God is Present in the Long Night for the Nigerian "Girls"
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's word come from James 3 and Psalms 57. Put together it is a prophetic word about how worldly wisdom can act as a "sword" and a "spear" to bring about destruction instead of true wisdom.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:13-16.
So we can understand that those who have "selfish ambition" on their minds and "bitter envy" in their hearts quite often construct a worldly "wisdom" to justify and promote their own causes....and they will attract like-minded individuals, too, as 'birds of a feather flock together.' Ultimately they wish to be exalted, to exert influence and control over others for their own gain; for envy is a cousin to greed, is it not? But with so many like-minded people together, each one vying for their own place and voice, there is bound to be disorder, as the passage says.
So we can learn from this ill heart condition and avoid following their teachings and walking in their paths, for it is a treacherous way, one that brings trouble. It is the opposite of true wisdom from heaven which "is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peace-makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18.
In this day and age, however, we know that such worldly "wisdom" abounds, and with it comes trouble. Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by adherents to a destructive mindset, one that has been based on this "worldly" wisdom. It is then that we pray to God for help and can be assured He will intervene on our behalves!
"I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts---men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends His love and His faithfulness.
They spread a net for my feet--I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path---but they have fallen into it themselves.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music....I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations....For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalms 57:4, 2, 6-11.
Here in the West it is hard for us to appreciate Psalms and prophetic words like this because we live surrounded by relative security and comfort, but it is not the case for all our sisters and brothers in Christ. I have lived with many of them, side by side in the trenches of hostile environments and know all too well the persecution they face for faith in Jesus Christ and bitter envy of His blessings. As a voice called to the nations, I call to the whole Body of Christ to lift up praying hands for our brothers and sisters under fire for their faith. May God come to them powerfully in comfort, strength, courage, and healing to sing His praises while they wait for His deliverance. Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Today's word come from James 3 and Psalms 57. Put together it is a prophetic word about how worldly wisdom can act as a "sword" and a "spear" to bring about destruction instead of true wisdom.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:13-16.
So we can understand that those who have "selfish ambition" on their minds and "bitter envy" in their hearts quite often construct a worldly "wisdom" to justify and promote their own causes....and they will attract like-minded individuals, too, as 'birds of a feather flock together.' Ultimately they wish to be exalted, to exert influence and control over others for their own gain; for envy is a cousin to greed, is it not? But with so many like-minded people together, each one vying for their own place and voice, there is bound to be disorder, as the passage says.
So we can learn from this ill heart condition and avoid following their teachings and walking in their paths, for it is a treacherous way, one that brings trouble. It is the opposite of true wisdom from heaven which "is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peace-makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18.
In this day and age, however, we know that such worldly "wisdom" abounds, and with it comes trouble. Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by adherents to a destructive mindset, one that has been based on this "worldly" wisdom. It is then that we pray to God for help and can be assured He will intervene on our behalves!
"I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts---men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends His love and His faithfulness.
They spread a net for my feet--I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path---but they have fallen into it themselves.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music....I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations....For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalms 57:4, 2, 6-11.
Here in the West it is hard for us to appreciate Psalms and prophetic words like this because we live surrounded by relative security and comfort, but it is not the case for all our sisters and brothers in Christ. I have lived with many of them, side by side in the trenches of hostile environments and know all too well the persecution they face for faith in Jesus Christ and bitter envy of His blessings. As a voice called to the nations, I call to the whole Body of Christ to lift up praying hands for our brothers and sisters under fire for their faith. May God come to them powerfully in comfort, strength, courage, and healing to sing His praises while they wait for His deliverance. Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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