I’m also reminded of my earthly size. For I must remain humble with the confidence of what I know to be true in Christ.
For it is not me, but Christ in me who is mighty like a mountain.
•He is the refreshing water who quenches thirsty souls. •He is the one who rebuilds beauty out of ashes. •He is the one who gives confidence to the lowly. •He renews hearts, minds, and souls.
Once Jesus touches the heart, the human spirit can clearly sense His spirit. Wherever anyone goes, wherever ever anyone find themselves, when ever anyone falls away from Him, His Spirit will be there.
The Lord will always give his hand to the fallen not only to correct but to restore the one who calls his name. He rescues out of his love, his mercy, and his grace.
It is then we can live a good life, do good deeds, remain humble and be wise with a personal understanding.
Lord help us to be wise with understanding. In Jesus holy name I ask. Amen.
Pain will always be. The caused from the pain could be avoidable. But when love is involved, it may be more challenging to slide pass the pain. It can be managed with the correct dosage of relief.
Love will always bloom. It’s the caused of hearts admirations who may not always be suitable and avoided, yet the heart wants. It can blossom with much sacrifice, heartfelt dedication and caring fertilization, but it requires work form both individuals.
Pain comes from grasping what the heart wants, the flower.
“No one can say, “He jests at scars who never felt a wound,” for I have never got one moment been in a state of mind to which even the imagination of serious pain was less than intolerable. If any man is safe from the danger of under-estimating this adversary, I am that man. I must add, too, that the only purpose of the book is to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering; for the far higher task of teaching fortitude and patience I was never fool enough to suppose myself qualified, not have I anything offer my readers except my condition that when pain is to be borne, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture the love of God more than all.” From “The Problem of Pain” C. S. Lewis
Pain comes from suffering, discomfort, injury and wounds which are not only caused by the thorns of living, but by embracing what or whom one loves.
Even in love, pain can only be bared for so long before it cripples the heart, effecting the mind and in-prisoning the spirit. It is then when one can chose to act lovingly because it’s the right thing to do. While one lives experiencing hurtful thorns in the relationship, they may continue to accomplish what must get done as their spirit becomes fragile in a mindset of unworthiness out of duty and not so much out of love. One then exist in a mental cell, never living free to truly grasp the fullness of loving unconditionally.
What once was spontaneous romance, it becomes an expected reaction. What once was adoration, it becomes sights of hateful humiliation. What once was a breath of fresh intimacy, it becomes a toxic act of selfishness.
The blooming flower of any abusive relationship will wither at the edges. Soon the peddles of happiness vanish to not be felt again. What once was to be forever will frail apart, for the heart was never free to flourish, expand and grow into a mature love while romancing another’s heart.
What imprisons a soul is not always what one has done wrong, but what wrong has been done to the one with the caged up spirit.
How can one heal from such pain, abuse, circumstances?
First one must be freed. This freedom is not only physical, it is also spiritual. Both may be needed in order to feel safe. Through the help of a godly counsel, a person who is equipped with godly truths, the captive can hear words of healing. Even though the advice may bring further pain.
To heal a broken bone, more often than not surgery is a must. It is also true of a healing broken heart. Pain can cure pain. Managed pain can be a cure for unmanaged pain.
The ones who have been locked up by tormenting verbal abuse, threats of fearful actions, belittlement of their essence, physical scars of unspeakable tortures and reoccurring nightmares of past experiences need more than a therapist, they need a Savior. They need someone with the good news and the Spirit of the Lord God on them.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free.” Isaiah 61:1 NLT
Once the person has been spiritually freed then one can take the words of C. S. Lewis and meditate with much prayer to see how they can be apply to their hurting soul.
“It will take a little courage more than knowledge.” Within this little courage fear will exist.
“It will take a little human sympathy more than much courage.” With the little sympathy heart’s warm is felt.
“And the least tincture of the love of God more than all.” With the least bit of God’s love an overwhelming freedom appears.
Where can an impressoned soul get a little courage, a little human sympathy and a slight trace of the love of God? From the person the Lord has chosen to bring His good news.
The Lord will give the person’s sad heart joy, free to learn to love again and live a life of possibilities. Once the captive sees and accepts the Lord’s hand, the messenger must tell the one being held in hellish circumstance, that they can walk out and be free.
Once freed, there is where the healing begins. It will not be fast. One will be needing spiritual therapy. Continual mentoring exercises. With well-soul check-ups scheduled. One must learn to trust themselves to love again inspire of the thorns to come.
To guide someone to be spiritually free, one must have been set free themselves by the Lord Jesus Christ. These chosen people understand well the phrase, “He jets at scars who never felt a wound,” for they have felt the wound. These individulas know pain is caused by reaching to love the unlovable, to bare the unbearable, to give when there’s no more to give.
Yet these chosen people of God will stretch out their hand and give godly grace for they know what the cell room smells, feels and looks. They have empathy for those who are still captives in the cell. It’s an experience they will never forget nor ever want live through again.
AN IRON AXEHEAD FLOATS ~ What’s impossible for man, it’s possible for God.
Have you ever read the story of the axe head that floated? It’s in 2 kings 6:1-7.
Elisha, God’s prophet, join the company of the prophets who were headed to the Jordan river. Cutting trees to make a bigger meeting place was the purpose of their quest.
One of the men’s iron axehead came off and plopped into the river.
With great concern, the man exclaimed, “Oh, my lord, it was borrowed!”
Elisha, man of God, asked, “Where did it fall?”
The man pointed to the spot.
Without a word, Elisha cut a stick and threw it where the axhead went down. Soon after, the iron piece floated.
The men must have been in awe because Elisha commanded, “Lift it out.”
The man reached out his hand and took it.
What an amazing story. What factors in this story grab your imagination? What details send questions to your heart? What lesson floats to you today?
Can you believe of what God can do for you? If not, you can confess, “Lord, I have less than a grain of belief.” Then ask, “Please Lord, help my unbelief?
If you don’t have enough faith, but you know someone with great faith, go to them. Ask them to pray for you or even better with you.
I read once a story of a preacher headed to a destination where God sent him. He got a free ride on a ship which was headed in the same direction. A stormed developed.
The captain came to the preacher and informed him that they will not be able to take him to the port he requested.
In that moment the preacher wondered why God would send him there, provide a free passage but then bring a storm.
He then told the Captain, ” Let’s go to your cabin and pray.”
The captain reply, “What can God do? It’s a massive cloud.”
After the pastor prayed, the captain started to pray. The pastor stopped him and said, “You don’t need to pray, for you don’t believe. Come, let’s go up and see what God has done.”
Once they were out, they noticed the storm cloud had moved away from where the pastor needed to go.
When, you don’t have enough faith or your belief is low, go find those whose faith is strong. Ask them to lift your burden to the Lord. You pray also and ask God to increase your faith.
Then wait for your iron head to float. Your burden to be lifted. Expect a solution to come your way.
Just like the man, had to reach in and get the axe head, we too need to reach out and take what God will bring our way.
Keep in mind when life seems challenging to overcome, it wasn’t the stick which brought the iron out of the water, but the knowledge of what God can do and the faith of him solving the impossible.
Our God, punish those people. We don’t have the strength to stop this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help.”
2Chronicles 20:13 ERV
When one receives a blow of shock, disappointment, betrayal, challenging time or difficult news to heavy to bear it’s like a massive wave over us. Its power smashes us against a boulder, which can’t be move, and leaves us powerless.
When hours, days, months maybe even years passed and the boulder is still sitting there, we come to a place again and again of not knowing what to do.
From nowhere another blow has knocked out our wind, our strength, our stamina to fight. We can’t stop what’s coming against us. For the boulder has trapped us.
We then feel alone and totally helpless. Feelings and thoughts overwhelm us and we become powerless to fight the enemy of our mind, our will and at times our belief.
Then we hear a whisper, like a soft warm wind, reminding us, “It’s not your battle to fight. Do what you must. Do what you can. Then do what I’ve told you. Rest and trust in me, your Lord and Savior.
I will stop this large army which has come against you. Will you take my hand and believe that I am watching over you?
Don’t forget of those people who I’ve placed along side you. They are part of my army. They too will be fighting for you in prayer. Surround yourself with my people.
Don’t remove yourself, then cry wolf, as if you are all alone. For you are never alone. I am with you. When you are with your brothers and sisters in Christ, you will feel me there.
Don’t turn away from my ways or from me, look to me for my help. Take my hand and I will bear this burden with you until this storm passes.
As for the boulder, it’s a reminder of my power in your life. It will remain where it has been placed. In the past.
Remember, the past can return and bring a storm. If and when it does, it should draw you even closer to me than before. For we have a history together. Don’t allow the storm to wash you away from me.
I’ll fight the enemy which your eyes can’t see, which destroys the human spirit and imprisons souls.
I will fight the wind which whips you away from me. I will cover you with my hands.
I will fight for you, my child, when you can’t see any one else beside you.
Come, trust in me again, take a hold of my promises and follow me. Always, look towards me for help.”
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
An insert from BibLe Hub
“Jesus told us that He came so that His disciples may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10), but He also told us that in this world we will have tribulations (John 16:33) and persecutions (Matthew 5:10-11).
Paul experienced the extremes of Jesus’ words.
On the one hand, he had a life more abundant than most. He was full of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit and he had a powerful ministry all over the known world.
But he also suffered many trials, troubles, tribulations, and persecutions. He knew the heights of the Christian experience in this dispensation and he knew the depths as well.
And when he sums it all up, as he does in our verse for today, he says that all the tribulations and persecutions are not worth comparing with the abundance of life that is still to come.”
My two cents worth:
In struggles, sufferings, pains come moments of unexplable hope which are slivers of glory. Those moments sparkle of what is yet to come, lighting-up the path which overcomes the present darkness of the tormoil.
May you see those landers of glorious hope on your way to the glory which God has and will revealed to you on that day.
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”
— Matthew 11:25 NLT
Insight
As a child we eager to grow up.
As a teen we eager for independence
As a young adult we eager for retirement.
As a mature adult we eager to be young again.
When reason blooms understanding, at all stages of life we should strive to be childlike in our eagerness to become something we are not. It is then when we can seek heavenly treasure and actually find it.
Joy among tears.
Peace among caos.
Love among dissapointments.
Forgiveness among unrepentance.
Lord, help us to be childlike with our faith in you. Hold our hand and lead us to the treasure you have for us. Thank you that we don’t have to be wise or clever to understand your ways.
Bless your Word and your people. In Jesus name I ask.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Have you ever gone to bed thinking of all the things you have to a accomplish tomorrow?
Of course, we all have.
But have you gone to bed wondering what work God prepared for you to do tomorrow?
Well, that part of the verse was a target hit on my heart.
Almost daily I wake up asking God to guide my steps, thoughts and words for I know in my head where I must be, with whom I will be and what I’m going to be doing. I planned these things in advanced.
Hmmm.
Now I’m thinking. I should be prepare to do my list as well as God’s.
Questions:
Can we know the work He has for us? Yes.
It will be present to us. God’s good works will be done along side our work. There are times we must put a side our work to do God’s. Also, the Holy Spirit will tell us in advance and help us to be ready.
Will we listen to the Holy Spirit small voice?
If yes, can we work along God’s plan and ours? Or can we postpone ours to do list for God’s good works?
Lord, may we not miss the good work you have prepared for us today. May we be listening to your Holy Spirit and be willing to do the prepared godly tasks you have for us.
I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own.
We are not able to plan our own course.
So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle.
Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.
— Jeremiah 10:23-24 NLT
Both methods of correction come from God, gentle or in anger. Yet, we don’t want to hear of God’s correction in anger.
We’ll sit and listen as we are told, taught and preached of “God is Love” and His gentle ways of correction.
But, when God’s righteous anger is taught or felt, questions form in our hearts. Why me? Doesn’t God love me? Doesn’t He care how much it hurts?
His tough corrections seem uncaring, unloving and unbearable. We then want to flee from God. If you are a parent, you understand the need of tough love. God does as well.
When the hard, painful and challenging discipline of God comes, it’s only to correct our rooted, stubborn, and corruptive ways.
For these deep, seeded habits lead us away:
from producing the fruits of the Spirit,
from those who love and care about us,
from the gentle discipline of God.
It’s actually leading us to the cliff of self distrution because we have been deceived.
Others suffer from our ungodliness, is not only self. Those who are the closest to us, who’s God’s love is been sent through, our children, our spouce, our parents, our friends will also be hurting. But that heartache comes from our distance from God.
Ultimately, the realtionship with our Lord becomes foreign. We then become foreigners among our own family, friends and the family of God.
When you feel the hard discipline of God, run to him, ask for his forgiveness and for his gentle ways of correction.
Go to your family ask them to forgive you and help you to be restore physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Be among people of the faith and ask for their council as God restores you.
He truly loves you, or he wouldn’t pursue you and correct you in His righteous anger.
Once you are no longer are a foreigner in your own home, watch how God’s blessings began to bloom around you and around your family.
Then you will understand how the joy of the Lord becomes your strength. God will turn your stubbornness to firmness in Him. Your sorrow to joy. Your troubles to blessings.
When you face disceptions again, you will see their true form, thiefs. For they come to steal, kill and destroy.
God’s discipline does come in a gentle touch and in a strong, yet firm hand, because he does care for His own.
Wether the sun is shining beautifully or clouds blanket the sky, the earth sends it messages of warmer days to come.
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May flowers will be sent to family and friend reminding them of what’s on the way.
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Many will begin preparing for barbecuing camping, boating, fishing, hiking and spending time in the outdoors rejoicing in the sun.
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Before the gathering of people and the buds fully bloom, we’ll want to get rid of what we acquired during fall and winter time. Therefore spring cleaning and fitting into that swim suit must get accomplish.
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While we strive to exist with less, lets remember one thing to have lots more of. . . time with family friends and with God.
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Two of the three may not be near, but they are just a message or a call away.
In the meantime let’s keep these words of wisdom in mind as we pull weeds, trim bushes, rub off grass stains from cloths, go for a run and wash our windows clean;
“The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
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Because, all summers do end, the grass will wither and the May flowers will fade, we must remain in God’s word. It’s the one thing which is everlasting.
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May the Lord rubb and wash away what keep his light shining in and through us. May He pull and trim the things which cover our hearts and keeps his showers of blessings from reaching us. May he work us out to get rid of what weight us down then we can wear the proper spiritual clothing.
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Once He showers, dresses and lights us may the fruits of the Spirit bloom wildly within us like flowers on the fields for many to receive.
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Let it be a reaccuring spiritual cleaninsing through out the year and not only in springtime.
corazon181 