Thought for September 8 Weak but standing strong in the ground swell

Philippians 4:1-9 The Scriptures 1998+ (1) So then, my brothers, beloved and longed-for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Master, beloved. (2) I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Suntuche to be of the same mind in the Master. (3) And I also ask you, true companion, help these women who laboured with me in the Good News, with Qlemes also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. (4) Rejoice in יהוה {Jehovah} always, again I say, rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near. (6) Do not worry at all, but in every matter, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim. (7) And the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}. (8) For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is clean, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these. (9) And what you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, practise these, and the Elohim of peace shall be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:4-14 The Scriptures 1998+ (4) For though He was impaled in weakness, yet He lives by the power of Elohim. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of Elohim toward you. (5) Examine yourselves whether you are in the belief – prove yourselves. Or do you not know yourselves, that יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah is in you,1 unless you are disapproved. Footnote: 1Rom. 8:10, Gal. 2:20, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, 1 John 4:4. (6) And I trust that you shall know that we are not disapproved. (7) And we pray to Elohim that you do no evil at all – not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is right, even though we should appear unapproved. (8) For we have no power at all against the truth, but for the truth. (9) For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray for: your perfection.1 Footnote: 1Mt. 5:48. (10) For this reason I write this in my absence, so that, being present I should not use sharpness, according to the authority which the Master has given me for upbuilding and not for overthrowing. (11) For the rest, brothers, rejoice. Be made perfect,1 be encouraged, be of one mind, live in peace. And the Elohim of love and peace shall be with you. Footnote: 1See v. 9, Mt. 5:48. (12) Greet one another with a set-apart kiss. (13) All the set-apart ones greet you. (14) The favour of the Master יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah, and the love of Elohim, and the fellowship of the Set-apart Spirit be with all of you. Amĕn.

Coming to the end of the apostle Paul‘s 2nd letter to the Corinthians we once more are remembered that the great master teacher was impaled in weakness but man was not able to bring an end to him. Though the Pharisees wanted to stop his preaching, after Jesus his death his disciples took on the work again and his preaching came to bring more people to God, even creating several new religious groups.

The followers of those preachers do know that Jesus lives by the power of God. They know that Jesus, הושע {Jeshua} was taken out of the dead and was lifted from this earth to come to live by the Most Almighty יהוה {Jehovah}, to sit at His right hand, and not to take in the place of God like so many christians do believe, but to become a high-priest for his heavenly Father יהוה {Jehovah} and a mediator between יהוה {Jehovah} God and man.

Matthew 26:64 The Scriptures 1998+ (64) הושע {Jeshua} said to him, “You have said it. Besides I say to you, from now you shall see the Son of Adam sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of the heaven.”

Acts 2:33-36 The Scriptures 1998+ (33) “Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of Elohim, and having received from the Father the promise of the Set-apart Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. (34) “For Dawiḏ did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself said, ‘ יהוה {Jehovah} said to my Master, “Sit at My right hand, (35) until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’1 Footnote: 1Ps. 110:1. (36) “Therefore let all the house of Yisra’ĕl know for certain that Elohim has made this הושע {Jeshua}, whom you impaled, both Master and Messiah.”

In this world we are tested often and in our weakness we are not always to stand strong in the ground swell. For the apostles were weak in him, yet they after the Power of God came unto them, they dared to go out again and preach the Word of God like Jesus has given the example.

We too can come under the Power of God when we are willing to give ourselves in the hands of God. Thanks to the sacrificial offer of Jeshua, Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for our many faults, if we regret them, and have the power of God coming toward us. Though than we also should show it to others that we have the willingness to be children of God. Therefore we are requested to look at ourselves and to scrutinize ourselves as to whether we are really in the faith and do not just like to be part of the world, keeping on to traditions which are an abomination in the eyes of God (like bowing down in front of statues or pictures, worshipping more than one person as your god/God). We not only have to prove our own selves, for ourselves, for others but also for God.

If we want to have Jesus Christ in us, we too should be in him and in God like he was united with God and united with each other under Christ. We must be careful to hold on the real Biblical Truth and not on human doctrines. We should not want to be reprobated and miss the opportunity to enter that small gate, just because we wanted to be popular and going with the main stream.

Though many of the world may think we, as believers in the Only One True God, having put our hope in His sent one, Jeshua (Jesus Christ the Messiah), they should come to see and know that we are not reprobates.

The last 10 verses of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians are a telling summary of his challenge to them to live in a worthy manner – a challenge that we should take and apply to ourselves.

Like he prayed to God that his followers do no evil, we too should try not to do evil and pray for others not to do evil as well. The apostle expresses that he continued expecting that we folks will progressively come to know by intimate experience that we ourselves are not unable to stand the test, nor are we disapproved or disqualified!
We sincerely should do our best to avoid doing something wrong, not that we may appear (or: should be made to be seen) as approved or qualified, but rather so that we ourselves can (or: should; would) be habitually doing that which is beautiful (or: constantly constructing the ideal; repeatedly making what is fine), even though we ourselves may be as ones disapproved and disqualified (= should look as if we had failed the test and are discredited).

For you see, we continue powerless (unable; incapable) [to do] anything against (or: [to be] putting down) reality or the Truth, but to the contrary, [we have power and ability] over reality, and for the sake of the Truth.
So we are constantly rejoicing whenever we ourselves may continue being weak, yet you, yourselves, may continue being able and powerful. We are also constantly holding this good thought, asking with wishes of ease and wellness: your complete adjustment (your thoroughly being knitted together, made completely equipped in full readiness, and adapted in perfect unity).

On behalf of the truth we should not be afraid for man who can not do so much that they would destruct us for ever. They did everything to destroy Jesus, the man of flesh and blood, but in the end God made him higher than angels and showed to mankind what can happen to any man who is following this sent one from God, believing in him and in the One Who sent Jesus, the Father Who has given all sifting and decision-making in the Son and has granted all judging by the Son.

John 5:23-24 The Scriptures 1998+ (23) that all should value the Son even as they value the Father. He who does not value the Son does not value the Father who sent Him. (24) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me possesses everlasting life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Respecting Jesus for what he has done we may rejoice whenever we are weak, because his weakness has delivered us and our believe in him makes us strong. It is in him that we can be made complete.

All those who believe in the work Jesus has done, should come together as brothers and sisters, and share their brotherly love. Whatever bad happens in this world we should belief in the hope Jesus has laid out in front of us. We should restore ourselves, comfort ourselves, be in agreement, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with us.

Therefore we should rejoice in expectancy, waiting for Jesus to return. (Romans 12:12) While we live we should praise together the Almighty, exulting in pressure in all circumstances giving thanks ( Psalms 34:1-2; 145:1-2; 146:2; Matthew 5:12; Acts 5:41; 16:25; Romans 5:2-3; 1Thessalonian 5:16-18; James 1:2-4; 1Peter 4:13)
Greeting one another with a holy kiss, sign of the agapé love, feeling united under the cornerstone Christ. He should be our guide, treasure, and foundation of our meeting group or ecclesia, our church, which should be God’s Church.

It is in our belief that we join hands and make ourselves to become strong, standing fast in the Lord, beloved, and knowing that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard our hearts and our thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Preceding articles:

Wanting to live in Christ’s city

Self inflicted misery #2 Weakness of human race

God’s never-ending stream of much-needed mercies

Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #10 Prayer #8 Condition