• Philippians 4:19
  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:8
  For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Decades ago a doctor of theology wrote a pamphlet called Security of the Believers.

I bought a copy and discovered it contained verse after verse of scripture with absolutely no personal observation or comments. The Word of God stood alone.

The Word contains everything we need to feel secure in Christ.

The verse from 1 Thessalonians 1:8  tells us that faith leads the way for those who believe in Christ.

This is true and I believe that my faith leads the way. So why do I feel the need to make comments on the scriptures that are quoted? At one time I needed instruction in the Word because I was not hearing His instructions by faith, i.e. commands to serve God’s will.

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

Paul wrote his epistles to us so that we would know that we grow in faith and love. His Word has all that is needed to mature and be used of God by faith that is absent of insecurities that hinder our walk of faith.

Insecurity is a human condition and only one condition that stunts our growth in Christ.

If I tried to make a list of every human condition that hinders growth in Christ there is a real concern that I would miss some because I am best aware of my own failings. While some may have the same problem I had, not everyone does.

What is hindering your growth in Christ?

Our stumbling blocks can be identified in the Word that contains everything needed for us to grow in faith.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Here we go again, repeating good thoughts with the intention of discovering just how this plan  is activated in our personal lives. Is God speaking to us?

Jeremiah 29:8

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,

Jeremiah’s letter was sent to those who were in exile. 

Jeremiah 29:4

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

If you have accepted Christ by faith you are no longer in exile.

• 2 Timothy 1:1
  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
• Hebrews 8:6
  But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Before God declared a better future and a hope to the exiles, He warned them of the liars in their midst.

We are that better promise, we are that future and we are that plan enacted by faith in the works of Christ in HIs death, resurrection and ascension. We are not in exile.

The warning remains intact. There are still liars out there.

Matthew 24:11

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.