You Are Not Alone

    Today, let’s draw encouragement from 1 Peter 5:9

 “Resist him, steadfast in the faith,

knowing that the same sufferings are experienced

by your brotherhood in the world.” (NKJV)

    Now, let’s tackle this in reverse order.

    Do you acknowledge the fact that you are not the only one who suffers as you suffer? As a reformed “puddle dweller” I know that I often felt that “woe is me”/“nobody understands the things I suffer”/”nobody knows how difficult this is” feeling when in the midst of hurt and upset.

    But God, through Peter, reminds us that we, in fact, are NOT ALONE, the “same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world”. Other Christians have gone through and are going through what you are going through. They know how you feel, they can and will understand!

    I feel that the New King James version helps us to acknowledge the fact that other Christians experience what we experience, but the King James version uses a different word, a word that may seem slightly odd, but it is a word that should fill you with hope and determination – “accomplished”.

"...knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (KJV)

    “Accomplished” comes from the Greek word ‘epiteleo’ (Strong’s #2005) which means to undergo, to fulfill, to execute, to terminate, to finish, to complete.

    Not only do your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ experience the same things you are experiencing, they are also accomplishing them - seeing them through to the end; getting through, and past them!!

    Does that give you hope? Not only can you have comfort in knowing you are not alone, you can see and learn from another Christian's example that YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS too – you can ACCOMPLISH this problem and put it behind you!

    Now, that is easier said than done, I know. But consider this, when you are driving, what is the #1 rule to avoid hitting an obstacle? Answer: Do not look at the obstacle, instead look where you want to go. Many of us worriers, when we have an “obstacle” in our path, tend to focus completely on the obstacle – which causes us to crash right into and sit there in the wreck for periods of time. If we were to instead look to where we wanted to go – towards God, trusting in His promises and His help (Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 11:6, 4:16) – we would very likely avoid the crash altogether!

    The devil puts “obstacles” into our daily paths, but we are instructed to resist him. “Resist” means ‘to stand against, oppose, withstand’. It comes from the Greek word ‘anthistemi’ (Strong’s #436) – which I heard preacher Andy Cantrell say, looks like ‘antihistamine’, the product used to withstand allergens. I think that is a pretty great way for people, especially allergy sufferers, to remember how much they want to oppose the devil, as much as they want to oppose and withstand the allergens that cause them so much trouble!

    So how do we resist the devil? We increase our resistance of the devil when we are “steadfast in the faith”.

    “Steadfast” (Greek: ‘stereos’ Strong’s #4731) means solid, stable, sure, and strong. Now, to keep something solid, stable, sure, and strong over a long period of time (lifetime), diligence and maintenance are necessary.

    We need to dig in to God’s word! When we dig in we will learn what His will is (Ephesians 5:8,10, 15-17), so that we can do it. We will learn of the help He offers us daily, and access it (Psalm 68:19, Hebrews 4:16). We will learn of the promises He will faithfully fulfill if we would but trust Him (Psalm 34:8)! We will learn more than just that God is, we will learn that He is a rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)!

    Others have gone through what you are going through. During this pandemic many are going through exactly what you are going through. Keep your focus on God. Spend time with fellow Christians – both spiritual time (worship service/bible studies) and leisure time (2 Timothy 2:22) - phone and online opportunities abound during quarantine! - look to godly examples amongst your brothers and sisters in Christ so that you too can accomplish/get through/finish the suffering that you are experiencing. Build up your faith and your knowledge of God by digging into His word! By doing these things you too will be able to withstand, oppose, and resist the devil and continue to faithfully flourish!

You can do it! So can I!!

Hope Is A Tree of Life

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."

(Proverbs 13:12 NKJV)

    As we finish our "Tree of Life" study, we will be looking at hope. Hope can propel our desire to do good (Isaiah 40:31, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Hebrews 7:19, 1 Peter 3:13-17), it can quell our desire to do wrong (1 John 3:1-3, Ephesians 4:17-24, Colossians 3:1-11, Hebrews 12:1-2), and it can dwell in us (Psalm 33:18-22; 71:14-16, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 3:6; 10:23), helping us to endure through hardships as we grow and develop deeper faith in God!

    God created us, He knows that hope is needful for us because.hope motivates us toward a goal. Our responsibility is to place our hope in what is eternal not temporal (Romans 8:24-25). When we learn to hope in what is eternal, our hope will not be deferred because God is faithful in all His promises! Having this living hope (1 Peter 1:3-9) sustains us, it benefits us in our walk; it is a tree of life to all who have it!

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

and whose hope is in the LORD,

for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

which spreads out its roots by the river,

and will not fear when heat comes;

but its leaf will be green,

and will not be anxious in the year of drought,

nor will cease from yielding fruit."

(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV)

    When we hope in the Lord we will find nourishment, so much so that we will have no need to be fearful or anxious. We will also continue to faithfully flourish in both good times and bad!  Hold fast to your hope, let it anchor you to all that is good and profitable (Hebrews 6:17-19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Philippians 3:12-16)!

    Discover the life-giving benefits that come from placing your hope in God and His Word!

You can do it! So can !!

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in His word I do hope.

My soul waits for the LORD more than those

who watch for the morning - yes, more than

those who watch for the morning."

(Psalm 30:5-6 NKJV)

A Wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life

    So far we have discovered that wisdom (from above, James 1:5; 3:13-17) is a tree of life, beneficial to the one who has asked for it and uses it. In wisdom we acknowledge who God is and who we are before Him and we conduct ourselves accordingly, giving God honour and glory in all we do. We have also found that what we do as we humbly follow God's word and will, as we walk in righteousness, is a tree of life to those who observe us - we can benefit those wandering in darkness, by showing them a different way to live as we shine a light that directs them toward God's path, that points them toward Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16)!

    Today, I would like you to consider this passage:

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

(Proverbs 15:4 NKJV)

    A wholesome, or healing, tongue is a tree of life, a beneficial, life-giving asset. A wholesome tongue, one that speaks truth in kindness, promotes hope and healing; has the potential to make situations better.

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

(Proverbs 15:1-2 NKJV)

    James describes the tongue as "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). He goes on to state and to admonish, "Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things out not to be so" (James 3:10). We all hold within us the potential to heal or to harm, knowing this we need to train ourselves to only open our mouths with wisdom, kindness (Proverbs 31:26), and what is needed to promote spiritual growth in knowledge and holiness (Ephesians 4:29) so they too, may faithfully flourish!

    Where wholesome words provide an true oasis of good for the hearer, offering refreshment, comfort, and shelter (aka. a tree of life), corrupt words crash down on them like a dead tree in a windstorm, only causing devastating harm. Perverseness in the tongue (crooked, corrupted speech) breaks the spirit, it gives no sustenance, no help, no hope to the hearer.

    So, let us consider our words before we speak, "Will this help or harm? Will this promote holiness or hopelessness?" Let your words be beneficial and life-giving to those not walking on the pathway as well as they who are walking right beside you (Galatians 6:10)!  

"Walk in wisdom toward who are outside, redeeming the time.

Let your speech always be with grace,seasoned with salt,

that you may know how to answer each one."

(Colossians 4:6 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!

 

   

The Fruit of The Righteous is a Tree of Life

    As we continue our four-part "Tree of Life" series, I would like you to consider this passage:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, 

and he who wins souls is wise." 

(Proverbs 11:30 NKJV)

    The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. What does that mean? That the things done by a righteous person will be beneficial and provide life-giving sustenance to not only themselves but to those with whom they interact.

    Who are the righteous? Those who practice righteousness (1 John 3:7) by doing what is right in accord with God and His righteousness (1 John 2:29). 

    Where do I find the righteousness of God? In the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17; 10:17, Matthew 5:6; 6:33)! 

    And what is the fruit of the righteous?  When we humbly honour and obey God, walking in a right and proper way before Him, we will begin to produce (do) good things! In pursuing righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22) we will love as God does (without partiality or hypocrisy, Matthew 5:46-48, Romans 12:9, James 4:8-9), we will be filled with joy knowing we are right in God's sight (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 89:15-17) and that joy will be exhibited in all we do! It will show itself in our diligent pursuit of peace (with God Hebrews 12:3-11, 1 John 1:9, and with "our neighbour" Romans 12:17-18), and in our ability to endure hardships (longsuffering, Matthew 5:44-45, Romans 12:19-10). It will be evident in our consistent kindness (Romans 12:10-13), goodness (Romans 12:21, Galatians 6:9-10), and faithfulness (Matthew 25:21, 1 Peter 1:3-9), and apparent in our quiet gentleness (Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:3-4), and self-control (Titus 2:11-14, 2 Peter 1:5-11)!

Can you understand how these good and noble things - these fruits that we develop as we pursue righteousness - are beneficial to more than just ourselves and able to be a tree of life that provides life-giving sustenance (Psalm 1:1-6)?

When we understand the path of righteousness - its blessings and benefits, where it leads, to Whom it leads, and why He is worthy of our every effort - then we are wise to encourage others toward it and invite those we interact with to come and walk the path with us! That is what "win" means in this passage - 'to bring along with us'!

We know the path they are treading and where it leads to (Proverbs 14:12) , so let us, with the wisdom that is from above (James 3:17), with compassion and sincere love for their souls, prove to them the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2) and show them the life-giving benefits of walking in righteousness!

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament.

And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

(Daniel 12:3 NKJV)