Acts 10

Acts 10
A roman leader has a vision, sends for Peter that is also having a vision. Neither understands what they are seeing or why exactly they are doing what they’re doing, but they go in faith and obedience. Upon meeting Cornelius, Peter and his friends are amazed that this Gentile truly knows God. They are amazed that he knows God and at the instant revelation Peter has that Cornelius is covered by God as was revealed to Peter in the vision.

This makes me think of the windows of heaven and God being outside of time. It seems that the windows were open for both people that were obedient in walking through them. When they walked through them, the Lord surprised them with His revelation and His will.

The first point that Matthew Henry points out in his commentary is that the Centurian was obedient to the Lord. We know that the Lord is a God of knowledge and by Him actions are weighed. So He says to Cornelius, “‘Thy prayers shall be answered, and thine alms recompensed.’’’

Here we see that work is alive as is according to his faith in prayer….

In regards to the two of them having visions and meeting without revelation Mr. Henry writes, “To all God’s purposes there is a time, a proper time; and he is pleased often to bring things to the minds of his ministers, which they had not thought of, just then when they have occasion to use them.”

How true this is for us that the Lord tells us to go here and do this or that and then His will is revealed to our surprise. This is great to put at peace for all the worriers out there. You cannot know God's will until you walk through the open door, so stop trying to figure out His plan in your life and just keep walking!

God knew Peter was a doubter, just like many of us, but Matthew writes that, “He is ordered to go along with the messengers to Cornelius, though he was a Gentile, doubting nothing.” (just like he commands us to walk in faith not in doubtful fear), which Mr. Henry supports in his next comment about service that “…When we see our call clear to any service, we should not suffer ourselves to be perplexed with doubts and scruples concerning it arising from former prejudices or pre-possessions, or a fear of men’s censure. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind, and prove his own work.” In this section the important aspect is to truly see your call clearly and know that like Peter, like the Centurian a servant is to know that “God was with him, v. 38. His works were wrought in God. God not only sent him, but was present with him all along, owned him, stood by him, and carried him on in all his services and sufferings. Note, Those whom God anoints he will accompany; he will himself be with those to whom he has given his Spirit. “

So pray, offer up alms and do good works for the Lord without growing weary. He will guide you and be with you wherever you place your foot, but listen carefully for the open doors of heaven so that you don't get your foot slammed in the door!

Isa 58:11
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

http://blueletterbible.org/
http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Act/Act010.html

Washed in The Word

Eph 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord

Ever been washed in the word while you were standing there having a normal conversation about the Lord?

Oh my! If you were satisfied with a little bit of Jesus, how much more would you be with someone defending you to another stating with boldness that “[insert name] was saved by grace!” and so on….This is what Jesus does on our behalf, no matter where we’ve come from or where we’re going, this is how He talks about us. He lifts us up and encourages us with His love and His hope and His truth. He’s always inserting our name in sentences like this one that discuss His truth, that fight for our salvation, that encourage us to fight the race and win the battle using His word. How good of a God is He that He cares about us that much? And how good of a brother or sister are we when we do the same for another!

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

The fine line of STRIVE and STRIFE?

Things to strive for:

Act 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

1Ti 4:1-10 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.


The first part of the definition for strive is, “to make strenuous efforts toward any goal: to strive for success.” Striving toward a goal or toward your idea of success is not a negative thing, nor is it detrimental to your walk. Many people strive daily to read and pray with the Lord for an hour, or to memorize scripture or to walk more like Jesus. These are all beneficial to your walk, as well as to others.

Rom 1:29-32 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

1Ti 6:3-5 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.


The second half of the definition is, “to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete,” or “to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance: to strive against fate and to rival.” This is the fine line. When striving toward the goal becomes strife. If you notice strife in your circumstances then you need to let go and allow the Lord to take control. That means not talking about it, not thinking about it, not stumbling over it!

The definition for strife becomes even more ugly, “vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism: to be at strife; a quarrel, struggle, or clash: armed strife; competition or rivalry: the strife of the marketplace.” The Lord tells us that we are in a battle with the spiritual world, not with people and that we should fight not with carnal weapons, but with spiritual weapons of salvation and prayer. Paul exhorts us through the example of the apostles to give ourselves to prayer and ministry of the word. Further, we all know that the Lord is a jealous God and He will not bless anything that we hold onto so much so that it interferes with our relationship with Him. We are to listen to the signs and symptoms of our flesh that He gives us as cautionary “red flags” that say we’re too involved in the situation…we are in the way and about to be shattered. He contends with those that stand in the way of His work.

Mat 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

1Sa 2:9-10 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

What does striving or strife look and feel like? It is anger, it is possession, it is competition, it is jealousy, it is lust, it is fear and it is pride. Strife looks like envy and where there is envy there is to be strife…so when you feel like you need to hold onto something so much that it changes your walk with the Lord in a manner that is detrimental to your friends and family this is strife and this is sin…because it is not of faith, but it is of your flesh. Flesh gives birth to flesh and spirit gives birth to spirit. Walk above reproach in a worthy manner, sharing your possession with the poor that should have no strife among you. Love your neighbor and pray for your enemies that you should put on your armor daily for you do not know the time or the hour the Lord will come back. Arm yourselves with the word, with prayer and all kinds of supplications that you would prove faithful servants of Him the one that gave His life for you! Do not walk the fine line that is close to strife, but steer clear of ALL sin. When striving for the Lord, remember that one little letter can make a big difference…change that v to an f (strive to strife) and you’ve lost the battle, but take that r out (armor to amor, Spanish for love) and you’ve won!

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/strive
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/strife

Scriptures for further study:

Jhn 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Eph 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Isa 58:7 [Regarding true fasting] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Jam 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

1Pe 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

Mat 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[fn8] and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies[fn9] and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Eph 6:11-13 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Mat 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

One Part of The Whole

Phl 2:1-8 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!

The Lord has been showing me about this scripture this week. He really showed me a lot last night as I watched many of the churches form One Voice in the Temecula Valley. The whole is amazing when we allow the Lord to use us as one part of a bigger body to share in the encouragement and fellowship of His love.

Jhn 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In all relationships there are hurts. Some people are wrong and others are just wronged. The best thing about Christ is that He allows us forgiveness for our brothers and sisters. His grace and love covers all our sins. He tells us to pray for those that persecute us and lift up those who do wrong against us. Let the Lord shine in our lives, help us to forgive and let go of the bitterness that holds us back from FULLY serving and experiencing Him in the whole of His body. The scripture says if there is ANY, that means if there’s even just a little bit of love and fellowship, that we should be able to share this with and in his body. Trust Him that He knows this is extremely difficult for all of us. Why else would he state that He, a supernatural perfect person, was obedient to the point of death. He knows our acting this out feels like we’re going to die or else He wouldn’t have left such an example for us on the cross.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

What this does not mean is that we are to be void of inner worth. Though outwardly the Lord is abused in every way (physically, spiritually, verbally, financially, emotionally), but He never loses sight of who He is, that being God. The example is set for us as well. That we should walk humbly with our managers, friends and families, but never forget that we are in and of Christ who is the Most High God!

Mat 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.…”

We can also understand that our needs and wants are important and that we have all authority to express them to others in a humble manner. Therefore if your needs, wants or expectations are not being met, please do not expect to receive honor and glory for this type of false humility. You can most likely expect to receive a hard heart for not expressing what your expectations are. Should you express your needs and wants in the proper manner this will not be in contradiction to humility, but an encouragement in a healthy understanding of who you are in Christ. This manner of behavior will surely allow all bitterness and resentment to fade away as all of your needs, wants and expectations will be expressed to others that can either confirm or deny the ability to meet your needs, wants and expectations.

Pro 20:5 The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

This expression of deep inner needs and wants does not come easily for many. It requires thoughtfulness, prayer and the ability to articulate your inner most needs, of which many people are not in touch with. At times a good friend or counselor in the Lord might facilitate pulling this out when they completely listen to you. This listening means being present in the moment, but not necessarily hearing every word. The visualization of the entire picture of what the person is intending to say is more important than each word. Of course, before making any type of judgment, make sure to check in with the person about your understanding of their intended comment.

1Ti 1:9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,...

An example of this type of listening could be when someone says, “It’s alright for me to have close intimate friends of the opposite sex while engaged in an intimate dating relationship,” a gut reaction might be, “No you can’t, that’s not right!” A good listener would be able to look at this comment objectively and comment back to the person, “Wow, it sounds like your friends are really important to you.” At this time the situation that could have escalated into a power session becomes a time of validation and understanding of the bigger picture, leaving this person feeling that his/her needs and wants are at least acknowledged, even if they cannot be met. Now, if this person that feels intimate friends are alright, was able to instantly dig deeper into his/ her needs and wants he would be able to articulate to others that the comment is in direct opposition to his/her comment and that it was stated in a legalistic manner, which was not meeting his/her emotional need for understanding and worth in Christ.


Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Therefore, if we’re always thinking of others as better than ourselves we will first listen to them and second we will be able to express ourselves clearly to them as an act of humble dependence, i.e., one part of the whole. How pleasing this is to the Lord when we can encourage and lift up His body in ANY little thing that we might be able to hear from another believer that resembles His love, comfort and compassion. He says that His joy will be complete if we do this. Can you imagine our God full of completed joy?

Blue letter bible. (2008). Scripture. Retrieved August 16, 2008, from
http://www.blueletterbible.org

The Law

In an attempt to answer a few questions about the law we can look at Mat 11:25-30. Believers are not to be weighed down by the law because we are saved by grace through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. In 1 Timothy 1:9-10 the law is used not for the righteous but for the sinners. Though we are all sinners, we are not all righteous. We of course could be changed in a flash and through that change become righteous through Christ. How is it that the law should be used for the sinners of which we all are?

Matthew Henry writes regarding Matthew 11 that “It is the duty and interest of weary and heavy laden sinners to come to Jesus Christ. Renouncing all those things which stand in opposition to him, or in competition with him, we must accept of him, as our Physician and Advocate, and give up ourselves to his conduct and government; freely willing to be saved by him, in his own way, and upon his own terms. Come and cast that burden upon him, under which thou art heavy laden. This is the gospel call, The Spirit saith, Come; and the bride saith, Come; let him that is athirst come; Whoever will, let him come” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008).

The first point that is to be understood is that indeed we all do sin and that stands in opposition to God. These sins are our burdens that we are to freely give to the Lord. Without the law how would we understand what our burdens are or what sin is? We truly are in need of God’s law to help us understand what it is that we need to lay at His feet.

Matthew Henry’s commentary regarding 1 Timothy 1:9-10 states that “…whatever tends to weaken either our love to God or love to the brethren tends to defeat the end of the commandment…” and that “…the main purpose of the law is the love of God…” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). If the law is used in the spirit of condemnation, to bring burdens upon people and to hold them back from being complete in Christ by reminding them of previous violations of the law this is detrimental to the believer. When the law is used for correcting and rebuking the believer in an effort to restore him or her to the truth, this would be beneficial to the entire body of Christ for learning and for edification. For the unbeliever it is obvious that the law MUST be used in such a method of love that the unbeliever’s heart would be touched in such a way to cause an understanding first of God’s love and then second of his or her own sinfulness that is contrary to God. Only through the understanding of God’s love is there repentance.

Matthew Henry cautions us not to defeat the purpose of love, “Those therefore who boasted of their knowledge of the law, but used it only as a colour for the disturbance that they gave to the preaching of the gospel (under pretence of zeal for the law, dividing the church and distracting it), defeated that which was the very end of the commandment, and that is love, love out of a pure heart, a heart purified by faith, purified from corrupt affections” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008).
He further comments that having a pure heart, good conscience and faith is something that must be exercised every day so that we do not end up teaching others things that we do not know. He especially cautions ministers not to, “…swerve from the great law of charity-the end of the commandment [because] they will turn aside to vain jangling…” which is, “unprofitable and useless” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). He further states that, “…if we could keep the law, righteousness would be by the law (Gal. 3:21)” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). That would mean that works would win us to Christ and as believers we know our works have no bearing upon our salvation. Is this another can of worms? We are truly saved by His grace, no matter our works, that the law would have no power over us because the law is sin and sin is death and death will not have the final say nor will it have any type of victory over the believer. We will look to death and say, “Where death is your sting?” Through the power of grace we are able to overcome the power of the lawless one that constantly holds the law over our heads in an effort to thwart the love of God towards His children. Mr. Henry is right when he says that, “It is the grace of God that changes men’s hearts” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). And that being said, it is not the law, but the fulfilling of the law that changes our walks believers and non-believers alike.


Scriptures for further study:
Rom 8:1-9 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

1Cr 15:48-58 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Blue letter bible. (2008). Henry Commentaries. Retrieved August 8, 2008, from
http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Mat/Mat011.html

Blue letter bible. (2008). Henry Commentaries. Retrieved August 8, 2008, from
http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/1Ti/1Ti001.html

Blue letter bible. (2008). Scripture. Retrieved August 8, 2008, from
http://www.blueletterbible.org

Perfect Patience Without Want

Jam 1:4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Spurgeon’s comments on James 1:2-4 states that “It is a part of our high calling to rise ourselves into confidence; and it is also our duty to see that none of our brethren despond, much less despair” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). In the book I’m reading, “The Christian Counselor’s Manual,” there is much to be said about hope, which is “to feel that something desired may happen” (APA, 2008). The author remarks that the counselor himself must have hope or the hope for the counselee won’t come across appropriately. Which leads us to another scripture:

Pro 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.

Matthew Henry comments regarding this Proverb and about losing hope, that “…Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation, though not in the thing itself by a denial, yet in the time of it by a delay….” Although, the fulfillment afterwards, “…puts men into a sort of paradise, a garden of pleasure, for it is a tree of life." Knowing that the desire will be fulfilled and that it will be like a tree of life feels like water to our souls when we’re in that desert of despair. Any counselor that comes along and encourages us in the hope of Christ is part of that watering process that keeps us afloat as we endure and persevere through the testing and trying of our faith. Spurgeon comments on the need for faith in James 1:4, “Rob a Christian of his faith and he will be like Samson when his locks were cut away: the Philistines will be upon him and the Lord will have departed from him” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). Spurgeon cautions us that, “A man is very apt to become unbelieving under affliction: that is a sin. He is apt to murmur against God under it: that is a sin. He is apt to put forth his hand to some ill way of escaping from his difficulty: and that would be sin." Taking head to his warnings we should all learn to sit quietly, endure, persevere, and stay right where we’re at. There’s a picture of the movie, Terminator, in my mind when the robot is getting beat to a pulp, yet he continues on and that is a steadfast hope grounded in faith! In order for individuals to obtain their personalized unnatural type of faith Spurgeon states that, “the trial or temptation of each man is distinct from that of every other.” He provides us with great truths from the Bible of the different types of temptations and trials that were afflictions on men. Spurgeon cautions us that we each have an individual temptation, test or trial to endure that we cannot self-induce, but must endure the individual circumstances that the Lord allows and depend on His grace to see us through. When we’re counseling friends, family or in a profession it would be good to head Spurgeon’s caution not to think ourselves so strong that we judge inappropriately. Due to our individual trials he states that, “This is one reason why we often judge one another so severely, because feeling ourselves to be strong in that particular point we argue that the fallen one must have been strong in that point too, and therefore must have willfully and earnestly have determined to do wrong. This may be a cruel supposition” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008).

Through the trials we learn the patience that only the Lord can afford and we learn to accept them as Spurgeon states, “…without a murmur.” Just when you thought you were going off the mental health deep end, Spurgeon clears it all up in that these signs and symptoms that we demonstrate during this testing and trying period will become, “Calm resignation [that] does not come all at once; often long years of physical pain, or mental depression, or disappointment in business, or multiplied bereavements, are needed to bring the soul into full submission to the will of the Lord." Just when we feel relieved of our mental anguish Spurgeon continues to add that there are more TYPES of patience to be learned through ill-treatment and tribulation. The next type is, “the quiet patience which never grows angry, and never ceases to love…”. The final type of patience requires waiting and wisdom in service that we wouldn’t basically run around like chicken’s without heads. He states, “That kind of patience is a jewel more to be desired than the gem which glitters on the imperial brow.” Especially, “…when we can wait without unbelief.” His next comment that we should learn to pray and stay is a wonderful lesson to be learned, but not to be confused with pray and do as the book I’m reading encourages a clear understanding of the difference, (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). My understanding is that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and Martha ran around like a chicken with anxiety. This is not what the Lord wants of us, but that we would sit, listen, wait for Him to call and then act. Certainly we must keep acting in faith looking for open doors and acting through the waiting process, unless He clearly directs otherwise!

There were so many wonderful statement in Spurgeon’s commentary regarding the first chapter of the book of James that it was difficult to capture the entire essence of what truly needs to be stated in order that we become encouraged in our waiting process, that we continue in the hope of Christ and that we do not allow ourselves the unbelief that creeps upon us so quickly when faced with trials. If you have or you’re currently enduring many trials Spurgeon is clear that, “…these much-tempted ones are frequently the most spiritual men, and out of this spirituality comes usefulness” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). This reminds me of Romans 8:28 and how He truly does work all things for the good!

Matthew Henry gives us direction when facing our trials in that “Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). He continues with the next part of the passage that is so crucial when we’re encouraging each other in what the Lord is doing, what He will continue to do and our responsibility to ask for Him to do it. Reminding us to ask, seek and knock on the door of the Lord’s heart (Matthew 7:7). Matthew assures us that the Lord will give us wisdom when we ask and that there is no limit upon who can ask or how much. If several times each day the temptation or trial is upon you, then ask for wisdom several times a day because the Lord will give it to us liberally.

What an encouragement that we can see when we go through trials they are to produce patient non-complaining believers without want! That we have the tools of Ephesians 6 to fight through these trials, temptations and tests, and the ability to ask the Lord for wisdom liberally that He will provide for us. He promises us peace through all circumstances as we keep our minds set on Him (Isaiah 26:3). He promises us that He will rescue us from every evil attack (2 Timothy 4:18) and that He will give us the power of the Holy Spirit when we ask (Luke 11:13). In closing, Matthew Henry comforts the believers, focusing them on eternal life, in that, “Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above where love is made perfect”(Blue Letter Bible, 2008). So be encouraged that the Lord is a God of knowledge and by Him actions are weighed (2 Samuel 2:3). He sees your heart, He test and tries you in order that you truly may have the perfect patience that has no want!

American Psychological Association (APA):
hope. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 04, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hope

Blue letter bible. (2008). Henry Commentaries. Retrieved August 4, 2008, from http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/charles_spurgeon/sermons/1704.html

Blue letter bible. (2008). Spurgeon Commentaries. Retrieved August 4, 2008, from http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/charles_spurgeon/sermons/1704.html