JAMES 1-13
"Remember, when you are being tempted, do not say God is tempting me. God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else."
What are tempted by? Is it fame, fortune, something sexual? Bright lights and loud music get the attention of people and they tend to be interested in anything involving the opposite sex and the body beautiful. They want love and respect and faithful families and friends. What are you tempted to do to achieve this type of goal? Are you willing to do things which are sinful? Would you steal, lie, give false witness or commit adultery or murder? Lots of material things that this world has to offer are a TEMPTATION.
Who do you think is tempting you? Is it yourself? Is it the devil, who makes you do it? Is it God? The truth for today tells us to consider it an opportunity for great joy when temptation comes our way. Your faith and endurance and ability to grow in the Lord will be tested. When your endurance is fully developed you will be perfect, complete and need nothing else to remain faithful. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. God promises us a crown of life afterward. There is one thing you must never do, however!
Do not say God ever tempted you. God is never tempted and He will never tempt others. Temptation comes from your own desires, which entice us and drag us under. These desires and temptations give birth to sinful acts. When sin is allowed to grow it brings death and separation. Whatever is good comes from God. Whenever someone is tempted to commit sin it of their own choosing and they alone are responsible. They alone will suffer the consequences of the actions and choices. You have no one to blame but yourself if you submit to TEMPTATION!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
NOT TO US LORD!
PSALM 115:1
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness."
It is human nature to want to take the credit for good things that happen to us. We believe we make things happen in our lives and those of others. We like to bask in the glory of our victories and our achievements. We want to believe that we have power and control over our life and that what we decide and do will make the difference. If we are wealthy we take the credit. If we are successful in business or our chosen profession, we are the ones responsible. If we create anything of value or achievement, we are the ones responsible. Then what is it this truth for today is trying to tell us?
It cries out to us that NOT TO US LORD, not to us but to your names goes all the glory. The Word is telling us that God is deserving of all the glory in our lives, we are not. We need to acknowledge and remember the truth and mercy of the Lord. But for the Lord we would not even have life. We come into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing and whatever we are given is a gift from the Lord and we need to thank Him and praise His name. We need to give all the Glory to the Lord!
The Lord is loving and faithful and He gave the earth to us to live in and control. He gave us initial life and He gives us eternal life if we just believe in Him and His Saving Grace. So if we accumulate some possessions for a moment in time they are not really ours. Instead of becoming proud or bragging about our achievements we need to keep our Lord first in our thoughts and prayers and lives. If there is any glory to be handed out it must be the Jesus Christ the Lord God. Where does the glory go, NOT TO US LORD!
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness."
It is human nature to want to take the credit for good things that happen to us. We believe we make things happen in our lives and those of others. We like to bask in the glory of our victories and our achievements. We want to believe that we have power and control over our life and that what we decide and do will make the difference. If we are wealthy we take the credit. If we are successful in business or our chosen profession, we are the ones responsible. If we create anything of value or achievement, we are the ones responsible. Then what is it this truth for today is trying to tell us?
It cries out to us that NOT TO US LORD, not to us but to your names goes all the glory. The Word is telling us that God is deserving of all the glory in our lives, we are not. We need to acknowledge and remember the truth and mercy of the Lord. But for the Lord we would not even have life. We come into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing and whatever we are given is a gift from the Lord and we need to thank Him and praise His name. We need to give all the Glory to the Lord!
The Lord is loving and faithful and He gave the earth to us to live in and control. He gave us initial life and He gives us eternal life if we just believe in Him and His Saving Grace. So if we accumulate some possessions for a moment in time they are not really ours. Instead of becoming proud or bragging about our achievements we need to keep our Lord first in our thoughts and prayers and lives. If there is any glory to be handed out it must be the Jesus Christ the Lord God. Where does the glory go, NOT TO US LORD!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
ALL THAT YOU NEED!
HEBREWS 13:20-21
"Now may the God of peace- who brought our Lord Jesus up from the dead, the great Shepard of all sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood- May He equip you with ALL THAT YOU NEED for doing His will."
The Lord is my Shepard, I have all that I need. That is one of my favorite scriptures from the 23rd psalm. What about you, do you have ALL THAT YOU NEED? Are you fully equipped by the Lord Jesus to do His will? Many people answer in different ways. Many feel reluctant to share their faith and understanding of the Lord's will with others. The will argue that they are not equipped to do it. They may not understand the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through them. If you are one of those people who feel inadequate this prayer is for y0u. We pray and know that God will give you all that you need to do His will.
What is the will of God? A question asked by everyone. It is different for each person but it is the same for everyone. You are here to worship the Lord God. To believe in Him and open your heart to Him. You are to fear, know and love God and Love one another. That is the will of God! When you became a believer and grew in His love and mercy you were equipped with all that you will ever need to do His will.
The power of God brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepard, and ratified the eternal covenant with His blood. God has therefore the power to equip you with ALL THAT YOU NEED to do His will. It is not your power that you should look to, it is the power of God. Step out in faith and the Lord will reward you. May He produce everything that is pleasing and good to Him in you! After all the glory belongs to Him and Him only, forever and ever!
"Now may the God of peace- who brought our Lord Jesus up from the dead, the great Shepard of all sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood- May He equip you with ALL THAT YOU NEED for doing His will."
The Lord is my Shepard, I have all that I need. That is one of my favorite scriptures from the 23rd psalm. What about you, do you have ALL THAT YOU NEED? Are you fully equipped by the Lord Jesus to do His will? Many people answer in different ways. Many feel reluctant to share their faith and understanding of the Lord's will with others. The will argue that they are not equipped to do it. They may not understand the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through them. If you are one of those people who feel inadequate this prayer is for y0u. We pray and know that God will give you all that you need to do His will.
What is the will of God? A question asked by everyone. It is different for each person but it is the same for everyone. You are here to worship the Lord God. To believe in Him and open your heart to Him. You are to fear, know and love God and Love one another. That is the will of God! When you became a believer and grew in His love and mercy you were equipped with all that you will ever need to do His will.
The power of God brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepard, and ratified the eternal covenant with His blood. God has therefore the power to equip you with ALL THAT YOU NEED to do His will. It is not your power that you should look to, it is the power of God. Step out in faith and the Lord will reward you. May He produce everything that is pleasing and good to Him in you! After all the glory belongs to Him and Him only, forever and ever!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
SACRIFICES THAT PLEASE GOD!
HEBREWS 13:16
"Do not forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the SACRIFICES THAT PLEASE GOD!"
Many believer's ask themselves, what can I give to God? God does not need anything, He made everything. So what is it that you could do that would please God? What is it that you can sacrifice to Jesus Christ the Lord God? There are a number of answers. The first one is your heart. You can open your heart and ask Jesus to come in and dwell with you. You can believe in Him and that He was raised from the dead to Save you. Next you can increase your wisdom by knowing, loving and fearing Him. You can learn His commandments and His Word and what His prophets have to tell us. By being faithful and righteous you have the ear of God.
Assuming that you have done all of the above and even more, what is it that is left for you to sacrifice to the Lord? What can you do that will please God even more? The truth for today is that God wants you to remember to do good things and to share what you have with others. What does it mean to do good? It is not enough that you are not bad and you do not disrespect others, it means giving respect and doing the right thing to others. The golden rule is to treat others as you would like to be treated. That is what it means to be good!
Finally the Lord will have blessed you with much as you believe in Him and rely on Him. Out of the abundance that God has given you, whatever level that may be, He wants you to share with others and give to those who ask you. You should have a heart to give, rather than receive. Are you giving to the Lord and to others out of your bounty? Is it your nature to share with others? Sharing and doing good to others, those are the SACRIFICES THAT PLEASE GOD!
"Do not forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the SACRIFICES THAT PLEASE GOD!"
Many believer's ask themselves, what can I give to God? God does not need anything, He made everything. So what is it that you could do that would please God? What is it that you can sacrifice to Jesus Christ the Lord God? There are a number of answers. The first one is your heart. You can open your heart and ask Jesus to come in and dwell with you. You can believe in Him and that He was raised from the dead to Save you. Next you can increase your wisdom by knowing, loving and fearing Him. You can learn His commandments and His Word and what His prophets have to tell us. By being faithful and righteous you have the ear of God.
Assuming that you have done all of the above and even more, what is it that is left for you to sacrifice to the Lord? What can you do that will please God even more? The truth for today is that God wants you to remember to do good things and to share what you have with others. What does it mean to do good? It is not enough that you are not bad and you do not disrespect others, it means giving respect and doing the right thing to others. The golden rule is to treat others as you would like to be treated. That is what it means to be good!
Finally the Lord will have blessed you with much as you believe in Him and rely on Him. Out of the abundance that God has given you, whatever level that may be, He wants you to share with others and give to those who ask you. You should have a heart to give, rather than receive. Are you giving to the Lord and to others out of your bounty? Is it your nature to share with others? Sharing and doing good to others, those are the SACRIFICES THAT PLEASE GOD!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
WHAT A JOY- WHAT A DELIGHT
PSALM 112:1
"How JOYFUL are those that fear the Lord and DELIGHT in obeying His commands."
Is your life joyful? Do often find life delightful? I remember a pastor that would say, "what a joy and what a pleasure", every time I was with him. He was filled with delight for life. He was at peace and had joy for his everyday life. Does this sound like you and does it describe your life? I know for sure that all those who have a healthy fear, love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ are joyful people. They are the type of individuals that delight in obeying God's laws and commandments. The know His Word and His Prophets. They look to God first in everything that they do. Does this describe you?
The other side is that there are many who are sad and depressed most of the time. They do not have much pleasure and they are eternally negative. What is missing from their lives? If you look closely you will see that they do not know, love and fear God in a healthy and respectful way. They have not achieved wisdom and understanding. They do not have the fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom.
If you want to be able to say, WHAT A JOY- WHAT A DELIGHT, you need to take an over all assessment of your life. To those who have rejected God, you will never find peace, joy or happiness until you do. To those who have accepted God and then retained your old negative habits and do not have a healthy fear of God and His power, you can achieve true peace joy and happiness if you learn to love, respect, know and fear God even more. You make the choices and you are responsible for your choices. You can choose to be more joyful and have a more delightful life if fear God and obey His commands!
"How JOYFUL are those that fear the Lord and DELIGHT in obeying His commands."
Is your life joyful? Do often find life delightful? I remember a pastor that would say, "what a joy and what a pleasure", every time I was with him. He was filled with delight for life. He was at peace and had joy for his everyday life. Does this sound like you and does it describe your life? I know for sure that all those who have a healthy fear, love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ are joyful people. They are the type of individuals that delight in obeying God's laws and commandments. The know His Word and His Prophets. They look to God first in everything that they do. Does this describe you?
The other side is that there are many who are sad and depressed most of the time. They do not have much pleasure and they are eternally negative. What is missing from their lives? If you look closely you will see that they do not know, love and fear God in a healthy and respectful way. They have not achieved wisdom and understanding. They do not have the fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom.
If you want to be able to say, WHAT A JOY- WHAT A DELIGHT, you need to take an over all assessment of your life. To those who have rejected God, you will never find peace, joy or happiness until you do. To those who have accepted God and then retained your old negative habits and do not have a healthy fear of God and His power, you can achieve true peace joy and happiness if you learn to love, respect, know and fear God even more. You make the choices and you are responsible for your choices. You can choose to be more joyful and have a more delightful life if fear God and obey His commands!
Monday, November 24, 2008
NO DISCIPLINE IS ENJOYABLE!
HEBREWS 12:11
"NO DISCIPLINE IS ENJOYABLE while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."
You have heard that if you spare the rod you will spoil the child. In our society today it is not looked upon with favor to use a rod on your child for discipline. The reason is that abuse did occur in some cases. Children were beaten and abused with the excuse that the parent was inflicting discipline. So lets be clear here, we are not suggesting that as a parent you have the right to inflict excessive discipline and we do not agree with striking a blow to the head or other areas that are off limits to parents. In fact no loving parent would do such a thing. There is however an over reaction by some that believe you should not touch your child as a form of discipline. That is not what the Word says and it is not correct for the child, even yourself!
No discipline is enjoyable to anyone at any time and especially while it is occurring. In fact discipline is painful or at least it is meant to be. The idea is to bring your attention to what you are doing wrong and to train you not to do it again. Today mother's take their children to the restrooms to inflict some corporal punishment or threat thereof. It is the only way that a child senses that the parent is serious. After repeated verbal warnings that have no power, the child learns that there may be some consequences to there actions that bring pain and discipline.
What is the result to the child after the discipline? There is a peaceful harvest of right living. If trained properly they do not have to receive the rod every time they act up. They are trained in the way they must grow up. The same thing happens to us as adults. If we act up and abuse ourselves we pay a price that is quite apparent to us. The Lord applies the discipline and it can be painful, but if we listen afterward there will be a peaceful harvest and right living will occur.
NO DISCIPLINE IS ENJOYABLE in our lives, how are you doing with your training?
"NO DISCIPLINE IS ENJOYABLE while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."
You have heard that if you spare the rod you will spoil the child. In our society today it is not looked upon with favor to use a rod on your child for discipline. The reason is that abuse did occur in some cases. Children were beaten and abused with the excuse that the parent was inflicting discipline. So lets be clear here, we are not suggesting that as a parent you have the right to inflict excessive discipline and we do not agree with striking a blow to the head or other areas that are off limits to parents. In fact no loving parent would do such a thing. There is however an over reaction by some that believe you should not touch your child as a form of discipline. That is not what the Word says and it is not correct for the child, even yourself!
No discipline is enjoyable to anyone at any time and especially while it is occurring. In fact discipline is painful or at least it is meant to be. The idea is to bring your attention to what you are doing wrong and to train you not to do it again. Today mother's take their children to the restrooms to inflict some corporal punishment or threat thereof. It is the only way that a child senses that the parent is serious. After repeated verbal warnings that have no power, the child learns that there may be some consequences to there actions that bring pain and discipline.
What is the result to the child after the discipline? There is a peaceful harvest of right living. If trained properly they do not have to receive the rod every time they act up. They are trained in the way they must grow up. The same thing happens to us as adults. If we act up and abuse ourselves we pay a price that is quite apparent to us. The Lord applies the discipline and it can be painful, but if we listen afterward there will be a peaceful harvest and right living will occur.
NO DISCIPLINE IS ENJOYABLE in our lives, how are you doing with your training?
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