Wisdom From Above - Lovely Picture

WISDOM FROM ABOVE - EMBRACE IT
James 3:17,18 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

True Wisdom is God's gift, not gained by conversing with men, not a College certificate or an University degree BUT it comes from above.

1. It's Pure - without impurities of sin.
2. It is Peaceable - Peace follows purity and depends on it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to PRESERVE peace - that it may not be broken.  Peace in the country, the church, in our homes in society at large.  HEAVENLY WISDOM MAKES MEN PEACEABLE!
3. It is Gentle - Do not stand upon extreme positions! Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Easy to be Entreated to what is good! In Swahili it translates ready to listen to peoples concerns! Sometimes we are so preoccupied in our own agenda and overlook the entreaties of our brethren around us!
5. Full Of Mercy and good fruit - Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship created for goodworks! Titus 3:8b that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Remember that you and I have received God's mercy freely we are to be merciful to others as well! Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Without Partiality
7. Without Hypocrisy - Romans 12:9,10

True Versus Earthly Wisdom - James 3:13-4:6

TRUE WISDOM - 3 DISTINGUISHING MARKS

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

God is asking who is wise and understanding among the brethren - among us who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is looking for men, women, youth who will be able to show by good conduct that their good works are done in meekness of wisdom.

For you and I to gain wisdom we are to do as we are asked in James 1:5, realizing that the true essence of knowledge and wisdom is in the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 1:7; 9:10

A wise man is a knowing man who lays stock of knowledge and also applies it in his/her life.

First distinguishing mark of true wisdom is a good conduct or good conversation. A conduct characterised by words that inform, heal and do good, not roughness or vanity. Not a conversation that looks great adn do mischief and is an occassion of evil.

Secondly it is known by works - Ephesians 2:10 Believers are God's workmanship for good works which God foreordained that we should walk in them.

Thirdly, true wisdom is known by meekness of the spirit and temper. Wisdom produces meekness and meekness increases in wisdom.

EARTHLY WISDOM - SHUN IT!

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

First, Envying and strife are opposed to the meekness of wisdom. The heart is the seat of both. Christians are admonished to ask for help. Jeremiah 17:9 Your heart and my heart are desperately wicked. God is willing to help you and heal your heart trouble.

Secondly an order is laid: Envying leads to strife, strife endeavors itself in vain glory and lying. THEN there will be confusion and every evil work. Those who live in malice, envy and contention live in confusion. They are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such disorders raise many temptations, strengthen temptations and involve men in a great deal of guilt.

One sin leads to another. "Sin will take you further than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay" is a famous quote.

Thirdly, such wisdom comes from beneath and NOT from God - James 3:15

Earthly wisdom springs from earthly principles, acts upon earthly motives and is intent on serving earthly purposes. It is sensual - of the flesh as Romans 8:6 warns us.

You and I are to make not provision to fulfill the lusts and desire of the flesh. It creates an uneasiness when James says that ones wisdom is demonic. To create uneasiness and to do hurt among brethren is inspired by devils whose condemnation is pride.

What Will Get Your Attention?

Numbers 22:28-30
²⁸And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
 ²⁹And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
 ³⁰And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. 

 For Balaam, even a speaking Donkey did not get his attention.  He was bent on proceeding with his plan.

Paul in his counsel tells us in 1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. For some motivation that was contrary to God's will Balaam proceeds to do as he pleased! God leaves him to do so HOWEVER - Balaam does not succeed in doing as instructed by God's enemy Balak! God triumphs for His people!

Are you bent on doing your own will? What will get you attention to listen and obey God's call! Behold to obey is better than sacrifice!

The words of this favorite hymn says this way:

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our path
Let us do His good will
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Onto Your Marks Get Set...Go!

Thank you brethren for your steadfast prayers! We rejoice that finally this coming week we will measure out the site as per the Architectural Plans and thereafter break the ground!

As I echoed in a previous post I am not the first one.  Others have done splendid buildings they now call home.  So I am sure that soon we will look back and be thankful that Proverbs 24:3,4 will be sight!

Some exciting events took place during the construction of the site store/office.  On Thursday, 9 June 2011 the young man seen standing here was the helper of the carpenter building our storeroom.  This helper called me and told me that he was in need to know the Savior Jesus Christ.  I sent Pst Joseph Murage and Deacon Simon Kariuki during lunch time on that day! They shared the Gospel with him and he prayed and asked Jesus to save him!!  John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...."

 We now have completed the store which was constructed from locally available materials.  We converted our car park to provide the roofing.  Our old cow shed iron sheets provided the walling at the back.  Deacon Simon assisted in getting 10 iron sheets for the nice frontage seen on the photo.  Thanks be to God for a good friend!

The Store house is one of those extras we have realized as very important in a construction site - but not usually included in the building estimates.
The Hydraform machine will be on site in a fortnight hoping at that time we will have broken the ground, done the foundation and poured the concrete and the flooring!  Brother Noah will help with the trial blocks to test for shrinkage!

Brethren and friends we looking forward to some busy days, we pray will have have a good measurable work!

We welcome you to prayer and intercession for us!  Rejoice!


Onesmus & Millicent Kibera

Marks of a True Christian - By Kevin De Young

Marks of a True Christian: "
How can you tell the difference between a true Christian and a false professor or heretic?
Wilhelmus à Brakel in The Christian’s Reasonable Service (1700) lays down six propositions to get us started.

Proposition1: A Christian must have a great love for the truth; all splendid pretense void of love for the truth is deceit.
Proposition 2: A Christian must have great love and esteem for the church.
Proposition 3: The Holy Scriptures are the only rule for doctrine and life.
Proposition 4: Regeneration is the originating cause of spiritual life, and of all spiritual thoughts and deeds.
Proposition 5: A Christian avails himself of faith.
Proposition 6: All of man’s felicity, here and hereafter, consists in communion with and the beholding of God.

To be sure, the list could be longer, but à Brakel is trying to warn against “Quietists,” “fanatics,” and “Boehmists” in particular. In any case, propositions 1 and 2 seem particularly relevant for our day. And proposition 6 sounds like John Piper.
As you read blogs and follow folks on twitter and keep up with the latest video to go viral, be sure to save time for godly dead guys.

"

Men With God And Accountability

Read a good article from Dr David McGee which is helping to answer these questions:

Do we need accountability?

Do we need accountability in Men Of God?

I am convinced that we do

Find the answers here in this good read.

Not The First One

Proverbs 24:3,4 ¶ Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

I am not the first one, but it is our first one.  Millicent and I have been engaged in the elementary phases of the eventual construction of our family house on Plot 397, Kenyatta Drive. From the architectural drawings to the slow process of approval by our Municipal Council.  Getting the material piecemeal by piecemeal!

Saturday evening we visited with Deacon Charles Kahindo of Nanyuki Bible Baptist Church.  He has an experience of building.  He has gone through the challenges of building a house.  Detail after detail he poured in our ears until I started feeling overwhelmed.  He wants us to deal with Realities not Dreams!!! He wants us to have all the Bills Of Quantities and Materials down on paper.

Yesterday the workmen dismantled the car port for our ministry car and are moving it to the site where it will be converted into a Storeroom/Site office! Cheers! 

I thank all my friends and family that have already lent a helping hand in this project. 

Sure enough WISDOM IS NEEDED! Millicent and I need it - James 1:5 We need understanding to have it established and knowledge!

So you are all welcome to an earnest and vigilant invitation to prayer! Welcome!

Pst Onesmus Kibera

Mt. Kenya Baptist Church, Kenyatta Drive

PO Box 483, Nanyuki 10400

Tel. 254733600213, 0724626720

OKibera@gmail.com