Ready for the Test?

       
540. "Ready for the Test?"  June 13, 2012 
Summary of James-Part 2   

LET IT GLOW


How are your test taking skills? How are mine? I remember studying late at night before tests in high school and college. The I was tired and not fresh in my thinking.  Evaluation time is here. Am I ready for the test on what I have learned from James? Oh, my! Maybe I had better study some more first. Probably there is no choice, no time to cram for the test ahead. Either the test is coming soon, or I'm taking a test now, or I've finished a test. That's life, friends. God is good all the time, and faithful, too.


Here are the rest of the commands, ideas that James gives by chapters:

James 4

• Do not think the Scripture speaks to no purpose.
• Submit therefore to God.
• Resist the devil.
• Draw near to God.
• Cleanse your hands.
• Purify your hearts.
• Be miserable [in looking at your sins].
• Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom.
• Humble yourselves in the presence of God.
• Do not speak against one another.
• Come now and do not say, "Today or tomorrow" we shall do such and such.
• You ought to say, "If the Lord wills."

James 5

• You rich, howl for your miseries that are coming upon you.
• Behold, the pay you withheld from the laborers...
• Be patient until the coming of the Lord.
• Be patient, strengthen your hearts.
• Do not complain against each other.
• Count those blessed who endure.
• Do not swear, either by heaven or by earth.
• Let your yes be yes, and your no, no.
• Let him pray who is suffering.
• Let him who is cheerful sing praises.
• Let the sick call for the elders.
• Let the elders pray over the sick, anointing him with oil.
• Confess your sins to one another.
• Let him know that he who turns back a sinner will save his soul from death.

(Chapters 1-3 are seen on previous lesson.)
[Resources: James & First and Second Peter by William Baker]

In Psalm 24:3-4, David asked,Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.

LET IT GROW

James gives a series of tests by which the genuineness of a person's faith  may be measured.
We see the test of:

• perseverance in suffering (1:2-12)
• blame in temptation (1:13-18)
• response to the Word (1:19-27)
• impartial love (2:1-13)
• righteous works (2:14-26)
• the tongue (3:1-12)
• humble wisdom (3:13-18)
• worldly indulgence (4:1-12)
• dependence (4:13-17)
• patient endurance (5:1-11)
• truthfulness (5:12)
• prayerfulness (5:13-18)
• true faith (5:19-20).

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

How do I endure suffering, trials, troubles, tests? Do I overcome temptations, or do they overcome me ? Am I a doer of the Word or just a hearer only? Am I impartial? Do others see my faith by my works? Am I known for being swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger? Humility/pride, worldly/spiritual, dependent/independent, patient/impatient, prayerful/not pray- which are the qualities I have?

By faith, Linda...

LET IT GO

Keep on keepin' on.

Never give up.

Stand up for Jesus.

Smile though my heart is breaking.

Love in spite of it all.

Forgive so I can be forgiven.

Grow faith in Jesus.

Go With the Flow

539.  "Go With the Flow"     June 12, 2012
Summary of James-Part 1

LET IT GLOW

Review:
Do you recall that there were five men named "James" mentioned in the Bible which could have been the author of our book. However, most scholors agree that this particular one is Jesus' half brother and the oldest one. Also, he was the brother of Jude.

James  was written to believers, "brethren" which were scattered. It was probably written about
45 A.D.while Claudius was emperor in rome. Under his rule the Jews had been persecuted and driven out of Rome and their homeland, Palestine. It was the earliest book/letters of the New Testament cannon. James wrote it prior to his death by stoning, which was A.D.62.

Tradition nicknamed James "the Just." It was described as a man of great piety and constant prayer. His relationship to Jesus was by God's grace alone.

Christ's name is only found twice in this book (1:1 and 2:1). James gives over 50 imparitives, warnings, and reproofs. He didn't write about doctrine, but instructed how to live the Christian life.
The main theme os this book is "Real faith produces genuine works. If you say you've come to know the Lord Jesus, then that should be reflected by your life." (Swindoll)

In this book, James talks about our tests in life, which God uses to make us more like Jesus, to check out how strong our faith is. Trials reveal to ourself and others what faith we do have. The temptations we have are brought on because of our own lusts. God has a way out for us ready when we ask for His help.


LET IT GROW

Sometimes when we floated on the river in a canoe, last weekend, my husband didn't paddle, but went with the flow of the current. He let it carry us on down the river. I think that is how I should be when trial, troubles, problems, testings come into my life. I should just go with the flow. Let Jesus carry me through the rough spots. Now, I know that is easier said than done, but I'll consider my own advice.

This summary of James is different from the others in that I am  not going to use Scriptures, but the idea, commands that he used in each chapter. Since there are so many, I thought it better to divide it into two parts.

James 1

• Consider it all joy.
• Let endurance have its perfect result.
• Ask God if you lack wisdom.
• Ask in faith.
• Let the double-minded not expect anything from the Lord.
• Let the humble have glory; let the rich have humiliation.
• Let the tempted not say he is tempted of God.
• Do not be deceived about your temptation.
• Be quick to hear; slow to speak; slow to anger.
• Receive the Word implanted.
• Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not mere hearers.

James 2

• Do not show favoritism.
• Listen, God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith.
• So speak and so act [what you believe].

James 3

• Let not many become teachers...
• Behold, the ships...
• Behold, how great a forest is sset aflame by such a small fire!
• Do not be arrogant.

(Chapters 4 & 5 are in the next lesson.)
[Reference: James and First and Second Peter by William Baker]

Charles Swindoll, in his book, James, Practical and Authentic Living, wrote this overview of the chapters:

1. When stretched, faith doesn't brea; it produces genuine stability.
2. When pressed, faith doesn't fail; it produces genuine love.
3. When expressed, faith doesn't explode; it produces henuine control and humility.
4. When distressed, faith doesn't panic; it produces genuine patience.

LET IT GO

Go with the flow when trials come.

Let Jesus carry me through.

Stay in God's Word.

Surrender to the Holy Spirit's leading.

Your will,
Your way,
Today,
I pray.

Taking the Wrong Path

538.  "Taking the Wrong Path"     June 11, 2012
James-Part 8
My brethren, if any maong you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.  James 5:19-20  NAS


LET IT GLOW

I spent the last weekend it with my husband's siblings. We had a blast! It's a yearly reunion now, since their mother passed away. We want to keep our closeness as a family continuing  and not drift apart. The first morning together, most of us went on a hike through the cool, peaceful, beautiful, rugged woods, which was suppossed to only be a mile and a half. While taking a break at a gazebo in the middle of the woods, we discussed which path at the fork to take. We concluded that the right path was to turn right, instead of left, after all, there were blue post-its on trees along that path. So we did. It was the short version of the hike and came out at the picnic pavilion we had passed coming in along the highway. That's when the division happened. Some of us wanted to take the highway, a paved, well-traveled road, which looked easier,the four of us thought, but turned out to be the wrong way, up hill all the way back to the cabin. We had been on it before, familiar with it, and knew it was smooth. Others of our group returned to the rough, rocky, poison ivy infested, hiking trail and turned left at the fork.
Boy, was I , and the other three companions sorry that we chose the so-called easy path. However, inspite of our stopping several times in the shade for a water break and rest, we did beat the others back to the cabin by 20 minutes.I tell you, no one, not one good Samaritan even stopped or offered to give us a lift up the hill in the bed of their pickup. They just waved and smiled as they went up the smooth road. Needless to say, we were exhausted by the time we got to our cabin. The cold bottle of water was refreshing as we recovered in air conditioning.
The other group, well they were tired, too, even though it was a more scenic, shaded path. Reading our scxriptures made me wonder how often  I give others a lift spiritually when as they travel along life's path? Do I take the path of least resistance spiritually speaking, letting others take the wrong way in life, the way that leads them down a path of deep sin, which they regret later?

The world says don't get involved, mind your own business, tolerate them, they were born that way, let live, who are you to point out my sin since you do______? Can my life make a difference in someone else's life? Do I have any loved ones walking down the path in life the wrong way? What am I doing to help them find the right way?

What is James teachiing in the key verse? If I bring back a believer who has wandered off into sin, off the Christian path, then I have saved that person from death and cover a multitude of sins or bring about the forgiveness of many sins, as the New Living Translation says it.

In the devotional book, Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Blackaby says:
As Christians, we are aware that sin brings death (Rom. 6:23). Sin kills relationships, dismantles marriages, stifles joy, and destroys peace. If you are truly aware of the grave consequences for those who continue in sin, you will be moved to weep even as Jesus wept. Pray fervently for your friend. That will safeguard your motives and prepare you to minister to him. Be alert, in the event that God asks you to confront your friend. If you do so, be loving and gentle lest you, too, be tempted (Gal. 6:12).

When I see someone wander from the truth into error, how should I respond?

• weep-Jesus wept over entire cities (Matt. 23:37-39).
• pray fervently-Jesus prayed His disciples would be strong when tempted (John 17).
• warn those headed for spiritual failure (Matt. 26:20-25, 34)
• be willing to die to save people from their sins, as Jesus did.
• take an active role in turning back those who have been led astray by their sin. (Blackaby)

LET IT GROW

In Matthew 7:5, Jesus said for us to take the log out of our own ey so we can clearly see to take the speck out of our brother's eye. Removing something from the eye requires extreme sensitivity, as does attempting to remove the spiritual speck from our brother's or sister's eye. Jesus is welcoming the help of those who are willing to have their own spiritual eyes cleared before rescuing others.
There are four questions that arise from these verses:
1. To whom is the counsel addresse? James is addressing believers, saying "my brethren" and "among
     you."
2. What has occurred tyhat would cause James to write these words? Probably, someone strayed from
     the truth. Unbelievers can't stray from truth they never knew.
3. From what has the person strayed? The truth. Jesus Christ is the Truth according to John 14:6. It
    also mean all that Christ taught and instruted. It's His whole doctrinal and practical teaching.
     (Zodhiates)
4. What should be done? Remove the speck from our brother's eye, turn back the Christian who
    strayed. Don't ignore them or hurl criticisms from a distance. Swim out after them and don't let
    them go! (Hendricks)

What's the proper attitude I need before rescuing the straying one?

• Be filled with the spirit, not controlled by the flesh. Remove our log first.
• Use gentleness. (Gal. 6:1-3)
• Be equipped with an attitude of humility. The motive or attitude is as important as the action. Don't put them down, try to get even, or exalt yourself as holier than thou. Serve them and seek their best.
• Pray for God's timing and agenda.
• Don't let go or give up.

[Resource: James, Practical and Authentic Living by Charles Swindoll]


LET IT GO

Pray for others and myself that we not stray from the faith and the Word.

Stay on God's path, doing His will, His way.

Seek God when burdened for another believer who has strayed.

Remove my logs.

Don't let go and don't give up on them.

When God says to confront them, be humble in doing so.

Love.

Do My Prayers Change Things?

537.  "Do My Prayers Change Things?"     June 8, 2012
James 5-Part 7
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.          James 5:17-18 NIV


LET IT GLOW

Last year, 2011, was a record year of extremes in my area-snowfall (30"), low temperatures (-25), rainfall (floods in spring), drought in summer (6wks.), high temperatures (115 several days). Now that was just in our county. Extreme cold and enabling snow drifts made it challenging to get the tractor out to feed the livestock. Crops were difficult to plant because of the heavy spring floods. Then green fields and gardens dried up. What a year. It was almost like someone was praying, like someone was controlling the weather. Oh, Someone was-our heavenly Father. (I recall others praying for the spring rains to stop and summer rains to come, like others.)

Elijah was a righteous man whose prayers availed much (verse 16). How much was much? Elijah's powerful prayers changed the weather. they altered the forces of nature and for 3 1/2 years, mind you!

Can our prayers alter things? You and I are just ordinary, average believers.

Liberty Bible Commentary showed that Elijah was ordinary:

He was a man subject to like passions as we are. He fled Jezebel's fury immediately after God sent fire on Mount Carmel (IKings 1-19). He prayed earnestly. His greatness did not lie in special gifts or a superhuman character, but he is distinguished by the way he prayed. He prayed with all superficial distractions removed. And he prayed again. Prayer is communicating with God, and genuine communication results in visible response.

If Elijah was like you and me, then why does our prayer life not shake up things?

LET IT GROW

Swindoll says that Elijah practice effective praying-he prayed in accordance with God's will, he was specific, and he prayed in faith. (1 Kings 17-18)

How does James' teachings apply to me? In his book, James, Practical and Authentic Living, Charles Swindoll says:
1. Prayer is to be continuous. It isn't just for mealtimes or moments of panic, or our last resource. Paul
    told us to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In the Greek, ceasing is like a hacking
    cough-something that you are constantly reminded of throughtout the day.
2. Prayer is designed for every part of life. Affliction, sickness, sin specific needs-nothing is too big or
    too small for prayer. If it's a concern-ask!
3. Prayer is not a substitute for responsible and intelligent action. If we aren't willing to see a doctor
    and take the right kind of medicine, don't ask people to pray for us.
4. Prayer is not for the perfect, but for the imperfect. Be persistant about prayer.

Am I a tempered soul, a gentle spirit, a seasoned will that's prepared to be the kind of Christian God wants to use for His kingdom work?That's how E.M.Bounds described Hannah, Samuel's mother.

Do I pray earnestly? Are my motives right? Lord Jesus, change my heart and prayer life into what You want it to be.

LET IT GO

What do I need to change in order to have my prayers change things?

Spend more time in prayer.

Earnestly pray for others and myself that our faith will not fail.

Costly Prayers of Faith

536.  "Costly Prayers of Faith"                   June 7, 2012
James 5-Part 6
Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.   James 5:16

LET IT GLOW

For the last three weeks, I have been blackberry picking along my country road. I freeze these wild berries so I can make scrumptous cobblers and lucious jelly from them, which my family dearly loves. With every good thing comes a price to pay, though it seems. So far I have had tick and chiggers bites, which made big red whelps and itched like crazy. Not only that, I got into poison ivy, which bubbles up and itches me. One morning the wind was blowing causing my eyes to water, so I kept rubbing them. What a mistake. Two days later, my left eye lids swelled up and I had to go get a shot. (Now those free and precious berries became costly.) Although I enjoy being outside in the quiet, cool morning, I did pray along the way. I asked the Lord to keep those critters and varments (spiders, wasps, snakes, skunks, and coyotes) away. He so graciously has. (It's in my mind that the devil puts the fear of such things.) Sometimes my other prayers are costly, also. They can cost me time, emotional strain, energy, as well as heart ache. However, there is a reward that James talks about in today's verse. Walk along with me and we'll find out what it is.

First, in the previous two verses, James is talking about the healing of the sick. They should call for the elders to pray and annoint them with oil. This prayer of faith, in verse 15, will deliver results-the sick one will be healed.

Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say:

Nothing about the passage requires instantaneous healing, nor is there any restriction of medical treatment. The presence of sins may be the cause for sickness, but not necessarily. We must reserve judgment for God alone. They shall be forgiven assumes that the one who seeks help from the church also recognizes his personal shortcomings.

So when I am afflicted, sick, corrupted by sin, or have a specific need, I am to pray. (Swindoll)

The second area of the prayer of faith is mentioned in verse 16: The effective prayer of a righteous  man can accomplish much. NAS
The effectual vervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. KJV

Here are some Greek words and meansings that James used: effectual means it is ussed only of things, to dissplaly ones activity (works) inwardly, is solemn and earnest; fervent means zeal, jealousy; prayer (deesis) means specifice prayer based on specific needs. effective (energeo) is where we get our word energy. It has to do with adding an ingredient that turns something average into something fantastic. Confess means to say the same thing; I agree with God against myself.
 
So what does it mean to pray "effectively?" It involves knowing and praying in accordance with Scripture, as well as being specific. I am to deal dirctly with issues I pray about by asking for specific results. I don't require God to meet my deadlines. Faith involves waiting on God's timing without doubting. This energeo prayer embraces an absolute and unshakable faith that God hears and answers prayer. (from Charles Swindoll's book on James)

God does heal and God does answer prayers. Are mine prayers of faith?

LET IT GROW

Lest anyone regard the prayer of faith to be an impulsive expression of desire, James describes its involvment as the effectual fervent prayer, which only has one adjective in Greek, not two.
Falwell describes it in English as energy, which stress hard labor. If one becomes desperate abaout a critical situation, he will not be satisfied uttering a few pious sentences.

Henry Blackaby, in his devotional book, Experiencing God Day by Day, tells me that if I am a  righteous believer that prays fervently, then my prayers will be effective  and will produce significant results. How can I have a prayer life that accomplishes much?

1. God looks at my righteousness, into my heart, seeing Jesus' blood covering me. (It is His
    righteousness that clothes me because I have none, since I am a sinner.)
2. I am to pray fervently, not giving up easily, but spending time interceeding, crying out to my
    heavenly Father with my whole heart and soul, sometimes with tears.Trust the Holy Spirit to assist
    me with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).
3. Seek God's leading as I pray for things that align with His purposes and watch Him answer in a
    mighty way. Give God the glory, praise, and thanks.
4. Make sure no obstacles seperate me, God, and others. Confess my sins relevant to others. (Stay
    fessed up with God.) Confession is God's provision to clear obstacles that hinder our relationships
    with God and others. It is a command, given to every Christian. Whenever possible, our confession
    ought to be made directly to those whom our sin has hurt. If we wish to have a powerful prayer life,
    we must regularly confess our sin.

John Gill tells us this prayer is not cold, lukewarm, lifeless, formal, nor done in a customary way, but is daily-constant and continual, without ceasing, prevails and succeeds (1Thess.5:17). God impresses minds of His people with a sense of their wants, puts strength in them to plead with Him and makes intercession for them according to the will of God.

LET IT GO

Confess, confess, confess.

Seek the forgiveness of God and others for my sins.

Pray fervently.

Strive to live a godly life pleasing Him.

Will He Heal or Not?

535.  "Will He Heal or Not?"                June 6, 2012
James-Part 5
Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him; anointing him; with  oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  James 5:13-15


LET IT GLOW

It's been 14 years since the deacons of our church took oil and annointed my mother inlaw and prayed for the healing of her cancer. She came to the realization that God was going to heal her, whether it was physically in this world or ultimately in the next, heaven. He chose the latter.
I have heard of other cases where God did heal. Doctors could not find the tumor, cancer, or problem that showed up in a test. James tells us that it came as a result of the prayer of faith.

How strong is my faith? Is it strong enough that God would heal a person for which I prayed?
If the sickness is a result of a person's sins, as the verse mentions, then they shall be forgiven them. Is that encouraging, or what?

Did you notice that the sick person called for the elders? They went to the sick person, not the sick person going to the elders. Does that mean the elders, mature spiritual leaders of the church, went to the sick person? Yes. The annointing did not take place in a worship service.

LET IT GROW

Shall we look closer at these verses. Here's the instructions that  I found:

1. If I am afflicted, I am to pray. Afflicted means to suffer (endure) evils (hardships, troubles); pray refers to pray to God. The antidoe to the suffering caused aby evil treatment or persecution is seeking God's comfort through prayer.
2. If I am merry, I am to sing psalms. Merry means to be joyful, be of good cheer, of good courage; psalms refers to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song. The natural respoonse of a joyful heart is to sing praise to God.
3. If I am sick, I am to call for the elders of the church to pray over me and annoint me with oil in the name of the Lord. Sick means to toil, to tire, faint, be wearied. Call refers to call to one's self, to bid to come to one's self. The service takes place in the privacy of the home, since the needy person sumoned the elders to him. When oil is used in scriptures, it is in reference to the Holy Spirit. He and the elders strengthen, comfort, and encourage the weak one.

It is the prayers of faith that are offered up in behalf of the suffering one that calls on God to deliver them from the infirmity, not from their sin, which was confessed. Only God can forgive sins. It is with a repentant heart that their sins are confessed before this happens.

The "prayer offered in faith" is faith that God is able to heal. those who take faith healing to the unbiblical extreme, intimidate people with accusations of lack of faith. they calim that God will heal all who make requests "offered in faith."  (Blake)

In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says, Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

After it is all said and done, healing is in the hands and discression of the Lord Jesus. How strong is my faith?

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary; James, Practical and Authentic Living by Charles Swindoll; James and First and Second Peter by William Blake; The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

I don't know where you stand on this subject, dear friend, but I believe that God is all powerful and He sometimes chooses to use doctors, medicines, or miracles to heal a person. Then again, sometimes He chooses not to heal a person in this life, and their body dies, but a believer's soul lives forever with Him.

LET IT GO

Pray. Sing. Call.

Develop a strong prayer life.

Turn it over to Jesus.

"Your will, Your way, today, I pray."





  

Yes or No

534.  "Yes or No"                                  June 5, 2012
James-Part 4
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: about let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
James 5:12
LET IT GLOW

A simple yes or no will do. For some reason, I don't like a question that is supposed to be answered "yes" or "no." Maybe it's because I know it is so definite, no changing my mind. How about you? James tells us in our key verse to let our answers be yes or no. That's all that's needed.
James emphasized that a person's speech provides the most revealing glimpse of his spiritual condition.  James, echoing Jesus, in Matthew 5:37, is calling for straightforward, honest, plain speech. to speak otherwise is to invite God's judgment. (MacArthur)

According to MacArthur, this verse can be labeled "the test of truthfulness."
I didn't realize yes or no answers were that much of a big deal.

LET IT GROW

James says there are two things our speech should not do:
1. Do not swear.
    Matthew 5:34-35 says, But I (Jesus) say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is
    God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem; for it it the city of
    the great King.
    Heaven and earth are what He created, so if we swear by them, we are insulting God's creation,
    right?
    Swear means to grasp something sacred firmly, for the purpose of supporting what your're
    saying or doing. Christians shouldn't have to rely on this, because our words should be so riveted to
    truth that swearing or using oaths is unnecessary. (Swindoll)

   A song came to my mind, though the title escapes me, but the words say that God is above all powers, above all throne, above all nature and wonders, above all wisdom, and all the ways of man. God was here before the world began. Crucified, laid behind a stone, You lived to die, rejected, and alone. Like a rose, trampled on the ground, You took the fall, and thought of me, above all. Maybe that's the title-Above All (forgive my memory)

Yes, God is above all; He is Sovereign and in control.

An oath, according to Webster's Dictionary,  means a solemn statement with God as witness; according to Thayer's Lexicon, means that which has been pledged or promised with an oath; vows.
In a courtroom, an oath is taken by a witness to tell the truth, by the jury to judge fairly. At a wedding, an oath is pledging to stay married until death departs the man and woman.

It is often easy, in the midst of suffering, to make oaths we can't keep. We get caught up in the heat of the moment, our eyes are focused only on the present. We should wait.

James is advocaating plainness of speech for Christians. We should avoid appearing superspiritual and endure trials with humility and simplicity. (Swindoll)

MacArthur informs us that James condemned the Jewish practice of swearing false, evasive, deceptive oaths by everything other than the name of the Lord (which alone was considered binding).

Speech should be the first notaable change when the Spirit receives control. (Falwell)

Am I swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, as 1:19 tells me to do and be? Do I keep my oaths?
Swearing isn't a problem in my life, but it is in other's. do they take it seriously, what they say?

LET IT GO

Watch my words today.

Honor the Lord with my words.

Ansere yes or no more often and more willingly.


    

Sparks of Anger

533.  "Sparks of Anger"                    June 4, 2012
James 5-Part 3
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.   James 5:11

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.  NIV

LET IT GLOW


As a child, I liked to have a lit sparkler in the dark, running and twirling it around. It never seemed to last very long, however. Maybe my anger should be that short. Someone does or says something that makes us go off, like a sparkler, in anger. I get defensive and mouth words I regret later. We've all been there. I grumble and complain, either under my breath, or behind their back, or to their face. How should I handle the situation? Take it directly to Jesus. Let the sparks of anger go out.
Do I need encouragment? Do you? Verse 10 tells me to look to the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name as an example of suffering and patience. We count them as blessed those who have endured.  (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Stop and think about all that some have endured-Abraham, left family and country to follow God, passed the test of faith when he offered Issac on the altar (in his heart). Jacob and all that he went through with his 12 sons; thought his favorite son Joseph was dead. Joseph endured a lot in the foreign land in order to preserve and provide for his family during a time of famine. Elijah and encountered the prophets of Baal, Elisha, Jeremiah endured to stay faithful to God. Samuel and Nathan had to preach what they didn't like. (David endured about 14 years of running away from King Saul remained faithful to God and became king. I could go on, even into the New Testament, where saints, such as Stephen and John, suffered and endured for the cause of Christ.
Hebrews 11 gives us some of those who suffered and endured torture, mockings, scourgings, chains and imprisonment. Verses 1-11 seem to be talking about the test of patient endurance.
Verse 11 reminds us of Job. He patiently endured suffering and was blessed by God for his perserving faith. God had a purpose for the sufferings of all those people, just as He did for Job's.
Job never lost his faith in God (19:25), though he lost property, family, and health, stands out as one of enduring faith. His case not only asserts his patience but demonstrates the purpose and character of his Lord. (Falwell)

Is there anything that cause me to loose my faith in Jesus? If I lost my possessions, my family, or my health, would it cause me to turn from loving, believing in, and serving my Savior?
Why does Jesus permit sufferings? It is because suffering leads to His excellent purposes (Rom. 8:28), Phil. 1:6). Though God is pityful and tender mercy, suffering must be attributed either to the means for God's ulitmate purposes or man's own doing through corrupt leaders or personal sin. (Falwell)

Another encouraging thing mentioned in our key verse is God is very pitiful, which means full of pity, very kind; extremely compassionate; and God has tender mercy, which means merciful, compassionate. (Thayer's Lexicon and Strong's Concordance)

According to Webster's Dictionary, pity means a feeling of compassion for another's grief or suffering; mercy means compassionate leniency toward an enemy or wrongdoer; discretionary power to punish or spare.

How grateful we are for God's pity and mercy toward us sinners! Others Scriptures talking about it are: Ex. 34:6, Numb. 14:18, Ps. 25:6, Ps. 78:38)
In Luke 6:36, Jesus says, Be ye therefore merciful , as your Father also is merciful.

What more can I say, but as a sinner, that can't get it right, I beg for my Father's mercy,which I don't deserve, then am told to show mercy toward others in return. That's how we pay for the mercy we receive, if there is such a thing. Show mercy and forgiveness, compassion toward those who don't deserve it, just like me. Wow!

LET IT GROW

In verse 8, we were told to be patient, stablish our hearts, calling us to a firm courage and commitment to Jesus. Now in verses 8-11, we are told challenged to:

• Grudge not one against another. Grudge, used here, means to murmur, to groan, to sigh. NAS says, Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. How often do I complain about someone's actions or words. I need to stop it, or it will turn into bitterness or hatred, as Swindoll warns. Besides, how can I love and complain at the same time?
• Look at the prophets for examples of enduring suffering afflictions with patience. We have already covered this, but remember, they did not loose their faith in God, no matter what happened on their journey of life. they continued to praise their God.
• Count those happy which endured. As we observe others suffering for Christ, and remain happy in their faith, we should urge them to endure, because victory will eventually arrive. (Falwell)
• As we have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord. What? Telos, in the Greek, may be better rendered "the Lord's goal." Our Lord permits suffering, because it leads to His excellent purposes (Rom. 8:28, Phil. 1:6). (Falwell)

All right, friends, I have some things to work on in my life. How about you?

LET IT GO

Release those angry feelings to God. Let Him change my heart and mind at the cross.

Don't hold grudges; open my hand and heart and release them. Let them go.

Endure everything like Job.

In everything give thanks.

In Need of a Longer Fuse

532.  "In Need of a Longer Fuse"                 June 1, 2012
James 5-Part 2
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  James 5:8


LET IT GLOW

James tells us twice to be patient, in verses 7 and 8 and patience twice in verses 7 and 10. Why are we to be patient? The Lord Jesus is coming again.

Patient means to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles.
Stablish means to strengthen, make firm, to render constant, confirm, one's mind. (Thayer's Lexicon)

What does James mean by "be patient" and wait for the coming of the Lord?

William Bake, in his book James and First and Second Peter explains:

Be patient in Greek, makrathumeo, means enduring a trial or experience for a very long time, as long as it takes to do so without panicking. Some have used the illlustration of a very long fuse. Another similar word, hupomeno, occurs twice in verse 11, which means endured and endurance. It connotes remaining under a threat without moving or confidence in God's care. Believers are to allow the hope of Christ's intervening return to condition their attitude toward all of life's unexpected and unpleasant events.

 

An illustration that James uses is the farmer who plows, plants, waits for rains, and patiently waits for the harvest of his crops. In a semi-desert land, they greatly depend upon the rains.

The farmer labors because he believes a day of reaping will be enjoyed. Christians likewise should view current trials and hardships as a preparation process that helps conform them to the image of Christ. (Falwell)

 

Believers are to be patient in the work they have been assigned. The waiting time comes when no work can be done, and greater faith and patience is required. Although the church has been waiting 2,000 years for Christ's return, we believe it could happen at any moment and is near.

 

Am I patiently waiting for Christ's return?

 

 

LET IT GROW

 

One summer, when our son was in junior high, we visited my parents around the fourth of July. He and his cousin liked to shoot off fireworks, so they bought some. I recall a particular night when they were setting off bottle rockets and firecrackers in the dirt road as we watched the display. Our son lite one, which did not go off. He waited patiently, for a couple of minutes, but it didn't do anything. Of course, he had to go check it out. As he bent over it, the thing's long fuse finally reached the explosive and it went off. Thank the Lord he didn't get seriously injured, only a small burn on the eyebrow. I thought of that event as I realize I need a long fuse when it comes to patience. Mine is too short. 

 

In this chapter, James gives us four commands, two positive and two negative:

1. Be patient. Patient people are not short-tempered but have a long fuse. It is love's response. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, love is patient, suffereth long. Love can motivate a person to overlook an offense, delay an anger, and suffer long. Patience is essential to learning. The back-breaking work for Mr. Jewish Farmer, whose rock-tossing chores seemed never to end. You just can't hurry God's plan. In verse 7a, James is speaking not only of the Second Coming, but also of the Lord's coming to our rescue in times when we've been wronged. We are to be patient, just as the farmer paatiently waits for God to bring rain.
2. Strengthen your heart. The idea is to prop up or support something that's heavy. When you've been done wrong, your heart is heavy. So James says to let the Lord support your heart and help you in this situation. The "50:20 principle," helps us strengthen our heart by changing our focus. (Genesis 50:20) Joseph told his brothers, after all he endured, and as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.... God is our teacher and others can be a tool for making us into what He intended us to be.
3. Do not complain. It means to groan or sigh. Job wasn't patient, but he never lost his faith in God (19:25). Can I come out with stronger faith on the other side of a trial?
4. Do not swear. Verse 12 uses the Greek word which means to grasp something sacred frimly, for the purpose of supporting what you're saying or doing. Christians should not use swearing or oaths, but truth. Are my words pleasing to the Lord Jesus?

[Resource: James, Practical and Authentic Living by Charles Swindoll]

Which of these do I need to practice?

LET IT GO

Stand firm in my beliefs.

Patiently wait for Christ's return.

Don't complain or swear.

Let patience have a long fuse.

Love, love, love.

 

 

 

 

Big Bank Account Versus Fat Faith Account

531."Big Bank Account Versus Fat Faith Account"                     
May 31, 2012
James 5-Part 1
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.  James 5:2-3


LET IT GLOW

Which is growing fatter-my savings account at the local bank or my faith account in the bank of heaven? Am I adding up dollars and cents or good works and loving attitudes? Which is the bigger account?
In what does my hope lie? Am I depending upon God or my money? Is my faith growing fatter or my pockets? Am I being a doer of the Word or just a hearer only? How are my attitudes and priorities? Questions to contemplate. James begins our last chapter talking to the wealthy, which are probably Christians in the church.

Let's consider the divine retribution first:

• Hoarded riches reap miserable dividends (verses 1-3a). These dividends are bitterness, cynicism, disappointment, and emptiness, to name a few. Don't they remind us of Dickens' character Scrooge?
• Riches provide no relief in eternity (verse 3b-5b). Our earthly bank account won't matter in heaven. Only the righteousness of Christ that has sbeen credited to our account through faith in Him.
• The unjust acts of the unsaved are not forgotten (verse 4b). Though it looks like the unsaved wealthy don't have to answer for their selfish ways, the day is coming when they will.
• A lack of judgment today does not mean a lack of judgment tomorrow. In Luke 16, we see the rich man and Lazarus with their contrasted lives. (Swindoll)

Though this may not be encouraging to read, it shows us the just and judging God we serve.


LET IT GROW

Even though James is addressing the rich, can't these principles apply to all of us? So I turned them around and made it into how I don't want to be like them:
1. Don't be guilty of hoarding wealth (verses 2-3a). Food rots, clothes get moth eatten, and metal
    coins rust or tarnish. Where my treasure is, there is my heart. What do I spend my money on? Do I
    stock the cabinets, closets, and coin banks? Or do I use my money to meet needs of others? Give to
    the Lord's work?

2. Don't cheat others (verse 4). A servant who is poor and needy should not be opressed. (Deut. 24)

3. Don't live a totally selfish lifestyle (verse 5). Self-indulgence is not right when the poor worker that
    makes the wealthy rich is starving.

4. Don't take advantage of the righteous. (verse 6). Are believers dragged into court?

Is my faith account getting bigger than my bank account?


LET IT GO

What do I need to leave behind so I can follow Jesus?

Check my faith account.

Look over my priorities.

Share with those in need.

If the Lord's Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise

530.  "If the Lord's Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise"
May 30, 2012
James 4-Part 4
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.    James 4:15


LET IT GLOW

See ya in church Sunday? How many times have I heard someone answer, "If the Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise." I think that phrase was used instead of answering yes or no. I suppose that saying came from the horse and buggy/wagon era. If the creek was up and roaring out of its banks, which is common here during the spring floods, then I could see that horses and wagons couldn't cross it. (We still have a few low-water bridges on our back roads like this.) But what gets me is they bring the Lord's will into the situation, which probably isn't even being considered about the matter at hand, especially if He wants them to attend worship services.
Less you think I'm coming down too hard, I do the same thing. Oh, not in those words, but I use maybe, or I don't know when I really mean no, but don't want to say it.

What does James have to say about it? What is the Lord's will? Does He care about our little decisions we make during the day, or the plans we make during the month or throughout the year? Does it matter what we do or where we go?

We should respect the divine sovereignty of God and be willing to have something interrupt my plans and cheerfully make the most of it. Everything is contingent on God's will (Blake)

Do I boast in God and His wonders? Trust in His plans?

We all depend upon Almighty God for life, and breath, and all things. (Matthew Henry)

I have been praying for rain the last 2 weeks. We are looking like Texas last year. No rain has come. Yet God knows best, when to send it, when not to send it. Maybe more people should pray.

Psalm 22:3, NIV, says, Yet You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the praise of Israel.

We will agree that God is still on His throne. Even if it doesn't rain this week, can I say, "Yet Linda will still praise Him?" Do I yield to the Lord's Will willingly?
Please join me in praying for rain for Arkansas.

LET IT GROW


If we are ever considering walking on a different path than what the Lord Jesus has us on, don't. Verse 17 warns us: If I know the right thing to do, and don't do it, then I have sinned.

Take what you have learned from God's Word and begin practicing it. Stop running others down and let God do the judging. Instead of seeking to control, learn to submit to God and follow. (Swindoll)

Sins of omission lead directly to sins of commission. (MacArthur)

It is never a minor thing to know God's will and not do it. God calls this sin. We can make excuses for our lack of obedience. We can rationalize, procrastinate, deceive ourselves into thinking that good intentions equal obedient actions.They do not. A good intention without corresponding activity is disobedience .Making commitments is not the same as obeying the Lord. Only obedience satisfies God's desire for obedience.  (Blackaby)

If I know it is the right thing to do, yet I don't do it, then I am sinning, right?


LET IT GO

Boast in what the Lord does, not what I do.

Trust Jesus in all things.

Do what I know is right and what I know is the Lord's will.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

529.  "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow"
May 29, 2012
James 4-Part 3
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. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:13-14


LET IT GLOW

One cool, early morning, as usual, I looked out the window of our front door at the pond across the road. The scene over the pond got my atention. I had to go step outside to take a closer and clearer look. The previous week's temperature had been warm for spring. As I stepped out, the cool breeze hit me. That was the reason for the scene on the pond. There was a fog hovering over it, like none I had ever seen before. It wasn't covering the entire pond, just in one spot. It was lifting up, up, and away, as if the Lord was standing over the water, disappearing. Okay, I have an imagination, But it was an unusual sight, a breathtaking one I might add. Isn't that the way life is- here today, gone tomorrow?

One thing is certain in this life-life is uncertain.
How quickly the days are passing. Half of the year will soon be over. It's true that time goes by faster as you get older. It seems as though yesterday our children were toddlers, that the day before yesterday, I was a child at home with my parents.
I wonder, am I doing what is important or wasting my time? Am I doing God's will or my will?

It seems that this person in the illustration, must be a wealthy merchant, talking to his business associates. What can I learn from him?

• Include God in my plans; seek His will concerning events and decisions.
• When I find God's will, have unwavering faith that His will is best.
• Submit to God's will for my life and do it. Don't be independent, but dependent on His promises, power, and Word.
• Life is uncertain, so I'm going to trust His leading and follow His steps. (Only He is sovereign.)
• He alone knows the future and reveals it to whom He will. I am limited in my understanding.
• Life is short, like a puff of smoke, vapor, a breath seen in for a second in cold air, so live it without regrets.
• Soon I will be gone from my little world, in the ground bodily, but in heaven spiritually.
• If the Lord wills, be willing to have something interrupt my plans, and cheerfully make the most of it. Conform to His will, whatever it may be. Everything is contingent on God's will. (Blake)
• Life is fragile, handle it with care. Consider others.
• Only God gives us breath of life, so live it for Him.

LET IT GROW

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (verses 15-17)

A man who brags about future plans while ignoring God's sovereignty is foolish, but more than that his attitude is evil. The extent of this marks the depravity of contemporary society. (Falwell)

It is the height of arrogance to disregard God as the master of our fate. As Psalm 14:1 says, The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God' (emphasis added).  It's a fool's game to play God; nevertheless, James knows that some would rather take the risk and play than humbly submit to the Lord. (Swindoll)

How do I stop playing God, living by my rules, ways, and plans?

• Get into God's Word.
• Start doing what is right according to His word.
• Stop running others down and let God do the judging.
• Instead of seeking to control, learn to submit to God and follow. (Swindoll)

LET IT GO

Leave the control, reins, to God. Surrender to His plans, His ways for my life.

Find out what pleases God from His Word and strive to please Him, not self.

Judging Others

Memorial Day
I want to say thank you to all of those men and women who have given up so much to serve our country and us, keeping us safe. Let's not forget their families who give up spending time with their loved ones who are serving in our military-thank you isn't enough.
I want to remember those who gave their life/and or limbs in preserving our freedoms. So many wars have been fought by Americans to fight the enemy. Thank God we still live a fairly free country, where we can worship, pray, read the Truth-Bible, without persecution.
My own father lost a leg during WWII, but said he'd go fight again if he could.
As Christians, we are in a war against sin and evil, fighting for our families, marriage, purity of life, Christian values, praying for darkness  to be held back.
Enjoy your holiday, dear friends in Christ. May God bless your family and our nation as we stay faithful to Him.

528.  " Judging Others"                              May 28, 2012
James 4-Part 2
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?  James 4:12 NIV

LET IT GLOW

I recall the days in high school, during social studies classes, we would be given a senerio and then debated it. We were not allowed to choose which side we were on, but it was appointed to us. Usually, they were current events in our world. We set ourselves up as judges of the matter at hand. It seems like those issues later became matters of importance in our society as we voted on them when we became of age. Now we are the generation that is involved in making the laws of our land. In the spiritual realm, do I find myself continuing to judge, only to judge peoples' ways and actions, spiritual condition?  James gives me advice on the matter.
Only God is qualified to be Judge. He is the one who gave us the Law, moral and spiritual laws to live by.

God is designated as author, interpreter, and executor of the law. If He alone holds these functions, then who are we to judge another? (Falwell)
Only God has the ability to to save and destroy, which proves that only He is qualified to judge. (Swindoll)
The question is: Do I try to take His place as judge of others?

LET IT GROW

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. when you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. James 4:11 NIV

Does this mean that when I put down someone, I am making myself superior to other Christians?
Speak against means to talk down. It's the idea of talking about one person to another with the goal of lowering your listener's estimate of that third person.
Judge means to pronounce condemnation upon someone. In order to judge someone rightly, however, we must know all there is to know about that other person. It requires the kind of complete understanding about a person's thoughts and motives that only God possesses.
Didn't Jesus tell us to get the log out of our own eye before we get the speck out of our brother's eye?
(Matt. 7:1-5)
When I critize others, I speak against the law and judge it. Probably, the law which James is referring to is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (2:8). Do I then change position from being a doer of the law to a judge of the law?
Isn't God supposed to be the final authority over my life? Do I depend on Him? Or am I "playing God" with myself?
[Swindoll's Study Guide on James]

I remember that the beginning of this chapter discussed strife. The solutions for strife is to get right with God and to get right with other people.

Wehn I'm right with other people, it will show in the way I talk about them. So I must not speak evil of one another and not judge my brother/sister.
1 John 4:20 says, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (NIV)

When I have the proper humility before God, it just isn't within me to arrogantly judge others, is it?

Friends, I have some homework to do with this lesson.


LET IT GO

Stop judging others. Stop critizing them.

Start loving others as Christ does-accepting us as we are.

Pray for others and myself.

Why? Why? Why?

527.  "Why? Why? Why?"                 May 25, 2012
James 4-Part 1
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.   James 4:6-9
LET IT GLOW

Why? Why? Why? How many times does a preschooler ask that one worded question in a day?
I find myself answering it, but getting impatient with the next why. Then I turn around and ask,"Why? why? why?" I am glad that God does not get impatient. That brings me to some questions I asked after reading chapter 4. Here are some:
Why are our Christian brothers and sisters in church quarreling and having conflicts?
Why does God seem so distant from me?
Why do I not feel more of God's grace?
Why won't the devil leave me alone?
Why won't God lift me up?
The answers to these questions are found in James chapter 4.
1,. What causes fights and quarrels among us? (verse 1)
     We don't get what we want. (verse 2)
     We don't have because we don't ask God for it. (verse 2)
     When we ask, we don't receive, because we ask with wrong motives-so we can spend what we get
      on our pleasures. (verse 3)
     ANSWERS:
     OUR INNER DESIRES, PASSIONS, PLEASURES ARE FOCUSED ON OURSELF.
     WE STRIVE TO SATISY OUR INNER DESIRES WITH WORLDLY MOTIVATION.
So if everyone is wanting their way instead of God's way, there are conflicts.
2. Why does God seem so distant from me?
     Friendship with the world is hatred towards God. (verse 4)
     My allegiance divided between the world and God.
     I shut out the Holy Spirit. (verse 5)
     My sins have seperated me from God.
     ANSWERS:
     HUMBLE MYSELF BEFORE GOD AND HE WILL GIVE ME MORE GRACE. (verse 6)
     HE JEALOUSLY WANTS HIS SPIRIT TO DWELL IN ME. (verse 5)
3. Why do I not feel more of God's grace?
     Pride.
     ANSWER:
     SUBMIT TO GOD. (verse 7a)
     SURRENDER MY WILL TO HIS WILL.

4.  Why won't the devil leave me alone?
      I am not resisting temptations, but yield, and thus sin.
      I'm not standing up against the devil and his ways.
      I am straddling the fence.
      I don't know enough scriptures to refute him.
      ANSWER:
      RESIST THE DEVIL. (verse 7b)
5. Why won't God lift me up?
     I don't come near to Him. (verse 8)
     I don't wash my hands and purify my heart. (verse 8b)
     I don't grieve, mourn, and wail over my sins. (verse 9a)
     Instead, I laugh and am joyful in my sins. (verse 9b)
     ANSWER:
     HUMBLE MYSELF BEFORE THE LORD AND HE WILL LIFT ME UP. (verse 10)
[Reference: James, Practical and Authentic Living by Charles Swindoll]

LET IT GROW
What does James tell me to do?

• Submit to God. Order yourself under God, surrender to Him as conquering King, and receive the benefits of His reign.
• Resist the devil to solve problems that carnality and strife cause. Stand against the devil's deceptions and intimidation. Come in the authority of what Jesus did on the cross.
• Draw near to God.  
• Cleanse my hands at the cross and purify my heart.
• Humble myself. He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. (Grace is unmerited favor of God.) (David Guzik)

Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say:

Because of God's never-ending grace, the Christian's logical behavior is total submission to Him, rather than enslavement to the world's allurements. The believer must walk in the Spirit with the utmost caution. He must walk worthy (Col 1:9-10).

LET IT GO

Totally submit everything and myself to God.



    

    
   

What Kind of Fruit is in Your Garden?

526.  "What Kind of Fruit is in Your Garden?"                            May 24, 2012
James 3-Part 6
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peacae of them that make peace.  James 3:17-18


LET IT GLOW

One spring my son and I decided to plant a garden. We hoed by hand a spot of ground outside the fenced in yard. (We had a beagle inside that liked to dig.) Since we didn't have a tiller, it was hard work hoeing to dig up the grass. We planted the hills of corn and squash, tied up tomato plants, even put in seeds of okra, too. After much watering and weeding, as time passed, we had the fruit of our labor to enjoy. It was a good time that we spent together, talking, and working with our hands. There are seven fruits that were not found in our garden, but are characteristic of divine wisdom from above. Shall we see what they are?

We talked about the true, false, and human wisdom in our last lesson. Today's verses talk more in depth about the true, divine wisdom that is from above. The tests of true wisdom are good behavior and gentleness (verse 13). Good behavior means change: an inner willingness to obey God's Word. Gentleness refers to strength under control, like that seen in a high-spirited horse that has been well trained.

What are its characteristics of divine wisdom? (Thayer's Lexicon definition), [from Swindoll's James],  {from MacArthur}

1. Pure: (pure from every fault, immaculate)
              [It is listed first in importance and first on the list. Means freedom from defilement, without
               contamination, clean; moral cleanliness and purity of  motive. In Matt. 5:8, Jesus says
               the pure in heart will see God-meaning they'll see Him come to their rescue when
               tempted or facing trials.]
              {This refers to spiritual integrity and moral sincerity.}
 
2. Peaceable: (loving peace),
                       [We're like a desert when God's rain gently falls upon the desert, a peaceable attitude
                         springs to life.]
                      {Refers to peace-loving, peace-promoting.}

3. Gentle: (fair, mild)
                  [Means equitable, moderate, tolerant; refers to those in places of authority over
                    others. "Sweet reasonableness-to extend to others the kindly consideration we would wish
                    to receive ourselves," says Matthew Arnold.]
                  {Such a person will submit to all kinds of mistreatment and difficulty with an attitude of
                    kind, courteous, patient humility, without any thought of hatred or revenge.}

4. Easy to be Intreated, reasonable: (easily obeyed, compliant)
                                                             [Refers to those who are under someone else's authority; means
                                                              easily persuaded]
                                                             {Willing to yield, someone who is teachable, willingly submits
                                                                to moral and legal standards; obedience to God's standards.}
5. Full of Mercy and Good Fruits: (Mercy is kindness or good will towards the miserable and
                                                            afflicted; joined with a desire to relieve them, of men towards
                                                             men)
                                                            [Mercy is a compassionate attitude, and good fruits are actions
                                                             that naturalllly flow from mercy.]
                                                            {A gift of showing concern for those who suffer pain and
                                                              hardship, andthe ability to forgive quickly.}

6. Without Partiality: (Without dubiousness, ambiguity, or uncertainty)
                                      [Unwavering-means a person of fixed principles; decisive person who is
                                        unafraid to make decisions based on Scripture.]
                                      {A consistent, unwavering person who is undivided in his committment and
                                        conviction and does not make unfair distinctions.}

7. Without Hupocrisy: (unfeigned, undisguised)
                                        [A hypocrite who wears a mask, who pretends to be someone he or she is not,
                                          as an actor; not two-faced or deceptive.]

There are a lot of fruit of divine wisdom, isn't there?


LET IT GROW

Now that we've completed our fruit inspection, did we find all seven in us? What result can divine wisdom make in our lives?
Peace, according to James, means being rightly related to one another; it's a horizontal peace between humans beings, not vertical peace between God and man.

Righteousness means integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness, correctness in thinking, feeling, and acting.

Do I want correctness in my thinking, feelings, and actions? I need to study the Word so I know how.

Verse 18 refers to good works that result from salvation. Righteousness flourishes in a climate of spiritual peace. (MacArthur)

As rain gives life to the desert, so can God cultivate a garden of divine wisdom in us through the living water of His Holy Spirit. Am I ready to change from being a fruit inspector to a fruit grower?


LET IT GO

Be a fruit grower; allow the Holy Spirit to produce divine wisdom in me.

Develop pure thoughts. Slam that door to unpure thoughts and temptations.

Live peaceably with others.

Become a gentle and  reasonable person.

Have a heart full of mercy and good fruits.

Stand unwaveringly in the principles of the Word of God.

Be a person without hypocrisy.




                                       

True or False

525.  "True or False"                           May 23, 2012
James 3-Part 5
If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.  James 3:13 NLT 
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. NAS

LET IT GLOW

I liked true or false tests in school. I had a 50 % chance of getting it right. I would look for anything that might make the statement false, if not found, then it was obviously true. Wisdom can be true or false, genuine or counterfeit. James tells us about both.

How do I recognize if wisdom is true or false? Charles Swindoll helps answer that question in his book James, Practical and Authentic Living.

True wisdom, divine and genuine, is tested by good behavior and good deeds.
Good behavior means to return or turn back, with the root idea being to change or return to the truth. James is saying a wise person is someone whose life is changing in accordance with the truth of God's Word. Gentleness, in James' day, meant bringing a high-spirited horse under control. The spirit and strength of the horse weren't lost, simply harnessed. The test of wisdom is a life that is patterned after the truth and is under control; is a changed life. Paul said it in 2 Timothy 2:24-25.

A gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Peter 3:4)

Human wisdom is characterized by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in the heart (verse 14a). Jealousy begins with full hands but is threatened by the thought of losing what it possesses. James is saying that an unwise person is someone who tends to be suspicious, resistant, and given to rivalry.
Selfish ambition is the desire to be seen, quoted, and respected (Matt. 23:1-7). The wise allow God to open doors instead of trying to force them open themselves.

NLT says in  verse 14, But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying.

Shouldn't I face it, deal with it as sin, confess it, and seek wisdom instead of covering it up with boasting and lies?
Which wisdom describes me? Our next lesson will describe divine wisdom, so come back tomorrow
.

LET IT GROW

There are four charactistics of false wisdom given in verses 14b-15:

1. Arrogant-rationizing our own sins or even boasting that the end justifies the means, that the bad done wasn't all that bad, or that everybody does it.This word was used to describe a person who boasted about winning anelection dishonestly, in ancient times.
2. Lying against the turth-eventually the truth will be manipulated to justify the person's sin.
3. Earthly-veiew everything from a strictly horizontal perspective using earthly success, standards, motives, attitudes, and methods.
4. Natural-soulish, meaning fleshly, not related to the Spirit of God; limited by temporal things, not eternal.
5. Demonic-no change, no obedience, and no yielding of self to God.

The result of false wisdom is not only bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, but also disorder, confusion, disharmony, and every evil thing, which are worthless, petty, and evil, sinful thoughts.


LET IT GO

Live an honorable life with good behavior and good deeds.

Strive to have a gentle and quiet spirit.

Keep jealousy and selfish ambition away.

Yield to the spirit of God.

Seek true wisdom, not human or false wisdom.

Who do I Resemble?

524.  "Who do I Resemble?"                     May 22, 2012
James 3-Part 4
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.   James 3:9-10


LET IT GLOW

I never thought that I looked like my mother until a complete stranger came up to me once at a graveyard and said that I must be Mom's daughter. Family members say I resemble Mom. Well, I knew I had her wide nose, but I always thought I have Dad's long nose (his was pointed). At any rate, I don't stand a chance-I have a big nose. In fact, I am surprised that kids didn't tease me while growing up. My husband did years ago-saying it was my umbrella, don't look up or I'd drown. Finally, he stopped teasing when I  told him those comments hurt my feelings. You know, when I look in the mirror, I don't notice my nose, but the wrinkles that are developing. A big nose is the least of my concerns. Who do you resemble?

Similitude (homoyosis in Greek) means after the likeness of God; assimilation, resemblance.
(Thayer's Lexicon, Strong's Concordance)

We are made in the image of God, all of us. We have a soul and a spirit. That is how we differ from animals.
When we curse human beings we are assaulting God also, for we humans were created in the likeness of God. (Baker)

Man is a "rational, self-conscious, self-determining creature, capable of obedience to moral law, and intended by God for fellowship with Himself." (Stephen Barabas in Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary)

In spite of man's fall and resulting wickedness, he still bears God's image (ICor. 11:7, Gen. 1:26, Gen. 5:1-3) although there is an infinite qualitative differene between them man resembles God in a way which distinguishes him from the rest of God's creation. The main view of scholars are bodily form, dominion over the animal world, moral nature, and personality. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Ephesians 4:23-24 says, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Do you recall that we are still discussing the tongue in the third chapter of James? The tongue can be used for the highest calling (to bless our God) and for the lowest evil (to curse men). but in those who are born again, it shouldn't be said that out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Our speech should be consistently glorifying to God. We shouldn't use one vocabulary or one tone of speaking at church, and a different one at home or on the job. (Guzik)

Jesus had some things to say about our words in Matthew 12:34-37. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; a good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things, likewise for evil words come from an evil heart; one day we will give an account for every idle word we speak. (my paraphrasing)

Is my tongue praising my Lord Jesus and heavenly Father? Or is it saying bad things about people?Are my words resembling Jesus? Do I bless God before meals, with other saints, verbally, in prayer, with songs? Which do I do the most of during a day's time? I don't like my answer.

LET IT GROW

In verse 9, curse means to imprecate evil on (imprecate means to involk a curse or evil upon); doom.

It sounds rather strong, doesn't it?
James goes on to make four comparisons within nature:

• A fountain cannot produce sweet water and bitter. (verse 11)
• A fig tree cannot produce olive berries. (verse 12)
• A vine cannot produce figs. (verse 120
• Salt water cannot be made sweet. (verse 12)

According to ordinary operations of nature, these things are impossible. Grace can make the same moiuth that "sent forth the bitter" once, send forth the sweet for the time to come. (Adam Clarke)

A mouth that condemns men while praising God lacks credibility. That sort of person would have a shallow Christian experience, if one at all. (Falwell)

Three illustrations from nature demonstrate the sinfulness of cursing. The genuine believer will not contradict his profession of faith by the regular use of unwholesome words. (MacArthur)

Who do I resemble-God or the devil?

What to do? Check out our previous lesson for Scriptures. I am finding that when I am giving thanks or singing praises to Jesus, I am not thinking bad thoughts nor saying the wrong things.

Psalm 19:14 in NLT says, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

This is my prayer.

LET IT GO

Lord, let me bite my tongue when  I am saying things that You don't want me to say.

Keep my heart and tongue clean. 

Love others and leave the judging to God.

Taming Wild Kittens and Tongues

523.  "Taming Wild Kittens and Tongues"      May 21, 2012
James 3-Part 3
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8

LET IT GLOW

I have always had a love for cats. During my childhood, cats were always on our farm. Perhaps it was because they kept down the mice population around the barn and chickenhouses where feed was stored.
Most of my cats were a muckeldedum gray. (One of Dad's favorite adjectives, which I don't know what it means.) Since old Tom was a lifetime resident, and we always had females around, too, there were many kittens. In case  you don't know, kittens are not born tame, but wild. It was easier to tame them while they were young. It takes a lot of patience, time, and milk to tame wild kittens. They would hiss at me when approached, scratch me when picked up, and even bite it they felt in danger or had a mind to do so. But there wasn't a cat on our farm that I didn't try to tame, anyway. Most of the time I was successful. After taming the kittens, I would often dressing them up in my doll's clothes. They were my babies. after reading the scriptures, I realized my tongue is like those kittens, untamed, wild, and out of control.
Friends, don't leave me now, I need to know I'm not alone on this walk through the Word about the tongue. Yes, I am certainly in need on this topic. Let's walk on.

James has previously used the illustrations of horses and ships, and now the third one is fire. I understand that the tongue is a small part of the body. A strong horse can be controlled by a small bit and a huge ship can be controlled by a small rudder.

In verse 5, James says that a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. He says that a tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting my entire body. It can set my whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (NLT)

(Please stay with me, I know this is not encouraging.)
What is learned about the tongue in these verses?

• It is like a fire. The tongue is in comparison to a match in size, but its effect is like a raging forest fire. (Falwell)
• It is a small member of the bodythat is powerful. Even though the small tongue boasts, it is still a little spark that can burn a whole forest, thousands of acres, down.
• It is a world of iniquity, which means unrighteousness. The whole world of evil finds its expression through the tongue. Boastful pride, destructive anger, cutting bitterness, flattering lust-the tongue communicates them all (Swindoll)
• It can defile the whole body. It spreads throughtout the body like a devouring cancer.
• It can set on fire the course of nature, which refers to the pattern of history. A sharp tongue may instigate war or peace, or prevent an election.
• It is set on fire of  hell (geenna in Greek), which originally referred to the Valley of Hinnom, south and west of Jerusalem, where a perpetual fire blazed on its garbage heaps. It became a symbol of the eternal abode of the lost. (Falwell)
• It cannot be tamed. All kinds of animals, lions (Clarence the Crossed Lion), bears (Gentle Ben), porpoises (Flipper), and whales (Shamu), horses (Mr. Ed), cockatoos (on Baretta) have been tamed and even do tricks. The circus profession and others have made money by showing off tamed, wild animals taught to perform stunts. Still, we don't tame our tongue. 
• It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. (NLT) Like the forked tongue of a venimous snake, we can strike and poison those around us.An example is Hitler baring his fangs into Christianity and God's chosen people, the Israelites. Millions were killed by poison gas. Whispers and gossips threaten friendships, reputations, and the work of the church.

LET IT GROW

What can I do with this uncontrollable tongue?
Galatians 5:16 says, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
1 John 3:18 says, Love not with tongue but in deed and truth.
1 Peter 3:10 says, Refrain the tongue from evil.
Colosssians 3:17 says, Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Walking by the Spirit is a decision of faith in the Spirit's power, always available to us if we will simply ask in faith for it. (Blake)

God is perfect. He alone can control our tongue. Our deep need is to be possessed by Him so that He can forgive all of our sin and enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit to control our tongue and our total being. (Preacher's Commentary)


LET IT GO

 As much as possible, refrain my tongue.

Surrender to the Holy Spirit's control.

Keep "thanks" on my tongue; thank the Lord for all things and in all situations.