14 May 2023 – Frame it (part 2)

The Oxford Dictionary also has another meaning for frame which is to formulate a concept, plan or system. To formulate, draw up, plan, draft, map out, sketch out or work out.

Thus, to frame it, also means that we need to plan for success. It does not come automatically. Faith without works is dead.

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 24:27 (ESV) Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

Luke 14:28-30 (ESV) For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Psalm 20:4 (AMPCE) May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV) But all things should be done decently and in order.

James 2:18-24 (AMP) But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].” You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]! But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless? Was our father Abraham not [shown to be] justified by works [of obedience which expressed his faith] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar [as a sacrifice to God]? You see that [his] faith was working together with his works, and as a result of the works, his faith was completed [reaching its maturity when he expressed his faith through obedience]. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND THIS [faith] WAS CREDITED TO HIM [by God] AS RIGHTEOUSNESS and AS CONFORMITY TO HIS WILL,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a born-again believer reveals his faith].

It is easy to say that we have faith; without works, it is dead. Once we know what we want, we must plan accordingly. God moves when a man moves.