Why is it we always feel we need to do something before we do anything?
What do I mean?
In general we feel we need to have a better education to know more, age and much life experience to have wisdom, material wealth to give, confidence to lead, a big heart to love, status to make a difference, and on and on... So before we feel we can teach, advise, give, lead, love, or any other noble thing, we have to do something. Perhaps we think it's a higher degree or job with better pay. Do we even use the excuse that it's just not our spiritual gift or who we are, so that it will take much time to develop?
Why? Now, I know that we can not be perfect. But if we are told by Scripture to behave in a certain way, or we sense a leading from the Spirit to accomplish some task, why do we think we have to go about it in a worldly manner? Ask God who gives to all who ask Him. Not for our own desires, but for the glory of God. Luke 11:1-13, James 1:5
It is your choice whether or not you have the faith to carry it through, not the ability. But God can, and will, give both.
Showing posts with label Bible-James 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-James 1. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Crowns
Yesterday I had to go to the dentist and get a crown. Well, actually, I was given a temporary one until the real one comes in. The worst part was all the drilling and even getting to the tooth; of course it was one of the ones in the very back. There's nothing quite like lying there with two sets of hands prying open your jaw while your head vibrates from drilling and at the same time having to breath in the burnt bone smell coming from your own mouth.
I don't like going to the dentist.
Later on as I reflected on the fact that I could actually will myself to be still and let strangers do that to me, a thought came to mind: Being a Christian who is living life fully for God is not easy either. Not only do we come up against resistance from the world, but we also have a God who loves us enough to discipline us (Hebrews 12:5-8). And what will we recieve for enduring this life as His servants?
The crown of life.
"Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
I only have my temporary right now in that area as well - His Promise - but one day I will meet my Savior face to face and He will give me my permanent one.
I don't like going to the dentist.
Later on as I reflected on the fact that I could actually will myself to be still and let strangers do that to me, a thought came to mind: Being a Christian who is living life fully for God is not easy either. Not only do we come up against resistance from the world, but we also have a God who loves us enough to discipline us (Hebrews 12:5-8). And what will we recieve for enduring this life as His servants?
The crown of life.
"Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
I only have my temporary right now in that area as well - His Promise - but one day I will meet my Savior face to face and He will give me my permanent one.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Translating
Yesterday morning the worship service at our church combined with the Hispanic congregation who usually meets after us. We were able to sing songs together in English and Spanish: Even the choir special switched between the two languages during the chorus. It was such a beautiful reminder that our God is the God of “...every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)
As my pastor, Mike, gave the sermon, the Hispanic pastor, Jorge, would translated. Because of this, Pastor Mike had to speak in short, or broken sentences in order to let Pastor Jorge interpret without getting too bogged down or lost. I have to say I was tickled by the fact that Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart, no matter the language and Paul is called Pablo. I just never pictured him as a Pablo.
As I sat there listening, it occurred to me that the sermon was more concise because of the need to listen and translate. Stopping to wait allowed Pastor Mike time to chose his next words more carefully instead of a thought being allowed to play out in full. It also gave Pastor Jorge time to figure out how best to translate a sentence. What a wonderful example of how we should speak to others! Not only do we need to take time to stop and think even as we are speaking, but we need to take time and hear what the Spirit has to say to us before we open our mouths to those around us.
Our tongue, or words, are difficult to control. Psalm 52:4 says, “You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” and in Proverbs 21:23, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The book of James gives us further insight on the wisdom of pausing to tame the tongue. James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.” and again in James 3:2, “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his body.” What amazing emphasis is placed on controlling our words: It will effect our whole body!
As we pause before speaking, we are to be listening to what the Spirit guides us to say for the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13) Christ also tells us over and over in the book of Revelation, “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Chapters 2 & 3)
I realize that we can not stop every few moments in our conversations with people to cock our heads skyward, listening for guidance from the Spirit. It is something we just have to pray for and be sensitive to while we are speaking. And the only way to accomplish that is by spending time in the Word daily and praying constantly! So take a few moments to pray for His guidance in your speech today. Ask Him to keep you sensitive to His promptings and for your tongue to get stuck to the roof of your mouth if your flesh starts taking over!
As my pastor, Mike, gave the sermon, the Hispanic pastor, Jorge, would translated. Because of this, Pastor Mike had to speak in short, or broken sentences in order to let Pastor Jorge interpret without getting too bogged down or lost. I have to say I was tickled by the fact that Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart, no matter the language and Paul is called Pablo. I just never pictured him as a Pablo.
As I sat there listening, it occurred to me that the sermon was more concise because of the need to listen and translate. Stopping to wait allowed Pastor Mike time to chose his next words more carefully instead of a thought being allowed to play out in full. It also gave Pastor Jorge time to figure out how best to translate a sentence. What a wonderful example of how we should speak to others! Not only do we need to take time to stop and think even as we are speaking, but we need to take time and hear what the Spirit has to say to us before we open our mouths to those around us.
Our tongue, or words, are difficult to control. Psalm 52:4 says, “You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” and in Proverbs 21:23, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The book of James gives us further insight on the wisdom of pausing to tame the tongue. James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.” and again in James 3:2, “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his body.” What amazing emphasis is placed on controlling our words: It will effect our whole body!
As we pause before speaking, we are to be listening to what the Spirit guides us to say for the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13) Christ also tells us over and over in the book of Revelation, “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Chapters 2 & 3)
I realize that we can not stop every few moments in our conversations with people to cock our heads skyward, listening for guidance from the Spirit. It is something we just have to pray for and be sensitive to while we are speaking. And the only way to accomplish that is by spending time in the Word daily and praying constantly! So take a few moments to pray for His guidance in your speech today. Ask Him to keep you sensitive to His promptings and for your tongue to get stuck to the roof of your mouth if your flesh starts taking over!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Blessed Are: You, When...
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
Honestly, this verse makes no sense what-so-ever to a non-believer. Perhaps even those who are weak in their faith believe that it's wrong to think this way, yet time and time again we are told to consider difficulties that come because of our belief as a blessing.
Read through the following verses and decide for yourself. Remember though, we are never instructed to comprehend why it's a blessing. We are just told to know that it is.
Matthew 13:20-21 The Parable of the Sower and the Seeds
“And the one sown on the rocky ground – this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but is short lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”
Romans 5:3-5
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in our affliction, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
2 Timothy 3:12
“In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
James 1:2-4
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
“You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Amen and amen to that! Though I don't understand exactly why, isn't the eternal worth it? I'll end with yet another Scripture I love to cling to:
“Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So that we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Matthew 5:11-12
Honestly, this verse makes no sense what-so-ever to a non-believer. Perhaps even those who are weak in their faith believe that it's wrong to think this way, yet time and time again we are told to consider difficulties that come because of our belief as a blessing.
Read through the following verses and decide for yourself. Remember though, we are never instructed to comprehend why it's a blessing. We are just told to know that it is.
Matthew 13:20-21 The Parable of the Sower and the Seeds
“And the one sown on the rocky ground – this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but is short lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”
Romans 5:3-5
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in our affliction, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
2 Timothy 3:12
“In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
James 1:2-4
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
“You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Amen and amen to that! Though I don't understand exactly why, isn't the eternal worth it? I'll end with yet another Scripture I love to cling to:
“Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So that we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
No Shadow
James 1:17 has been stuck in my head the last few days. Particularly the last portion of the verse. “Every generous act and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”
With Him, the Father of lights, there is no variation or shadow cast by turning... What an interesting thing to say. So, God is the essence of light and things that are right. And, if so, then no matter which way He turns or directs things, they are still perfect and right. They are in full light, and light exposes things. Let's take a look at this in a larger context...
James 1:16-18
“Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be firstfruits of His creation.”
I believe some of the heresies of their time were saying that God never meant for Jesus to be killed on the cross, but that He used it to His advantage. That's NOT the way God works. “By His own choice...” did He allow the death of His Son for His perfect plan. I wonder if the reason James said that there could never be any variation or shadow cast by turning, is because no matter in which light you try to turn the Gospel by, in order for it to fit what you want to believe, you can't find a shadow to support it. It is pure light, and that light will expose any impurities you are trying to place on it. There is no darkness in the plan of salvation. It may look dark at times to us. We can't understand how God could allow that to be done to His own Son, or why Jesus willingly endured what He did for us, but it is all pure. It was all right.
Have you ever looked at a very bright light for too long? Our eyes begin to develop a dark spot on it. We can't focus on pure light with our human eyes without seeing a shadow that really isn't there. That's the same way it is with God. His light does not have any darkness in it though we may see it that way at times. We must have faith in Him that He remains pure light. That's where the encouragement of others comes in. They may not have developed the same “dark” areas we have when looking at God and can help guide us through them. We are to strengthen and encourage one another. That means there are times when you need to be strengthened, so accept it. That also mean there are times when you need to be the one encouraging others. Don't shirk the responsibility. They need you.
Where are you today? Do you need to see past the spots in your eyes, or help others through theirs?
With Him, the Father of lights, there is no variation or shadow cast by turning... What an interesting thing to say. So, God is the essence of light and things that are right. And, if so, then no matter which way He turns or directs things, they are still perfect and right. They are in full light, and light exposes things. Let's take a look at this in a larger context...
James 1:16-18
“Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be firstfruits of His creation.”
I believe some of the heresies of their time were saying that God never meant for Jesus to be killed on the cross, but that He used it to His advantage. That's NOT the way God works. “By His own choice...” did He allow the death of His Son for His perfect plan. I wonder if the reason James said that there could never be any variation or shadow cast by turning, is because no matter in which light you try to turn the Gospel by, in order for it to fit what you want to believe, you can't find a shadow to support it. It is pure light, and that light will expose any impurities you are trying to place on it. There is no darkness in the plan of salvation. It may look dark at times to us. We can't understand how God could allow that to be done to His own Son, or why Jesus willingly endured what He did for us, but it is all pure. It was all right.
Have you ever looked at a very bright light for too long? Our eyes begin to develop a dark spot on it. We can't focus on pure light with our human eyes without seeing a shadow that really isn't there. That's the same way it is with God. His light does not have any darkness in it though we may see it that way at times. We must have faith in Him that He remains pure light. That's where the encouragement of others comes in. They may not have developed the same “dark” areas we have when looking at God and can help guide us through them. We are to strengthen and encourage one another. That means there are times when you need to be strengthened, so accept it. That also mean there are times when you need to be the one encouraging others. Don't shirk the responsibility. They need you.
Where are you today? Do you need to see past the spots in your eyes, or help others through theirs?
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