“FORTIFIED!”

 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. Phillippians 4:12-13 

PRE-AMBLE by Robert 

Having supped at our Lords table nourishing our spirit and soul, it becomes time we recognize where our guidance and strengths come from. In this article, we will find how Yeshua daily is building his army. We will discover through the examples Paul and the other Apostles set before us, how and why they endured all who stood before and against them. https://romboughrobert.com/2019/06/28/dine-with-me/

My research brought me to Matthew Henry’s (1662 – 1774) Commentary on Phillippians 4:13 “The nature of a grounded Believers, sympathy is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles but to do what we can to help them. The apostle Paul was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances. 

Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud or secure, or worldly.

This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter.

Through Yeshua, we have the grace to do what is right, and through him, we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.

OPENING PRAYER by Robert

“Precious Father in heaven as our spiritual eyes are opened to the true condition of our world and those who cross our path, as we Spiritually journey. I Would ask Lord for your guidance, strengthening, discernment, understanding and wisdom to be a part of the leadership role, placed in the lives, of those doing your bidding and work. Make those with your knowledge, Spiritual Warriors, for the spreading of your Father’s compassion, grace, and forgiveness to all who cross our paths in this darkened world. This I pray in Yeshua’s name Amen and Amen.“

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

As our journey deepens along with our personal relationship with Yeshua, we see the union of human and Divine natures and the fulness of the Spirit, which is in him, resemble the root of the Vine made fruitful by the moisture from fertile soil.

Believers are branches of this Vine. The root is unseen, and our life is hidden with Yeshua; the root bears the tree, diffuses sap to it, and in Yeshua are all supports and supplies. The branches of the Vine are many, yet, meeting in the root, are all but one Vine; thus all true Believers, though in place and opinion distant from each other, meet in Yeshua. Believers, like the branches of the Vine, are weak, and unable to stand but as they are borne up. The Father is the Husbandman. Never was any husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his vineyard, as God is about his Assembly, which therefore must prosper. We must be fruitful. From a Vine, we look for grapes, and from a Believer, we look for a Believer temper, disposition, and life. We must honour God, and do good; this is bearing fruit. The unfruitful are taken away. And even fruitful branches need pruning; for the best have notions, passions, and touches of humour, that require to be taken away, which Yeshua has promised to forward the sanctification of believers, they will be thankful, for them. 

Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) explains: “Paul gloried in his infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:9) and took pleasure in them, (2 Corinthians 12:10). He does not mean his “sinful infirmities” [those we have reason to be ashamed of and grieved at] but means his afflictions, his reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Yeshua’s sake, (2 Corinthians 12:10). And the reason for his glory and joy on account of these things was this, they were fair opportunities for Yeshua to manifest the power and sufficiency of his grace resting upon him, by which he had so much experience of the strength of divine grace that he could say, When I am weak, then am I strong. This is a Believers paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Yeshua. When we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Yeshua and are qualified to receive strength from him and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace. 

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

As we journey forward Heavenly Father, we look for your guidance and comforting. We thank you, Lord, for each moment you dedicate to our lives, families, and homes. As we hear from the Holy Spirit, we know our voice is being listened to through him and all those infirmities which may plague us will be healed and a hedge of protection built around our lives. We thank you, Father, for all your mercies and abundant dealings you perform on our behalf. Thank you, Lord, for being our Shepherd and bringing us to bountiful pastures and protecting us from ravening wolves. This we pray in your name Yeshua. Amen and Amen. 

CLOSING STATEMENT  by Robert 

The origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves. As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from him. A true Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of Divine grace as if he were formed over again. We should devote all our faculties to God’s service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. 

Every army has its leaders and those who follow them as obedient soldiers going forward into battle. We cannot all be Abraham’s, Joseph’s, Moses, Solomon’s, David’s, leaders our Lord appointed to lead His vast Armies. We can, however, take onto ourselves a far more significant role as obedient servants demonstrating the role of the greatest leader the world was privileged to receive.

Yeshua through his teachings, examples, and parables have placed before each individual who would sit at His table and dine with Him the most significant opportunity to be as He was a great leader within the greatest Army to go into battle. 

For a greater understanding of what James was offering all believers then and now of what is to be faced as a believer, I turn to Matthew Henry (1662 -1774) to reveal the hidden strengths James was offering. “It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed, but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable if it is not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God and the dealings of his providence try men’s hearts and show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. As pointed out earlier not all can be great leaders, but we now know we all can be a Fortified leader in Yeshua’s image as obedient servants; knowing God calls and uses us for what and who we are in His eyes.  

Remember, these messages are given by a humble servant obedient unto our Lord Yeshua as a “Watchman.” This I pray for all. ”Our Heavenly Father brings us to the river which bringeth forth fruit so we may partake of its sustenance and be filled spiritually with nurturing wisdom, and humble dedication in service to Yeshua.“ “Blessings to All.”  As you go forward in peace, knowledge, and strength. In the name of Yeshua, we pray Amen and Amen.

Robert