One
of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives is gentleness (Gal 5:23) which can better
be translated as meekness. When we think of meekness we often think of weakness
or someone who is a mouse. But this
could not be further from the truth. Meekness
is a powerful fruit of the Spirit creating a submissive spirit in us toward our
God and giving us a quiet strength and confidence that is from God alone. The
meek Christian is not a mouse but an individual who has the confidence of
knowing who he is in Christ and a temperament that is controlled and at peace.
We
are told to pursue meekness (1 Tim 6:11), to walk in meekness (Eph 4:2), so that
people see it in us. We should demonstrate meekness in our dealings with others
(Titus 3:2), even if they respond with unkindness and especially as we talk to
them of the things of God and bring correction (2 Tim 2:25). “Brethren, if a
man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal 6:1). The
apostle Paul reminded us that meekness is a characteristic of Jesus: (2 Cor 10:1).
Let
us take stock of our lives, are we known for our meekness as we have defined it
above?
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“I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me” (Phil.4:13; KJV). I am sure this is a very familiar verse to
most of us. How often we hear it quoted when someone has a difficult task in
front of them. However, do we really think about all that is implied in this
verse? We tend to focus on what we can do: “through Christ” but today I would
like to focus on how we are enabled to do that.
The
word “STRENGTHENETH”, is not just a passive word in that we just get strength
all on our own, but has more the sense of God actively filling us with his
strength. This reminds me of two other scriptures. In 1 Corinthians chapter 3
and verse 5 we read that: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any
thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” and in Colossians chapter
1 and verse 11 it is written: “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious
power”.
This
means that we don’t have to depend on our ability but through the inner
strength that comes from God alone. In order to be in a position to receive
that strength we need to be abiding in the vine (John 15:5). Jesus is the vine
and we need to have an intimate and ongoing relationship with him. Praise God
that we don`t have to do things in our own strength; let`s meditate on these
verses and use our faith to depend on God’s strength and ability.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
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others.
“For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of Go: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8-10; KJV). Here we are
told that we don’t earn salvation by our works, it is purely a gift by God’s
grace that we receive freely by faith.
When
Paul struggled with his thorn in the flesh, he pleaded with God to take it away
but God replied: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). In other words, whatever the thorn was, God
said his grace would get Paul through the difficulty.
God’s
grace enables us to receive of his strength (power) for salvation and for every
need that we have. The power word used here is Dunamis in the Greek; this is
where we get the word dynamite. We have
God’s dynamite power by grace. The power that raised Christ from the dead is
also that dynamite power and we contain it by God’s grace (Rom 8:11; Acts 1:8).
As
we humble ourselves and come to the end of our own strength as Paul did, then
God’s grace can get us through. If we think we can make it on our own and tough
it out in our own strength then we are on our own and life gets hard. Let’s humble
ourselves before God and seek his help; his grace is sufficient.
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“Be
careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7; KJV).
We
all get to worrying from time to time, but the apostle Paul tells us we don’t
need to. He tells us to let our heavenly Father know our needs and requests,
trust him and thank him for the answers. We need to allow God’s peace to
overwhelm us and keep us through Christ Jesus.
In
1 Peter, chapter 5 and verses 6 and 7 we read: “Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all
your care upon him; for he careth for you” (KJV). If we approach our God humbly,
we are told we can cast our cares on him and he will take care of them. Jesus not only bore our sicknesses and
carried our pains but he was scourged that we could have peace (Isa 53:4-5).
The
definition of the word salvation in the Greek contains; forgiveness,
deliverance, rescue, liberation, release, restoration, safety, healing,
prosperity, preservation, soundness, happiness and general well-being. What’s left to worry about? Give it all to Jesus today and enjoy his
peace of mind.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
Sometimes
when I listen to amazing music I am moved, I imagine that the composer must have
been inspired by God. I realize that I am not merely listening with my physical
ears but with my heart, my spirit. So often we listen but we do not hear; we
look but we do not see. Why is this? It’s because we only hear with our
physical ears and see with our physical eyes (Isa 6:9-10).
We
need to see and hear as God himself does, with our spirit, our heart (1 Sam
16:7; Luke 24:32). This is when God can speak to us Spirit to spirit (Prov
20:27; Rom 8:16), through his word (John 14:26; Rom 2:15), through people (Prov
11:14), his creation (Rom 1:20) and music he inspires; this is when we can be
truly changed. How often we do not change when we hear so much of God’s word
and see and hear so much of him but only with our physical ears and eyes.
For
a few moments in our busyness we need to try to focus on God, on heaven, and
leave our soul to rest. Allow God to arrest you, envelope you in his peace and
love you, speak to your heart and change you from glory to glory, holiness to
holiness. I encourage you to close your eyes, listen to some of your favorite
music, gaze at a beautiful picture or simply enjoy the beauty of God’s creation
and meditate on the goodness of God. Allow him to speak to you and truly impact
and change you. My, how the church needs truly changed Christians, people sold
out for him.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.