James 5:3b "You have hoarded wealth in the last days."
O Lord! Things are no different now than they were when James wrote this except we are so much closer to the day of Your return. We are seeing signs of Your eminent return almost daily all over the world, and now more so in the US in horrific natural disasters. Just yesterday over 125 devastating tornados ripped through 5 states here in the South leaving millions without food, shelter, and jobs as great swaths were left as rubble. Never before had tornados gone through urban areas or through the mountains, but they did Wednesday and yesterday.
Americans usually rise to the occasion and give sacrificially to help in these times. How many, Lord, will hang onto the excess of what they have now in fear of a disaster striking them in the future? How many will just be greedy and selfish and look after their own needs and forget their suffering neighbors around them? How many will take advantage of this situation and become richer still?
Lord, how worthless this will all be when You return. Money and possessions will mean nothing. Help us all to remember that each and every day and hold very loosely to what You have given.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wealth and Misery
James 5:1-3a “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver has corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire.”
Dearest Lord, wealth usually corrupts unbelievers, but it can also corrupt Christians. I know for a fact that wealth does not always corrupt, but it can. In my lifetime I have only known 2-3 Christians I would call wealthy and in all cases, they have simply been channels of blessings to others. Here in James, You are strongly warning that riches themselves are worthless, and will be when You return. You are not saying that the wealthy people are worthless. You love them and died for them too.
You are warning us not to get caught up in the wealth You have provided. The love of money can very quickly replace love for You. When we selfishly hold on to what You have given, we start to trust in it rather than trusting in You.
Wealth shared is Your way of providing for our pastors, missionaries, and the running of Your church and its ministries. Wealth hoarded is sin. Lord, You have always provided for us, but we have never been rich by America’s standards, and I rejoice in that! In Your Word, I read all of the “Woe to you rich” passages and rejoice that I am not. You are much more precious than all of the riches in this world! This world is not my home, so why should I desire to store up riches here where all of the above in this verse can happen and my wealth is taxed as well?
Thank You Lord for allowing me a different citizenship so I do not have to run hard after the riches of this world!
Dearest Lord, wealth usually corrupts unbelievers, but it can also corrupt Christians. I know for a fact that wealth does not always corrupt, but it can. In my lifetime I have only known 2-3 Christians I would call wealthy and in all cases, they have simply been channels of blessings to others. Here in James, You are strongly warning that riches themselves are worthless, and will be when You return. You are not saying that the wealthy people are worthless. You love them and died for them too.
You are warning us not to get caught up in the wealth You have provided. The love of money can very quickly replace love for You. When we selfishly hold on to what You have given, we start to trust in it rather than trusting in You.
Wealth shared is Your way of providing for our pastors, missionaries, and the running of Your church and its ministries. Wealth hoarded is sin. Lord, You have always provided for us, but we have never been rich by America’s standards, and I rejoice in that! In Your Word, I read all of the “Woe to you rich” passages and rejoice that I am not. You are much more precious than all of the riches in this world! This world is not my home, so why should I desire to store up riches here where all of the above in this verse can happen and my wealth is taxed as well?
Thank You Lord for allowing me a different citizenship so I do not have to run hard after the riches of this world!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
If We Don't Do Good, We Sin
James 4:17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins.”
Lord, from the time we are old enough to understand we are taught (if we have good parents), not to do certain things: no punching, no hitting, no pinching, no biting, no spitting, and no pulling hair. When my boys were small children, I would recite this list to them each time they would go outside to play with the neighbor children until one day when I started, my four year old told me “I know, Mommy…” and proceeded to recite the list back to me. It was a glad day for he had memorized the list and I would not have to recite it again. However; because I was not always where I could see him, I’m not at all convinced that he or his brothers obeyed “The List” especially with each other. So it is with Your “list”, Lord. We can have the “Don’t List” memorized but will not always obey it, but at least we know when we are tempted to do them and at that point make that choice.
Here You say it is just as sinful to do the “Don’ts” as it is to not do the “Dos”.
O dear Lord, please help me in both areas!
Lord, from the time we are old enough to understand we are taught (if we have good parents), not to do certain things: no punching, no hitting, no pinching, no biting, no spitting, and no pulling hair. When my boys were small children, I would recite this list to them each time they would go outside to play with the neighbor children until one day when I started, my four year old told me “I know, Mommy…” and proceeded to recite the list back to me. It was a glad day for he had memorized the list and I would not have to recite it again. However; because I was not always where I could see him, I’m not at all convinced that he or his brothers obeyed “The List” especially with each other. So it is with Your “list”, Lord. We can have the “Don’t List” memorized but will not always obey it, but at least we know when we are tempted to do them and at that point make that choice.
However; it seems harder, Lord, to learn and obey the “Do List”: do make your bed, do help with the dishes, do set the table, do pick up your clothes, do pick up your toys, and do wash your hands and face. Or Your “DO List”: do read the Word, do pray, do fast, do treat others the way you want to be treated, do love your neighbor as yourself, do spend time with other believers, go to church, do be kind, discreet, gracious, merciful, good, and loving, and do share Your Gospel with a lost and dying world.
Here You say it is just as sinful to do the “Don’ts” as it is to not do the “Dos”.
O dear Lord, please help me in both areas!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
All Boasting is Evil
James 4:16 “As it is, you boast and brag (about your plans). All such boasting is evil.”
Lord, I believe Paul said it the most succinctly when he said that he would boast in nothing except You crucified. You have told us that in ourselves abides no good thing. Anything and everything that is good within us is not because of us, but because of You and Your gifts to us.
Lord, I believe Paul said it the most succinctly when he said that he would boast in nothing except You crucified. You have told us that in ourselves abides no good thing. Anything and everything that is good within us is not because of us, but because of You and Your gifts to us.
If we have good jobs that pay lots of money and are abiding in You, we have them to be ministers with whom we work and to be generous with the funds You have provided. If we have gifts and talents, You gave them to use to further Your kingdom. How can we not see it is evil then when we become prideful and arrogant and boast about our plans. If we put ourselves and what we have been given: possessions, power, abilities, and influence first and leave You out it is evil not just a bad idea!
All I am, have, and do, I give to You, Lord, for You to use as You know best for Your glory, not mine.
Praise God for His Perfect Will
James 4:15 “Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord will, we will live and do this or that.”
Dear Lord, thank You for having a perfect plan for Your children. You had the right, as Creator, to do anything You wished. You could have planted us here and said, I have no particular plan for You, so you must find your own way.” How sad that would have been. Oh there are some who live their lives that way even now; those (even Christians) who will not acknowledge You at all. The brothers in this particular passage had become arrogant and proud in their planning. And we can become that way as well if we are not on guard against it.
Lord, we have walked together what seems like such a long time, but in reality, it is like one breath in eternity…maybe not even one. As a baby Christian I did not know enough to acknowledge You and Your plan for me. I wasn’t even sure what sin was. But because You are gracious and merciful and because I was yielded to You, You worked Your plan out in my life. Thank You, Lord!
I see now where, even when I was an unbeliever, You protected me and caused me to be rid of a “lover”, who was not, and gave me the true lover of my soul who has been exactly what I have needed in a husband all these years. You gave me a second chance to raise my son who has been such a blessing not only to me, but to countless others! You placed me in exactly the right place at the right time to hear Your Gospel that changed my life! Thank You Lord!
Dear Lord, thank You for having a perfect plan for Your children. You had the right, as Creator, to do anything You wished. You could have planted us here and said, I have no particular plan for You, so you must find your own way.” How sad that would have been. Oh there are some who live their lives that way even now; those (even Christians) who will not acknowledge You at all. The brothers in this particular passage had become arrogant and proud in their planning. And we can become that way as well if we are not on guard against it.
Lord, we have walked together what seems like such a long time, but in reality, it is like one breath in eternity…maybe not even one. As a baby Christian I did not know enough to acknowledge You and Your plan for me. I wasn’t even sure what sin was. But because You are gracious and merciful and because I was yielded to You, You worked Your plan out in my life. Thank You, Lord!
I see now where, even when I was an unbeliever, You protected me and caused me to be rid of a “lover”, who was not, and gave me the true lover of my soul who has been exactly what I have needed in a husband all these years. You gave me a second chance to raise my son who has been such a blessing not only to me, but to countless others! You placed me in exactly the right place at the right time to hear Your Gospel that changed my life! Thank You Lord!
My Life is but a Vapor
James 4:14b “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Lord, as I am now in my sixties, this verse has much more meaning than when I was five or ten years old. When I was young, the 24 hours you have always given to me seemed to last much longer than they do now. The day flies by and it’s time for bed again. I look back over the years and they seem like months instead. My sweetheart and I will be celebrating forty years of marriage this year, but it seems like yesterday when we said, “I do.”
I trusted in You thirty-six years ago. What have I accomplished for You, Lord, in that time? You were here for only 33.5 years and You changed history! Lord, have I touched all of the lives You have asked me to touch? Have I shared You with the others around me as You have prompted? I fear not. Please forgive me and help me to do Your will in a more diligent fashion.
This Resurrection Sunday I rejoice again that You rose from the dead and we have that resurrection power within us! Death no longer has a hold on me or my family. Eternity in Heaven is ours because of Your precious sacrifice! I praise and thank You, Lord.
Lord, as I am now in my sixties, this verse has much more meaning than when I was five or ten years old. When I was young, the 24 hours you have always given to me seemed to last much longer than they do now. The day flies by and it’s time for bed again. I look back over the years and they seem like months instead. My sweetheart and I will be celebrating forty years of marriage this year, but it seems like yesterday when we said, “I do.”
I trusted in You thirty-six years ago. What have I accomplished for You, Lord, in that time? You were here for only 33.5 years and You changed history! Lord, have I touched all of the lives You have asked me to touch? Have I shared You with the others around me as You have prompted? I fear not. Please forgive me and help me to do Your will in a more diligent fashion.
This Resurrection Sunday I rejoice again that You rose from the dead and we have that resurrection power within us! Death no longer has a hold on me or my family. Eternity in Heaven is ours because of Your precious sacrifice! I praise and thank You, Lord.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Our Plans and not Always His Plans
James 4:13-14a “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.”
Sweet Savior, omniscient one, You and You alone know our future because you are there. You tell us in Proverbs to consider the ant and how hard they work to store up food for their winter, so I don’t think You are telling us never to plan at all. I believe through James, You are saying that we are not to plan in arrogance and pride leaving Your plan for us out of things.
Right now, my husband and I are planning on driving to spend the three day Easter weekend with our son and family. However; we are still awaiting the Nuclear Stress Test results from earlier this week. Depending on what the test shows, we may be going to the hospital for a procedure instead. Only You know, but this is only one weekend.
Humans are such great schemers and planners as You know. Sometimes we think we have our lives all planned out the way we want them to be not giving You a thought. Then when tragedy strikes we blame You, either secretly or openly, for messing up our plans.
These examples I am sure are not in that category, but will give them as an example of how quickly our plans have to change sometimes. I am sure one of my dear co-workers never thought she would get a call that her mom had breast cancer and she would be spending every weekend for months driving to another city to minister to her and her Grandma. Or another who received a call that her husband had been in a serious motorcycle accident and would have to have life changing surgery. Or another who received a call that her son had been killed in an accident.
On the other hand, I don’t think the people in Japan went to work one day expecting an earthquake and Tsunami would occur killing thousands, wounding thousands, leaving thousands homeless, and severely damaging their nuclear power plant that would cause serious life changes. Or that one man’s actions in Egypt one day would spark several revolutions…Lord, the list goes on and on.
Yes, we need to plan some, but we need always to hold them as “tentative” and understand that our will, as humble as they may be, may not be what You know will happen. I have a missionary friend who goes to Romania, Serbia, and Moldova each year to encourage and teach pastors. He is older and has some serious health issues. Each year, about 2-3 weeks before he is supposed to depart, the enemy strikes and he either ends up in the hospital or becomes gravely ill. He knows his time is fleeting, so he always takes a team with him who can carry on if he cannot go or goes to Glory.
You are telling me to make my plans prayerfully making sure, as one can be, that it is Your will. Then hold them with open hands not hands tightly clenched. I believe this is Your Word for me today. Thank You, Lord, for ordering my days. If I trust in You with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding, You have promised to lead me on straight path. Hallelujah! I do not have to be the one in control!
Sweet Savior, omniscient one, You and You alone know our future because you are there. You tell us in Proverbs to consider the ant and how hard they work to store up food for their winter, so I don’t think You are telling us never to plan at all. I believe through James, You are saying that we are not to plan in arrogance and pride leaving Your plan for us out of things.
Right now, my husband and I are planning on driving to spend the three day Easter weekend with our son and family. However; we are still awaiting the Nuclear Stress Test results from earlier this week. Depending on what the test shows, we may be going to the hospital for a procedure instead. Only You know, but this is only one weekend.
Humans are such great schemers and planners as You know. Sometimes we think we have our lives all planned out the way we want them to be not giving You a thought. Then when tragedy strikes we blame You, either secretly or openly, for messing up our plans.
These examples I am sure are not in that category, but will give them as an example of how quickly our plans have to change sometimes. I am sure one of my dear co-workers never thought she would get a call that her mom had breast cancer and she would be spending every weekend for months driving to another city to minister to her and her Grandma. Or another who received a call that her husband had been in a serious motorcycle accident and would have to have life changing surgery. Or another who received a call that her son had been killed in an accident.
On the other hand, I don’t think the people in Japan went to work one day expecting an earthquake and Tsunami would occur killing thousands, wounding thousands, leaving thousands homeless, and severely damaging their nuclear power plant that would cause serious life changes. Or that one man’s actions in Egypt one day would spark several revolutions…Lord, the list goes on and on.
Yes, we need to plan some, but we need always to hold them as “tentative” and understand that our will, as humble as they may be, may not be what You know will happen. I have a missionary friend who goes to Romania, Serbia, and Moldova each year to encourage and teach pastors. He is older and has some serious health issues. Each year, about 2-3 weeks before he is supposed to depart, the enemy strikes and he either ends up in the hospital or becomes gravely ill. He knows his time is fleeting, so he always takes a team with him who can carry on if he cannot go or goes to Glory.
You are telling me to make my plans prayerfully making sure, as one can be, that it is Your will. Then hold them with open hands not hands tightly clenched. I believe this is Your Word for me today. Thank You, Lord, for ordering my days. If I trust in You with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding, You have promised to lead me on straight path. Hallelujah! I do not have to be the one in control!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
God Alone is Lawgiver and Judge
James 4:12 “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor?”
God of wonder beyond our galaxy, You are holy, holy!
The universe declares Your majesty, You are holy, holy, Lord of Heaven and Earth.
So, knowing all of these things, how in the world do we even consider the idea that we can judge our neighbor, or even ourselves? How much more joyful and free we would be if we would leave this to You. You are the only one who can save…or destroy. We need neither to judge the wicked, nor get tied up in stress knots at the deeds of others. Lord, if we would only learn to: keep our eyes on YOU, mind our OWN business, and do the work of our OWN hands as unto You, this would never be an issue.
Help me Lord. Help all of Your children to lead a life devoid of being judges over our brothers and neighbors.
God of wonder beyond our galaxy, You are holy, holy!
The universe declares Your majesty, You are holy, holy, Lord of Heaven and Earth.
You and You alone are our Lawgiver so You and You alone can be the Judge. We can get so “high and mighty”, so puffed up with our own importance that we feel somehow we have the right to judge our neighbor. Our knowledge of a matter would be sketchy at best, but You are omniscient. We tend to jump to conclusions. You never do because You know the whole matter and are true righteousness. We tend to be prejudice, unmerciful and unloving. You never are because You ARE unconditional love and mercy. We want You to be all of those things for us, and You are to be our example. Our judgment will be flawed, Yours never is.
So, knowing all of these things, how in the world do we even consider the idea that we can judge our neighbor, or even ourselves? How much more joyful and free we would be if we would leave this to You. You are the only one who can save…or destroy. We need neither to judge the wicked, nor get tied up in stress knots at the deeds of others. Lord, if we would only learn to: keep our eyes on YOU, mind our OWN business, and do the work of our OWN hands as unto You, this would never be an issue.
Help me Lord. Help all of Your children to lead a life devoid of being judges over our brothers and neighbors.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Slanderous Judge
James 4:11 “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him, speaks against the law ad judges it. When you judge the law you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
Lord, if this is not enough reason for me to unconditionally love my brothers and sisters in Christ, I do not know what would be. Besides, this is Your command, not suggestion. Lord, I have enough things I deal with each day, sins of commission and omission; I certainly do not need to be looking at others, but to YOU constantly.
There would be only two reasons to slander and judge another:
Lord keep me from this horrible temptation! I want to be nothing but a blessing to all whether inside or outside the faith.
Lord, if this is not enough reason for me to unconditionally love my brothers and sisters in Christ, I do not know what would be. Besides, this is Your command, not suggestion. Lord, I have enough things I deal with each day, sins of commission and omission; I certainly do not need to be looking at others, but to YOU constantly.
There would be only two reasons to slander and judge another:
1) Pride and insecurity- If I blow someone else’s candle out mine will glow brighter.
2) Pride and self-righteousness-thinking, “I would never act in such a fashion!” . Therefore I am more righteous then they.
Both are sins indeed and convict the slanderous judge themselves.Lord keep me from this horrible temptation! I want to be nothing but a blessing to all whether inside or outside the faith.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Humility and Exaltation
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift You up?”
Oh Lord, what a wonderful promise! To have You lift me up sounds so exciting. Not to lift me up for myself, but for Your glory. So why is it so hard to humble myself? Even after all this You have taught me over and over again, I still caught myself recently promoting my own agenda and had to ask You for forgiveness. Sometimes I feel like Paul when he said that he did the things he shouldn’t and didn’t do the things he should; who will deliver us from this living death? I know the answer is YOU!
I know that I have been crucified with You and that I no longer live but You live in me. I desperately do not want to disgrace You with my life, Lord. I bow to Your will and Way in my life. Help me to bury my “self” so deep that I cannot exhume the body and no one else will be able to find the grave!
Oh Lord, what a wonderful promise! To have You lift me up sounds so exciting. Not to lift me up for myself, but for Your glory. So why is it so hard to humble myself? Even after all this You have taught me over and over again, I still caught myself recently promoting my own agenda and had to ask You for forgiveness. Sometimes I feel like Paul when he said that he did the things he shouldn’t and didn’t do the things he should; who will deliver us from this living death? I know the answer is YOU!
I know that I have been crucified with You and that I no longer live but You live in me. I desperately do not want to disgrace You with my life, Lord. I bow to Your will and Way in my life. Help me to bury my “self” so deep that I cannot exhume the body and no one else will be able to find the grave!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Grieve, Mourn and Wail over Our Sin
James 4:9 “Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.”
Lord, my sins are so grievous in Your sight for You are holy. I need to see them as such and to realize that they are no laughing matter. Help me to see my sin quickly, to confess and repent. Your church is affected as well. We cannot allow ourselves to be pulled into our world unless it is to be salt and light to it.
In our country we have gone from the days of the “Scarlet Letter” and the “Salem Witch Trials” to open homosexuality, adultery, and fornication, abortion, astrology and palm reading. Treachery, gangs, murder, rape, and thievery is common in the daily paper, yet Your church seems to sleep on in prayerless indifference and participates in those activities vicariously in the privacy of our homes, or not so secretly by what we do in public.
Revive us, Your church, Lord. Help us to become what You would have us to be. Open our eyes to our selfishness and sinfulness. We are so blessed and rich, Lord, and live in relative peace. But therein lays a grave danger, as it did for Israel. Whenever Israel became affluent and lived in peace, they strayed away from You. Sometimes it was slowly like the time from Joseph to Moses. Sometimes it was more rapid as in the book of Judges. Each time in your love, You disciplined, warned, and pleaded for them to return to You. When they would not, You allowed them to have disaster, to be conquered, or to be led away into captivity until they finally cried out to You. Then as a nation they had to purify themselves before they could come near You or You could come near them.
Lord, may Your church in this country awaken from our sinful stupor and grieve, mourn, and wail over our sins, confess and repent. Make us the salt and light You intend us to be
Lord, my sins are so grievous in Your sight for You are holy. I need to see them as such and to realize that they are no laughing matter. Help me to see my sin quickly, to confess and repent. Your church is affected as well. We cannot allow ourselves to be pulled into our world unless it is to be salt and light to it.
In our country we have gone from the days of the “Scarlet Letter” and the “Salem Witch Trials” to open homosexuality, adultery, and fornication, abortion, astrology and palm reading. Treachery, gangs, murder, rape, and thievery is common in the daily paper, yet Your church seems to sleep on in prayerless indifference and participates in those activities vicariously in the privacy of our homes, or not so secretly by what we do in public.
Revive us, Your church, Lord. Help us to become what You would have us to be. Open our eyes to our selfishness and sinfulness. We are so blessed and rich, Lord, and live in relative peace. But therein lays a grave danger, as it did for Israel. Whenever Israel became affluent and lived in peace, they strayed away from You. Sometimes it was slowly like the time from Joseph to Moses. Sometimes it was more rapid as in the book of Judges. Each time in your love, You disciplined, warned, and pleaded for them to return to You. When they would not, You allowed them to have disaster, to be conquered, or to be led away into captivity until they finally cried out to You. Then as a nation they had to purify themselves before they could come near You or You could come near them.
Lord, may Your church in this country awaken from our sinful stupor and grieve, mourn, and wail over our sins, confess and repent. Make us the salt and light You intend us to be
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Purify Our Hearts and Draw Near to God
James 4:8 “Dear near to God and He will draw near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.”
My sweet Lord, because of all that You are, why would we not draw near to You? I feel it is because we, Your children, don’t really know You.
My sweet Lord, because of all that You are, why would we not draw near to You? I feel it is because we, Your children, don’t really know You.
Maybe we have a tarnished idea of who You are because we base our belief on our own human attributes, not Yours. Maybe it is because to get to know You, or anyone else for that matter, takes selfless time and in our selfishness don’t want to give it. Maybe it is because we are afraid that You will see us as we really are and will not forgive. In that case, since James is writing this to believers, they have a total misunderstanding of Your grace and mercy…the exact reason You came to give Your life for ours on that cruel cross!
James says to wash our hands as sinners. Lord, You are not talking about literal hand washing are You? Aren’t You telling us to clean ourselves from the filth of our sin through confession? This seems also symbolic of repenting of our sinful deeds done in the flesh. Purifying a double minded heart takes both of these things, separating ourselves from the world, purging our selfishness and arrogant pride, and totally trusting You.
Lord, You know that I saw the Living Cross at Hyland Heights Baptist Church last night. Lord, to see Your story played out was absolutely…(I am having trouble finding the words)… encouraging, heart wrenching, magnificent, touching, and convicting all together. The young man who portrayed You was so engaging, approachable, loving, and kind that just his smile brought children to him. He has obviously come to KNOW You, for this is not just an act for him. But as good as he was, Lord, he could not hold a candle to You. Lord, please bless that man and his family and protect them as they will be under serious attack from the evil one. Bring many to Yourself, and back to Yourself, through this ministry, please.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Submit to God Resist the Devil
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Lord, You are: holy, righteous, just, loving, patient, gracious, mercy, almighty, all knowing, unchangeable, and truth. We are none of those things. Some we can become because of the precious gracious gift of salvation. You tell us to be as holy, perfect (mature), loving, patient, gracious, merciful, longsuffering, just, truthful and steadfast as You are. Since we struggle so much within ourselves with bitter envy and selfish ambition it makes perfect sense, (since in our own strength we cannot be any of these things You want us to be) to submit ourselves to God.
We say we don’t want the devil to rule over us but we do not first submit ourselves to God. We underestimate the enemy and think we can stand against him in our own strength. How foolish and arrogant we are! Lord, we need YOUR almighty strength, power, and wisdom as our weapons for without them we are undone. Our foolishness is like us trying to go up against a mighty army, equipped with planes, tanks, missiles, and even an atomic bomb, with a hula-hoop and a water pistol! RIDICULOUS! (Unless of course You are planning on doing something miraculous like you did with Gideon.)
In our “self” state the word “submit” grates against our pride and arrogance. We perceive it to be like being an unwilling slave, captive, or prisoner who must grovel, bow, and do whatever is commanded. That’s why wives resist Your command to be submissive to their husbands. However; if we willingly ditch our “self”, pride, and arrogance out of love for our Master, it becomes a totally different story altogether.
Why would we not want to submit to God who means us no harm, who loves us unconditionally, wants the best for us, who is never cruel, unjust, unloving, evil, untruthful, or mean, and is always gracious and merciful? Unlike being in forced bondage like we are to sin, we now are free to become willing bond slaves. Only then can we resist the devil and he must flee from us. We must remember that he is a defeated foe and that, although very powerful formidable enemy, he is no match for You, Lord!
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4) Hallelujah! Praise be to my Lord and King; ruler over all that is, sustainer and lover of my soul, encourager and protector of my heart, provider, and the everlasting God!
AMEN AND AMEN
Lord, You are: holy, righteous, just, loving, patient, gracious, mercy, almighty, all knowing, unchangeable, and truth. We are none of those things. Some we can become because of the precious gracious gift of salvation. You tell us to be as holy, perfect (mature), loving, patient, gracious, merciful, longsuffering, just, truthful and steadfast as You are. Since we struggle so much within ourselves with bitter envy and selfish ambition it makes perfect sense, (since in our own strength we cannot be any of these things You want us to be) to submit ourselves to God.
We say we don’t want the devil to rule over us but we do not first submit ourselves to God. We underestimate the enemy and think we can stand against him in our own strength. How foolish and arrogant we are! Lord, we need YOUR almighty strength, power, and wisdom as our weapons for without them we are undone. Our foolishness is like us trying to go up against a mighty army, equipped with planes, tanks, missiles, and even an atomic bomb, with a hula-hoop and a water pistol! RIDICULOUS! (Unless of course You are planning on doing something miraculous like you did with Gideon.)
In our “self” state the word “submit” grates against our pride and arrogance. We perceive it to be like being an unwilling slave, captive, or prisoner who must grovel, bow, and do whatever is commanded. That’s why wives resist Your command to be submissive to their husbands. However; if we willingly ditch our “self”, pride, and arrogance out of love for our Master, it becomes a totally different story altogether.
Why would we not want to submit to God who means us no harm, who loves us unconditionally, wants the best for us, who is never cruel, unjust, unloving, evil, untruthful, or mean, and is always gracious and merciful? Unlike being in forced bondage like we are to sin, we now are free to become willing bond slaves. Only then can we resist the devil and he must flee from us. We must remember that he is a defeated foe and that, although very powerful formidable enemy, he is no match for You, Lord!
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4) Hallelujah! Praise be to my Lord and King; ruler over all that is, sustainer and lover of my soul, encourager and protector of my heart, provider, and the everlasting God!
AMEN AND AMEN
Submit to God Resist the Devil
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Lord, You are: holy, righteous, just, loving, patient, gracious, mercy, almighty, all knowing, unchangeable, and truth. We are none of those things. Some we can become because of the precious gracious gift of salvation. You tell us to be as holy, perfect (mature), loving, patient, gracious, merciful, longsuffering, just, truthful and steadfast as You are. Since we struggle so much within ourselves with bitter envy and selfish ambition it makes perfect sense, (since in our own strength we cannot be any of these things You want us to be) to submit ourselves to God.
We say we don’t want the devil to rule over us but we do not first submit ourselves to God. We underestimate the enemy and think we can stand against him in our own strength. How foolish and arrogant we are! Lord, we need YOUR almighty strength, power, and wisdom as our weapons for without them we are undone. Our foolishness is like us trying to go up against a mighty army, equipped with planes, tanks, missiles, and even an atomic bomb, with a hula-hoop and a water pistol! RIDICULOUS! (Unless of course You are planning on doing something miraculous like you did with Gideon.)
In our “self” state the word “submit” grates against our pride and arrogance. We perceive it to be like being an unwilling slave, captive, or prisoner who must grovel, bow, and do whatever is commanded. That’s why wives resist Your command to be submissive to their husbands. However; if we willingly ditch our “self”, pride, and arrogance out of love for our Master, it becomes a totally different story altogether.
Why would we not want to submit to God who means us no harm, who loves us unconditionally, wants the best for us, who is never cruel, unjust, unloving, evil, untruthful, or mean, and is always gracious and merciful? Unlike being in forced bondage like we are to sin, we now are free to become willing bond slaves. Only then can we resist the devil and he must flee from us. We must remember that he is a defeated foe and that, although very powerful formidable enemy, he is no match for You, Lord!
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4) Hallelujah! Praise be to my Lord and King; ruler over all that is, sustainer and lover of my soul, encourager and protector of my heart, provider, and the everlasting God!
AMEN AND AMEN
Lord, You are: holy, righteous, just, loving, patient, gracious, mercy, almighty, all knowing, unchangeable, and truth. We are none of those things. Some we can become because of the precious gracious gift of salvation. You tell us to be as holy, perfect (mature), loving, patient, gracious, merciful, longsuffering, just, truthful and steadfast as You are. Since we struggle so much within ourselves with bitter envy and selfish ambition it makes perfect sense, (since in our own strength we cannot be any of these things You want us to be) to submit ourselves to God.
We say we don’t want the devil to rule over us but we do not first submit ourselves to God. We underestimate the enemy and think we can stand against him in our own strength. How foolish and arrogant we are! Lord, we need YOUR almighty strength, power, and wisdom as our weapons for without them we are undone. Our foolishness is like us trying to go up against a mighty army, equipped with planes, tanks, missiles, and even an atomic bomb, with a hula-hoop and a water pistol! RIDICULOUS! (Unless of course You are planning on doing something miraculous like you did with Gideon.)
In our “self” state the word “submit” grates against our pride and arrogance. We perceive it to be like being an unwilling slave, captive, or prisoner who must grovel, bow, and do whatever is commanded. That’s why wives resist Your command to be submissive to their husbands. However; if we willingly ditch our “self”, pride, and arrogance out of love for our Master, it becomes a totally different story altogether.
Why would we not want to submit to God who means us no harm, who loves us unconditionally, wants the best for us, who is never cruel, unjust, unloving, evil, untruthful, or mean, and is always gracious and merciful? Unlike being in forced bondage like we are to sin, we now are free to become willing bond slaves. Only then can we resist the devil and he must flee from us. We must remember that he is a defeated foe and that, although very powerful formidable enemy, he is no match for You, Lord!
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4) Hallelujah! Praise be to my Lord and King; ruler over all that is, sustainer and lover of my soul, encourager and protector of my heart, provider, and the everlasting God!
AMEN AND AMEN
Friday, April 15, 2011
Pride Opposition or Grace
James 4:6b “That is why the Scripture says “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
O Lord, this verse has come to mind so many times. When I start getting an “I” infection and You humble me it is because You want to give me grace but “I” get in the way.
How many times, Lord, have I had students come to me who are really struggling either in classes because they have a learning disability and in pride would not tell anyone, or socially because someone did not meet their expectations and they have been hurt? Lord, there is so much help available to them. Once they humble themselves to ask for it, they bloom and grow.
Lord, how many times has my prideful expectation of either places, people, or events not been met (in grace) to bring me back to having my expectation in You and You alone? How much bitterness still grows within me from time to time because I will not humble myself and turn back to having my expectations in You and You alone? At times I still have an “I” problem that tells me that I do not deserve to be treated the way I have been or that I deserve better in some way. Praise to You, precious Lord, that You do NOT treat me the way I deserve, but with Your grace instead!
One of my very wise pastors once said, “You can humble yourself, or be humiliated…it is your choice.” Lord, I want to be humble in all I do, say, and feel. Give me grace to accomplish that. Humble me as You need to.
O Lord, this verse has come to mind so many times. When I start getting an “I” infection and You humble me it is because You want to give me grace but “I” get in the way.
How many times, Lord, have I had students come to me who are really struggling either in classes because they have a learning disability and in pride would not tell anyone, or socially because someone did not meet their expectations and they have been hurt? Lord, there is so much help available to them. Once they humble themselves to ask for it, they bloom and grow.
Lord, how many times has my prideful expectation of either places, people, or events not been met (in grace) to bring me back to having my expectation in You and You alone? How much bitterness still grows within me from time to time because I will not humble myself and turn back to having my expectations in You and You alone? At times I still have an “I” problem that tells me that I do not deserve to be treated the way I have been or that I deserve better in some way. Praise to You, precious Lord, that You do NOT treat me the way I deserve, but with Your grace instead!
One of my very wise pastors once said, “You can humble yourself, or be humiliated…it is your choice.” Lord, I want to be humble in all I do, say, and feel. Give me grace to accomplish that. Humble me as You need to.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Spirit of Envy and More Grace
James 4:5-6a “Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit He caused to live in us tends toward envy, but He gives more grace?”
The note at the bottom of the page in the NIV also says, “Or, God jealously longs for the spirit that He made to live in us.”
Lord, You placed within Adam and Eve a spirit that was made to love and trust You. Since they fell due to the envy Satan, the original envier, brought out of Eve, we all now have a spirit that tends toward envy. When “self” is on the throne of my life I do not trust You to give me what is right for me. This causes me to look at what others have and desire more, or different, things for ME. When I allow You to be on the throne and look to You for my needs, I am happy, content, and fulfilled. Oh, Lord, I want You to remain on the throne!
Lord, I cannot thank You enough for Your grace in my life. Without it I would have, and would be, undone. Why You give grace is still a mystery to me. But that is what makes You God not me. Your unconditional love for me is humbling and very welcome. Lord, help me to be gracious with those around me. Thank You for the grace You gave me to extend to the young man who almost ran over me in the parking lot yesterday. He almost sent me to glory, but You were not willing yet. You gave me grace and kindness to give to him (instead of anger and bitterness), that I didn’t know I would have in such a situation and I thank You for that.
The note at the bottom of the page in the NIV also says, “Or, God jealously longs for the spirit that He made to live in us.”
Lord, You placed within Adam and Eve a spirit that was made to love and trust You. Since they fell due to the envy Satan, the original envier, brought out of Eve, we all now have a spirit that tends toward envy. When “self” is on the throne of my life I do not trust You to give me what is right for me. This causes me to look at what others have and desire more, or different, things for ME. When I allow You to be on the throne and look to You for my needs, I am happy, content, and fulfilled. Oh, Lord, I want You to remain on the throne!
Lord, I cannot thank You enough for Your grace in my life. Without it I would have, and would be, undone. Why You give grace is still a mystery to me. But that is what makes You God not me. Your unconditional love for me is humbling and very welcome. Lord, help me to be gracious with those around me. Thank You for the grace You gave me to extend to the young man who almost ran over me in the parking lot yesterday. He almost sent me to glory, but You were not willing yet. You gave me grace and kindness to give to him (instead of anger and bitterness), that I didn’t know I would have in such a situation and I thank You for that.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Adulterous Bride
James 4:4 "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend to the world becomes an enemy of God."
Lord, in reading through the Old Testament I see over and over again that Israel went through cycles of being very close to You and walked with You and then slowly were infiltrated and drawn away but the world. In love you disciplined then, sent prophets to warn them to bring them back to You, and when they didn't return You had to send disaster until they finally cried out to You. Then still in love and mercy, you would send a deliverer.
Evidently Your church...Your Bride… is no different. Oh, we are a sinful and stiff-necked people! In our past Satan has lured some away to liberalism, some to legalism, and some to go back to the world that You saved them. I believe in each case, we have lost sight of who You really are so we lost our love for, and healthy fear for, You. You are so long suffering and patient with us.
The world does not storm the gates of the church. It sneaks in like so many tiny snakes into cracks in the foundation of a large building. Then they breed and before we know it our building is horribly infested and we have to call an exterminator...a revivalist who is not afraid to tell us the truth. James was your tool in this instance; Life Action Ministries was your tool at our church awhile ago. As I said before, we are seeing more world in the church than church in the world.
We see it too in the movies and programs we watch on TV, the video games we play, the digital distractions that abound, and in the provocative way that we (even female children) dress. We hear it in the conversations we have with other believers.
O Lord, help us all to see that this is hatred toward God and that we are to be IN, not apart from, the world. Your Bride should not be Your enemy, Lord. Purge Your church of the World and help us all to be a Bride pure and holy as unto You.
Lord, in reading through the Old Testament I see over and over again that Israel went through cycles of being very close to You and walked with You and then slowly were infiltrated and drawn away but the world. In love you disciplined then, sent prophets to warn them to bring them back to You, and when they didn't return You had to send disaster until they finally cried out to You. Then still in love and mercy, you would send a deliverer.
Evidently Your church...Your Bride… is no different. Oh, we are a sinful and stiff-necked people! In our past Satan has lured some away to liberalism, some to legalism, and some to go back to the world that You saved them. I believe in each case, we have lost sight of who You really are so we lost our love for, and healthy fear for, You. You are so long suffering and patient with us.
The world does not storm the gates of the church. It sneaks in like so many tiny snakes into cracks in the foundation of a large building. Then they breed and before we know it our building is horribly infested and we have to call an exterminator...a revivalist who is not afraid to tell us the truth. James was your tool in this instance; Life Action Ministries was your tool at our church awhile ago. As I said before, we are seeing more world in the church than church in the world.
We see it too in the movies and programs we watch on TV, the video games we play, the digital distractions that abound, and in the provocative way that we (even female children) dress. We hear it in the conversations we have with other believers.
O Lord, help us all to see that this is hatred toward God and that we are to be IN, not apart from, the world. Your Bride should not be Your enemy, Lord. Purge Your church of the World and help us all to be a Bride pure and holy as unto You.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Asking Aright or Asking Amiss
James 4: 2-3 “You want something but you don’t get it. You kill and covet (either literally or use character assassination), but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
O Lord, these verses are so easy to understand. Immediately I thought of David and Bathsheba, Samson and Delilah, and Ahaz and Jezebel. Each wanted something they did not have and killed to get it. Each one paid dearly for their sin too!
The corporate world is like that with their “dog eat dog” attitude. They destroy or mow over others to promote themselves so they can grab what they can from this world to spend what they get on themselves. Some politicians are like that, but they disguise it behind a false curtain of wanting the best for the country or community.
My greatest concern is for Your church. One might expect that behavior from the unsaved world, but it does not belong in the church. Some televangelists fleeced Your flock for the sole purpose of lining their own pockets or to obtain fame, and tried to defame others to make their own “light” shine brighter. They fell into the sins of selfishness and pride just like Satan and some have had to pay dearly. However; Your sweet name was tarnished in the process. We don’t have because we don’t ask or because our motives are selfish and sinful. Lord we are a sinful people!
Lord, I thank You for Your humble shepherds and sheep who live in humble means to promote others and most of all promote YOU to advance Your kingdom. Help me to always follow Your example in Gethsemane, “Father not my will but Yours be done.”
Monday, April 11, 2011
Fighting with Ourselves
James 4:1 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle with you?”
Lord, my mom always said, “There can’t be a fight unless at least one person is being selfish.” My mom was a wise lady. In our flesh we are all selfish. Newborn babies are selfish and are the center of their own world. If you work in a daycare center, pre-school, or toddler nursery for about 10 minutes, you will learn that we all need to be taught to be unselfish.
Part of what makes (made) America great is that its people individually, and as a whole, held to the Biblical principle that we are to be concerned for others as well of for ourselves. We fought in WWI and WWII not only to preserve our freedom, but to liberate others from tyranny. The Korean War was fought for the freedom of the South Korean. The war in Iraq started when we stepped in to help rid the tiny country of Kuwait, and then Iraq itself, of an evil dictator and the Taliban. Agreed, we were also fighting to protect our country from terrorism, but never have we fought to increase our borders or conquer another people for our own growth and enhancement. Lord that happens here only because of the foundation on which our country was built: Your heart, Your Word, and Your Ways. Unfortunately, that foundation is beginning to crumble.
Fighting within the church, within our families, within the world, all around the world happen daily! O Lord, deliver us from ourselves!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Peacemakers and Harvests of Righteousness
James 3:18 “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Lord, bitter envy and selfish ambition are the direct opposites of being a peacemaker. Peacemakers are generally selfless people who want their relationship with others, or others relationships with others, restored. There’s a lot of “others” in that sentence, but “others” is what we all need to be about…not ourselves. Personally I have found that peacemakers are not always welcome though, Lord. I heard it said by one beleaguered peacemaker, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall get their lights punched out!” He said it in jest of course, but sometimes that is how it goes. You, the ultimate peacemaker, certainly were not welcome and look what we did to You! But Your harvest of righteousness has been amazing!
Many churches have split even after their peacemakers have earnestly tried to stop the conflict. I understand that if part of the body will not yield to the truth of Your Word and feel the need to leave, they should. However; I have seen a church split over the color of the carpet or the size of a bathroom! I’m sure Satan laughed and shouts with glee over those! Some differences, thanks to You, have been solved and the result has been phenomenal! (SBC)
In families, rifts are common because we spend so much time together and everyone has their own opinion. Especially if family members are not saved or are not walking with You. Peacemakers are the ones who are relying on Your wisdom, selfless, the most loving of the group, realizing that folks can agree to disagree and still love and live with one another.
This verse does not say that peacemakers reap a harvest of righteous for themselves, but they raise a harvest if it inferring that the benefit is for many. Lord, make me a peacemaker!
Addendum to yesterday's post
"By listening to the advice (even given by well meaning Christians) to "Assert yourself," "Go for it,""Set high goals," we can be drawn into greed and destructive competitiveness."
"Seeking God's wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves with others and desiring what they have."
(Life Application Bible note)
"Seeking God's wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves with others and desiring what they have."
(Life Application Bible note)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Heavenly Wisdom vs Human Earthly Wisdom
James 3:17 “But the wisdom from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.”
Well, Lord, our conversation today will be a long one. There is a lot here and I want to glean all I can from it, so please Holy Spirit, guide me into all truth today.
Wisdom from heaven is first of all pure. That would mean that all of the others listed cannot occur without purity, right? Without a pure heart we are selfish and selfishness causes all of the other opposites. If we pursue selfish ambition we will be: impure, stir up strife and division when possible, inconsiderate, and unsubmissive, without mercy (judgmental and totally intolerant), produce rotten fruit, show favoritism, and be insincere. Wow! If we read the paper or listen to the news for any length of time, it will not be hard to see the conditions of most hearts.
Lord, sadly I cannot say that since You saved me, I have never been any of the impure things but have always, every day had a pure heart. Lord, please forgive me! That is what I desire…a pure selfless heart, wholly dedicated to, and ruled by, You!
I am a peace loving person. I really hate conflict of any kind. I think most of Your children love peace for themselves. Unfortunately, we don’t always see how what we say or what we do to others causes them turmoil and conflict. There are times when we can ask someone a question and it sets off conflict with others. Our motives and heart can be pure, but theirs may not be. There are those however, who get great joy from stirring up strife among others…even in the church. This is one in the list of things in Proverbs 6:16-19 that You hate:
· Haughty eyes- pride, not a pure heart
· A lying tongue- insincerity, selfishness, hypocrisy
· Hands that shed innocent blood- abortionists, ethic cleansing, drunk drivers- certainly not pure, peaceable or unselfish mercy
· A heart that devises wicked plans- those who seek revenge, schemers- no pure heart here
· Feet that run rapidly after evil- all manner of crimes against humanity- certainly selfish and impure
· False witness who utters lies- Lord You experienced that while You were here…and from the religious leaders!
Considerate
Lord there is no way selfish ambition and consideration for others goes together, unless the consideration shown to others is false to gain an advantage for oneself. You chided the religious leaders of Your day as being whitewashed tombs full of dead man’s bones (Matthew 23:27).
Submissive
Lord, I am to be submissive to You, to my husband, to the church Pastors and teachers, to the government, and to my employer in that order. Lord, here I must confess that I have not always been submissive to any and all of these. In some cases I provided lip service but my heart was unsubmissive for selfish reasons, Lord, forgive me!
Full of Mercy and Good Fruit
Selfish ambition and bitter envy can neither be merciful, nor can produce good fruit. As a piece of fruit with just a tiny spot of rot rots quickly, so the “good” deeds done with false motives from an impure heart becomes unveiled for what they really are. Unmerciful attitudes are very quick to spot. Those people want mercy for themselves, but are not willing to give mercy to others. You told a parable about that in the story of the wicked servant who was forgiven an unfathomable debt by a king, and then sent another servant to jail because he owed a tiny debt to him.
Impartial
Lord, selfish impure hearts are not, nor can they ever be, impartial. They seek after, and show favoritism to, those who can advance either their career, social standing, or agendas. They use people instead of promoting and encouraging others.
Sincere
Lord, the word hypocrite comes to mind. In Matthew 23 You expose the religious leaders for what they really were…insincere.
Lord, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my (selfish) anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24
Friday, April 8, 2011
On Suffering
I wrote this poem YEARS ago, but it fits for today too:
On Suffering
We walked along the road today,
My blessed Lord and I,
And spoke of many things of life
As the time went by
I asked him, “Why the suffering?”
He answered, “Don’t you know?
Without the suffering, my child,
My people just don’t grow!
They’d rather choose a way of ease,”
He continued on again,
“And grow flabby and content
With the world and all its sin.
But I know differently, my child,
To keep you fit and stable,
I have to let you have some pain
To show you that I’m able
To care for you and give you strength
To get you through each care,
To show you I control things,
To show you that I’m there.
That’s why there’s so much suffering
My child,” he said to me,
“I want my little ones to know
How much they mean to me.”
Envy and Selfish Ambition is Killing Our Nation
James 3:16 “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
I know that You control history Lord, and You have not promised that we as Christians, will not suffer. You have promised to provide food and clothing and Your loving presence-nothing more. That is all You had here. You also said that the world would hate us because it hated You first.
It does not surprise me, Lord, that Your children are going to start being persecuted in this country because those in Your “church” have compromised with the world and there is more world in the church than church in the world. Many have become apostate, believing a social gospel or have followed false teachers. There are more copies of Your Word now than ever before and more are available on the internet all over the world…and yet…Oh Lord, how we need revival! If persecution will bring it, then Dear Lord, bring it.
Envy and selfish ambition is killing our nation that was once founded on principles from Your Word. You say that ALL are created in Your image and that murder and immorality is wrong, especially fornication and adultery because those are sins of our own body. Now good is being called evil and evil good, just as You said it would in the last days.
Lord, as You already know, this week we who refuse to have the money we have to give to the Federal government in taxes be given to Planned Parenthood, the largest proponent of abortion and provider of “safe sex” birth control to teen and those who are unwed, are being called right wing extremists.
Today, our legislators and president that we, as a people, elected to rule over us cannot agree on a federal budget causing our whole government to shut down. Because of it, our military and all other government workers will not get paid, and government funded parks and offices that serve the public until the budget is passed. The stalemate is Planned Parenthood and selfish ambition.I know that You control history Lord, and You have not promised that we as Christians, will not suffer. You have promised to provide food and clothing and Your loving presence-nothing more. That is all You had here. You also said that the world would hate us because it hated You first.
It does not surprise me, Lord, that Your children are going to start being persecuted in this country because those in Your “church” have compromised with the world and there is more world in the church than church in the world. Many have become apostate, believing a social gospel or have followed false teachers. There are more copies of Your Word now than ever before and more are available on the internet all over the world…and yet…Oh Lord, how we need revival! If persecution will bring it, then Dear Lord, bring it.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Bitter Envy and Selfish Ambition are from the Devil
James 3:14-15 "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from Heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil."
Lord, I can hear it already. “Whoa, now! Are you kidding me? Isn’t that a bit harsh? Are you actually telling me that I have a strong to have what others have and I just strive to have the best for myself that I am from the Devil? Really?!
When You, through James, hit a nerve…You hit a NERVE! I love that about You, Lord! You do not “pull punches” but tell us the truth because You know that it the best for us. This world tells us to, “Grab all we can because this is all there is. Look out for #1 because no one else will. Take all you can because no one else will give it to you, and just so you know…you really do deserve it anyway so use that excuse to soothe your conscience.”
You know that these two things are a veracious cancer that will destroy us, and do it quickly. We Christians are to be:
Content with what You have provided
Unselfish
Loving
Self-sacrificing
Humble
God Centered
If we ARE, not just DO those things we will not do the evil works of the devil. Those who harbor bitter envy are usually either proud of it and broadcast it afar or in false humility try to hide it by saying they are not really like that. Since James is speaking to the brothers here, I am sure there were some like that in the Hebrew family that needed to be “called out” about these sins.
Lord, again, You are our example. All You owned was the robe on Your back. You neither owed, nor wanted, Your own home, flocks, business, or riches while You were here. Your “home” was in Heaven, You already owned all there is, and You didn’t have to prove your greatness by having “things”. You did accept food and lodging from Your flock, but gave back So much more! Where in all of that do we see bitter envy and selfish ambition?
The Devil is all of those things and more. That’s why he fell in the first place.
Lord, I can hear it already. “Whoa, now! Are you kidding me? Isn’t that a bit harsh? Are you actually telling me that I have a strong to have what others have and I just strive to have the best for myself that I am from the Devil? Really?!
When You, through James, hit a nerve…You hit a NERVE! I love that about You, Lord! You do not “pull punches” but tell us the truth because You know that it the best for us. This world tells us to, “Grab all we can because this is all there is. Look out for #1 because no one else will. Take all you can because no one else will give it to you, and just so you know…you really do deserve it anyway so use that excuse to soothe your conscience.”
You know that these two things are a veracious cancer that will destroy us, and do it quickly. We Christians are to be:
Content with what You have provided
Unselfish
Loving
Self-sacrificing
Humble
God Centered
If we ARE, not just DO those things we will not do the evil works of the devil. Those who harbor bitter envy are usually either proud of it and broadcast it afar or in false humility try to hide it by saying they are not really like that. Since James is speaking to the brothers here, I am sure there were some like that in the Hebrew family that needed to be “called out” about these sins.
Lord, again, You are our example. All You owned was the robe on Your back. You neither owed, nor wanted, Your own home, flocks, business, or riches while You were here. Your “home” was in Heaven, You already owned all there is, and You didn’t have to prove your greatness by having “things”. You did accept food and lodging from Your flock, but gave back So much more! Where in all of that do we see bitter envy and selfish ambition?
The Devil is all of those things and more. That’s why he fell in the first place.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
True Wisdom Will Show in Our Life and Deeds
James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom,”
Wise: to be enlightened; sagacious; learned
Sagacious: quick of thought; acute; shrewd; discerning
Understand: to comprehend; to grasp the significance of
Lord, sometimes I need to go back and look up the words we use to see what they actually mean. It’s funny that when I looked up the word wise in Webster’s Bible dictionary, they gave no definition. All that was there were references to passages of scripture or extra Biblical books (wise men, Wisdom of Solomon Apocryphal book).
This proved to me again that the world knows nothing of Your wisdom. From what I have been able to learn from You and Your Word, wisdom is looking at all of live through the lens of scripture; being able to assess life through Your eyes. Wise: to not lean on one’s own understanding, but God’s.
When You say, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” You are not saying, “Who is the most intelligent?” or “Who has the most degrees?” What You are saying is, “Who walks with me in integrity and in intimacy with Me on a daily moment to moment basis?” or “Who among you has traded his earthly ways and understanding for mine?”
If we have wisdom, it should show in what we do and say. It should show in how we treat others, how we deal with trials in our own lives, how we respond to conflict, how we nurture our loved ones, and how we act in the workplace. Our actions and reactions should stem from a humble heart, crucified to sin and mad e new by Your act of salvation and sanctification.
If our thinking is worldly, we will tend to flaunt our knowledge (wise acre) and become arrogant and prideful spewing wise ”cracks” instead of WISDOM! Lord, You are our example and You are neither of those things. If we allow the Holy Spirit to reign within us and get ourselves off the throne of our lives, we will live a good life and do our acts with humility just as You did.
Lord, help us all!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
James 1:15 Temptation Birth Control
James 1:15 “Then, after (our own evil) desire (lust) has conceived, it gives birth to sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
My dear Lord, You know there have been lots of times in my life when I have been tempted and have succumbed to that temptation. Much of the temptation I face is in the area of eating more than I should or things I should not. I usually have a conversation with myself about it much like how they show in the media sometimes; the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other.
If I immediately remove the item of temptation from my reach and sight, or remove myself from the source of the temptation right away, I can resist. However; if, for example, there is chocolate candy on my desk or baked goods in plain sight in the kitchen at home and I do not either give away, or throw away, the candy or hide the baked goods from plain sight and get out of the kitchen and get busy doing something else; I am in danger of succumbing to the temptation… “lust” will conceive.
I know this may seem like a silly example, but the principle is the same. If the lust for things were my weakness, having cash in my wallet, or carrying my credit card would be as dangerous as leaving the candy bar on my desk. I would probably buy things I didn’t need (and have done this by buying candy at the dollar store) because I would not have to be accountable for showing the receipt to Dick so he could put it in the checkbook.
What I am saying here, Lord, is that temptation can be resisted and I have absolutely NO excuse for succumbing to it. You showed us while You were here that it can be resisted by using Your Word. For us Christians, You have provided us with the Holy Spirit to urge us to resist and guide us to turn away if we will allow Him. If we would only turn away immediately…(change our location, walk away from, or never go, to the dessert table, or remove the source of the temptation, temptation would never be conceived. If we would turn to You and Your Word and obey You, You will provide “Temptation Birth Control!
James 1:26 Who am I in the Mirror
February 26 , 2011
James 1:23 “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at himself in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.,” NIV or “what manner of man he is.” KJV.
Lord, I believe You are saying here that I can read Your word, go to church and Sunday School, hear and read wonderful and helpful teaching, and even agree with You in the emotion of the moment and the setting and regretfully leave and return to what I was like before and never change at all.
Lord, I may even make excuses and to why I did not implement what You commanded and excuse my sinful behavior because of forgetfulness. What I am really guilty of is rebellion.
Oh sweet Lord, save me from myself! Let me never forget what Your holiness looks like. Help me to love others as You do regardless of who they are, what they say, and what they do. Help me to remember to pray for those in authority, those who are blinded by the Evil One, and for those carnal Christians who have “forgotten what manner of man he is.”
James 1:20-21 Rid Ourselves of Anger and Every Moral Filth
James 1:20 “For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
Oh, my Lord! There is no better example of that than what is going on in the Middle East and in this country right now. One man’s actions in Egypt has started a revolution in the Arab countries if Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and now Libya all within the last month! In Wisconsin, labor leaders have camped out in the capital building demanding that money, that the state just does not have, not be taken away from their pet projects.
I know anger never solved anything in our home growing up, nor in our home while we were raising our children or now.
Lord, you desire us to live at peace with all men as much as it depends on us. There is such a thing as righteous indignation, and we should be disturbed when the downtrodden, or anyone else for that matter, are treated with injustice. Unfortunately, we are all too quick to dismiss our fleshly anger by calling it that. When Christians kill abortionists, harass or even kill homosexuals, call their anger that…but it is not, and will not bring about the righteous life You desire and certainly does not follow the command to love your neighbor as yourself.
Help me, Lord, not to live an angry life!
James 1:21 “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.”
Lord, please give me Your wisdom today. I have to remember that when James wrote this, he was writing to the 12 tribes of Jewish first century believers who had run to escape the intense persecution they were experiencing at the hands of the Romans in Jerusalem and Judea. The Roman Empire was very corrupt and was morally wicked and evil. In the verse above You dealt with being angry. Therefore in this verse, You cannot mean that we are to purge the evil and moral filth that is around us, but IN us.
Christ calls us to live a life of moral purity and holiness.
This call is still relevant to us today. Things are not quite that bad yet here in the USA only because of the Christian principles under which our country is founded, but we are heading that way at a very fast pace! You say that in the end time, people “will call good evil and evil good”. That is certainly happening in our country today and mostly under the guise of the “Separation of Church and State”, as we watch the current administration lifting the “don’t ask don’t tell law from the military which will now allow gays to openly serve in our military and also openly and actively practice their sin without danger of prosecution. We allow gay preachers (false of course) in our churches and allow gay teachers to teach our impressionable children and it is lawful to kill babies, but pastors can soon be arrested for teaching Your Word that speaks that these things are an abomination and is “Hate Speech”.
The government taxes us and then gives our money to the Planned Parenthood abortionists and we pay for them to pass out condoms in our middle and high schools so our children and have “safe sex”. 11 and 12 years old children are having babies.
The administration just gave an order that the Defense of Marriage Act” which states that marriage is for one man and one woman, a law passed in our Congress in 1996, can no longer be defended in the courts of the USA, and Your 120 Commandments cannot be displayed in schools or Government public buildings, because it hey promote one religion over another.
Everyone else’s religion (all of the false ones) is protected but Christianity.
Within our churches and within “good Christian” families there are those that are so much in the world that they cannot be recognized as Christians anymore. I just was told yesterday of a married worship leader in a church in VA who was caught writing emails to young teenagers that were HIGHLY inappropriate.
Lord, it does take humility to accept Your Word, but it is able to save me!
Please keep me pure, humble, and loving to the sinners around me. You are the only solution to all of this debauchery and evil in our country and the world.
James 1:1-6 Trials, Perseverance, and Wisdom
These posts are all on the book of James. Unfortunately, they were not posted in order.
As I have gone through the book daily, I have written my "conversations" with the Lord. I pray it is a blessing to all who read further.
As I have gone through the book daily, I have written my "conversations" with the Lord. I pray it is a blessing to all who read further.
James 1:1a “James, the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Lord, this statement is not unlike the statements made by the other apostles in their letters. What makes this so different is that James is your half-brother!
What was it like growing up in your household? It must have hard been for James (in the flesh of course), to be in a family with a perfect oldest brother. Did your mom tell all of you over and over that You were the Messiah? If so, from other places in scripture, it does not appear that they believed her. Did James only believe after Your resurrection? Did your mom and stepdad treat you as the “favorite” in front of Your siblings? They would have had every right to since they knew who You were. These are things to ponder for sure, because when you were picked on, Your character as God demands that you be gracious and loving. How different it might have been if you were born as a middle child or the youngest…just musing here. I know why you were the first born.
For James to say here that he is a, “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” is truly humbling and amazing.
James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”
Lord, I know there is more to this thought, but You know how weird this statement sounds to those who are unbelievers, new Christians, carnal Christians, and those who are in the flesh (even temporarily)! Why in the world would we count it PURE JOY to be hit with trials? After all, our culture in the USA is all about ease and comfort! When trials and difficulties come, it’s time to whine and complain and feel sorry for ourselves and to get others to feel sorry for us too. And besides, You are saying “whenever”. That means we will …not might or if . Yes, Your Word can be, “foolishness” to those who are unbelievers, and just plain confusing to believers if we stop there.
The truth is, there’s not one of us on this fallen planet who has not had a trial…even You! Babies when they have a full diaper or are hungry think they have a major trial. Children when they have to learn obedience and to share consider that a huge trial. Adolescents in their years of turbulent relationships, ups and downs, and finding their place in the world…WOW, yeah, those are trials to them and to those around them big time! But they do not compare with adulthood and all of its responsibilities, or folks dealing with terminal illnesses, crime, fallen finances, and eviction from their homes, and war. No wonder You say in Your word, “Man’s days are short and full of trouble.”
Without the rest of the book James, one might easily fall into deep despair! Thank You, Lord that you do not leave us there. You are a great and very loving God!
James 1:3 “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Lord, You may know folks who love to take tests, but I do not know of even one. I certainly do not relish them because. I guess it is because there is the fear that I’ll be found lacking and that definitely injures my pride. Then I realize how prideful I still am and have to confess that too. So is testing for my ultimate good? Yes indeed…but I still don’t look forward to it, and I should, so please help me Lord to embrace it.
Lord, do really need perseverance? Absolutely I do, and I know that in my head. Do I want to go through testing to get it? No, I don’t, in my flesh. I want that life of ease and comfort we talked about already, no tests, no trials, only blessings. How blind, selfish, and ignorant I am in the flesh, and how arrogant to think that somehow my life should not include the things You had to endure while You were here on my behalf. To date, no one has threatened to beat or kill me, and my beloved church has not turned against me or failed to recognize who I am. For the most part, if I do something nice for folks they appreciate it; they do not threaten to stone me! So why would I complain about a little testing?
In my life and in the lives of the students an parents you send me at work, I have seen you work wonders and answer prayer upon prayer in trails.
Some examples are:
When my son had his kidneys out in 1979 to prepare him for the transplant, the doctors told me that if I didn’t get him to take deep breaths the pneumonia he had would kill him. In despair and tears You led me to the hospital gift shop to find a book of Christmas carols. I sang carols to him, but You used, especially “Silent Night”, by getting him to sing, to start him back on the road to health. Thank You, Lord.
Then when we were about to do the first transplant, You re-established our compatibility on the night before the surgery. As the weeks progressed, the kidney was dying and my son became deathly ill. My husband came home to take me too the hospital the next day to basically say good-by. That night I prayed that if this was a test to see if I trusted You not only for my salvation, but also with the life of my son, I did trust You. As we were coming up in the elevator the next morning, I heard our son singing quite loudly, “Jesus loves me this I know!” Somehow during the night, You, Lord began an amazing healing process that would make even the doctors believe in You! Thank You, Lord
You allowed an act that I thought was an ultimate kindness given to a dear friend to be a horrible offence to her. It broke out relationship even though I sought forgiveness with tears. You taught me in this, that I can only be responsible for my own actions, not for the repentance of others. You also toughened my hide some, too. Thank You, Lord.
We went through a period when my husband was under the influence of prescription drugs addiction because the doctors who had operated on him were trying to cover a mistake they had made in a surgery with medication, and You brought him out of that too. Thank You, Lord.
We’ve gone through layoffs, financial ruin, loss of possessions, many more surgeries and years of disability both for my son and husband, countless hours in the hospital and at the dialysis units in Rochester, NY and the list goes on and on…but EVERY time, YOU proved faithful!
Were the tests hard to go through at the time? Absolutely they were! Did You teach me patience and perseverance through each one? Absolutley! Thank You, Lord, for Your wisdom, loving grace, and mercy that You have not allowed me to stay in the “baby” state I was in as a new Christian. I am able to encourage others and to help build their faith because of my trials. Thank You, Lord, for testing my faith. Through it You have shown me Your love and faithfulness and You show me where I still need to trust and grow. As always, YOU know best.
James 1:4 “Perseverance must finish its work ”
Perseverance must (not should) finish its work. Lord this obviously is not a suggestion, but a command. Perseverance is not a trait that is common today, especially in the areas of our youth, marriage, or even jobs for that matter. When things get a little tough folks take their own lives or the lives of their unborn, divorce their mates leaving a broken family and children in the wake, and quit work or refuse to work and go on welfare.
The Enemy is screaming, “Give up! Life’s not worth this. This situation is unfixable and you are a fool to think that someone would want to, or could, help you! You are a loser and there is no hope for you, so you might as well end this pain and escape while you can!”
Lord, how different Your Word’s message is. While the Enemy sits back and laughs with hideous glee at our failures, Your Word speaks of hope! “…that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” What a different statement than the Enemy’s! What a blessing. Trials are not the curse we perceive them to be, but are much like the pain athletes must endure to become fit enough to excel at their sport. Help me again, Sweet Jesus, to embrace them not fight them.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Good morning, Lord! I see something this morning I’ve never seen before…at least I think I do. You are saying that if any of us lacks wisdom IN OUR TRIALS and TESTS, aren’t You? I’ve always read this verse as a whole separate principle. Of course we need wisdom to deal with the details of our trials, but we also need Your wisdom to be able to count them as pure joy!
Within ourselves and by ourselves, we do not have it. Lord, You are so precious and giving. You say here that all we need do is ask and You will give us Your wisdom generously. You don’t give little bits and pieces, but You pour it on us like an unending shower.
Because I am a mom of three boys, now men, this speaks volumes to me. When my children were growing up, especially in the second to twelfth grade years I suppose, they would find themselves in a trial. Some were small like being picked on during playground time or standing at the bus stop. Some were bigger like having to have a swallowed quarter extracted, or trying to decide whether to join the Navy or not, car wrecks and broken relationships with their girl friends. Some were huge like having multiple seizures after dialysis and having to be in the hospital for weeks to regain your health and personality, or having two more failed kidney transplant attempts.
Those times were hard and I had desperately wanted to give them wisdom You had given me. When they asked in their own way, I wanted to dump a truckload of it on them. You don’t pick on us or laugh at us for asking, nor would I have.
James 1:6a “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,”
When we ask for wisdom in our trials and tests, we “must believe and not doubt”. Lord, do You mean believe that You will give that wisdom or that we must believe that which You give is IS Your wisdom? I know that sounds vague, but that’s why I’m asking.
My thoughts are:
· If I don’t believe You have wisdom, why would I ask You for it?
· If I believed that You had wisdom, but would not give it, why would I ask You for it?
· If I am asking the God of all creation who sees me as His child and the jewel of His creation and I know He loves me, and You hold all things together with your WORD, for wisdom; why would I not believe what You gave me? You are all knowing after all.
Do You mean to trust Your wisdom like when You told Joshua and Your children to march around Jericho 7 times and then shout and the great and mighty walls would fall down? Or maybe when You told Gideon to go against the mighty Midiantite army of tens of thousands with 300 men with pitchers, trumpets, and torches and You would give them victory? In both circumstances, Your leaders and Your children were is desperate times, and You certainly gave them Your wisdom, but in human thinking Your plan seemed laughable. Yet in both cases You worked out Your plan, with Your Miracle, in Your power, and You got the glory!
I often have students, (Your children), in my office who find themselves in seemingly impossible circumstances in which neither the school, nor I personally, can help. I tell them if the school or I could help, we would get the glory; but instead You are up to something great and wonderful in their lives and if they ask for wisdom, You will give it. Then, when their situation is worked out perfectly, You alone will get the glory. You want and deserve all of the glory and we will freely give it to You!
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