The Arkansas Traveler

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God.
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
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    This is a follow up on yesterday's post.
    First comes faith unto salvation. Then works of faith shows our
salvation.
    God works in us to draw us to faith and salvation. Then He works
through us to live it out. (See: Philippians 2:12)

James 1:21-22 (NASB)
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of
wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to
save your souls.
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
delude themselves.
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    In verse 21, James says the word implanted is able to save us. It
is by the word of God that we learn of our need of a Savior (Romans
10:17) and God's provision of salvation.
    But, knowing the word and receiving salvation is not the END! It is
the BEGINNING! We are to be ongoing students of the word of God. But we
must respond to the word.
    Is there a command to obey?
    A promise to claim? A sin to confess?
    Let God speak through His word and then respond in obedience.
    It is all for His glory and our good!

Psalm 96:1-5 (NASB)
1  Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2  Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His
salvation from day to day.
3  Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
4  For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5  For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
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A  psalm of praise to the Creator!
We today are called to all kinds of allegiances.
But, one deserves our attention -- God our Creator and Savior!

Galatians 6:9-10a (NASB)
    Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap
is we do not grow weary.
    So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. ...
+++++++++++
    Doing good involves doing something for others and letting God take
care of the outcome!

Psalm 43:5 (NASB)
"Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed with me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
++++++++++++++++++++
    This verse is recorded 3 times in Psalm 42 & 43, sort of a chorus
for 3 stanzas.
    The rest of these psalms talk of various troubles. The psalmist
wanted to express his faith in God.
    Whatever God's people go through, we can be sure that He is there
with us!
    Trust and Hope in HIM!

Psalm 27:11-14 (NASB)
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a level path
Because of my foes.
12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have despaired
unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.
+++++++++++++++++++++
    When one trusts in the LORD, it does not guarantee that there will
not be enemies.
    It means that even when we are attacked, God will be there to
deliver us!
    Wait for the LORD, Take courage. Wait for the LORD!
    Keep Him in your focus! Don't focus on the enemy.

Genesis 46:2-4 (NASB)
2  God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob."
And he said, "Here I am."
3  He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go
down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.
4  "I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you
up again; and Joseph will close your eyes."
++++++++++++++
    God had sent Joseph into Egypt years before to prepare a place for
Jacob (Gen. 45:5).
    Now it was time for Jacob and his family to go to Egypt. This must
have been a very difficult thing for him. He had the promise that God
had given to Abraham. "They would be a great nation in Canaan!"
    Now they were being sent to Egypt!
    But God appeared to Jacob and assured him of several things:
        1/ He (God) would be with him. What more could he want?!
        2) He (God) would make a great nation.
        3)  He (God) would bring Jacob and his nation back to Canaan!
        What Jacob was going through was part of God's long range plan.
He went, trusting God.
        In our own uncertain lives maybe we should look for God's long
rang plans!
        Indeed, like Jacob, we can trust God!