“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17 ESV)

God’s wisdom defined

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

Ask God for it

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

Act wisely by hearing and doing God’s Word

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 ESV)

Therefore…

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Col. 4:5 ESV)

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13 ESV)

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Eccles. 3:11 ESV)

Eternity: Forever and ever, infinite duration, time without end, endless, everlasting, perpetuity.

God of eternity from everlasting to everlasting

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2 ESV)

God inhabits eternity

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa. 57:15 ESV)

Suffering and punishment of the unrighteous lasts for eternity

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” (2 Thess. 1:9 ESV)

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46 ESV)

God gives life to last for eternity

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17 ESV)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 ESV)

Therefore..

“May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!” (Psalm. 72:17 esv)

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 41:13 ESV)

 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Eccles. 3:11 ESV)

Eternity: Forever and ever, infinite duration, time without end, endless, everlasting, perpetuity.

God of eternity from everlasting to everlasting

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2 ESV)

God inhabits eternity

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa. 57:15 ESV)

Suffering and punishment of the unrighteous lasts for eternity

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” (2 Thess. 1:9 ESV)

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt. 25:46 ESV)

God gives life to last for eternity

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17 ESV)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 ESV)

Therefore...

“May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!” (Psalm. 72:17 esv)

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 41:13 ESV)

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” (Gal. 3:13 ESV)

Don’t rely on works of the law!

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Gal. 3:10 ESV)

Choose life!

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live…” (Deut. 30:19 ESV)

You are set free indeed

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV)

Therefore…

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:28 ESV)

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (Isa. 58:10 ESV)

The cure for gloom and depression

Sometime I feel gloomy and it can simply be the result of not getting enough sunlight. This condition was especially true when I lived in Alaska where we experienced long winter nights with very short days and little sunlight. Sometimes, however, gloominess is caused by other reasons and may be described as depression. When that happens to me it usually helps to get some fresh air, some exercise, and apply positive input such as to reach out with help of some kind towards somebody else with problems. This takes my focus away from my own depression and onto someone else and their need. That’s what our promise verse at top says we should do about gloominess. “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Wow! What a wonderful promise!

It returns to you in good measure!

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28 KJV)

The powerful spiritual gift which is often overlooked

In first Corinthians, chapter 12, is found a list of spiritual gifts. As you read through them, you find big things like “miracles” and “healings”. Those are the demonstrative gifts you notice when people have them. But, you see one gift on the list called “helps”. This gift is often overlooked, yet nothing in the church would get done without people having this gift! The person with the spiritual gift of helps is someone who tends to work behind the scenes to get things done. They will often do their jobs joyfully and take the responsibilities off of others shoulders. They are the ones who come in early to set up chairs, prepare meals, clean floors, mow lawns, pull weeds, clean gutters, and do anything else that needs to get done. Without them doing the necessary background things, the pastor couldn’t use his spiritual gift of preaching! In my opinion, helps is the most powerful spiritual gift of all!

Helper defined

“To give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist.”

A helper bears the burdens of others

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

A helper does acts of mercy cheerfully

“The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom. 12:8 ESV)

A helper will be enriched

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (Prov. 11:25 ESV)

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 ESV)

Incline your heart to understanding

“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:2-5 ESV)

Great understanding controls anger

“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Prov. 14:29 ESV)

Understanding gives a cool spirit

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” (Prov. 17:27 ESV)

Don’t lean on your own understanding but trust in the Lord

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 ESV)

Understanding draws out purpose

“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” (Prov. 20:5 ESV)

The Lord gives understanding in everything

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Tim. 2:5 ESV)

Understanding helps you keep God’s law with all your heart

“Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” (119:34 ESV)

 “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4 NLT).

Please God as a servant of Christ

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10 ESV)

Please God with your faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb.  11:6 ESV)

Speak to please God

“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thess. 2:4 ESV)

Keep His commandments and do what pleases God

“And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” (1 John. 3:22 ESV)

Therefore…

“When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Prov. 16:7 ESV)

 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom. 13:1 ESV)

The Bible makes it clear that we should be subject to governing authorities. That may seem difficult for you if you don’t agree with the governing authorities that are in power. Especially if they are against, or if they oppose the Biblical principles you believe in. But, keep in mind God is bigger and more powerful than all governing authorities. He may even use them to accomplish His purpose. That is what He did with Egypt’s Pharaoh in order  to move the Hebrew children out of bondage, (Exo. 14), and as He did with King Cyrus (Isa. 54). As far as our leadership is concerned, we must be very careful who we vote for and who we appoint as our judges. And, we must pray for our leaders. And finally, understand that all authority has been given to Jesus and we must put our trust in Him!

Pray for your leaders and seek God

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:1-4 ESV)

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

All authority has been given to Jesus

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Rom. 23:1-5 NIV)