“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). 

It appears to be a misnomer to use wisdom and meekness in the same sentence. Wisdom often elevates the pride of many who then become even wiser in their own eyes. Godly wisdom is always to be accompanied with meekness for those who receive wisdom from God are constantly aware of its source. Whenever we lift our intellect to a level above that which requires simple faith, true knowledge would be eclipsed by vanity. Strong and convincing arguments may be impressive, but cause the mind to erode into believing a lie when the truth cannot yet be proven. The meek of the earth are teachable and can learn in order to participate with God in what He is doing. The wise and the prudent cannot even see it as being important, thus live their lives as contradictions even to their own beliefs. God will bring both beliefs and lifestyles into one. We can then live and speak what we truly believe. 

“Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). 

Jesus is saying, “If you show the world that you know Me, I will show you that you belong to the Father.” Only Jesus can make it known to us that we truly belong to the Father; He is our pathway into the knowledge of His love. The reason is, He knows intimately all things concerning the Father, but His will is to make known to us what He knows. None can reach the grand and mountainous heights of knowledge on their own. All need Him to raise us to a higher level of understanding that we cannot achieve on our own. We are then “found in Him” as the Apostle Paul states it, “No longer on a quest of trying to find ourselves but rather found in a new and glorious place in Christ with His visibility and no longer seeing things as we once saw them.” He gives a peek into glory and we see the Father in Him. To see Him is to love Him and to love Him is to have knowledge of His love. May we grow in that knowledge and increase in His love. 

“For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9). 

The initial light of God leads us to greater light. We see Him as Redeemer and we are saved from the penalty of sin. The entryway into His grace has been provided as His light has shined upon us. There is also light shining on the path inviting us to enter in. It is not enough to enter in a park at the gateway of all that has been provided for us in Jesus Christ. The things that accompany salvation are awaiting us within the vast areas of exploration of blessings and joy that can only be experienced once we have passed beyond the Outer Courts and are willing to enter into the Holy of Holies. The further we are willing to be led, the deeper the level of intimacy we are enabled to experience. His light leads to the fountain of life. We are able to drink from the fountain that springs forth into everlasting life. When Jesus Christ becomes life to us, we can then live the abundant life. The pleasure of knowing the Father, as He is known by the Son, is made known to us. Lord, lead us to the greater light, so that we may be able to see You and be blinded to the distractions of the flesh, the world, and the devil. 

The enmity between us and God has been removed. Now, we are at peace with Him. But the light shines brighter and brighter as we focus our attention in the direction from which the light is shining. It is the revealing of His grace that enables us to see the path before us. Then we are enabled to continually see the path on which we are to remain. His light leads us to Jesus Christ as Savior. Then we allow Him to be Lord over every area of our lives as we follow Him. The path on which the light is directed leads to life in the Light of His love. His is the light of life.  Life is more than eating and drinking, apparel or occupation. Many are bored in their quest for life’s meaning. Many are in search for a meaning for their existence. Their lives are usually defined by their occupation or the reputation gained by what others may think of them. Life can be so narrow and meaningless without a deeper understanding of purpose. The dead cannot see the Light of Life. 

Dark rooms are the places of sightless men and lifeless graves are places where death rules as king. There is no light in those places where the Light of Life is absent. Many search for light in caves and wander into deeper levels of darkness. What do the sightless do since they cannot see? They feel their way through life. And when they feel nothing, they wander in the dark. 

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). 

Is it possible for a faithful servant of God to be tempted? Experience provides evidence that all are tempted. Yet, temptations do not have to overtake you. The objective of the Tempter is to overtake the lives of those who do not deliberately fight against what has come to mind. When it becomes a thought that is difficult to erase from the memory, it is easy to yield to the temptation exclusively tailored for you. Nevertheless, there is a way of freedom to cancel thoughts that would otherwise translate into actions. It does not lie on the surface, but must be sought after. He reveals His sacrifice of life and love in contrast to the current offer. Only then will you be provoked to respond rightly. On the other side of the temptation is the evidence of true love, expressed from your heart as a sign of gratitude. When you bear up under the pressure of temptation, you are providing evidence that you love Jesus more than any object of affection or attraction that is there to replace what He alone can give. 

“But from this day I will bless you” (Haggai 2:19). 

Looking forward, the outlook is much brighter than the past for the children of the Most High God. Even though many of the things promised have not yet come to pass, God is still true to every one of them. The seed is still in the barn. The seed that is to be planted must be scattered before the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, or the olive tree is able to yield its fruit. The laborers must sow in the time of sowing before the reapers can come and reap the harvest. There is a future ahead of us that only God is able to bring to pass. Yet, each of us must diligently work in the season that is to be rightly occupied by those who are fully aware of times and seasons. While we may be waiting on God, God is also waiting on us! 

“Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day — but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness” (2 Peter 3:12-13 MSG). 

The coming of the Lord will attract the attention of those who eagerly await His return. While all things around us are being shaken, and nothing appears to have any degree of stability, there remains a constant focus in an upward direction in spite of all other things that would otherwise be disturbing. God has promised that He would send His Son again to the earth. If the earth could not receive the words of the prophets, and the world rejects His standard, it is not the world on which His kingdom will be established. He will descend, but above the earth, while the heavens and the earth are burned with fire. He will establish a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness will reign. But then, it will be under the rule of those who are kept by His power and anticipate His return. They will hardly notice the destruction of the old because they so eagerly wait for God to replace it. Sin is now running its course, but do not be discouraged. God will restore all that is now being destroyed by sin and those who have given their souls over to it. When those things are completely removed, His day will have fully come! 

“For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:7-8). 

What we have experienced and participated in with God is not merely for ourselves. He allows us to experience His goodness in order to provide healing for others. Either we will bear healing herbs for wounded, restless, and reckless souls, or we bear thorns and briers to further wound them. The deepest wound is caused by sword-handlers who are unskilled in spiritual warfare. They cannot effectively interpret God’s grace in ways to benefit the wayward. We have been enlightened, tasted of the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come. Therefore, we are the ones who are to bear herbs useful for those by whom they are cultivated. The fruit of our lives is for those who wish to know the source and purpose for our being alive. Then, we are able to live our lives as a blessing to others and a praise unto the Lord. 

“And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17). 

Consistency always appears to be the problem when there are so many things that have a beginning. But, they fall apart over time. 

Words often fade and their meanings are altered by those who feel differently when circumstances shift in a different direction. Who is able to keep his word when his word is based on conditions that are uncertain? The only way to be certain about life and things pertaining to it is that one must know what comes before and what will come after a commitment is made, a value is embraced, or a message is believed. He (Jesus) is before all that exists. All things have their origin in Him, and He will be after all things have come to an end. But, between what precedes and what follows are our lives and our conditions. We can trust His knowledge and His strength to guide and protect us into the future. He gives meaning to life. All things are considered from eternity past to eternity future. 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). 

A new commandment is given because a new power is made known. It is a power that existed in eternity but now is being revealed in time through Jesus Christ. He makes known to humanity a selfless love with the power to transform lives. It begins with the willingness to receive the love of Jesus Christ. He loved us first, but that love does us no good unless we first receive it. Allowing ourselves to be loved by the Lord is the first step. Then we are empowered to love one another as we are loved. It is a matter of allowing His love to flow through us, along with His strength to do so. Those who are loved can be released from the bondage of self and Satan. We experience the presence of the Lord when we are instruments in His hands, fulfilling the Lord’s command.