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Works That Mature our Faith

do you see, that his faith energized his works and from his works his faith matured (James 2:22) * When James writes faith without works is dead the above is the best way to explain it. It is similar to understanding grace, it doesn't stand alone but produces effects. *  Faith also has effects, as Paul writes when we believe in our hearts something happens inwardly and the effect is the confession from the mouth of that inward change. Faith is also energized by love, which strengthens us. Faith without love is nothing thus Love is an action, a work of faith, so as the scriptures tell us love is a bond that leads to our maturity. Here we see that faith energizes us unto good works and our faith is matured through this kind of work. now, faith exists assurance, hope, persuasion of things not seen. For in it the elders testified of God (Hebrews 11:1-12) Faith exists substance and evidence, and the effect of that is meant to energize us into works. And as we are energized through ...

The Path of Life

You will make known to me the path of life; the fullness of joy in your presence; pleasures at your right hand forevermore.*

There is a path of life, one that Jesus came to give us, which brings us into His presence in which is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. Being in his presence is that which God purposed in Christ Jesus, a way for us to come near to a holy God and be in his presence loved, we were chosen to be in his presence.* But why does this path of life often seem so difficult and hard to find? Jesus said, "how narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to that life and few are those who find it."*

Wondrously show Your loving kindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand.*

What is the path to life? Is it helping orphans and widows? Is it giving and serving? Is it what the prophet of old said, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."* If I am just, and kind I will find life? Fruit comes from abiding, so the key is "to walk humbly with your God," or to be in His presence. David tells us this, "For better is a day in your court (court of the tabernacle of God's house in which His Spirit dwelt) than a thousand elsewhere..."* A day in His presence is better than a thousand days elsewhere.

One thing I have asked of the LORD, this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.*

Constantly surrounded by enemies, in the midst of plagues, fears, anxieties, worries, David finds beauty in the presence of the Lord. What beauty did David find in the presence of God? He found something more valuable than gold or silver, "the LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?"* He found the LORD will make known to him the path of life, He was his light and his salvation. "For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock." In the path to life, "your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."* Yahweh was the strength of David's life, one he could take refuge, one he could trust, so he was confident in this, that being in the presence of the Lord was life, joy, and pleasures, this he would seek all the days of his life. Oh to have an unshakable foundation, of trust and confidence in the Lord, that no matter what the circumstances of this earthly life bring us we find to be in His presence is joy and pleasure.

I say to the Lord, Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord,“You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from you.”*

What goodness, what life will we find apart from Him? The glory of Solomon Jesus said did not compare to the lillie of the field, which is here today and gone tomorrow. "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely." May we seek the glory of the Lord, seeking Him with all our hearts. Teach us your ways, make known to us the path of life. Let our soul say "my goodness is nothing apart from you" and desire to be in your presence and gaze upon your beauty, filled in the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. The path of life is the destiny of his chosen.





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