WISDOM

“If any of you lacks wisdom,⁴⁶⁷⁸ he should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

But when he asks, he must believe⁴¹⁰² and not doubt,

 because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

James 1:5-8

4678 – sŏphia – wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual).

4102 – pistis – persuasion, i.e. credence: mor. conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher) especially reliance upon Christ for salvation: abstr. constancy in such a profession: by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

When a believer asks in faith

for wisdom from our Lord,

he can rest assured it will be given

as promised in His word.

If he would avoid being tossed about

like a wave upon the sea,

he must put his faith in Christ alone

to meet his every need.

Perseverance

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance⁵²⁸¹.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.”

James 1:1-4

5281 - hupŏmŏnē – from 5278: cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy – enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

5278 – hupŏmĕnō – to stay under (behind), i.e. remain: fig. to undergo i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere: - abide, endure, (take) patient(-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

The winds blow and the crape myrtle bows completely to the ground.

The spring rains pour, and the soggy branches appear to be totally drowned.

But each trial just seems to strengthen my favorite flowering tree.  

The trials of life blow in like winds and knock me to the floor.

The testing of my faith, like rain, seems to continually to pour.

But by God’s grace, I persevere; and the Father strengthens me.  


June 30, 2012

Psalm 118 - My Strength and My Song

The Lord brings songbirds to my backyard each day.
He also brings a songto my heart as I meditate
on his saving grace extended to me.

“I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.”

“You are my god, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”

Psalm 118:13-14, 28-29

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
He is my strength to carry on
each day in every endeavor.
When I’ve been about to fall,
the Lord has helped me to stand.
My God is sovereign: he is Lord,
and nothing can thwart his plan.
You are my God. I give you thanks.
You’re my Savior to whom praise is due.
You will be my constant song,
and forever I’ll worship you.

Psalm 118 - What Can Man Do to Me?

When the squirrels in my backyard sense danger, they flee up a tree because God has given them the ability to climb and the coloring to hide them. When I am in distress, I need to flee to the Lord; for he will cover me with his pinions,
and I will find refuge and hope only in Him.

“In my anguish I cried to the Lord,
and he answered by setting me free.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.”

Psalm 118:5-9

Man can ridicule and insult me
and slander my good name.
Man can take my job from me
for not playing by the rules of his game.
Man can steal all that I own,
injure me, even take my life.
But he can only do what the Lord allows!
Then after this world of strife,
I know I’ll be safe for eternity
within my Savior’s arms.
Man thinks he can do all manner of things,
but I’ll never suffer ultimate harm.

Psalm 118 - His Love Endures Forever

Oak trees live a long time, but not forever.
This bird was perched on a high branch
in one of the old oak trees in our yard.
After watering the flowers in the morning,
I often sit very still on the patio,
camera on maximum zoom, and watch for birds.

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Let Israel say:
‘His love endures forever.’
Let the house of Aaron say:
‘His love endures forever.’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love endures forever.’

Psalm 118:1-4

Thank you, Father, for you are good.
Your mercy and kindness endure.
Though I am frail and often fail,
your mercy and grace are assured.
Your love toward me is immeasurable
and lasts through eternity.
You walk with me through life on earth
and are preparing a home for me;
for your love endures forever!

Psalm 17 - Forever Faithful Father

I bought this rose bush
at our church missions plant sale this year.
In the early morning light, it seemed to glow!
I like roses because the blooms last long.
However, even the rose fades and petals fall;
but my Father’s love endures FOREVER!

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“O praise the Lord, all you nations!
Praise Him, all you people!
For His mercy and loving-kindness
are great toward us,
and the truth and faithfulness 571
of the Lord endure forever.
Praise the Lord!
Hallelujah!

Psalm 117 (Amplified Version)

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I praise you, Father, For your love is sure.
Your truth and faithfulness shall endure.
I know you work all things for my good.
Even difficult days will go as they should.
When I face trials, I can consider it pure joy;
for the testing of my faith is a tool you employ
to make me mature, not lacking a thing.
Forever faithful Father, your praises I sing!

Psalm 116 - Be at Rest, O My Soul

North Texas storms can be brutal.
I took this storm cloud photo
While standing on my front porch.
When hail and tornados are all around,
I call out to the Lord rather than worry.
He has the power to protect from harm
or to give grace to ride out the storm.

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live…

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.”

Psalm 116:1-2, 5-7 (NIV)

The Lord heard my voice when I cried out for mercy
and compassionately extended His grace.
He saved me from the death caused by my sin,
and someday I will see him face to face.
My soul can be completely at rest,
my mind can remain at ease;
for my ultimate home is with Jesus,
and in his compassion he meets all my needs.