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Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Lam 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Each morning when we awaken, the LORD is there having kept us in the night. We face a new day in God's love and compassion. Great is his faithfulness. Any day that we have in our LORD is a good day. Each day has it's problems and if we keep our quiet confidence in the LORD, we have peace. I remember my folks who retired to a country farm. They were enjoying all the working making a garden and raising a small herd of cattle. In the evening they would relax i n the comfort of their home. They would enjoy coffee together. In time they were no longer here in the new mornings, but their souls are eternally with God because Jesus made the way for them to abide in His presence. In Christ Jesus we can quietly wait for our salvation, for our home is with him forever. It has been said that this is not our home, we are just passing through this place unto our eternal home. Great is his faithfulness to us. Our faith rests in him.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Jesus spoke of the death of a Christian as sleep, not death. A sleeping person will awaken. We will awaken in the presence of our Lord. Jesus came to save us who were lost. When we were found by Jesus, we were no longer under the wrath of God on our sins. Jesus took our sins away and has given us salvation, We are saved from hell and given a place in the eternal family of God. Thank you Lord Jesus for eternal life with you.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
These are beautiful scriptures.
In the dictionary the word "let" is defined to not prevent or forbid; to allow.
synonyms: allow, permit, give permission to, give leave to, authorize, sanction, grant, grant the right to, warrant, license, empower, enable, entitle;
In the church "empower" is the popular word of choice. To empower speaks of authority and strength from a supernatural source. In my opinion the flesh likes the sound of being empowered, but it must be from Christ to allow his purpose to flow in your life. Supernatural, is another popular word. People will come from all over the world to a place where the supernatural is proclaimed. Would they come to a local church?
LET the peace of God rule in your heart. Do not prevent this from happenimg. You were called in one body of Christ, be thankful.
LET the word of Christ dwell in you richly with the Holy Ghost power, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, the wisdom coming from God in His word. We also are to LET our hearts sing praises in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. I would add, let the music glorify the Lord and from a thankful heart.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Do everything in the power and authority of Jesus Christ who has saved us out of the world and has LET us be partakers of his spiritual blessings.
Col3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Col 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Col 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
In other words, put on Christ Jesus. The challenge is to be all these fine attributes in the face of opposition. The people around us may be unholy, unlovable, uncaring, angry, aggressive and impatient, seeking advantage over you. Although we may be perceived as undesirable in a twisted world where good is thought to be evil and evil good. We are to remain steady on the Rock, that is Jesus. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Stand fast, commune with God, be kind and follow Jesus.
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
When we are strong and healthy we often do not see these verses. But when we are uncertain about our longevity, these verses are wonderful promises to us. How can we fear death when we already have died in Christ? Our life is hidden in Christ. Hidden? Are we hiding or are we kept safe in him? I see him knowing us and already making a place for us in the secret place of the Father's presence. Our Spirit is with His Spirit in heavenly places. So flesh be still for I already dwell with my Lord and when he appears at his coming I will appear with him in glory!
1Co 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1Co 15:55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
Be still frail flesh and know that your soul and spirit are kept in Jesus, kept secure in His love.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I cannot do all things by my own will and power. However, through Christ, in his will and by his power, I can do all things that he requires of me. Not my will but your will LORD. Before we use this verse to become super Christians, let us look at the context. Paul was in prison, under bonds, so what were the things he was referring to?
Php 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Php 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Php 4:12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (ESV)
He was able to live in contentment in the condition that he was in by the strength of God within him. In body he was bound, but in his Spirit he was free. No complaints, but he used his time to encourage others and to share the gospel with the guards. His witness brought salvation even to members of Ceasar's household.
Php 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
“By this he designates the functionaries and servants and slaves of the Emperor’s household, with whom Paul, as a prisoner for several years, undoubtedly came in contact on several occasions.” (Muller)
We too can use the time we have to share the gospel by the power of Christ. Thank you Lord for being my strength.
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Temptations here are better translated as trials; persecutions, afflictions. My first reaction to this is that joy comes out of afflictions, especially when they are over. Another positive result is if you are spirit filled that the Lord gives you peace in the midst of the trials. The flesh responds with fear or panic. The spirit gives us peace and the love of God. The love of family and friends also give us strength to endure.
We can count it all joy in the midst of trials, because they are used to produce patience.
Patience is the ancient Greek word hupomone. This word does not describe a passive waiting, but an active endurance. It isn’t so much the quality that helps you sit quietly in the doctor’s waiting room as it is the quality that helps you finish a marathon.
The ancient Greek word hupomone comes from hupo (under) and meno (to stay, abide, remain). At its root, it means to remain under. It has the picture of someone under a heavy load and resolutely staying there instead of trying to escape. The philosopher Philo called hupomone “the queen of virtues.” (Cited in Hiebert) The Greek commentator Oesterley said this word patience described “the frame of mind which endures.” (Guzik)
We are not alone in our afflictions.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
