GOOD SOIL-GOOD HARVEST

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. [James 3:18]

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, that is to say; the soil in which spiritual work will show results is one of true fellowship among Christians where there is no discord or disharmony. Peace is the atmosphere in which we may expect the good seed of righteousness to ripen. Remember that discord always damages God’s work. Work that is full of promise can be destroyed by quarreling, self-seeking, and self-promotion. Right relationships are the soil in which the reward of righteousness alone can grow. The man who disturbs personal relationships and is responsible for strife and bitterness among brothers and sisters in Christ cuts himself off from the blessing God gives those who live the Christian life in harmony and fellowship with other believers.

WAITING IN FAITH

When Abraham arrived in Canaan, it was by no means a great nation. But he dwelt there, living in tents. God may have prepared a mansion for him in heaven, but in Canaan all he had was a tent. The only parcel of Canaan he ever actually owned was his burial plot.

Most importantly, Abraham waited. This is perhaps the hardest test of faith. Unrealized expectations make for bitterness and despair in many people’s lives. But Abraham waited in faith, just as God later required of the prophet Habakkuk, when He said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Hab. 2:2–3).

Abraham waited in faith and died in faith. With the rest of the Old Testament saints, it was said: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Heb. 11:39–40).

Do you have a good testimony of faith? Have you learned to wait in faith for God to move on your behalf?

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HIGHLIGHTING PROVERBS

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though they join forces none will go unpunished. [Proverbs 16:5] God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense: believe me, the proud will not go unpunished, God will put them in their place.

In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. [Proverbs 16:6] Mercy and truth are the signs of saving faith. By trusting the LORD men escape misfortune and calamity.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. [Proverbs 16:7] A righteous life disarms opposition; goodness has power to charm and win even enemies to itself.

Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice. [Proverbs 16:8] Paraphrase…. You can have all the world has to offer and end up with nothing, or be content with nothing and end up with more than all the world could possibly give.

GOD IS ALMIGHTY

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” [Matthew 19:26]

God is able to handle any situation, because He is almighty and all-sufficient. Nobody is stronger than God. Nobody is more powerful. He can do anything and everything necessary to bring about His plans and purposes. Nothing is impossible for God. El Shaddai is able to meet all your needs and He will fulfill all His promises to you in His perfect timing. What seems impossible to us is more than possible to Him.

You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. [1 John 4:4]

O LORD GOD Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. [Psalm 89:8]

I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [Job 42:2]

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. [Jeremiah 32:17]

The God of the Bible is the God who reveals Himself in all the glory and the wonder of His miraculous eternal power. [Martyn Lloyd-Jones]

GOD IS OUR HEALER

I am the LORD, who heals you. [Exodus 15:26]

God cares about our physical condition, just as He cares about our spiritual condition. The Bible is filled with stories of God’s healing touch in the lives of sick people. We can and should pray, asking God to touch us in our illnesses, but we need to also understand that healing does not always occur in dramatic ways. Sometimes it is a slow process of recovery that allows time to pray and focus on our spiritual well-being. Sometimes there is even death, but then we must remember that death is simply a doorway to eternal health and wholeness! Any way you look at it, the source of all healing, physical and spiritual is of God. God is our Healer, JEHOVAH NISSI.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. [Psalm 103:2-3]

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. [Matthew 4:23]

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. [Psalm 30:2]

In tribulation, immediately draw near to God with trust, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, encouragement and instruction.