As I grow, and develop into my reality, my TRUTH IN HIS NAME, gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation accompany me, as my FAITH finds me content in ways I never knew before, along with being able to find that PEACE which HE HAS provided, even though I am thrashed about, and imposed upon by the world, and it's ways...
I CAN stand fast IN my FAITH, as I ever learn, and experience in those lessons, the great difference between carnality, and spirituality, DESPITE sometimes wondering, or reeling from the constant storms brought on by the wicked evil of this realm! INDEED, I have, little by little, been strengthened, and convinced by the MIGHTY POWERS of THE LORD *GOD OVER ALL, and everything!!!
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer. Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always give what is asked for: as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.
PHILIPPIANS 4: 12-19...
12+++I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13+++I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
14+++Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
15+++You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
16+++for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
17+++Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
18+++But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19+++And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances.
Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fullness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.
EPHESIANS 3: 14-19...
14+++For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15+++from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16+++that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17+++so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18+++may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19+++and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fullness, may be said to be filled with the fullness of God. Should not this satisfy man? Must he needs fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness?
Trials, tests, and tribulations; conflict, confrontation, and confusion; all sorts of negatives ARE present for us to work through IN our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, and yah, sometimes it IS difficult to manage, HOWEVER, NEVER forget, we are NOT on our own, as some would fool themselves to believe: we HAVE THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, and SAVIOUR, and THE HOLY SPIRIT TO assist us, heal us, teach us, guide us, direct us, strengthen us, fortify us, enlighten us, enrich us, endow us, enable us, empower us, and encourage us, AND bring what IS OF THE LIGHT, what IS RIGHT, what IS GOOD, what IS JUST, and what IS POSITIVE at ALL times, IN diverse, and plentiful ways, and means! HOW can we lose heart, or be lost TO the elemental powers and rulers of this plane WHEN WE KNOW THE TRUTH, our LORD *GOD*?!!
THE LORD KEEPS us encouraged THAT WE PRAISE, EXULT, EXALT, and GLORIFY HIS NAME, AND that we REFLECT HIM FOR those lost, and endangered, and well, there are many, many lesser reasons, and purposes for HIM to do so! Let us take ALL HE IS, and DOES DEEP into the being, and heart, and let it aid us in thriving, prospering, and exemplifying HIM! Let us sing of HIM, let us PRAY TO HIM, let us HONOUR HIM, and let us exist according TO HIS WILL, and WAYS! Everything told, everything known, ALL IS OUR JOY FOR HIS GLORY!!!
LWINSOR © 2018
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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