anxiety

Knocking Fear off Its Throne - James 4:8

11:00 AM


 James 4:8


What if I told you that fear is a sin? How? Because fear stems from pride. And God has some pretty strong feelings about pride. (Proverbs 8:13) For pride submits to no one, thinking we ourselves know best. And it’s the same with fear. When we let fear dictate what we do and don’t do, we’re telling God we trust more in our own feelings than in His promises. So how can we knock fear off the throne in our lives? The throne intended for God alone? In writing his letter to the Jews, James gives us the tools. Humility and faith.


Humility is never an easy pill to swallow. Because admitting we are wrong, being vulnerable, and submitting is hard. But when we come to God with a truly humble heart, He doesn’t say, “I told you so.” Instead He welcomes us with open arms, inviting us to draw near to Him. To leave our pride and fear at the door, and safely shelter in His mighty fortress. An impenetrable tower of power, mercy, and wisdom. And when we put our faith in His perfect love and promises, we have no room to be afraid. And no weapon for the Enemy to wield. For, as 1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear.” 


We will never experience the peace that God offers without trusting Him completely with everything we are and everything we have. Because only by letting go and letting God, can real change happen. So today I challenge you to have an honest conversation with God. Draw near to Him, and lay your fears at the feet of Jesus. Give Him your sorrows, worries, tears, and anxiety. Let Him draw near to you, taking the reins in your life. Receive His healing of your heart and mind, and walk in the Lord’s freedom! 


I'd love to hear your thoughts, and be sure to join the discussion over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2



James

A Fig Tree Can’t Produce Olives {James 3}

4:04 PM




Monday March 2 “Walking In Wisdom” 


When we think of sins that grieve God, at the top of the list usually aren’t the wrong doings we commit with our tongue. After all, how much harm is there in sharing a bit of gossip or exaggerating a little here and there. And doesn’t everyone from time to time say things that we regret? Don’t we have more important sins to worry about than the words we speak? In Matthew 12:36 Jesus warns, “I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” That sounds pretty important to me, and to James as well who talks about the danger of a tongue out of control.

In the early church, there were members who wanted to be like James and become teachers of God’s Word. And although teaching is indeed a mighty calling, James warned it isn’t a job for just anyone. For those who teach are held to a much higher standard by God. And as such they can’t just talk the talk, they have to walk the walk. A pretty daunting task as we all, “stumble in many ways.” (vs. 2) And one of the biggest stumbling blocks we face comes from the tongue which is, “a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.” (vs. 5)

Just as a bit in a horses mouth makes it go in the direction the rider chooses, or a tiny rudder determines the path of even the largest vessel, James tells us that control over our tongue equals control over the rest of our body. Yet easier said than done, because James goes on to say, “no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” (vs. 8) For out of one side of our mouths we “bless our Lord and Father” and out of the other we, “curse men; who have been made in the likeness of God.” (vs. 9,10) And just like a small fire which can set ablaze and destroy an entire forest, the tongue, a fire of iniquity, “defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life.” (vs.6)  James laments how it shouldn’t be this way. For just as a faucet can’t pour out both clean and polluted water, nor a fig tree produce olives, a mouth belonging to the Lord can’t speak both blessings and curses. But if it’s impossible for us to tame our tongue what are we to do? 

In our own strength nothing, but when when we rely on the strength of the Lord, we can do all things; including taming the untamable. (Phil. 4:13) And it starts with our heart. Jesus says, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (Luke 6:45) I once read the connection between the heart and tongue can be described like a bicycle chain. The words the mouth puts forth are driven by what is in the heart. So if we want a tongue whose words lift up others and glorify God, we have to rid our hearts of “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition.” We do this through prayer asking, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Ps. 139:23-24) We do this by spending time in God’s Word daily, “Meditating on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” (Josh. 1:8) We do this by thinking before speaking remembering, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Prov. 21:23) And we do this by asking for forgiveness from the ones we hurt, “ If....your brother or sister has something against you...go and be reconciled to them” (Matthew 5:23-24).

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Ps. 141:3) Words can build up, or destroy. They can bring lasting joy, or lasting pain. So fill your heart with God’s wisdom. For it is, “pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (vs. 17), and turn your speech into seeds which produce righteousness and peace. 



James

Martyr Myrtle {Mark 10:32-45}

11:00 PM



Monday Sept. 16

Today’s Reading- Mark 10:32:45

Years ago while staying with relatives, I remember how part of the trip included visiting the church they attended. After a wonderful service, we were invited to join the potluck lunch which followed. While sitting at a table enjoying a very delicious meatball, an elderly woman with a round pleasant face sat down in the chair next to me. “Well, no one volunteered to organize the bake sale”, she said loudly enough for all to hear. And after letting out a big sigh added, “So of course I offered. You know I’m always willing to sacrifice for a good cause.” And with that she was off to share the same story to the next set of ears. “Who was that?”, I asked the woman next to me. She replied, “We call her Martyr Myrtle. She volunteers for everything. But she only does so for a pat on the back and to make herself feel important.”

James and John were a couple of Martyr Myrtles. While on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus “took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him.” (vs. 32) Can you imagine the thoughts that were swirling in the minds of the disciples after hearing all of the atrocities the Lord was about to suffer, and the great sacrifice He was going to make? The thoughts of James and John? They were about their own importance. They approached Jesus asking, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and One on Your left, in Your glory. But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism which which I am baptized?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able’.” (vs. 36-39) The pair were quick to promise to suffer and sacrifice like Jesus. A promise they couldn’t keep, and a promise made not for His glory, but their own.

Even after all the time they spent following Jesus, James and John still didn’t get it. Jesus isn’t about self importance or self glory, Jesus is about sacrifice. He sacrificed His place in heaven ruling with the Father to come to earth. He sacrificed all the pomp and circumstance befitting a King to live as a pauper. He sacrificed His own needs to tend to the needs of others. He sacrificed His pride, allowing His jailers to mock and spit upon Him. He sacrificed His body to be tortured and beaten beyond recognition. And most gloriously of all, He sacrificed His life, dying nailed to a Cross so that we can live forever. 

One of greatest lessons Jesus wants all of us as His followers to learn, is sacrifice. James and John thought about their own greatness. But Jesus says greatness isn’t found in power and glory, instead it’s measured by our ability to live our lives as servants and slaves to others. The Lord Himself says, “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (vs. 45) “You want to be great, do something great for God? You want to please and honor the Lord Jesus with your life? Then become a servant. Such a person will have the mind of Christ, esteeming others better than himself, looking out for their interests. Such a person, like Jesus, will live life not giving attention to their own interests, but to those of others.”...Daniel Akin. So today, be like Jesus; be willing to sacrifice, be willing to serve, and be willing to be great! 



1:2-3

Abiding in Him-Life Line {John 15:1-27}

1:00 PM


Friday September 13th
Abiding in Him-Life Line
John 15:1-27

 Image result for john 15:1

Commit-to give in trust, to put into the hands or power of another, to entrust.
Commitment-confidence in something present or future, entrusting, confidence.
Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the vine dresser and we are the branches. 
When we come to salvation in Jesus we are connected to Him, just as a branch is connected to the vine, feeding us and we drawing our nourishment from it.

As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.
Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 [Amp.] (I pray this often in my life.)

So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.   John 8:31-32 [Amp]

Image result for john 8:31-32

He is our source, apart from Him we can do nothing.  We cannot bear fruit of ourselves, we need to abide in Him.  He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it to bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.  He is always at work in our lives, perfecting us.
 
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. James 1:2-3

But if we are not bearing fruit then we are cut off and thrown away and dry up and then cast into the fire to be burned. 
When we are abiding in Him and bearing much fruit it glorifies the Father and proves that we are His disciples. 
If we keep His commandments  we will abide in His love; just as He has kept His Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 
These things He has spoken to us that His joy may be in us and that our joy may be made full.

In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  
Psalm 16:11
Image result for psalm 16:11

There is so much in this chapter but I wanted to focus on abiding in Him.   It truly is a commitment to abide in Him.  He promises us that if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit and His joy in us will be full.
I want to share this story from Corrie Ten Boom,

Corrie was in solitary confinement in Ravensbruck ,  a work camp…she says for the first time ever, she was really alone, and she knew her life was completely in the hands of the enemy.  They could kill her, or torture her of just forget about her all together.  She could hear the cries of those being tortured, as she says it was a little bit of hell.  
When she lost courage, she tried singing, but the guards pounded on her door and demanded silence.  They threatened to take her to the dark cell where you had to stand in water.  Time became for her a very thick thing that she struggled to wade through.  It lasted 4 months.  
She cried out to the Lord, “Lord I’m not strong enough to endure this.  I don’t have the faith!”

Suddenly, she noticed an ant which she had watched roaming the floor of the cell for days.  She had just mopped the floor with a wet rag and the moment the ant felt the water on the stones, he ran straight to his tiny hole in the wall.  Then it was as if the Lord said to me, What about that ant?  He didn’t stop to look at the wet rag or his weak feet-he went straight to his hiding place.  Corrie, don’t look at your faith; it is weak, like the tiny feet of that ant.

Don’t dwell on the treatment you might receive from these cruel people.  I am your hiding place, and you can come running to Me just like that ant disappeared into that hole in the wall.  That brought real peace into her heart.  

She says,” I was 53 years old, and I had always known about Jesus, but there in solitary confinement I began to really understand and experience for myself that His light is stronger than the deepest darkness.”

Come to Me, all you who have heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Matt. 11:28.  
When you can believe that, you will know Someone is still interested in you.  
Someone still cares about you-not as a number, but as a person.  
Taken from the book He sets the captive free my Corrie Ten Boom.

I share this story because Corrie was a major person in my walk with the Lord when I first became a Christian.  I could not imagine being in a prison with no way out and how she found her strength in the Lord alone.
 
Our God is real and alive,  just as Corrie did, find your strength in Him and in Him alone.   He truly is committed to you and you can be committed to Him. 


Endurance

The Polish of Perseverance {James 1}

12:30 AM


Monday, May 27  

James 1 

The Petoskey is the state stone of Michigan. As a child I would comb the beaches of many lakes for the perfect piece of this fossilized coral. Dull and pitted in its natural state, with repeated sanding and rinsing, the scratches and rough edges would wear away. And once the polishing cream was rubbed in, that stone was a treasure to behold; smooth to the touch with a shine like glass. 


An Indian guru once said, “The stones of a river start out rough, but with the current continually bumping and polishing them, they end up being beautiful.” I couldn’t think of a more perfect description of the Christian life. Each of us are as river stones. Rough and jagged around the edges, tossed and turned in the raging current of life. And although no one looks forward to the grating friction brought on by tribulations, James tells us when trouble does come our way we are to, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” (vs. 2) 

Why is there joy in trials? Because as James tells us, “the testing of your faith produces  perseverance”. (vs. 3) And what is perseverance? A “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” (dictionary.com) Spiritual perseverance means never giving up no matter how hard our circumstance may be. It means trusting that God is using our situation not only to grow our faith, but to work all things together for our good. (Rom. 8:28) And there is great joy to be found in knowing that our Father does so in love, with the purpose of making us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (vs. 4) 

“The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.”...Daniel Defoe

No one is exempt from the trials of life. And although painful, James tells there is much to be gained from the perseverance of weathering the storm. For just like a Roman philosopher once said, “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” In 1 Peter 2:4, Jesus is called a, “living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God.” We too are choice and precious stones to God. He lovingly refines and purifies us until we are smoothed by faith and polished by perseverance. There is no one who endured or persevered more than Christ. And as His followers it is our goal to each day become more like Him and to follow His example. Doing so not only deepens our relationship with God, to those who endure to the end James promises a great reward. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him”. (vs. 12) And as for me, knowing that I will be spending eternity in paradise with the Lord, is worth any trial or tribulation,  no matter how hard! 

For more encouragement, follow the link! http://t2womenintheword.blogspot.com/2017/11/walking-in-diligent-perseverance-2.html


Blame

Focused On His Goodness {James 1}

11:41 PM



Monday, Mar. 18, 


I’m a morning person. I love the freshness of each new day and the promises it holds. That being said, I learned long ago that nothing sucks the joy out of the morning quicker than waking up and immediately turning on the television, or getting on the internet to get caught up with the news of the world. Filled with stories of disasters, tragedies, and divisiveness, far from feeling encouraged or empowered, I felt hopeless and angry; filled with despair.  I blamed God asking, “Where are you? Why are You letting this happen?” 

During the time of James, the scattered Jewish Christians shared these same feelings. Tired of the injustice, poverty, and corruption of Rome, they were angry at God for the evil of the world. But James warned against such thoughts saying, “Do not be deceived my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (vs. 16-17) James wants us to know that God is the Author of goodness, through whom all good things flow. “Whatever is good is from God; whatever is evil is from man himself. As from the sun, which is the father or fountain of light, all light comes; so from God, who is the infinite Fountain, Father, and Source of good, all good comes.” (studylight.org) So how can we experience the goodness of God no matter the circumstance? By staying focused on, and appreciating all of the awesome attributes He possesses. 

Faithful-“Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion’, says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.” (Lam. 3:23, 24) Even with the destruction of Israel all around him, Jeremiah held fast to the loyalty of God. When we place our hope in the Lord, no matter the griefs of the world we can stay focused on the goodness of His faithfulness. 

Omnipotent-“Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jer. 32:17) We serve God Almighty whose supremacy knows no bounds, and who has no equal. When we trust in His ability to work far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine, no matter the darkness of the world we can stay focused on the goodness of His power.

Compassionate-“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” (Ps. 145:9) As our Father in heaven, God gives to us His children, unending love and mercy. He is our Comforter and our Counselor. When we rest in His grace and tenderness, no matter the afflictions of the world we can stay focused on the goodness of His compassion.

Unchanging-“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Num. 23:19)  The God of today is the same God of yesterday, and as before the foundation of the earth. His Word is true, His promises everlasting. When we place our certainty in His eternal nature, no matter the temperament of the world, we can stay focused on the goodness of His steadfastness.

Sovereign-“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chr. 29:11) God is the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End of all things. And as such nothing is above His authority, nor happens without His approval. When we stand humbly in His presence, no matter the evil schemes of the world, we can stay focused on the goodness of His dominance.

God is good. Not because He does good, but because He is good. And far from leading us into temptation, He is the constant and unshakable source of every good thing in our lives. Ruler and Creator of heaven and earth, there is no darkness in Him to be found. And in a world that grows darker by the day, keeping our focus on God and His goodness, allows us to experience joy despite an Enemy who seeks to steal it.



Angie Benjamin

Practical Wisdom for life {James 3-5}

3:20 AM


The Book of James is filled with practical wisdom for Christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works, but it is also rooted in rich theology. James is that “how-to” book on Christian living.  

Perhaps more than any other book in the New Testament, James emphasises the application of Christian belief.

Today's reading is James from chapters 3-5

This Portion of Scripture deals with:
  • Our Speech
  • How we should relate to the World
  • How we should Pray


Chapter 3- Life and Death are in the POWER of the TONGUE



Encourages us to seek God's wisdom in the way we speak. In our speech.
James mentions the terrible consequences of speaking words that do not edify, but destroy: “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell” (3:6 AMP)

 James also describes the tongue as: “… a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.” (3:8) How can it be that we profess our faith on Sunday–for example-  by praising our Father and blessing our brethren and the rest of the week we lie, we boast, gossip, judge, etc. James says it is contradictory, and it shouldn’t be this way! We’ve been redeemed from the power of sin! A great price was paid for our Salvation! We should reflect in our speech and all our ways that we fear God and we respect His precepts (3:9-10)

Read more on how to get WISDOM IN OUR SPEECH HERE 


Chapter 4- On Becoming friends with the WORLD





Today’s society encourages us to live for our individual glory. It tells us that it’s not wrong to pursue a life dedicated to pleasing the lust of the flesh. A mentality of, “if it feels good, do it” is not only encouraged, but celebrated. We are fed lies that say we are god in our lives and it is us who deserves worship. And if we don’t agree with the sinful and destructive ways of the world, we are regarded as bigots and close minded. We are laughed at, ridiculed, and in some parts of the world even tortured and killed. It’s not a good feeling to be constantly told that our beliefs are wrong. To be ostracized from those around us. Standing in faith can be hard, especially when faced with persecution, or when the people you love and care about turn away from you. The pain is real, and so it’s easy to see why many Christians fall into the trap of compromise and spiritual adultery. But as James tell us in verse 4, “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Read more on Becoming friends with the WORLD HERE


Chapter 5- The Power of Prayer



James ends  yet with another reminder to BE Jesus, not just admire or adore Him.  When we pray the “prayer of faith”, we are not referring to the sick person’s faith, but the person who is praying.  God heals, faith doesn’t, and all prayers are subject to God’s will.  But our prayers are part of God’s healing process.  That is why God often waits for our prayers of faith before intervening to heal a person.  

Read more on the Prayer of the Righteous Person HERE

Have a lovely weekend.

Angie

God's Mercy

The Challenger Becomes The Challenged {Job 38:1-42:17}

12:00 AM


I don’t know about you, but the book of Job is one of the hardest for me to get through. It’s a book filled with suffering, unanswered questions, and a man seemingly punished because of the whim of the enemy. I too have experienced times in my life where like Job I cry out to God, “Why?” I demand to know His reasons behind what is happening in my life and challenge Him for answers. But like Job soon discovered, God is not One to be challenged. And the lesson to be learned is that He is sovereign in every and all aspect of our lives, and we need to trust that He knows exactly what He’s doing.

Chapter 38 begins with God speaking to Job, “out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man and I will ask you, and you will instruct Me!’”(vs. 38:1:3) Could you just imagine? Waiting for God to respond and He comes back with this! Eugene Peterson simplifies God’s challenge, “Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers!” And over the next few chapters God asks Job a series of questions that as a mere human, he can’t possibly answer.

In Isaiah 55:9 God declares, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” There is no way we can ever understand why God does what He does. And you know what? We don’t need to. All we need to do is obey His will even when we don’t comprehend or even agree with it. For there is only one Living God, and we aren’t Him. “He is the Creator, we are the Created. He is the Original, we are the image. He is our Friend, but not our peer.” (Dr. Charles Stanley) In verse 38:4 God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you have understanding.” God is warning that if Job, or us for that matter, dare to question His dealings with us, we’d better be able to prove that we have the same knowledge and wisdom that He does. And of course, we don’t.

I don’t think that God minds us asking questions. After all He is the One who gave us an inquisitive nature. And there’s not a single Christian who at some time hasn’t had doubts or questions. It comes with being human. Instead I think God looks at the motive behind our questioning. In verse 40:2 God asks Job, “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?” When we cry out to God from a point of pain and truly wanting to know His will, He understands. Even Jesus Himself while nailed to the Cross cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46) What gets us into trouble is when from a prideful heart we question God or His authority because we think we know better, or have the audacity to presume that the God of the universe owes us an explanation.

In the end after his encounter with God, Job understands just how wrong he was and confesses, “I have heard of You by hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” (vs. 42:5-6) And how does God respond? By blessing, “the latter days of Job more than his beginning.” (vs. 42:12)  Once again God shows that even in His sovereignty, He is loving, caring, and eager to bless our obedience. James 5:11 talks about Job this way, “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” 

As long as we are on the earth, we will all have to deal with suffering in our lives. So the next time you are knee deep in sorrow, remember that even though you may not understand the reason for your troubles, God does. And He will see you through to the other side. Because of this you, like Job can say, “Though He will slay me, I will hope in Him.” (Job 13:15)


Conformity

Friends With The World {James 4}

12:00 AM

Friends With The World  {James 4}


The Bible tells us that the Christian walk is made up of two paths. Daily we must make the choice of either following the path of godly living which leads to life, or the path of the world which leads to death. For as James reminds us, we can’t walk with God and hold hands with the devil.

After Stephen was martyred in Jerusalem, the Jewish Christians were persecuted, driven from the city, and scattered throughout the land. They were unwelcome in their new communities, and faced great pressure to fit in with those around them. They felt the pull of drifting back into their old ways; of trying to walk with one foot on the worldly path and the other on the path of God. But the ways of God and the ways of the world are so completely opposite that it’s impossible to love one without hating the other. And as James warns, “friendship with the world, is hostility toward God.” (v. 4)

Today’s society encourages us to live for our individual glory. It tells us that it’s not wrong to pursue a life dedicated to pleasing the lust of the flesh. A mentality of, “if it feels good, do it” is not only encouraged, but celebrated. We are fed lies that say we are god in our lives and it is us who deserves worship. And if we don’t agree with the sinful and destructive ways of the world, we are regarded as bigots and close minded. We are laughed at, ridiculed, and in some parts of the world even tortured and killed. It’s not a good feeling to be constantly told that our beliefs are wrong. To be ostracized from those around us. Standing in faith can be hard, especially when faced with persecution, or when the people you love and care about turn away from you. The pain is real, and so it’s easy to see why many Christians fall into the trap of compromise and spiritual adultery. But as James tell us in verse 4, “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”  

Did this mean James was instructing believers to live in a cocoon, shutting ourselves away from the world? Of course not. James is saying that we are to stand strong in our faith, while loving and praying for those who don’t know Christ as their Savior. But how do we stand strong against the pressure from the world? “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will resist you.” (vs. 7) The enemy loves nothing more than to see God’s people weak both in mind and spirit. He delights at our failings. But we can withstand whatever he throws our way by submitting ourselves to the Lord. 

Submitting means trusting God’s wisdom and will, receiving His power and love, and obeying all that He commands. Through every battle and temptation, we are never fighting alone. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (vs. 8) God is always there with open arms, waiting to be invited into every part of our lives. By spending time with Him worshiping, talking, and praying, we establish a closeness with Him, an unbreakable bond. He promises to be faithful in shielding us from the schemes of Satan and in strengthening us against the temptations of an ungodly world. For as promised in 2 Thess. 3:3, “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”



Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always”, Prov. 23:17. Christian or not, at times every one us feels the sting of jealousy, and the pull of earthly living. But we can’t be in love with the Lord, and in love with the world. So the question we face is this; whom will we serve? Will we serve the world and our lust filled desires, or will we serve God and lead lives designed to please Him? The Lord knows the trials we face each day living in a fallen world. He knows the temptation and pressure upon us to conform. But if we come to Him in humility and lay our weakness at His feet, we have His assurance He will lift us up. (v. 10) So I ask again, who will you serve?

Drawing near

Worship

12:00 AM


November 4, 2017


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

Today we are memorizing James 4:7 …

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Here is the amplified version…

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you.

James delivers these three instructions right from the Lord Jesus, each one to equip us for living a successful Christian life this very day, and every day that we choose to employ them.

~ Submit yourselves to God…living each day as He directs. I remember when I began to follow this instruction and it was pure joy to see God work in all the circumstances of my day - living those moments when God was in complete control.

~ Resist the devil, and he will flee from you…resisting the devil is an everyday, any moment tool that we employ as the devil attacks us in our wrong thoughts, fleshly desires, or ungodly attitudes. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He fought back with the Word of God - SCRIPTURE. Studying the word, memorizing verses and storing them in our hearts can help us recognize wrongdoing in our behavior or thoughts.

~ Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…how do we do this? By reading the Word of God daily and worshiping Him. Worship Him at church, worship Him in the night when you can’t sleep. Talk with Him throughout the day, pour out your heart to Him, call Him for whatever your need. Praise Him for the greatness of His character, for each precious gift He gives. 

Dear Father, thank you for giving us Your Word - a book filled with love letters and words that encourage us and guides us in our walk with you. We pray that you give us wisdom and strength to live out this verse everyday. We pray that we will begin this very moment to submit ourselves completely to Jesus. We pray that you give us strength to resist the evil one whenever we recognize wrongdoing in our behavior and thoughts. We so desire to draw nearer to You each day, in every way!  


Have a blessed and precious day everyone!

James

Wisdom in our Speech {James 3}

10:30 PM



Today James cautions us regarding the use of our tongue: “… For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].” (3:2 AMP)  If we are able to control our speech, we will be able to control the rest of our body: our thoughts, emotions, desires, etc.

For the first years of my Christian walk I would usually tend to look back at my childhood: the dysfunctional home I was raised in, and the pain. My brother and I were exposed to so many hurtful and abusive words, and I knew only Jesus could restore and heal my family.  Eventually my parents divorced and I would usually think: “If I do marry and have a family of my own, I will never react in anger, I will never…! But let me tell you, during my first years of marriage this was so difficult! Most of the time I would end up doing just the opposite! (Ro. 7:20)

James also mentions the terrible consequences of speaking words that do not edify, but destroy: “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell” (3:6 AMP)

 James also describes the tongue as: “… a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.” (3:8) How can it be that we profess our faith on Sunday–for example-  by praising our Father and blessing our brethren and the rest of the week we lie, we boast, gossip, judge, etc. James says it is contradictory, and it shouldn’t be this way! We’ve been redeemed from the power of sin! A great price was paid for our Salvation! We should reflect in our speech and all our ways that we fear God and we respect His precepts (3:9-10)

But where do these evil words come from? They are the result of a proud and bitter heart (sin), and the tongue will only speak out of this behavior. Jesus said: “But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man. (Mat. 15:18): “… For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things. 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.” (Mat. 15:34-36) This is serious: giving an account f or every careless or useless word we speak!!



In Proverbs 4:23 we are instructed to: ”Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”  We must continually evaluate ourselves and humbly pray like the Psalmist:
“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way. (139:23-24)


It’s a tough world out there, and we as Christians have much work so it is crucial to keep ourselves focused in Christ. Unless Jesus is a living reality in our hearts, we won’t be able to reflect Him. In 1 Peter 3:15-16 we are instructed:
“But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 16 And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].” (AMP- emphasis mine))

We need of God’s wisdom in our Christian walk and in our speech. The kind of wisdom that produces the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23): wisdom from above.  In contrast, the wisdom that the world offers is full of envy and self-seeking. This produces the fruit of confusion and other evil things. (3:13-16)

Before I close let me share that over the years my father (he is with our Lord), my mother and my brother gave their lives to Jesus and I know He will continue to heal and restore our hearts through His grace and the work of His Holy Spirit!

“May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift.” M. Henry

Blessings!


Mari