JAMES 1:22
"Do not just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourself."
When you are told to do something by someone in authority, do you do it? As a pupil when a teacher tells you to implement a concept or idea, do you do it? When your parents tell you something to protect you from harm, do you listen to them? If you fail to obey and do not listen to wise counsel, then you are living an illusion. Just as your reflection in a mirror is an illusion, your failure to listen to God's counsel and Word is just fooling yourself. Unless we implement the Word of God it will be of no value!
God does not want us to just hear His Word. We must put His word into action. If we do not do as the Lord requests then we are fooling others and ourselves, but not God. We must not be just hearer's of the Word, but we must be doer's also. When we refuse to listen we are only punishing ourselves. Bad choices, such as not listening, lead to bad results and we and we alone are responsible for the consequences.
We must be who we say we are. We can not fake it. If you are a fraud, you are also foolish. If you say you are a child of God, then you must be obedient and listen to His Words. After you listen and learn, you must implement and put into action what you have been taught. If you do not obey you are deceiving yourself and the one who taught you. God as our heavenly parent loves us and only wants the best for us. We can trust Him and what He teaches us. Our part is to LISTEN AND THEN OBEY GOD!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
QUICK TO LISTEN
JAMES 1:19-20
"You must be QUICK TO LISTEN, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."
Are you a ready listener, always interested in learning and what others have to say? Do you take offense at people and what they say easily? Do you try to dominate any conversation you are engaged in? Do you have trouble keeping your mouth shut at times? These are common problems for most of us. Today's word is trying to teach us a truth that will help us have a better life, one with less anger and more righteousness.
In human relations it is important to understand that is vital to be a good listener. We must be intent on understanding and attentive to the points of the person we are listening to. People sense when we are paying attention to them and not involved in other interests or pursuits. Your family and friends, and in particular God, want your undivided attention when you are talking together. Always wait to hear what the person says before you interrupt and give your own position or interpretation. Do not engage your mouth until you have a complete understanding of the persons point. Never get angry or offensive as this will end the conversation, and the relationship before you can have discourse.
God wishes and requires us to have righteousness and this does not include anger. If our goal is to please God then we need to be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO GET ANGRY. We all should desire the righteousness of God and this is His Truth For Today!
"You must be QUICK TO LISTEN, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."
Are you a ready listener, always interested in learning and what others have to say? Do you take offense at people and what they say easily? Do you try to dominate any conversation you are engaged in? Do you have trouble keeping your mouth shut at times? These are common problems for most of us. Today's word is trying to teach us a truth that will help us have a better life, one with less anger and more righteousness.
In human relations it is important to understand that is vital to be a good listener. We must be intent on understanding and attentive to the points of the person we are listening to. People sense when we are paying attention to them and not involved in other interests or pursuits. Your family and friends, and in particular God, want your undivided attention when you are talking together. Always wait to hear what the person says before you interrupt and give your own position or interpretation. Do not engage your mouth until you have a complete understanding of the persons point. Never get angry or offensive as this will end the conversation, and the relationship before you can have discourse.
God wishes and requires us to have righteousness and this does not include anger. If our goal is to please God then we need to be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO GET ANGRY. We all should desire the righteousness of God and this is His Truth For Today!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
SO LET IT GROW!
JAMES 1:2-3
"When trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. SO LET IT GROW!"
No one looks for trouble, but it certainly does come our way while here on earth. Have you experienced trouble and wondered why as a child of God your life is not perfect? How many times have we heard; "why do bad things happen to good people"? Another favorite of the non believer is; "how can a good God allow bad things to happen?" Non believers have a perspective that this life is all there is and they have no appreciation of the perfect eternal life to come in heaven. If this life is all there is they would have a point, but the knowledge of God is the beginning of wisdom and therefore there position is unwise and foolish.
Believers' are assured and understand that any trial allows us to prove our faith as it brings steadfastness, endurance and patience. We are developing as Christians and we know we will have no defects and will lack nothing in the life to come. We know we can become fully developed in spirit and have a heavenly body that is perfection after enduring the trouble that will come our way here on earth. Our faith will be tested and that is what allows us to grow!
It may be difficult to feel great joy when trouble or illness is at your door, but this is the time when you should stop and consider the truth of this scripture. Think of defects, illnesses and troubles as an opportunity to endure and grow and prove to yourself and to God that you are His child. Prove you believe His promises and that your faith is growing and secure. This is how you will grow spiritually and the results are more than worth all of your trouble. When it comes to faith, LET IT GROW!
"When trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. SO LET IT GROW!"
No one looks for trouble, but it certainly does come our way while here on earth. Have you experienced trouble and wondered why as a child of God your life is not perfect? How many times have we heard; "why do bad things happen to good people"? Another favorite of the non believer is; "how can a good God allow bad things to happen?" Non believers have a perspective that this life is all there is and they have no appreciation of the perfect eternal life to come in heaven. If this life is all there is they would have a point, but the knowledge of God is the beginning of wisdom and therefore there position is unwise and foolish.
Believers' are assured and understand that any trial allows us to prove our faith as it brings steadfastness, endurance and patience. We are developing as Christians and we know we will have no defects and will lack nothing in the life to come. We know we can become fully developed in spirit and have a heavenly body that is perfection after enduring the trouble that will come our way here on earth. Our faith will be tested and that is what allows us to grow!
It may be difficult to feel great joy when trouble or illness is at your door, but this is the time when you should stop and consider the truth of this scripture. Think of defects, illnesses and troubles as an opportunity to endure and grow and prove to yourself and to God that you are His child. Prove you believe His promises and that your faith is growing and secure. This is how you will grow spiritually and the results are more than worth all of your trouble. When it comes to faith, LET IT GROW!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
LOVE ENDURES FOREVER
PSALM 136:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Can you think of anything in this world that lasts forever? How about Hollywood marriages? How about the winning ways of any team? How about our youth, strength and memory? How about the cars we loved and cherished? How about anything physical that just deteriorates as time goes by, like our computers? Even the earth is in entropy, slowly loosing its energy, and it will inevitably terminate at some point. The sun is on the wain and not in a state of growth. We all get the point, nothing last forever!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy and loving kindness endure forever. Think about it, there is something that will last forever, God and His love. The Lord who was from the beginning, will never end. His love, mercy and kindness towards us will endure forever. It never lessens or dissipates, it lasts forever. What a great comfort there is in knowing this, that while everything around us is falling apart, we can find great comfort in a God who Loves us and it endures forever.
Read Psalm 136. It repeats the good news and even a slow learner would have to conclude that the message and the truth is being put forward and should not be lost by anyone. GOD'S LOVE ENDURES FOREVER! GOD'S LOVING KINDNESS IS EVERLASTING! HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER AND EVER! GIVE THANKS!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Can you think of anything in this world that lasts forever? How about Hollywood marriages? How about the winning ways of any team? How about our youth, strength and memory? How about the cars we loved and cherished? How about anything physical that just deteriorates as time goes by, like our computers? Even the earth is in entropy, slowly loosing its energy, and it will inevitably terminate at some point. The sun is on the wain and not in a state of growth. We all get the point, nothing last forever!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy and loving kindness endure forever. Think about it, there is something that will last forever, God and His love. The Lord who was from the beginning, will never end. His love, mercy and kindness towards us will endure forever. It never lessens or dissipates, it lasts forever. What a great comfort there is in knowing this, that while everything around us is falling apart, we can find great comfort in a God who Loves us and it endures forever.
Read Psalm 136. It repeats the good news and even a slow learner would have to conclude that the message and the truth is being put forward and should not be lost by anyone. GOD'S LOVE ENDURES FOREVER! GOD'S LOVING KINDNESS IS EVERLASTING! HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER AND EVER! GIVE THANKS!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
HEBREWS 13:14
"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to home yet to come."
What do you think of when you hear the expression, there is no place like home? Most of us think of the place we lived as children, or young adults. Those who had to move a lot have more difficulty deciding which house was there home. Some think of a city, state or country as their home. Living in the past with all its memories can be a pleasant thing. We tend to remember the good things that occurred in our lives. In fact your memory like the places themselves have changed over the years and that is why it is also known, that you can not go back to your "home".
It is certain that while you are here on this earth, you will have no permanent home. So even though Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, our life will not be secured and permanent until we are in Heaven and with the Lord. What we have on earth is not lasting and has no continuity or permanence. Life is fleeting. Your life is limited. Thankfully Jesus provided a saving grace and a plan that not only gives us a new life, but a permanent one. He promises us a mansion that He has prepared for us that will last forever and ever. It is perfect home with no weeping or wailing or gnashing of teeth and it is eternal.
Are you looking up to see that your redemption is drawing nigh? Do you believe God and His Word? Some are fixated on this earth and its possessions. Are you afraid to die because you fear what will come thereafter? The true believer is not afraid of death because they know that to be absent from their body is to be present with the Lord. Are you ready to go to your Heavenly home. THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE YOUR HEAVENLY HOME!
"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to home yet to come."
What do you think of when you hear the expression, there is no place like home? Most of us think of the place we lived as children, or young adults. Those who had to move a lot have more difficulty deciding which house was there home. Some think of a city, state or country as their home. Living in the past with all its memories can be a pleasant thing. We tend to remember the good things that occurred in our lives. In fact your memory like the places themselves have changed over the years and that is why it is also known, that you can not go back to your "home".
It is certain that while you are here on this earth, you will have no permanent home. So even though Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, our life will not be secured and permanent until we are in Heaven and with the Lord. What we have on earth is not lasting and has no continuity or permanence. Life is fleeting. Your life is limited. Thankfully Jesus provided a saving grace and a plan that not only gives us a new life, but a permanent one. He promises us a mansion that He has prepared for us that will last forever and ever. It is perfect home with no weeping or wailing or gnashing of teeth and it is eternal.
Are you looking up to see that your redemption is drawing nigh? Do you believe God and His Word? Some are fixated on this earth and its possessions. Are you afraid to die because you fear what will come thereafter? The true believer is not afraid of death because they know that to be absent from their body is to be present with the Lord. Are you ready to go to your Heavenly home. THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE YOUR HEAVENLY HOME!
Monday, June 9, 2008
THE SAME FOREVER
HEBREWS 13:8
"Jesus Christ is THE SAME yesterday, today and FOREVER!"
The only thing constant is change. Can you think of anything here on earth that is not changing? How about our bodies? How about the city or town we were born in, has it changed? Even the heavenly bodies can be measurably changing, even though the pace is slow. What is the only thing that is constant? The answer is God! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Have you noticed that most people do not like change? Most of us do not want to move or take a new job and make new friends. Internally we desire stability. We want something we can rely on that is not in constant flux or motion. We feel safer when things are stable. The problem is that things are not stable. There is nothing that is not subject to change. That is why we can thank God that He gave us the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ who never changes.
Jesus Christ was from the beginning, before time began as we know it. He then came to earth and lived among us and then ascended into heaven. There is amble proof of His existence and only a fool says in His heart, "there is no God, no Jesus Christ". He died for us and has gone to prepare a mansion for each of His believer's. He now sits at the right hand of God and will be there eternally. So in fact, He had no beginning and He has no end. He is eternal and not subject to change. What He did and what He said are not subject to change. You can rely on Jesus Christ, He is THE SAME FOREVER!
"Jesus Christ is THE SAME yesterday, today and FOREVER!"
The only thing constant is change. Can you think of anything here on earth that is not changing? How about our bodies? How about the city or town we were born in, has it changed? Even the heavenly bodies can be measurably changing, even though the pace is slow. What is the only thing that is constant? The answer is God! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Have you noticed that most people do not like change? Most of us do not want to move or take a new job and make new friends. Internally we desire stability. We want something we can rely on that is not in constant flux or motion. We feel safer when things are stable. The problem is that things are not stable. There is nothing that is not subject to change. That is why we can thank God that He gave us the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ who never changes.
Jesus Christ was from the beginning, before time began as we know it. He then came to earth and lived among us and then ascended into heaven. There is amble proof of His existence and only a fool says in His heart, "there is no God, no Jesus Christ". He died for us and has gone to prepare a mansion for each of His believer's. He now sits at the right hand of God and will be there eternally. So in fact, He had no beginning and He has no end. He is eternal and not subject to change. What He did and what He said are not subject to change. You can rely on Jesus Christ, He is THE SAME FOREVER!
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