Rejoice IN the Lord

‘Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found IN him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (this is the IN part) that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:1-12 KJV)


Rejoice IN the Lord.

Born of Water and of the Spirit

‘Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto Born of Water and of the Spirit John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.' 

(Matthew 3:13-4:1 KJV)

'Then the devil leaveth him (after he had resisted the tempter), and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.' (Matthew 4:11 KJV)

'From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." '(Matthew 4:17 KJV)

'There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." ' 

(John 3:1-6 KJV)

Recognize, receive and rejoice to know the hope of His calling.

In Many Things We Offend All

‘For in MANY things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.'

(James 3:2 KJV)

'Even so the tongue is a little member, and BOASTETH great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.' (James 3:5-8 KJV)

'Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about MUCH serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about MANY things: But ONE thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.' (Luke 10:38-42 KJV)

Sitting before Him, hearing His word, is the ONE THING that shall tame the tongue that offends.

Continue in the Confession

‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou SHALT confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and SHALT believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou SHALT be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' (Romans 10:9,10 KJV)

Shalt, or shall, indicates simple futurity: expressing the future tense. Although this passage has been taught primarily as a place of entrance into God's salvation, confessing the lordship of Jesus Christ and his victory over all flesh, especially in questionable circumstances, brings light for your devotion to God through Him, keeping and refining you in it. The victory in confession of the Lord Jesus will be found in the doing of it, speaking wisely, because wisdom understands that we must proceed.

Forasmuch then, and Inasmuch

‘FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.'

(1 Peter 4:1-5 KJV)

'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, INASMUCH as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.' (1 Peter 4:12,13 KJV)

Forasmuch and inasmuch (insofar) that we may be GLAD also, rather than not-as-much and out-as-much as one may desire to position themselves.

Sojourn Likewise: Being Born Again

‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind. be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your SOJOURNING here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: BEING born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.' 

(1 Peter 1:13-25 KJV)

Being (having the state, quality, identity, nature, role specified) of the incorruptible seed!

Perfect and Entire: Accuracy to Destination

‘James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.'(James 1:1-4 KJV)

Most have experienced the benefit of a navigation system. The system will determine your most direct route. If you detour, the system will direct you to 'return to route guidance', ending your diversion, unless you decide to 'cancel route guidance'. Each consideration to divert from route guidance requires a return to guidance. Eventually and hopefully, we recognize the benefit of staying with the guidance.

'And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

(Hebrews 6:11,12 KJV)