The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1:21-27)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Monday morning Daily Devotions summer series titled “The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

This week we will continue our reading of verses 21-27 in completion of chapter 1 as we consider Belief that Behaves…

The genuineness of a person’s “religion” is not determined by their own opinion, it's determined by God’s opinion! Although a person may “think” themselves to be quite “religious” as such, they are not the one who makes that decision. God says we are genuinely “religious” in the truest sense based upon His Word when our “lives” are marked by “obedience” and “love” for Him and others. Incidentally, the true “believer” will also strive to “keep oneself unspotted from the world” by Biblical “faith” in Jesus Christ, by the “grace” of God the Father, through the in-filling “power” of the Holy Spirit – Thank you Lord!

Belief the Behaves!

James continues to challenge his readers with more tests of true “faith” as he further instructs the “brethren” entrusted into his pastoral care and nurturing:

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls – James 1:21

Another way we must “receive” the Word of God is with a “pure” life. However, we cannot do so until we are ready to “lay aside” the influences of our “flesh” and the satanic “world” system around us. The evil of the world’s “filthiness” and “wickedness” will hinder the “righteousness” of God from being produced in our lives. Why? Because they do not please Him! Therefore, James instructs us to “lay aside” our “sins.” A key word James uses here is "receive” because it is how one responds to God as they “receive with meekness” His “implanted word” into their submitted heart. It is the Word of God that alone is “able to save your souls” from damnation. If you are a true “believer” there is a receptivity to the “truth” of God in “your” life – We must submit to the Word of God!

A SIMPLE ILLUSTRATION: As radio listeners diligently set their dials for clear broadcast reception, “we” are “tuned into” to the “frequency” of God and His Word properly when it comes through clearly. Why? Because that's where we've decided to set the “spiritual” dial of our heart. When we “desire” God’s “truth” and want to “obey” His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit, our “souls” are blessed – Amen!

Next James further captures the core of the issue of “obedience” to God’s Word:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was – James 1:22-24

One way to define a true “believer” is one who is a “doer” of God’s “word” and “walks” in the “way” of the Lord. They subscribe their life to the Word of God and “desire” to pattern their lives after Him. On the other hand, “unbelievers” are not “doers” of God's Word. They simply “observe” themselves and then “goes away” to “immediately” avoid it at all costs. The point is this: If you don't do something on the spot when you see what needs to be changed in your life, you'll get busy and you'll forget that anything needs to be done at all. Therefore, we must deal with our “sin” immediately! In other words, if we're simply a “hearer” of God’s Word only, we are dangerously close to “deceiving” ourselves... About what? – Our salvation!

If we try to construct a religious house built upon anything else but “obedience” to the Word of God, the effort is folly. In fact, James’ half-brother, “Savior” and “Lord” Jesus Christ asked this straight-to-the-point question:

And why do you call Me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say – Luke 6:46

It is a mark of an authentic, true and genuine “believer” living in the ONLY saving “faith” of Jesus Christ. This is the Christian that has a deep “desire” to “obey” God’s “word” by being more than just a “hearer” – The proper response is to be a doer!

“But” now in stark contrast, James addresses the true “believer” in Jesus Christ: 

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does – James 1:25

Here’s the contrast! This Greek word for “looks” is “parakupto” and literally means to bend down to examine something with great care and precision. This is the “believer” who thoroughly searches out everything and implies a true humbling of oneself. It is a looking intently with great “desire” and effort at the “perfect law of liberty” and wanting to “discern” what is revealed in God’s Word. James encourages the “doer of the work” in that “this one will be blessed in what he does.” Why? Because the true blessing is in the actual doing – Obedience to the Lord!

Next we move away from the analogy to the actual situation. Here we find that apparently in the fellowship to which James wrote, there was a BIG problem! There were many “religious” people misusing their “tongue” for “useless” pursuits:

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless – James 1:26

There seems to have been several would-be “religious” teachers who were “deceivers” of the “brethren” and their “religion” was “useless” to God and man. The point here is a false subjective mental belief or opinion of which is implied by the word "thinks." This phrase could be translated as "has the opinion of himself that he's religious.” After all, “Out of the abundance of the mouth, the heart speaks” and corrupt, unholy speech betrays a corrupt, unholy heart. In other words – Your lips will reveal what is truly in your heart!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The Greek word for “religious” here is “threskos” and is a very interesting word. It is an adjective of which is used only here in the New Testament. The noun form is used in verses 26 and 27 and refers to external ceremonial worship. Incidentally, the Greek word “eusebeia” means “godliness“ referring to the “heart” and the Greek word “mataios” means “accomplishing nothing” and is “useless” for anything! Therefore, if somebody “thinks” himself to be liturgically “religious” in the sense that he's carrying out a sort of pompous and pious parade but does not care to “bridle his tongue,” he actually “deceives his own heart” and his “religion is useless” both externally and internally – He is a totally deceived hypocrite!

Therefore, even though the “religious” ritual might be evangelical in nature and even though the ceremony might be Biblical, it is actually futile pagan idolatry unless one’s “heart“ is right with the Lord! It's the “hearing” and “doing” with the right “heart” and “motives” that truly matters to God. Therefore, it is a complete “deception” to “think” that if we simply read our Bible, go to church, pray, give money, sing songs… That's enough… REALLY?

IMPORTANT QUESTION: How do you know if what you are “doing” is right before the Lord? Check your “tongue” and speech. Why? Because if any man “thinks he is religious” and doesn't “bridle” his own “tongue,” his profession of “faith” is a sham – Deceptive and useless!

Finally, James notes that a proper reaction to and reception of the Word of God also means a willingness to apply it without selfishness:

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world – James 1:27

True “religion” demonstrates God’s Love and compassion. “Pure” is the word for clean and “undefiled” is the word for unstained. They're synonyms with each other and points out that this is the purest kind of “worship” and “religion.” Again, it is not about what we do on the outside that matters, it's what comes out of our “heart” from the inside! Furthermore, look what James says here: “Pure” and “undefiled” before Whom? Here “God and the Father” is speaking of His Sovereignty as “God” and His Love as “Father.” This is God's standard as He evaluates and judges our “works” based upon His divine decision and not on the basis of our outward activity alone – Very important!

This word for "to visit" is a wonderful word. It means much more than simply saying "Hello" to someone. It has a sense of care built into it and includes the idea of bringing love and pity to someone in need through genuine nurturing support and service. James chooses “orphans and widows” because they are a segment of the population within the “church” that demonstrates the greatest need for compassion with the least ability to reciprocate. Throughout the entire Bible – God has always been concerned with the fatherless and widows!

James finishes his thoughts in this passage as he encourages his readers to continually strive to “keep oneself unspotted from the world” and its evil influence. The Greek word for “world” here is “Kosmos” of which refers to the filthy demonic system of ideologies, beliefs, lifestyles and worldviews of Satan’s ungodly cultural influence.

THE WORD OF GOD IS CLEAR! Anyone who is a friend of the “world” is the enemy of God! The two are incompatible.

The Apostle John aptly applies this same truth in saying if you “love” the “world,” you don't “love” the “Father”:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him – 1 John 2:15-16

Straight to the point! If you're a “friend” of the “world” then you're an enemy of God. In other words – There's no place for compromise!

In closing:

Having been “born again” by the shed blood of “Jesus Christ” and baptized by the “Holy Spirit of God” confirmed through the “Word of God” we become its pupils and our heart's “desire” is to listen to it, learn from it and respond to it in the same way a baby “desires” milk. After all, you do not have to teach a baby to like milk or to drink milk. Why? Because it naturally wants to eat as soon as it arrives into the world – By God’s design!

The same is true of a “believer” transformed by the “Word of God” as he “grows up” with a spiritual appetite toward the “things” of God. For the true “Christian,” this appetite is there in a growing way and is indicative of the “new birth” in Jesus Christ. However, if this appetite is not there in a growing way it is most likely indicative of the absence of the “new birth” in Jesus Christ – An eternally serious spiritual matter!

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued study of The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!…

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!

Shane <><

Pray

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Today, I’m going to be very brief.  I’m going to encourage you to cast your cares on him and ask you to lift up each other in prayer.  I’d like for us to pray for one another, whether you know one another or not.  If you have a prayer request, the devotion team, along with many readers of this group, are glad to pray for you or even with you. 

What can I do to pray for you today?

Minds, Hearts, and Mouths

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.  But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.  For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  James 3:13-17

The other day, I was figuratively thrown under the bus.  In a discussion, I had said something that was the truth as I knew it only to have someone else give an entirely different version of it.  Furthermore, they said that not only was I naïve about it but also too nice to recognize that it even existed.  Having heard this, there was a part of me that wanted to go into a demeaning tirade toward that person.  However, I stopped and paused to reflect for a moment.  What stopped me?  When everything in my body wanted to just ‘light them up like a Christmas tree,’ why did I hold my tongue?  My only explanation was that this must be what wisdom is about.  When everything in you wants to rage out of control saying the angriest, cursed, and vehemently horrible things that you feel inside, something within says, “Wait.  No not yet. Just wait.  There is a better way to respond to this.”  It is that something within that gives you an opportunity to where you might actually help that person instead of destroy them.  In this case, I would later sit down with that person to discuss when the right time to bring something up is.

 God wants for us to walk with wisdom in our journey of faith by tempering down that which we might often say or do.  Everyone growing up should remember the saying ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.’  Those who truly believe that obviously had not read too much of the 3^rd chapter of James, which says, “People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish,  but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” (James 3:7-8) While actions definitely speak louder than words, our words do matter.  If I cannot use the restraint that comes from wisdom to control what I say, then I run the risk of offending and/or hurting others, which is not what God would intent.  This is not to say to be dishonest as verse 14 clearly states we should not be.  However as verse 17 also states, the truth should be peace loving, gentle, full of mercy, and the fruits of good deeds.  It’s knowing who to call ‘jerk’ and who to ask, “Do you think it was the best way to handle that?”  If we are following and growing in Christ, we gain the wisdom to distinguish between the two.

Gaining wisdom from God is a vital step of our growth toward being a true follower of Christ.  Today’s verses speak of wisdom that is an inspiration toward doing the right things.  When our words are in lock and step with our good deeds, others, both believers and non-believers, benefit as they stand to see the glory of God from within us. Thus, a controlled response followed with actions from one’s humble heart will always be reflective of true wisdom from God.  What greater wisdom can you gain from measuring your responses?  Will you commit to ensure your words match your actions?  My prayer is that we are inspired to act with God’s true wisdom in our minds, hearts, and mouths.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Freedom

Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (NASB)

Hello,

As we have just celebrated our independence day here in the USA, this verse was on my mind. Specifically, the first portion. How often do we affiliate our relationship with God to the things we should or should not do? But that is not what it is about. It is about freedom! Our relationship is about the freedom from sin and its accompanying results. How often do we forget that we are free from sin?

This freedom is a wonderful thing! I hope you take some time today to think about your freedom in Christ – you have it as a believer, as you living in it?

Will Hill

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 1:12-20)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Monday morning Daily Devotions summer series titled “The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!”

This week we will continue our reading of verses 12-20 in chapter 1 as we consider Loving God Under Trials…

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

As we’ve discussed, James refers to his readers as “brethren” several times throughout his epistle. In fact, he even calls them "my beloved brethren." So the underlying assumption here is that the people who make a claim of “faith” are indeed true “believers” in Jesus Christ. James doesn't explain what it is to be a “Christian” because his readers already had that “knowledge” of their “salvation” glory! James is simply saying throughout his excellent epistle: “It won't benefit you eternally unless there's clear evidence that your salvation is the real thing!” – Very serious indeed!

In the previous section of his Epistle, James began to give us several tests to indicate whether or not our profession of “faith” is the real thing. We considered the first three last week:

The first test is “patience” through “various trials“ of “suffering” and “hardships” in life.

The second test is how one relies on the “wisdom” of “God” in life.

The third test is how one “responds” to the various financial perspectives in life.

Now James outlines another three tests:

The fourth test is enduring the “temptations” in life.

The fifth test is the direction of blame for the “temptations” in life.

The sixth test is trusting in the “perfect” provision of God in life.

James begins this section with our focus on the “promised” reward from the “Lord” in difficult times of “temptation” in life…

Loving God Under Trials

The fourth serious “test” of true “faith” is enduring the “temptation” of life:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him – James 1:12

THEOLOGICAL THOUIGHTS: This “promised” reward is one of five “crowns” that the Apostle Paul outlined throughout his New Testament epistles. It was also the Apostle Paul who also reflected upon the “temptation“ of “man” and the “faithfulness” of God in speaking to the spiritually immature church in Corinth:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Indeed, “God is faithful” in all our “trials” and “temptations” that “we” will experience in life! That's the “blessed” reward of “salvation” for the “approved” true “believer” whose “faith” is demonstrated by the way he “endures” the “temptation“ of “trials” experienced throughout his life time. James reassures “us” that “we” will “receive” the “crown of life” which the “Lord” has “promised” to those who “love Him” – Praise the Lord!

The fifth serious “test” of true “faith” is the direction of blame in the “temptations” of life:

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death – James 1:13-15

True “faith” accepts personal responsibility for “sin” and ungodly decisions. James is very clear in regards to the “false converts” who say “I am tempted by God” when in fact “He” does not “tempt anyone” at all! Why then, would “he” say this about the Lord who “cannot be tempted by evil” and the wickedness of man? Because these “liars” do not want to accept personal responsibility for their own “sin” and rebellion against “God” – That’s the issue!

The “he” James is referring to here is the unbelieving “one” who has a false professing “faith” demonstrated by the fact they will not accept the “truth” and are “drawn away” from “God” by their “own” wicked “desires” and “enticed” by them. Then “sin” is “conceived” and when it becomes a “full-grown” and unrepentant, habitual life-style pattern of personal choice will “bring forth death” for the “false convert” – Physical and Spiritual!

It was the Apostle Peter of whom also reflected upon “living” in willful “sin” and the “flesh” verses “walking” in “obedience” according to the perfect “will of God”:

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit – 1 Peter 4:1-6

In other words, we once “lived” in wicked, willful “sinfulness” through a “flood of dissipation” in our fallen “flesh” natures. Why? Because that is all we could do in our lost state of “sin” and “rebellion” against God… Until the “gospel” of Jesus Christ “saved” us! Therefore, Peter exclaims: “Stop living in your willfully wicked and sinful ways!” These passages are indeed convicting and yet comforting thoughts from our “faithful” and “loving” Holy “God” of promise – Amen!

The sixth serious “test” of true “faith” is regarding the “perfect” loving provision of God’s “gifts” in life:

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning – James 1:16-17

Here James commands the “beloved brethren” not to “be deceived” in their “understanding” of God’s blessings. Why? Because the only “gift” that comes “down” from the “Father of lights” is His “good” and “perfect” will for the true “believer” in Him. Therefore, we must see our own “sin” as the bad “fruit” of our own “lust” for worldly enticements and fleshly desires – God did not create our trouble… We did!

James also says there is “no variation” nor “shadow of turning” in God’s perfect “holiness” and nature. Why? Because in Him there is “no darkness” what so ever! The Apostle John confirmed this “message” regarding the “light” of God:

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all – 1 John 1:5

IMPORTANT TRUTH: Our “sin” doesn't “come down” from God. Our “sin” comes up from within ourselves! In other words, James and John both concur: “Show me a true believer and I'll show you the one repenting of his own sin” – Absolutely!

Re-born to Holiness!

James continues with a beautiful thought of which simply articulates the meaning of the “new birth” in Jesus Christ – “salvation” in Him:

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures – James 1:18

In fact, it was of “His own will” by the “word of truth” that we were “saved” by God before the “foundations of the world” in Him! The Apostle Paul expands on this poignant point in speaking to the church in Ephesus:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved – Ephesians 1:3-6

Similarly, the Old Testament repeatedly admonishes His people to be like God: “Be holy for I the Lord am holy!” The New Testament echoed these instructions to “believers” concerning God’s “holiness” throughout the epistle letters to continually “Be holy, for I the Lord am holy.” However, in order for depraved and “sinful” man to one day “enter” into the “holy” presence of God, we must first be set apart from our “sin” unto “righteousness” according to the “good pleasure” of “His will” and “grace” through the atoning shed blood “sacrifice” of Jesus Christ. Why? Because we are not at all “holy” or “righteous” in our wicked “fallen” nature – That’s quite obvious!

In our “unregenerate” condition, we do not think, speak, act or rightly perceive God. We do not “understand” God’s perfect “truth,” “law” or His “will” for “our” lost soul. Nor do we correctly “discern” ourselves as wicked “sinners.” Therefore, the Word of God reminds “us” that of His “own will” God “brought us forth” by His “word of truth” through the “Gospel” of His Son Jesus Christ for the “forgiveness of sin” through His “death,” “burial” and “resurrection” from the dead! Therefore, all “believers” are “firstfruits” of “His creatures” through spiritual “regeneration” from “death” into “eternal life” in Jesus Christ – We are born again!

Again, “God” has “created” us to do “good” – not “evil” – and through His Only Begotten Son gave us “power” over “sin” and “death” as a part of a “new creation” in Him, just as the Apostle Paul had promised:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17

REMNANT REMINDER: Every once in a while, we need to go back to the simple reality of what the “gospel” of Jesus Christ really is from a Biblical understanding. It is through God’s Word where James, Paul, Peter, the other Apostles and the Old Testament Prophets help us to “understand” this “promise” in a greater way. The true “Christian” is a “kind of firstfruits” to resurrection “glory” in Jesus Christ – We are re-born to Holiness!

James then closes this section with the following three points of instruction as a warning for “our” own spiritual benefit regarding God’s Word:

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God – James 1:19-20

The issue here is our response to the Word of God. This passage is not speaking in regards to a silly or quick answer given before listening to the full context of a conversation. In other words, when James says to "be swift to hear" he means to listen intently to the Word of God. It's how “we” respond to the Word of God that is James’ main concern. The idea here is an eagerness to grasp every opportunity to increase our “hearing” of God's Word and to pursue every privileged occasion to obtain the “wisdom,” “discernment, “knowledge” and “understanding” of God and His divine “will” for our lives – That is the mark of a true believer!

We must also be equally as “slow to speak” on God’s behalf. In other words, we must never presume to “speak” on behalf of God’s Word unless “we” are prepared for all that this honor encompasses. Everything we “believe,” “teach” and “live” by must be “tested” with the Word of God in its proper context – We must never willingly misrepresent the Word of God!

James then ties it all together with an exhortation to be “slow to wrath.” Why? Because it is antithetical to the “righteousness of God” of which is produced in the heart of the true “believer” in Jesus Christ! In other words, when we “hear” something properly taught from the Word of God, we must not build up resentment against it – either because it doesn't agree with what we thought it said or because it may confront our “sinful” bent. That's the main point here. It implies an unwarranted “wrath” against the “messenger” who lovingly and correctly “teaches,” “admonishes” or “confronts” us with the Sovereign Word of God – Do not be angry towards God’s Word!

In closing:

These are very important and poignant points James makes in these passages concerning our response to – The Word of God!

Similarly, the Apostle Paul bluntly questioned the saints in Rome regarding God’s distain towards man’s “foolish” and “sinful” opinion concerning God’s “sovereign” rule over everything:

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? – Romans 9:20

In other words, Paul says:"Shut your mouth and don't ask that question! Don't you dare impugn the character and nature of God or His Word!"

Therefore, both James and Paul remind us in their excellent epistles that our “wrath” against the “Word of the Lord” will never incite the “righteousness of God” within our lives. We must never presume to challenge God’s final written authority – Found in His perfect Word!

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued study of The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!…

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!

Shane <><

Acknowledging Him

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

Luke 12:8-10

Not too long ago, I was talking with someone and sharing with them some things I had been challenged with.  I was kind of surprised when they turn their head to look around and see if anyone was around before they told me they would be praying for me.

I know that there are certainly times that it is hard to be a walking image of God however today I want to encourage you all to remember that anyone who disowns God before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 

Have a blessed weekend and remember to stand proud as a child of the Lord.

I Don't Like You

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.  Romans 8:5-11

I don’t like God sometimes.  I say this much like I say it to my wife Loretta.  You know when you have that argument about a decision with your significant other and make a choice your way only to find out later that they were right all along, you just look with that face of resignation, and your significant other just smiles with that grin saying, “I told you so.”  The only thing left to say after that is, “I don’t like you.”  For me, it is a subtle way of admitting to my wife I should have trusted her.  Much in the same way, God will literally point out something in my life that I either took too lightly or gave into principally, and then show the error of my ways.  I love Him for that because in spite of that He is still shows me grace, but that does not mean that I like Him.  Fortunately like my wife, He understands . . . I think  J

God wants all of us to live a life resisting the temptations of the flesh so that the Holy Spirit that dwells within us will grow.  Today’s verses from Romans signify the beginning of what many pastors feel is one of the most important chapters in the Bible; Romans 8.  Paul was pointing out a fundamental truth of a growing walk of faith.  It is one that does not give in to what the flesh wants, and has discipline to know that the mind and heart must focus on what is pleasing to God and not governed by our often shallow and short sighted wants.  While this seems simple enough, we often fail to realize when it is being tested.  Sometimes, it can be as simple as lending a hand to a friend in need.  Other times, it could be as complex as knowing when a relationship with a member of the opposite sex has grown too cozy.  There could be a situation where you’re challenged to do God’s work when it is uncomfortable for you, and in another, peer pressure will push you saying ‘everyone does it at least once.’  No matter how simple or complex the situation, our goal is to have our mind ‘governed by the Spirit’ such that we will always make good decisions or as my granddaughter would say, “Make better choices.”  Should we fail, we must be repentant but not discouraged.  Instead, read God’s word, and find ways so that you can be successful the next time.

God never said staying on course was easy.  Jesus said, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13b)   We all find our way at some point heading toward that gate of destruction.  I personally have gone through that gate a couple of times.  However through God’s grace and sometimes discipline, we are shown a better path.  If we believe in Him and keep walking by faith, the Spirit of Christ will grow within us such that we always will find our way to the righteous path again.  What subtle hints is God giving you of a wrong path?  How can you let the Spirit of Christ guide your decisions more?  My prayer is that we continue to love God and Christ within us knowing that sometimes, we won’t like Him.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Perfect timing

Hello,

I have this tendency that typically ends up not working out well. I try to time things perfectly. I wait for just the right conditions, and then spring into action! Of course, by the time I think things are perfect I am generally too late….There is only so much we can do to control outside elements. Sometimes we just need to know what the right thing is and do it – not wait. The most critical element of this is when it comes to following God. He wants us to do what is right immediately. We don’t have to try and time God – (He is in control of time after all).

So, that thing that God has been asking you to do (or stop doing)? Now is the time. Don’t wait – just follow in obedience now!

Did you know that the word immediately appears in the New Testament 101 times? The majority of these are in reference to either people doing what God had asked, or God showing His power.

Mark 4:18-22 “Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (NASB)

Will Hill