Unbreakable, Undeniable, Undeterred!!!
As I am reading in 2 Timothy, God’s undeniable sovereignty is confirmed. As we are warned to stay focused.
There are so many doctrines and theologies. But His Word is powerful. Transcending time. A supernatural anointing that even though perpetrated, it can never be duplicated. Perpetually abiding.
This is key. “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing’ (2 Timothy 2: 19, AMP).
I want you to understand this because we put on facades every day. “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2: 11-13, KJV).
Love and Accept You for You
Our mental health is being compromised daily. Many are unable and/or unwilling to accept the truth about themselves. Having done things that we are ashamed of. And no one is exempt.
This is why the devil will continue to attack us in this area. But although He is perfect, Jesus sets the bar. He will not deny who He is!
None of us are perfect and Paul has a great testimony. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1: 15, KJV).
You must be cognizant that you can’t give up. Because for whom much is given, even more is required. Are you paying attention that the more you do, the more you are expected to do.
Think About What You Are Thinking About
One of the most impactful pieces of advice that I have been given years ago, is that you must think about what you are thinking about. “Keep the heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4: 23, KJV).
There are key scriptures after this about the importance of being “mindful”. Even of what we speak. The power of staying focused.
“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil” (Proverbs 4: 24-27).
Do you understand? You become entrapped. Entangled and ensnared by your words and actions when you are not centered.
Out of The Abundance of The Heart the Mouth Speaks
As the Holy Ghost is communicating to me, he is focusing on those who say they love Him but use foul language. Forgetting that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Let me remind you. This goes for not only what you say, but what you do. As we attempt to bring this revelation full circle.
Self-discipline yields holistic rewards. Effectual and effective results. Endowment from on high.
1) “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls” (Proverbs 25: 28, KJV).
2) “He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than a mighty [soldier], and he who rules and confronts his own spirit, than he who captures a city” (Proverbs 16: 32, AMP). Accountability.
Self-control is a virtue. Emitting supernatural strength and power. It is needed.
Fear of The LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom
There is discernment in these next scriptures. But before I get into this. I am always bothered by how easy it is for people, even more so, to blaspheme and use the LORD’s name in vain. The disrespect is appallingly prevalent.
Having a form of godliness. There is no awe-filled reverence and fear of God. It is the fool who says in his heart that there is no God.
3) And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3: 6, AMP).
The scriptures go on to say that we can and have tamed every beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature. But we cannot tame the tongue. Described as an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison”.
Jesus removes this cloak. So, there is no excuse.
If You Love Him You Will Keep His Commandments
4) “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” (James 3: 11, KJV). Think about that.
5) Pay attention. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4: 3-4, KJV).
Even though it is speaking of your most intimate parts. This precept is not bound to those parts only.
6) Let me give you the amplified version of 1 Corinthians 9: 27. “But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]”.
Some Things Come Only by Fasting and Prayer
7) “No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of the civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules.
(Now listen to this because hardworking people, child laborers, and the like suffer maltreatment daily for evil gain.) “The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops” (2 Timothy 2: 4-6, AMP).
So let me give you three more precedents before I close.
1) Remember that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12: 1, KJV).
Eschew Disrespect Just Like Any Other Evil Thing
2) “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, (Let me repeat that, whatever is worthy of respect.) whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart” (Philippians 4: 8, AMP).
And 3) “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God (I said, mighty through God) to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought (every thought) to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5, KJV).
Focus on Jesus and He Will Supply All of Your Needs
The revelation. “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is committed and focused on You -in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Trust [confidently] in the LORD forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner]”.
The KJV simply states: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26: 3-4).
Always coming from a place of love and in truth!!!
Originally written on December 07, 2023.
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