Count it All Joy Part Four

From the midst of his trial in Psalms 73 David discovered His God in a more intimate way. What was his trial? It appears it was economically and success related. He was perplexed at how the wicked can do anything and somehow still seem to prosper while he was trying to keep the rules and do right and not making it as well as they were.

His complaint does not turn to praise until he discovers the nearness of God to himself the futility of the ones he was once envying. He calls himself a dumb ox in the presence of God and then speaks of how the Lord took his hand while in His presence.

When we stand and complain and carry on about how bad we have it we are like a dumb ox in the presence of the Lord.

We are in the presence of the Lord the whole time even though it seems difficult and disastrous God is still with us we just aren’t holding His hand because we are too caught up in the moment.

God wants to wisely and tenderly lead us through our trials before He blesses us. The blessing is reaching the place where all we want in heaven and on earth, is Him!

We do o not want to become like those who were discouraged and decided to turn away from the Lord blaming Him for their difficulties, David says they’ll never be heard from again.

We want to be the ones who being refreshed in the very presence of God, and even though things look bad we find we want to tell the world about what He does.

When James says count it all joy, he is encouraging us to tap into a faith that is rooted in the person and work of Christ?

He is likely remembering the words Jesus spoke when He was being tried in the wilderness by Satan, Jesus said in,

Luke 4:4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’"

James is saying we can count it all joy because we get the chance to demonstrate to everyone around us that our confidence is in Christ our Savior and we are not in need of the trappings of this world to have joy?

If your joy and my joy is in Christ Jesus then a difficult situation cannot take that away from us. It can inconvenience us and make us uncomfortable, it can even make life difficult for us, but it cannot separate us from His love!

We need to tap into the life that we have been given in Christ!

I know these are tough times but we are not as the world is. We have hope! Count it all joy!

Count it All Joy Part Three

How is it that the Holy Spirit through James admonishes a scattered people to count it all joy? Could it be He knows something we do not?

James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Patience is mentioned. Implied is the idea that these people are standing in faith towards someone, or something and in doing so these trials they face are designed to test their faith to see if it is real or not.

When we have reconciled ourselves to His will for our lives and we have embraced the call to give glory to God with our lives the idea of this testing can bring about great joy when we understand it is the means of proving to the world His life in us is real.

If we exhibit joy only when things are running smoothly in our lives how are we any different from those without Christ, do they not do the same?

The real test comes when our faith is tried. Have we forgotten how great salvation is ours?

David was being tried and needed some encouragement in Psalms 73
1 ¶ No doubt about it! God is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted. 2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness. 3 I was looking the other way, looking up to the people 4 At the top, envying the wicked who have it made, 5 Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world. 6 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence, 7 Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. 8 They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. 9 They’re full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. 10 People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words. 11 What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. 12 The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches 13 I’ve been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? 14 A long run of bad luck, that’s what—a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. 15 ¶ If I’d have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children. 16 Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache… 17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture: 18 The slippery road you’ve put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions. 19 In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare! 20 We wake up and rub our eyes. …Nothing. There’s nothing to them. And there never was. 21 ¶ When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, 22 I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. 23 I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. 24 You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. 25 You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth! 26 When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, GOD is rock-firm and faithful. 27 Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again. 28 But I’m in the very presence of God—oh, how refreshing it is! I’ve made Lord GOD my home. God, I’m telling the world what you do!

In part four we'll break down what David is saying and what God is doing. Take hope in the anchor of your soul, the rock of Salvation Jesus Christ. He has no equal and ever lives to intercede for us. He knows what you're going through.

Count it All Joy Part Two

I really looked into this James 1:1 passage because this is a troubling Scripture when I am in the midst of my pity party and feeling justified in being there. I wanted to know what it meant by using the word joy. Surely it can't mean gladness.

This is the same Greek word that is translated as joy in other passages such as:

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1Peter 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

1John 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

In our passages the word translated as joy in the Greek is: chara; meaning- cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:— gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous). 1) joy, gladness

Knowing this now we ask again how is it that the Holy Spirit through James admonishes these scattered people to count it all joy?

Could it be He knows something we do not?

It causes me to marvel that the Holy Spirit knows the work of Christ so completely that it has made a way for me to count it all joy! Jesus finished the work He came to perform and He left nothing undone. That means His life in me prepares me for anything if I will look to Him.

Count it All Joy Part One

Have you ever run into a Scripture that just really grabs you and makes you have to wrestle while you are in the middle of things?

I mean you are in real difficult battle and there is a Scripture that hits you like a 2x4 in your head and says don’t forget me! To me that’s James 1:2

James 1:2 is just that sort of Scripture, it says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Is he saying there is such a thing as “all joy,” or is he saying all that you are going through is to be counted joy?

If we read it “all Joy” then we treat it like it is a detergent meant to be used to wipe away all our trials. But if it says that whatever trial we find ourselves in we are to count it as joy that is different.

You mean I am supposed to count all my difficulties joy?

“But you don’t know how bad my stuff is, you haven’t walked a mile in my shoes and had to deal with all I am having to deal with.”

I didn’t write this Scripture the Holy Ghost did. So let’s consider just who it is James is speaking to and how bad they have it when he says this.

James 1:1 ¶ James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

These are displaced people who have been driven from their homes! They’ve been separated from friends and family because they were scattered, now that is a pretty tough place to find yourself.

There is a reason the Holy Spirit is just in admonishing us to count it all joy when we are in the middle of trials. I hope you will return for the rest of the story as it develops on this blog through the week, you will be encouraged.

Learning to Walk With God Part Five

Becoming a father in the body of Christ involves walking with God in relationship to the degree that you are not known for panicking and jumping to wrong conclusions. You learn to see beyond the circumstances in life and you are able to see the Lord at work instead.

When you begin to exhibit this type of maturity others will look to you for advice.

2 Kings 6:21 When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I massacre the lot?"

When you discover others seeking your advice it will not go to your head. Neither bad circumstances nor great successes will overcome you. You will know how to respond in either situation.

Elisha did not let this success go to his head, nor did he give in to the idea of popularity. He kept a level head about him.

2 Kings6:22 "Not on your life!" said Elisha. "You did not lift a hand to capture them, and now you’re going to kill them? No sir, make a feast for them and send them back to their master."

Because of the wisdom gained from walking with God, Elisha had more than a formula to offer. His calm response to the providential working of God rendered a lasting fruit for the nation.

2Kings6:23 So the king prepared a huge feast for them. After they ate and drank their fill he dismissed them. Then they returned home to their master. The raiding bands of Syria did not bother Israel anymore.

Elisha passed the test, the servant learned a lesson and the people experienced a time of peace. How are you handling your problems?

Are you able to see your God at work, or are you too busy looking for your own solutions it blocks your ability to see God at the moment?

The most wise counsel I could ever give you is, now is the time to seek Him. Now is when you need to become more acquainted with His ways and His heart.

Looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith!

Learning to Walk With God Part Four

2Kings6:18 When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed to GOD, "Strike these people blind!" And GOD struck them blind, just as Elisha said. 19 Then Elisha called out to them, "Not that way! Not this city! Follow me and I’ll lead you to the man you’re looking for." And he led them into Samaria. 20 As they entered the city, Elisha prayed, "O GOD, open their eyes so they can see where they are." GOD opened their eyes. They looked around—they were trapped in Samaria!

Not only did the Lord grant Elisha a good nights rest, and peace in the midst of his circumstances, but He also delivered the enemy into Elisha's hands. God was setting a trap the whole time and it was meant not just for Elisha’s benefit, but for the benefit of the servant, and all of Israel. If Elisha had been ruled by his emotions and ran from the situation he would have never had the opportunity to see the enemy humbled.

God ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts and we will never discover them if we live by the impulses and logic of our soul alone. Our soul is always busy seeing things according to the circumstances and trying to scheme our way out of them.

Remember Elijah’s response to this type of threat? When Jezebel threatened him he fled into the wilderness and became depressed. He asked God to let him die. Elijah had powerful miracles and amazing exploits in his ministry just as Elisha later did. But Elijah didn't have the calm and quiet confidence. Elijah seems more emotional and impulsive.

Elisha asked for a double portion of what Elijah had. Some think it meant he was asking for twice as many miracles. But that is not what we find when we look at these two men. What we do find is that Elisha had calm where Elijah did not. Where Elijah became depressed and was ruled by his emotions at times, Elisha is steady and resolved. The double portion was to know how to be confident when problems arise. Many want miracles as if miracles is what will grant them the confidence they need. But you can have miracles without deepening your walk with God, just as you can have gifts without deepening your conformity to Christ. Just look at the Corinthians.

When we walk according to the Spirit we are walking in relationship and we can look to Him from whence cometh our help!

Only God knows what He is up to and only through seeking Him can we know which path is right and what step is next.

Learning to Walk With God Part Three

VS 17 Then Elisha prayed, "O GOD, open his eyes and let him see." The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!

Elisha does not offer a formula for how to escape this problem. He offers a prayer for spiritual vision. When we seek to only solve someone’s problem through counseling we do them a disservice because we stagnate their spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is the direct result of growing in our knowledge of God, not our dependence on the ability of others to solve our problems. They simply need to see Jesus.

When you and I are in the storm we do not need a list of solutions, we need eyes to see the One who is our help in time of need. We need to be able to see what God sees!

If we can just see our help is in Christ and become personally acquainted with Him in the midst of our storm then we will know what steps are ours to take.

In a situation that appears hopeless according to logic Elisha because of his knowing his God is able to respond to the situation in a sure and confident manner. There is no panic in this man of God.

Learning to Walk With God Part Two

In the morning when the servant of Elisha awakes and goes out he sees the circumstances, his understanding is not as developed as Elisha’s. He sees they are surrounded by an impressive enemy army.

So what does this servant do? VS 15 Early in the morning a servant of the Holy Man got up and went out. Surprise! Horses and chariots surrounding the city! The young man exclaimed, "Oh, master! What shall we do?"

He does what anyone who lacks maturity in their walk with God is subject to do. He sees according to his soul and he is at a loss as to what to do as a result. The servant is in training and has not yet reached maturity in his development.


The man of God has been trained in something. He has been trained not to the specific situation, but to the God he is called to serve. Elisha knows his God.

Today we want a workbook on how to turn around economic storms, how to end trouble in your marriage, how to change rebellious children, how to never be sick, etc. We want formulas for success, and formulas for escape.

This story is not about a formula on how to escape in a situation where the enemy has you surrounded.

This story demonstrates two different types of people. One who trusts his God and knows Him intimately and one who is learning his way but because his knowledge of God is limited, his trust is limited.

So what does the man of God do for the panicked servant?

First, he admonishes him not to worry and assures him that they are not alone.
VS 16 He said, "Don’t worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side."

He is saying this to someone who can only see the circumstances. If I were to say to someone in a struggle that they need not worry but know that God is on their side I would be accused of being insensitive and uncaring. Most counseling today is only able to appease mans soul because it is more concerned with sympathy in the moment than helping someone see their God at work.

Finite suggestions lead to finite sources for help. Finite sources offer finite solutions. God is infinite, it only makes sense to look to Him.

Learning to Walk With God Part One

I would suggest you read the whole story in 2Kings 6:8 -23 I will use the Message in my posting.

It will be helpful as well to recall how Elijah when threatened by Jezebel ran away into the wilderness. Contrast that with how Elisha handles his situation. The King of Syria has been giving Israel trouble and trying to set ambushes for them but Elisha is telling the King of Israel all the plans of the King of Syria and it is ruining all of Syria's plans. Naturally the King of Syria is outraged and thinks there is a spy in their midst. When he is told it is Elisha who knows everything the King says and is the one derailing him, he wants to know where Elisha is, and he sends out an impressive fighting force to take him captive.

There are several things we should note about this story if we are to learn the lesson the Holy Spirit desires for us to learn.

Elisha knew everything the king of Syria was up to. VS 12 But one of his men said, "No, my master, dear king. It’s not any of us. It’s Elisha the prophet in Israel. He tells the king of Israel everything you say, even what you whisper in your bedroom."

Why is this so significant? We could assume that Elisha knew the King of Syria was up to and yet Elisha stayed at Dothan and slept.

Elisha did not run away or pray to avoid the plot, he stayed put and rested there. He lost no sleep over it. A man of God does not need to run from his problems because he has what it takes to face them. If he has heard from God he can rest in the midst of it.

This is a picture of knowing your God and trusting Him in whatever it is He has prescribed for you. Elisha knows that whatever is going on had to be allowed of the Lord and He is able to see the work of God unfolding in it as a result.

How much do you trust that the Lord is overseeing your affairs in this life?

I Apologize

It's been a while since I posted on my blog due to my need to tend to other things for a short season. I will be posting again soon. I know for those who follow a blog it get's old to go to it and find nothing has changed. I apologize for boring you with the same old stuff for the past couple of weeks. But please stay tuned there is yet more to come.

Beware Affluence Part Four

I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself in.

Paul echoes this sentiment in a sense in:

1Timothy 6:6 ¶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

If God has blessed you, be generous with He has given you. But do not make life decisions based on obtaining wealth.

Throughout the New Testament the rich are admonished to be generous and they are warned. Being rich will not send a person to hell. But neither is it a virtue when it is unaccompanied by generosity. We do not need a government to take what the rich have and distribute either. All will give an account for their actions to God. Each person stands or falls before Him.

It is not spiritual or magnanimous to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Just because a person can take someone else’s money and give it away to someone in need it doesn’t rid them from being a thief.

Our dependence on a government to do what individuals are responsible to do themselves will not wash with God at the judgment.

We do not get to claim we cared for the weak and poor because we paid taxes which sponsored government programs.

There are no spiritual points for being rich or poor in the Kingdom, because poverty nor wealth are the goal in the kingdom, the Kingdom itself is the goal.

Christ being central to all we are and hope to be is the core of our existence.

If we make “more” the goal of our living then we will have less time to invest where it counts the most.

We will sacrifice the most meaningful things in life and find ourselves comfortable here and now as far as possessions go, but miserable and impoverished as far as eternal and weighty things are concerned.

We need to learn to be thankful and be content.

Do you have a job? Be thankful.

Do you have a roof over your head? Be thankful.

Do you have clothes to wear? Be thankful.

Do you have food to eat? Be thankful.

Do you have all these things and time with God? Be especially thankful.

Do you have more than enough? Be thankful and share it with others.

Do you have good solid relationships? Be especially thankful.

Let’s make choices that free us to do the thing we were created for. Let’s seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness.

Let’s choose things that allow for time with others, time to do what we are called to do, time to seek Jesus, to learn of Him.

It is when we do this that we find our testimony is that, “God is our help!”

Beware Affluence Part Three

So, how do we deal with this innate drive to have more? How do we avoid going deeper into debt until we work ourselves into a frenzy, find that our emotional fuses are short with those we say we love, and discover we have spent little time seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness?

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Just how content are we? I know I have struggled many times with this myself. I’ve also noticed that my struggle kicks in whenever I am failing to seek the Kingdom as I ought.

Believe it or not this not merely an avoidance Scripture. Most will read this and think, “if I just avoid covetousness I’ll be doing good.” Well that is short sighted thinking. One of the ten commandments dealt with this issue already from an avoidance perspective and it was proven we cannot stay away from it from that angle. We need something noble to pursue.

What is that which is more noble? Contentment. Taking solace in the fact that the Lord is with us! What fruit will this produce?

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear! What can man do to me?

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We like to quote I can do all things for things other than having the ability to be abased or having abundance.

Paul was at a place of being content in his circumstances but these Philippians felt they wanted to bless him and they did so. He was appreciative for this act of love on their part but he also wants them to catch the lesson he is living out before them.

I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself in.