Flourish Even More in 2024 – Year in Review

    Over this year we studied areas in which we can all ‘Flourish Even More.’ Is it beneficial to us to develop a desire to keep learning and growing in our knowledge of God and His will throughout our lifetime (Psalm 92:1-15):

January - Flourish Even More in Righteousness:

    Righteousness is ‘equity of character or act.’ ‘Equity of character’ is to possess all good qualities (of God, His attributes) in perfect balance.

    God is just while still possessing compassion and mercy. God is kind but His disposition toward sin will never be altered. God is love, but His love never undermines His Truth. For example: 2 Peter 3:9 “[God] is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish (His love for us), but that all should come to repentance” – His truth states that we will perish if we do not repent and submit to Him (see Romans 2:2-11). His love offers us hope, but we have a responsibility toward Him in order to have salvation.

    All that God is, is in perfect balance! We should always be striving to be like Him in all things (1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 John 3:1-3, Ephesians 5:1), striving to conduct ourselves with that same balance (Matthew 6:33).

Passages to Read and Remember: 2 Timothy 2:22, Matthew 5:6, Philippians 3:12-15, Proverbs 21:21

February – Flourish Even More in Good Habits:

    Over this month we dug into the statement found in Titus 2:11-14 (please take time to read it); we learned that God, through the apostle Paul, packed so much good information into that one sentence!

    We learned:

• To Be Watchful of our Tendencies/Habits So We Can Change the Sinful Ones (Titus 2:12)
• Put Good Habits to Put Into Their Place (Titus 2:12, 14)
• Where to Keep Our Focus So We Can Maintain Our Attention (Titus 2:11, 14)

Passages to Read and Remember: Titus 1-3, Colossians 3:1-17, Ephesians 4:17-24, Romans 13:11-14

March – Flourish Even More in Purity:

     What is pure? God (1 John 3:3), God’s words (Psalm 12:6), every word (Proverbs 30:5-6); they are very pure (Psalm 119:140), God’s commandment (Psalm 19:8), the waters of baptism (Hebrews 10:22), and wisdom from above (James 3:17).

    Pure means clean, untainted by impurities/evil, without fault so that means that God, His words, His commands, and His wisdom are all pure, clean, untainted by evil, and without fault. Think on that again for a moment: no sin can be in God’s presence (Psalm 5:4), His words and commands are for our good always (Deuteronomy 6:24-25), and His wisdom is a tree of life from which we will obtain unsullied guidance that will lead us home to eternal life with Him (Proverbs 3:13-26). It also means that the waters of baptism (Hebrews 10:22) are without fault and it is there that we are washed and made pure from all our sins; it is there that we become children of God and begin maintaining the purity God granted us.

    What parts of us need to be pure?  We learned that every part of us needs to be pure, because every part is linked – and we with each other – so we must give constant attention to:

• Ourselves (1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 24:3-5, 51:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 1 Timothy 4:12) and our example so we can properly teach younger women (Titus 2:3-5)
• Our souls (1 Peter 1:22-23, also read and consider John 3:1-8, 1 John 1:8-10)
• Our religion (how we put God’s instruction in action, James 1:27, 2 Corinthians 9:8)
• Our conscience (1 Timothy 5:2, 2 Timothy 1:3, Hebrews 10:19-23, 1 John)
• Our hearts (Acts 15:9, and consider Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:22)
• Our words (Luke 6:43-45, Proverbs 15:26, Ephesians 4:29-32, Proverbs 25:11-12)
• Our minds (2 Peter 3:1, Proverbs 16:2, 30:11-14, John 8:43-45, Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:6-10, and Philippians 4:8)
• Our eyes (Luke 11:34, read and consider Psalm 101:3-4)
• Our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Romans 12:1-2, consider Matthew 5:27-30, Ephesians 5:1-7, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:13-18, also read and consider Colossians 3:1-17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

Passages to Read and Remember: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, John 3:1-8, James 1:27, Hebrews 10:19-23

April – Flourish Even More in Holiness:

    Last month we spent our time together looking at the need to purify ourselves as God is pure, and this month we studied purity’s sister-attribute: holiness. Like purity, we will not see the Lord without it (Hebrews 13:14, 1 John 3:1-3).

    Pureness and holiness are similar:

• Pure means clean, untainted by impurities/evil, without fault
• Holy means sacred, set apart (to be exclusively the Lord’s), different (than the world) because you’re like the Lord

    Purity has a lot to do with our inner selves – our hearts, souls, thoughts, and intentions – the things we let in and influence us, whereas holiness is what others can see; it is our example, our actions, and behaviours. We will purify ourselves and do all that is needed to keep ourselves pure because we understand that we are now holy and set apart (from the world) for God’s service (Romans 6:19, 12:1-2). We need pure thoughts and motives to be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15).

Passages to Read and Remember: 2 Corinthians 6:16b -7:1, Colossians 1:22, Ephesians 4:20-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:7

May and June – Flourish Even More in Fruit:

    God wants us to produce good fruit. We, as Christians and members of the kingdom of God, are to be bearing the good fruit of God’s kingdom (consider Matthew 21:43). Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruits (Matthew 12:33), and we have within us (as humans with free will) the potential to bear either the fruit of sin (which leads to death) or the fruit to holiness (which leads to everlasting life, Romans 6:21-23); we can choose to be either a tree lost in the darkness of the devil’s decaying orchard or we can be planted and flourishing in the courts of our God (Psalm 92:13-14).

    Our conduct is our fruit, so we must:

• Bear fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8) – making the changes that prove that we have turned our backs to ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:22) while clinging to what is good (Romans 12, John 14:6)
• Be filled with the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11, 2 Corinthians 9:9-11) – doing what is right in God’s sight, according to His commands and instructions (James 1:21-25, 1 John 3:7)
• Be fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:9-11) – doing good for others, generously sharing our blessings with them (Psalm 68:19, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
• Bear good fruit/good words (Matthew 12:34-35)  - our words need to be good and beneficial (Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6, Psalm 39:1a).
•  Walk in the Spirit so that the Spirit can bear His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:16-26)  

    We all are blossoming with potential for good! We need to be determined that we go on to flourish this year in abundance of good fruit. We must remain on guard and be watchful (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18), and keep ourselves firmly rooted and nourished through study and application of God’s word (Matthew 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We must prune out the bad (thoughts, words, habits) and graft in the good (thoughts, words, habits, Proverbs 23:7a, Ephesians 4:29-31, 2 Timothy 2:22, Galatians 6:10) so that the fruit we produce is always good and beneficial!   

Passages to Read and Remember: Galatians 5:16-26, John 15:8

July and August – Flourish Even More in Peace:

    Peace, perfect peace. It is more than just a quiet moment after a chaotic day. It is a quiet mind and a calm heart even amidst the chaos. Is it attainable? YES! What God commands, we can do; what God promises, He will do!

    We need to have a heart that learns to truly love – undefeatable goodwill and benevolence that seeks only good for the other – in order to pursue peace which is a sincere wish that the other will blessed with ‘everything that make’s for man’s highest good.’

    All too often we are content with a peace that is only visible on the surface. We think, ‘there are no negative interactions, no outward upset, so we’re at peace right?’ Yet our hearts are disappointed, discouraged, angry, frustrated, irritated, or fuming. Our hearts are so darkened that the very idea of hoping that our fellow man has everything that makes for their highest good is something we sneer and scoff at. God wants us to pursue true peace, and it begins in the heart (Colossians 3:15).

Passages to Read and Remember: Philippians 4:6-8, Hebrews 12:14, Isaiah 32:17, Romans 12:15-17

September and October – Flourish Even More in Giving:

    We studied over these months that we must first give ourselves to God, then give thanks to God for all that He has done, continues to do, and for all He has promised yet to do! We learned that we need to flourish in giving glory to God, because He is worthy of our every thought of love and word of praise – He has blessed us with all we have – and we need to use these blessings to give to others! So we try to give time, give physical needs, and give generously! We are vigilant to not give opportunity to the devil, nor give heed to man-made ideas and notions, instead, we determine to give time and attention to study of the God’s word so that we won’t give offense in anything for the gospel’s sake! And we will give it our all (Colossians 3:23)! We will let God – our glorious Creator and loving Father - motivate us toward daily determined diligence to flourish even more in giving!

Passages to Read and Remember: Psalm 29:1-2, Luke 14:26-27, 33, Ephesians 4:27, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 1 Timothy 1:3b-4, 4:12-13, 15-16; 6:17-19

November and December – Flourish Even More in Knowledge:

    Why should we flourish in knowledge?

    Without knowledge of God’s righteousness, we risk making up our own (or following someone else’s, i.e. doctrines/creeds of men) – Romans 10:2-3. Knowing of God, but not pursuing His righteousness, will prevent others from knowing the truth and obeying it (Romans 1:18)!

    Refusing to grow further in knowledge reveals a complacency about God and His will (Proverbs 1:32-33, Revelation 3:15-16, Matthew 24:42, 1 Peter 5:8). Without proper knowledge we may teach and/or guide others incorrectly (Acts 8:14-24, 13:45, 14:1-2), we could be a roadblock to their understanding (Galatians 2:11-13, Luke 11:52, Hebrews 5:12-13), and we, ourselves will inevitably become weak (Hebrews 5:12-14).

“…attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2b-3 NKJV)

Passages to Read and Remember: Proverbs 1:7, Ecclesiastes 7:12b, Ephesians 1:15-23, Colossians 1:9-11

    You can look at any of the posts made this year (and in previous years) by going to: faithfullyflourishing.blogspot.ca There is a month by month listing along the right-hand side of the page, as well as a keyword listing that you can click and find all posts pertaining to that keyword.

    It is my hope that throughout this year-long study you have taken time to consider areas in which you can continue to grow and flourish. Maybe some of the areas we have studied this year fanned the flame of your service and ignited your determination to develop further. May our gracious and glorious God bless you as you continue to faithfully flourish!

Because you can do it! And so can I!!

 

Note: I will be taking a break over the next two weeks. If the Lord wills, I will resume posting on January 6, 2025. If there are any topics or books of the Bible you would like to study in the new year, please email me, any time, at catharine.fairchild@gmail.com. If you have any questions you would like answered in form of a post, send them along as well.

Flourishing in Knowledge – A Summary

    This has been far from an exhaustive study on knowledge, but I hope that the previous posts and this post will encourage you to pause and take note in your reading and study each time you come across “know,” “knowing,” “knowledge,” and “made manifest” (which means, ‘made known in a clear and obvious way’), so that your study continues; allowing your growth in this area to continue as well.

    Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” and I believe that as you continue to flourish in knowledge it will lead you to humble obedience and loving service. You will come to eagerly await Jesus’ return (2 Peter 3:11-13; 17-18, Philippians 3:20-4:1) and anticipate the Day when faith will become sight (1 John 3:1-3), when hope will be realized (Hebrews 6:17-19, Romans 8:18-25), and when love will carry you through eternity (1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 John 4:17-19).    

“…the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12b NKJV)

Why should we flourish in knowledge?

    Without knowledge of God’s righteousness, we risk making up our own (or following someone else’s, i.e. doctrines/creeds of men) – Romans 10:2-3. Knowing of God, but not pursuing His righteousness, will prevent others from knowing the truth and obeying it (Romans 1:18)!

    Refusing to grow further in knowledge reveals a complacency about God and His will (Proverbs 1:32-33, Revelation 3:15-16, Matthew 24:42, 1 Peter 5:8). Without proper knowledge we may teach and/or guide others incorrectly (Acts 8:14-24, 13:45, 14:1-2), we could be a roadblock to their understanding (Galatians 2:11-13, Luke 11:52, Hebrews 5:12-13), and we, ourselves will inevitably become weak (Hebrews 5:12-14).

“…attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2b-3 NKJV)

As you read and study the Bible you can discover:

• The knowledge of salvation (Luke 1:77, Acts 2-16)
• The knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6)
• Knowledge of God and His Son (Romans 11:33, Ephesians 3:4, 4:13, Philippians 3:8, 2 Peter 1:2-3)
• Knowledge of God’s will (Colossians 1:9-10, Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17)
• Knowledge of God’s righteousness (Romans 1:16-17, Matthew 6:33, we need to know His righteousness so we don’t make up our own, Romans 10:2-3)
• Knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4, John 14:6)
• Knowledge that renews you and keeps you on the narrow path (Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:17-24, 2 Peter 1:3)

And you will discover the veritable storehouse of assurances – all the things we can know - declared within the epistle of 1 John, who wrote these things (through the Holy Spirit) “that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13):

• We know we know Him if we keep His commandments (1 John 2:3)
• We know that we are in Him because when we keep God’s word, His love is perfected in us (1 John 2:5 ,6)
• We know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him (who is righteous, 1 John 2:29)
• We know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2)
• We know this is the last hour (1 John 2:18)
• We know that [Jesus] was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin (1 John 3:5)
• We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren (1 John 3:14)
• We know love, because He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16)
• We know we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before Him if we live in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18-19)
• We know that He abides in us, by the Spirit He has given to us and we keep His commandments (1 John 4:2, 12-13)
• We know the Spirit of God (every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is of God, 1 John 4:2)
• We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6)
• We have known and believed the love that God has for us (1 John 4:16)
• We know we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments (1 John 5:2)
• We know we have eternal life (1 John 5:13)
• If we know God hears us, we know we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:15)
• We know whoever is born of God does not sin, but keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him (1 John 5:18)
• We know we are of God (1 John 5:19)
• We know Him who is true because the Son of God has come and has given us understanding (1 John 5:20)

John also wrote about the things that were made manifest (made known):

• The antichrists are made known (that they were not of us) by going out from among us (1 John 2:19)
• The Word of life was made known - the apostles have seen and bear witness (1 John 1:1-2)
• The Son was made known that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)
• God’s love was made known towards us in sending His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9)
• The children of God (and the children of the devil) are made known in this: whoever does not practice righteousness and does not love his brother is not of God (1 John 3:10)

    Isn’t that comforting – and exciting! We can know these things! We can grow in our knowledge of these things! And we can tell others about them too!!

    Please take time over the next couple of weeks, as the Lord wills, to read and think on the epistle of 1 John. Reread the list above and, throughout your day, try to recall a few of the things ‘we can know and be assured of.’ Try to keep them in mind so that if anyone asks you the reason for your hope you can make mention of these assurances and point people toward God and the truth found only in His word!

    You can know. You can grow and flourish even more in 2024 in knowledge! From wherever you are right now – BEGIN!

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourish in Knowledge: From Knowing of God to Knowing God

    My Mom was a nurse, so we grew up being comfortable with medical terms and we were more familiar with the pharmaceutical names of over-the-counter medicines than with their popular brand names. When people would remark about my supposed medical knowledge, I would joke and say, “I only know enough to scare myself.” I had not studied medicine, nor pursued any training in the medical field; I only knew what I had heard from my Mom. I knew enough of the medical terms and conditions that I recognized them when I heard them, I sometimes knew what they meant, but that’s where my knowledge ended, I didn’t always know what could be done for those conditions, nor did I know enough to offer any real information or comfort to myself or anyone else dealing with them.

    We can be like that with God and His word. We can be familiar with terms because we’ve heard them all our lives, but not really know what they mean or how to explain them to others (consider Hebrews 5:12-13). We can be content with whatever our parents have told us, and never develop our own faith and understanding. Some have only learned enough to be scared of God but have not sought more knowledge to better understand God and His great love for His creation. Others have only learned enough to allow them to carry on in whatever path they choose with what they deem a clear conscience, “because as long as I’m a good person, God’s grace will take care of the rest.”

    At some point in our life we may have stopped gaining knowledge because we went away to school, started a career, met a man and got married; simply put, our time and focus shifted. Yes, we may hold on to the basics but end up struggling in our day to day because although we know that God exists, we are oblivious to His promises of help in times of need (Philippians 4:6-8, Hebrews 4:16, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

    Consider Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-21. Paul wanted the Ephesian brethren to grow in knowledge of God, so that they would know…

…the hope of His calling. God calls us through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14), and hopes we will hear (Romans 10:17), believe (Mark 16:15-16), and obey (Matthew 7:21-23, also think on Ephesians 1:4, 2:10).

…the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. We are God’s inheritance (think on Deuteronomy 32:9, Psalm 33:12). God is looking forward to receiving the saints to Himself when Jesus presents us faultless to Him; there will be exceeding joy (Jude 24-25)!  

…the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe. God can revive us (Ephesians 2:1-10), He can strengthen us (Ephesians 6:10), and just as He raised up Jesus (Ephesians 1:19-23), He can raise us up on the Last Day (1 Corinthians 6:14, Philippians 3:20-21)!  

    We all may know about the “armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18) – many Sunday school classes spend time on it – but without further knowledge they are simply words on the page and do us no good. We are told to put on the whole armour of God, and that can only be done when we grow in our knowledge of each piece:

We need to know the truth (John 8:31-32, 16:13-15) in order to gird our waist (protect our innermost parts) with it.

We need to know God’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33, Romans 1:16-17) to wear it as a breastplate (guarding our vital parts, e.g. our heart)

We need to know the gospel of peace to shod our feet and walk in it (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-18)

We need to develop a faith (through learning and application, Hebrews 11) to shield ourselves from the devils attempts to harm us (2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 4:7, 1 Corinthians 10:17)

We need to know the value of salvation to know how important the helmet is that will guard our mind from impure pursuits.

We need to know the word of God (“the sword of the Spirit”) in order to know how to properly wield it/use it (consider Hebrews 4:12, 5:14, 1 Peter 3:15)

    Take time this week to read the whole of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – a little bit each day, as the Lord wills. Don’t be content with what knowledge you have – great treasures of wisdom and knowledge are at your fingertips! Pray for knowledge and understanding, and then open your Bible each day and read carefully to gain it. Read and apply – a little bit each day – develop your appetite for it (Matthew 5:6, Isaiah 55:1-3, 5) – and grow toward flourishing in a knowledge that is beneficial to both you and those who see/hear you (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16). Grow from simply knowing of God to truly knowing God! Keep learning, keep applying, and keep growing (Hebrews 5:12-14)!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish in Knowledge of God’s Righteousness

    We can be just as guilty as the Israelites in Paul’s day, who had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:2-3). The Israelites wanted to keep the Law (the Old Covenant or the Law of Moses), they wanted to stick with what they knew, and they refused to hear the gospel of Christ. They knew of God and obeyed His commandments in their own habitual way; they had heard Him (and listened to His instructions) only up to a point but would go no further. They were content with what they held to and refused to look further at the Scriptures (the books of our Old Testament, which they would have had access to), unlike the Bereans who came to faith after searching the Scriptures daily to find out if the things the apostle Paul taught were accurate (Acts 17:11-12).

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16-17 NKJV) 

    We can reach a level of “knowledge” and stop learning. We can feel our “goodness” is acceptable and our attendance at church services is enough that “we’re okay.” We can fall into the habit of rarely opening our Bibles throughout the week, sometimes not even at church services. We can say that what we know is enough, but if what we know is not God’s righteousness – and we are not growing in our knowledge of Him and His Word – then we are simply making up our own righteousness and fooling ourselves into thinking that it is acceptable to God.

    When we don’t know – or grow – in knowledge of God and His righteousness we can lead others astray…

…in being complacent about God and His will (Proverbs 1:32-33, Revelation 3:15-16, Matthew 24:42, 1 Peter 5:8)

…in being wrong about God and His will (Acts 8:14-24, 13:45, 14:1-2)

…in being a roadblock to their understanding (Galatians 2:11-13, Luke 11:52, Hebrews 5:12-13)

    And we will become weak ourselves – read and consider Hebrews 5:12-14 – how will we know what is truly good and what is evil if we do not develop toward consuming “solid food” and exercise our senses by applying what we learn? We, too, can become like those in Romans 1:18-22, who knew God but “did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful” We, too, can become “futile in our thoughts,” our “foolish hearts” can darken, and we can think ourselves wise, but become fools.

    When we become satisfied with what we know and stop searching the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in God the Father and Jesus the Son (Colossians 2:2-3, Psalm 119:161b-162), content with our own form of righteousness,  than our prayers may soon become rote and our attendance and attention may become mechanical – because our heart won’t be in them.  

    Let’s not let that happen! Let’s use the time that God has blessed us with this day to gain more knowledge of Him – begin reading the Psalms or the epistle to the Ephesians, and really think on what you read! Let that knowledge motivate you to grow in understanding, as you humbly acknowledge His wisdom, and submit to His righteousness!

 You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish in Knowledge

    God provided His word (through the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:16-21) to chosen men who penned it; He preserved it over the millennia so that we could hear it and gain knowledge of the truth (Romans 10:17, 1 Timothy 2:4). God loves us that much!

    Consider that the very first instance of creation was the word of God being spoken into the darkness (Genesis 1:2-3), and because of His great, abounding, and continual love for us, His word continues to be spoken into the darkness to call people out of it and into His marvelous light (Isaiah 9:2, Acts 26:15-18, 1 Peter 2:9).

“For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV)

    God does not want us to be content with knowledge of Him (Romans 1:20), He wants us to know Him (Hebrews 11:6); He wants us to continue to gain knowledge of Him through hearing/reading and obedience (Side note: It is in obedience that we learn of God’s wisdom, His faithfulness, and the truth of His promises of escape, comfort, peace, help, etc.). He wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (renew means: change for the better, take on a new mind/mindset); He wants us to put on a new man that is “created according to God in true righteousness and holiness,” and that comes from learning Christ (Ephesians 4:17-23), so we can prove (to ourselves and to others around us) “what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2), and so we can “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us” (1 Peter 3:15).

    When we don’t develop our knowledge of God, and come to truly know Him, we put ourselves at risk of being destroyed (Hosea 4:6). We may have a zeal for God, but if we don’t know His righteousness we are only living according to our own ideas (Romans 10:2-3). When we don’t develop our knowledge of God we are "shortsighted, even to blindness" and forget that we have been cleansed from our old sins (2 Peter 1:9), we remain children “unskilled in the word of righteousness” (Hebrews 5:13) and leave ourselves open to be “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men” (Ephesians 4:13-14); we can become a roadblock (through our example, or lack thereof) for others who are in need of the knowledge of God (Luke 11:52), and we will not be able to help them as we should (Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 3:12-13; 5:12-14).

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV)

    Faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), and we are instructed in 2 Peter 1:5-11 to add “virtue” to our faith. Virtue is moral excellence, goodness – something that we cannot know without knowing God (consider Psalm 16:2, Mark 10:18), I believe that is why we are then told to add knowledge to our virtue, so we continue to learn from the very Source. Everything else on that list – self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love – are things that we can only learn from digging into God’s word, the Bible, and gaining knowledge of Him and His beloved Son.   

“Send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.” (Psalm 43:3 NKJV)

    Let’s joy in our access to God’s word, open it, and study it daily! Don’t hold off saying, “One day,” let today be Day One. From wherever you are right now – BEGIN! Let's develop a love and an appreciation for God's word through continued study. And when others observe you reading the Bible you can proclaim, “God loves us this much! We can read His words! We can know His will! We can know the way home to Him!”

    Are you ready to flourish in knowledge?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish Even More in 2024… in Knowledge

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV)

    Knowledge in this passage means knowledge and discernment in its highest sense which includes obedience. Fearing the LORD is the wise thing to do, and gaining knowledge of Him – the Holy One – will lead us to understand why He should be reverenced, respected – and obeyed – at all times.

    If the Lord wills, for the remainder of the year, we will learn to Flourish Even More in 2024 in Knowledge. It is important that we do not become content or complacent in what we think we already know of God and Jesus because “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Them, and we are to work toward “attaining to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ” (Colossians 2:2-3).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)

    When we look to God to seek Him, and in hearing His word, respect it “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (like the Thessalonian brethren, 1 Thessalonians 2:13), we will begin our journey in gaining life-changing (Ephesians 4:17-24), life-preserving (Proverbs 2:10-12), and life-giving knowledge (John 17:3)!  

“…the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12b NKJV)

    Take time this week to read and think on Proverbs 2, 3, and 4. Read each chapter at your normal pace and then go back and read each one slowly; make notes of all the benefits of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that are mentioned. Recall these benefits throughout your day – while you’re driving, tidying, or doing the dishes – let these truths about knowledge prepare your mind for this study and for each day!

“If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for [wisdom] as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…” (Proverbs 2:4-6 NKJV)

    Let’s be thankful to God that He made His will available to us! Let’s be filled with gratitude that He prepared it, preserved it, and provides it to us so we can know Him! Let’s determine to show full and proper appreciation by reading and studying His word, the Bible, to gain a better understanding of who He is and to learn and meditate on everything He has done, continues to do, and promises yet to do, so we can flourish even more in knowledge - in its highest sense - of our Most Holy God and loving Father!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish in Giving – Give All Diligence

    As we finish our study in learning how to Flourish in Giving, let’s look at a word associated with giving; a word used throughout the Bible that informs us about our required effort: diligence.

“…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11 NKJV)

Diligence

• Hebrew (Old Testament) definitions: to guard, watch with full attention and attentiveness, eager determination, vehemently, wholly, speedily

“Keep your heart with all diligence for out of spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

• Greek (New Testament) definitions: speed on/urge on, eagerness/to await eagerly, earnestness, hastily; to use speed, to make effort, be prompt and earnest, endeavor, study carefully, to investigate, search out, crave, and demand. One of these Greek words is formed from two words: the first word means the origin point from which motion proceeds (motivation), and the second word means, to seek, to worship God, desire, enquire. It basically means that God is the very reason we should diligently seek Him; He is reason enough to motivate us toward humble worship and obedience.  

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12 NKJV)

    We are to give all diligence – give our utmost effort – to the things of God (Psalm 119:4, Matthew 6:33). We are to be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:14) – daily effort is required in forgiving (Matthew 18:17-35, Ephesians 4:31-32), in purifying our hearts (1 John 3:3), in being holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16) – and we should always remember to be quick to do these things! Don’t hold on to upset (Matthew 18:15-20, Ephesians 4:26-27), impurities (Ephesians 5:1-7), or worldly behaviors (Colossians 3:1-17) – think on all that God is, and all that He has done for you, and let that energize and motivate you to continued and immediate obedience and repentance!

“…diligence is man’s precious possession.” (Proverbs 12:27b NKJV)

    Consider that a widowed woman, in 1 Timothy 5:9-10, needed to be “well reported for good works” and she needed to have “diligently followed every good work” – quickly motivated to help, to alleviate, eager to show love, care, and compassion to those in need. Diligence is a word that we each should always be exemplifying to those around us!

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

    When we give diligence – use our utmost effort – to seek God, we will find Him (Acts 17:26-27, James 4:8) and when we continue in our desire to know Him better He will reward us; our eyes will be opened to truth and it will light the path home (Psalm 119:105, John 3:20-21).

    When we give diligence – eagerly exert ourselves – to our walk (1 John 2:3-6, Colossians 1:9-11), we will find daily motivation to stay the course and encourage others to develop faith and diligently seek God along with us (Psalm 78:4, 79:13, Matthew 5:16)

    When we give diligence – continual careful effort – to add virtue to our faith, knowledge to our virtue, self-control to our knowledge, perseverance to our self-control, godliness to our perseverance, brotherly kindness to our godliness, and love to our brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:5-11), we will flourish and be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we will be motivated to make even more effort – quickly and carefully – to do all that is pleasing to God!!

    Flourish in giving even more in 2024 by first giving yourself to God, then in giving thanks to God for all that He has done, continues to do, and for all He has promised yet to do! Flourish in giving glory to God, because He is worthy of our every thought of love and word of praise – He has blessed us with all we have – so use these blessings to give to others! Give time, give physical needs, and give generously! Don’t give opportunity to the devil, nor give heed to man-made ideas and notions, instead, give time and attention to study of the God’s word so that you won’t give offense in anything for the gospel’s sake! And give it your all (Colossians 3:23)! Let God – our glorious Creator and loving Father - motivate you toward daily determined diligence to flourish even more in giving!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish in Giving – Give Attention to Reading, Exhortation, Doctrine

    We are instructed to flourish in our faith, to grow and develop and bear good fruit (2 Peter 3:18, John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:16-26). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (by taking it in and comprehending it, Romans 10:17). We need to know God to appreciate and reverence Him, we need to know His instructions in order to obey them, and we need to know of His proffered help so we can endure temptation and walk properly in His sight. We can know all these things by reading His Word, the Bible. We need to read (listen to) His word and follow it, to benefit both ourselves and those who hear/observe us.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

    Our foundation must be in God’s word in order to properly exhort our brethren. Sometimes it is our enthusiasm about a passage we’ve studied that sparks enthusiasm in our sister, prompting her to dig into that passage and renew her habit of reading and study. Without a doubt, our knowledge must be developed in God’s word and way to enable us to properly warn our sisters and to properly encourage them; we want our words to be true and helpful, not platitudes of hollow comfort.

    We need to know what God says and be sure we are following His doctrine/teaching not man’s. We can know His word by listening carefully, and always following up with study to be sure what we hear is truth (Acts 17:11). We need to hold all thoughts and statements (the preacher’s, the teachers, our friends/family’s, and our own) up to the word of God – Are these things so? Was that taken out of context? Does this align with, or contradict, God’s word?

    I’ve drawn this lesson from 1 Timothy 4:12-16, please take the time to read this passage. In it Paul gives the young preacher, Timothy, instruction to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (v13). I think that we, too, can benefit when we give attention to these very things.

Give Attention to Reading

    Reading God’s word helps us to avoid the counsel of the ungodly, keeps us from the standing in the path of sinners, and from sitting amongst the scornful; it will help us flourish and prosper like a green-leafed tree that has been planted by flowing water (Psalm 1). It will give us insight and understanding (Psalm 119:130). Reading God’s word will teach us, comfort us, and give us hope (Romans 15:4); it will make us capable of knowing right from wrong (2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 5:12-14). We need to develop a taste for it – which only comes from continued reading – in order to grow (1 Peter 2:1-3), because those who read God’s word – and keep it (remember it, and do it) – will be blessed in this life, and in the one to come (Revelation 1:3, 1 Timothy 4:8).

Give Attention to Exhortation

    How can we help encourage or admonish another person if we ourselves do not know the standard God has given us? We need to be reading and applying His word so that our minds are renewed and our lives are transformed (Romans 12:1-2). We need to know that God wants our words to be encouraging, not harsh and full of hate (Ephesians 4:29-32). We need to read to learn just how much God loves us and how much He has done to help us overcome, so that we in turn can develop our love for others and help them in their walk, by reminding them that they are loved and cared for by a God worthy of our faith and trust (Hebrews 3:12-14). We need to be thinking of others, and ways we can help others, so that we can stir up love and good works amongst the brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25). Think of it as fanning the glowing coals to flame, and getting our brethren excited about doing good and reflecting God’s love to all around.  

Give Attention to Doctrine  

    We need to know God’s word, plain and simple. We need to know His will in order to walk in it (Ephesians 5:15-17). God’s word is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; it is the only way for us to be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your low; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it… Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” (Psalm 119:33-35, 37 NKJV)

    We must give attention to reading so we can know how to properly exhort our sisters in Christ (consider Titus 2:3-5, encourage them with truth) and so we can know God’s word and will – not guessing or surmising – but truly knowing how to be pleasing and acceptable to Him!

    When we give attention to these three areas we will be better fitted to be an example to all believers…

    …in word (the act of speaking) Ephesian 4:29-32, Colossians 4:5-6

    …in conduct (our behavior) 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:11-12, Matthew 5:14-16

    …in love (desiring the best for another) 1 John 4:7-11, Romans 15:2

    …in spirit (zeal) Romans 12:10-13

    …in faith (confidence, fully persuaded) Hebrews 11:6, 13-16, 2 Timothy 1:12, Romans 4:19-21; 8:38-39

    …in purity (sinlessness) 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:21-22, James 1:27, 1 Peter 3:1-3, Philippians 2:14-15, Psalm 24:3-4, 51:10

    Determine today that you will give attention to reading – take time to read and meditate on God’s wondrous word (fan the embers of your habit by reading/listening to Psalm 119). From wherever you are right now, give attention to exhortation, so that you can lift up your brethren and encourage them in their walk on the narrow path.  And always give attention to doctrine – be sure and confident that what you are being taught and what you believe is God’s word – His way is the only way! In doing this, you can be assured that your example will be good and your progress will be evident to any who hear or see you! Are you ready to give it your all?

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourish in Giving – Giving to Others

     In our Flourish in Giving study, we have learned that we must first give ourselves to God (submit wholly to His word and way); when we do that we begin to understand all that He has done and continues to do for us and our hearts will be tuned to give thanks to God for everything. We will also be ready to give God all the glory He so rightly deserves, and any praise we receive we will redirect to Him, because we know that all we have and all we are capable of is due to His generous blessings.

    Over the past few weeks we had a small side study in which we learned what not to give: place to the devil, heed to fables/doctrines of men, and offense to others for the gospel’s sake.

    Now, let’s return to our main theme and consider another area in which we can flourish in giving – Give to Others.

    As we run this race, we are not to think only of ourselves; we must also give time and thought to others (Philippians 2:3-4). God established the church so that we would have others of like precious faith who would help us flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (2 Timothy 2:22); people who would love us, warn us, and edify us as we overcome obstacles in our run toward the goal (Philippians 3:12-16). If we are going to do these things for our brethren we need to give time to them.

Give Time to Others

    We are supposed to be a support to one another. That means not only acknowledging one another in the assemblies but listening for opportunities to offer help or comfort. We are to bear one another’s burdens – doing this fulfills the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) – we go through the trial and endure it together; we help carry the weight of the trouble.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV)  

    There’s a saying, "Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow," and I will venture to say that it may have been based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and 1 Corinthians 12:26. We need to take time to look (and listen) for opportunities to help others, we need to take the time to sit with our sisters in Christ and hear them, so we can better learn from them (consider Titus 2:3-5), encourage/support them, and/or help them with tasks that an extra set of hands would make easier. Let them know that you are here for them, whatever the need, and that you have time for them; in doing so, you will fulfil the law of Christ and discover the blessedness of helping! Remembering that in our turn, we should also lean on others so they, too, can discover the blessedness of helping!

    Take time to read Hebrews 3:12-14 and consider Ephesians 4:25, 29-32. We have Today – how will you use those 960 waking minutes?

Give Physical Needs

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifice God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV)

    The very first Christians shared with one another so everyone had what they needed (Acts 4:32-37), and throughout the New Testament you see several accounts in which people give to help those in need, for example: Dorcas/Tabitha (Acts 9:36-41), Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37), the Macedonian brethren (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

Read and consider: Deuteronomy 15:7-8, Matthew 5:42, 10:42, 25:34-46, Romans 12:13, 20, Galatians 6:9-10

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” (1 John 3:17-19 NKJV)

    The widow gave “out of her poverty” (Mark 12:41-44), and the Corinthians brethren gave “beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) – because they first gave themselves to God, they trusted Him, and were thankful for the opportunity to give!

Give Generously

    God gives generously to us (Psalm 68:19) so that we can give generously to others (Romans 12:8)! He gives us so much comfort in our troubles that we have more than enough to then comfort others in their troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He is also able to make all grace abound toward us, so that we always have all sufficiency in all things, and have abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)! God wants us to be cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) – not clinging to our money/possessions, but clinging to Him, knowing all that we have is from Him; we are simply stewards with a responsibility to use these things for good (1 Peter 4:7-11).

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV)  

    We are all rich in blessings! You have time, use it for good – be a helper to those who run this race alongside you. When you have provisions, share them when you see a need. When you tune your heart to give to others God will grant you both opportunity and wherewithal to do just that! Give yourself to Him first, then to the work, and you will soon discover the joy and fulfillment of building up another person and fortifying a fellow soul! Your heart will overflow as you comprehend just how much God grants you each day, and the absolute truth of His promises! Soon you will give thanks to Him in everything, and willingly give Him the glory for all you are able to do!

    Are you ready and willing to give to others?

You can do it! So can I!!