Thoughts and Considerations

                                      THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation/behavior his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wisdom is not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated(reasoned with), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:13-18                                               WHAT IS WISDOM?    Ou...

                                 TARRYING IN THE VALLEY OF DECISION   Please be careful when pondering  topics with this type of dynamic, lest you misinterpret God's true heart of love, mercy, and grace. What I am writing here is not necessarily applicable to every person and in every situation. God, our loving Heavenly Father, fully understands our frail nature and is immensely gracious, patient, understanding, and kind, and He will grant all we need to make our stand. ( "For I will not contend forever, neither will I alway be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before Me, and the breath [souls] of those whom I have made." Isaiah 57:16 "For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:14 )   In this study, I wish to address potential situations and times wherein individuals may have procrastinated too long deciding,  disregarding the Scriptures of the Bible, the...

   THE UNDERTOW OF CONFLICT "Hatred stirs up strifes, but love covers all sins." Proverbs 10:14      Disagreements and controversy will always be a trouble in life. As long as there are different opinions, perspectives, tastes, understandings, and varying information, there will always be conflicts. What makes it more difficult is the reality of 'right and wrong' which leads to the non-negotiable issues of good and evil, wherein, if we care, we can get passionate. At this point, there are almost no minor disagreements, wherein even friends can become enemies. In fact, with regard to the issues of good and evil, any opponent is typically an enemy. What is extremely dangerous is that in the undertow of conflict, HATE will inevitably work its way in.    But what does the Bible say about all of this?    "You have heard that it has been said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I (Jesus) say unto you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES , bless...

  This Work By Amy Carmichael is so inspiring. She served as a missionary for 55 years without furlough, rescuing children who were victims of cult prostitution. She also suffered from a serious health problem. I find this essay challenging to the core. May it inspire and bless you as well.  If I Have Not Compassion IF I HAVE NOT compassion on my fellowservant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "Y...

  BEING USED BY THE DEVIL   "From that time forth, began Jesus to show unto His disciples how that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again on the third day. Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Be it far from You, Lord: this shall not be unto You.' But He turned and said unto Peter, 'Get thee behind Me, Satan: you are an offense to Me, for you savourest/set your mind not on the things that be of God, but those that be of men.'" Matthew16:21-23 SAFETY VS FRIENDLY FIRE INDULGENCE/EXCESS A DOUBLE STANDARD ROOT OF BITTERNESS FLATTERY  (The tool of ulterior motives) INTERFERING WITH THE PURPOSES OF GOD MISPLACED VALUES/WORLDLY MINDED PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF LAWLESSNESS YOU KNOW NOT WHAT SPIRIT YOU ARE OF HELPS TO KEEP US FROM BEING A TOOL OF THE ENEMY -SAFETY VS FRIENDLY FIRE " Reckless words pierce like a sword , but the tongue of the wise brings healing....

                                 GODLINESS - DEVOTED TO GOD "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be. For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men." Psalms 12:1 GODLINESS:   the quality or practice of conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devoutness and moral uprightness -  GODLINESS - DEVOTED TO GOD  "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, that we should live soberly, righteously, and GODLY , in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself of us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2: 11-14 MAN'S INABILITY TO WALK UPRIGHTLY BEFORE GOD WITHOUT HELP PRACTICAL GODLINESS:     -TAKING UP OUR CROSS     -SET Y...