Provisions and expectations Part 2
...continued from last post!
What we are to do
As we consider our instructions in God's Word, we see that they apply to both hearts and minds. We do well to refer to God's Word, not man's ideas, in regard to what we should do as we experience trials and tribulations, which God has promised us and which God says are for our benefit (James 1).
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
James 1:4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but it reveals that God has given us instructions, for our good, and we must make the effort and decision to obey. We are in a spiritual battle, and we must not be spritually passive in our response!
Its good to know that others who have perhaps deeper insights or more wisdom and experience can come along side us in our time of need and encourage us and pray for us with much effect. We are definitely to bear one another's burdens.
I can remember being in childbirth and having encouraging nurses by my side. Many of them had given birth before themselves, and understood what I was going through. They would constantly be giving me instructions! No matter how wimpy I felt, none of them walked away, shaking their heads and saying "You're just making too big a deal out of this."
In a similar way, we do pass through significant trials during our short time on earth. But there is no getting around the fact that God calls us to obedience, and that for our good. We glorify him as we put his word into action and prove his faithfulness.
Psalm 103:10-17
What we are to do
As we consider our instructions in God's Word, we see that they apply to both hearts and minds. We do well to refer to God's Word, not man's ideas, in regard to what we should do as we experience trials and tribulations, which God has promised us and which God says are for our benefit (James 1).
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
James 1:4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but it reveals that God has given us instructions, for our good, and we must make the effort and decision to obey. We are in a spiritual battle, and we must not be spritually passive in our response!
Its good to know that others who have perhaps deeper insights or more wisdom and experience can come along side us in our time of need and encourage us and pray for us with much effect. We are definitely to bear one another's burdens.
I can remember being in childbirth and having encouraging nurses by my side. Many of them had given birth before themselves, and understood what I was going through. They would constantly be giving me instructions! No matter how wimpy I felt, none of them walked away, shaking their heads and saying "You're just making too big a deal out of this."
In a similar way, we do pass through significant trials during our short time on earth. But there is no getting around the fact that God calls us to obedience, and that for our good. We glorify him as we put his word into action and prove his faithfulness.
We can trust him wholly all for us to do,
they that trust him wholly find him wholly true!
they that trust him wholly find him wholly true!
Psalm 103:10-17
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,
and his righteousness unto children's children;
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